2011 NFL Draft: Analyzing the Biggest Need for Every NFL Team
The NFL Draft talk is in full force as experts prepare their mock drafts and big boards.
This isn't a mock draft, but is simply a surface-level review of each team's most glaring hole on the roster.
Every team will make a selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, although the Oakland Raiders will have to wait until the second round for theirs. Here are the biggest positions each team should be looking to upgrade in April's draft.
Follow Erik Frenz on Twitter at @e_frenz.
1. Carolina Panthers
1 of 32
Biggest need: DT
Other needs: QB, CB, OLB, DE
The idea of defensive tackles as not worthy of a top pick is quickly being shattered by Ndamukong Suh, and there are a couple of prospects available to the Panthers at this spot.
Of course, Nick Fairley was once considered the top prospect until questions of his character started to creep up. Marcell Dareus has also been a fixture atop big boards, and could quickly contribute to a Panthers defensive line that lacks anything up the middle.
2. Denver Broncos
2 of 32
Biggest need: DT
Other needs: LB, TE, DB, DE
As John Fox implements the 4-3 defense in Denver once again, the Broncos will be looking for the right personnel to make the switch for what will be the third time in four years.
The Broncos couldn't stop anyone from doing anything they wanted all year last year. The defense was a navy blue and orange doormat for opposing offenses to walk all over.
If the Panthers pass on Marcell Dareus, the Broncos could be quick to snatch him up.
3. Buffalo Bills
3 of 32
Biggest need: LT
Other needs: QB, DE (3-4), OLB (3-4), TE
There just aren't very many solid players on this roster who have locked up their starting spots. One could make the argument that Ryan Fitzpatrick should start again next year, but after that, who else really stands out?
One spot the Bills need to find an answer is at left tackle. They lost Jason Peters several years ago and have yet to find his replacement. A franchise left tackle coud go a long way, unfortunately for Buffalo there isn't one worth taking this high.
Still, the Bills have reached on a position of need in the past and could do so again in 2011.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals
4 of 32
Biggest need: QB
Other needs: WR, DT, OT, RB
What's worse than losing your franchise quarterback to retirement? Apparently, trading him to another team. Thus it seems either way, the Bengals will need a quarterback pretty badly in 2010. Their franchise continues to flounder with a locker room full of what ESPN's Player X calls "paycheck guys".
Doesn't seem like exactly the cultivating locker room environment an organization would want around their franchise quarterback.
Need meets value for the Bengals in this draft, and many mock drafts have projected them to take Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert at No. 4 overall.
5. Arizona Cardinals
5 of 32
Biggest need: QB
Other needs: OLB, OT/OG, TE, CB
The Cardinals need a quarterback more than anything, but unfortunately, neither Cam Newton nor Blaine Gabbert project as a first-year starter. They will both probably need time to learn the NFL game.
Time isn't something the Cardinals have, though, as they must do something to keep Larry Fitzgerald from walking away in free agency.
I'm sure they'd love to get Derek Anderson's tirade out of their minds, too.
6. Cleveland Browns
6 of 32
Biggest need: WR
Other needs: DE, DT, CB, OT
It's time to get Colt McCoy that big-time weapon every young quarterback wishes they had. With the sixth pick in the draft, the Browns are in prime position to do just that.
This is a tough call to make, because the Browns are switching to a 4-3 defensive front and may want to grab some personnel to help them make that switch. Still, they have lacked offensive firepower for some time and can really nurture the growth of their young quarterback with a top-tier receiver.
With Mike Holmgren and Pat Shurmur in the war room, it will be hard for the Browns to pass on a receiver.
7. San Francisco 49ers
7 of 32
Biggest need: QB
Other needs: NT, CB, OLB, WR (tall)
If the Alex Smith era isn't officially over in San Francisco, it should be. It probably should have been a couple of years ago, but that's a different story entirely.
Jim Harbaugh is asked to pick up the pieces of what has been a very dysfunctional organization over the past decade. The best place to start would be with a quarterback, unfortunately both Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton will be gone.
I guess Harbaugh can't complain too much, though, because now he'll get a chance to land his own top quarterback prospect, Stanford QB Andrew Luck in next year's draft.
8. Tennessee Titans
8 of 32
Biggest need: QB
Other needs: DT, ILB, G, CB
A team that went 5-2 to start the season after finishing on a depressing 1-8 skid needs a lot more than just one upgrade. The biggest and most well-documented, though, is at quarterback. With the storied troubles of Vince Young finally coming to an end when the team released him at the end of the 2010 regular season, the Titans finally decided to move on.
Unfortunately, as with the 49ers, the Titans probably won't have much of a chance to move on fully by drafting a franchise quarterback, as both Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton will likely be off the board.
9. Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
Biggest need: DB
Other needs: DE (3-4), OT, ILB, OG
The Cowboys ranked 26th against the pass, so something must be fixed. They could use some help in the front seven, but the Cowboys roster is littered with defensive backs that are either too old or not talented.
One of the harshest criticisms I heard of the Cowboys last year was pointed at Mike Jenkins. Some felt he should be cut from the team midway through the season for failing to show effort.
