2011 NFL Draft: 4 Teams That Can Improve Dramatically on Day 2

1. New England Patriots

It's scary to think what would happen if the New England Patriots improved drastically going into next season, as the team is a perpetual juggernaut capable of reaching the Super Bowl every year. In fairness, though, they failed to reach the AFC Championship game last season and had some flaws exposed during a 28-21 loss to the Jets in last year's divisional round.

Fortunately, Bill Belichick tends to treat the NFL Draft like a "Hoarders" episode, and New England will go into Day 2 with five picks spread out over the second and third rounds, including the first pick of the day.

I'd look for Belichick to select Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers, and promptly trade him along with the 56th overall pick for a lower second-round pick, a fourth-round pick and a 2012 second-round pick.

Mind you, he won't do this because he has any real interest in the fourth-round pick, but because he can then take that pick and his 92nd overall pick and trade it for a 2013 first-round pick and a seventh-round pick, which the Patriots inexplicably have none of in this year's draft.

2. San Diego Chargers

They have four picks on Day 2, and need to make them count because they won't have selections in the fourth or fifth round, and because large chunks of their receiving and linebacking corps will become free agents whenever that stuff starts happening.

San Diego also struggled on special teams last year, which generally happens to teams lacking depth.

I would expect them to choose at least one linebacker on Day 2, and draft for quality (instead of targeting specific needs) beyond that.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

They will be one of the more interesting teams to watch on the second day of the draft as they are adequate almost everywhere but spectacular nowhere (except Jamaal Charles). Drafting Jonathan Baldwin (who I really hoped would end up with the Bears) higher than most teams had him ranked seemed like an acknowledgment of that fact and we'll see if they continue down the same path tomorrow.

With three picks over the next two rounds I'd like to see the Chiefs go after a defensive playmaker to help a unit that struggled last year to create turnovers.

4. Whoever gets Ryan Mallett

This could be Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland or Arizona. Maybe? Or Washington or San Francisco? Maybe the Omaha Nighthawks or the Sacramento Mountain Lions?

I really hope Mallett ends up being the best quarterback from this draft. Not because I particularly like Arkansas or tall guys or people whose last names are homophones with hammers, but because the reason he's getting drafted so much lower than he should be might have something to do with the existence of this picture.