10. Washington Redskins
10 of 32
Biggest need: NT
Other needs: QB, WR, OLB, T, G
The Albert Haynesworth story hasn't stopped since Mike Shanahan took the reigns in Washington, and doesn't appear to be on the downturn either. Finding those hole-plugging defensive linemen should be a top priority for April's draft.
There aren't, however, many of them available. In fact, the only top prospect that could be considered a 3-4 nose tackle would be Marcell Dareus, and he won't be available at pick No. 10. The Redskins will likely target an outside linebacker hybrid or a wide receiver with this pick.
11. Houston Texans
11 of 32
Biggest need: OLB
Other needs: CB, FS, NT, SS
Former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips has made the move to Houston and joined the fold as their defensive coordinator. With him, he brings the implementation of the 3-4 front, his preferred front.
Unfortunately, the Texans don't currently have the personnel to run the scheme effectively. The best thing they can do for themselves is to get a pass rushing outside linebacker who can also cover and give run support.
Wade Phillips may start the search for the next DeMarcus Ware in the upcoming draft.
12. Minnesota Vikings
12 of 32
Biggest need: QB
Other needs: FS, OT, DT, C
In case you've been living under a rock for the past few months, Brett Favre has officially retired, we think. Behind him on the roster are quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Joe Webb. Will Leslie Frazier want to take on either of these projects, or will he start anew?
There isn't a whole lot of value in the quarterbacks not named Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton, as those remain the only two names that are consensus first-round choices. The Vikings will have a hard time finding their answer at quarterback at this spot without reaching big-time.
An offensive tackle seems a far more likely solution. Even a great quarterback will only be above-average behind a below-average or poor offensive line.
13. Detroit Lions
13 of 32
Biggest need: OT
Other needs: CB, WLB, SLB, RB
A franchise quarterback like Matthew Stafford deserves a franchise left tackle protecting him. Two years straight, Stafford has gone down to a season-ending injury just when it seemed he was hitting stride.
What was a dynamic offense last year only figures to be more of a threat with some protection for one of the best young quarterbacks in the league.
Most mock drafts have the Lions taking USC tackle Tyron Smith, and without much value at any of the other positions listed above, that seems like the most logical route. Unless, of course, Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara were to fall to them at 13. That would be a blessing for the Lions.
14. St. Louis Rams
14 of 32
Biggest need: WR
Other needs: OLB, DT, RB, OG
As the Rams try to reassemble an elite offense even closely resembling the Greatest Show On Turf, a wide receiver for Sam Bradford would be a great place to start. The Rams have seen their best receivers fall victim to their age, and it's time to go after an elite target.
They may not know exactly what they have, as Donnie Avery went down with an ACL injury in the preseason and missed the season.
Regardless, it doesn't appear as though A.J. Green or Julio Jones will fall to the Rams at 14, but the possibility exists for them to trade up.
15. Miami Dolphins
15 of 32
Biggest need: QB
Other needs: OG, RB, FS, ILB
I know I'm going against conventional wisdom a little bit here, but the Dolphins aren't going anywhere with Chad Henne as their starting quarterback. He has constantly made poor decisions, and the Dolphins have gone 7-9 back-to-back years as a result.
They even went out and got him Brandon Marshall, considered one of the best receivers in the game. Still, he showed little progress. It took him until Week 3 to even find his new target for a touchdown.
Obviously, they will need a running back as well. Whether they go get a top-notch guy like Mark Ingram or wait until a later round to find a gem remains to be seen. With Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown both on the way out, they have to do something.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
16 of 32
Biggest need: DE
Other needs: FS, OLB, QB, WR
After picking up Tyson Alualu in the first round last year, the Jaguars could really put their defensive line one step closer to elite with a talented defensive end. They certainly need the production, as the Jaguars only tallied 26 sacks last year.
Aaron Kampman is aging, and won't be around much longer. Still, the Jaguars are in a good position to get a lot out of him not just on the field, but in mentoring a young defensive end.
The Jaguars released their only top wide receiver, Mike Sims-Walker. There aren't any good values to be had at this point in the draft at wide receiver. With guys like Aldon Smith, Justin Houston, Ryan Kerrigan and others available at defensive end, it's for the better.
17. Oakland Raiders
17 of 32
Biggest need: DE
Other needs: CB, OG, OLB
The Oakland Raiders traded their first round pick to the Patriots back in 2009 for Richard Seymour.
Not a bad trade, but it leaves them out of the running for one of the many talented defensive ends available in this draft. Those guys will be in the league for 10 to 15 years, Richard Seymour will only be around for two or three more.
Theoretically, the Raiders could trade up into the back end of the first round, but most of the best defensive ends will be gone by then.
18. San Diego Chargers
18 of 32
Biggest need: DE (3-4)
Other needs: ILB, OLB (3-4), RT, WR
The Chargers are in a very curious spot going into April's draft. They ranked first in both offense and defense, yet finished 9-7 and out of the playoffs. Where do they turn?
Their lack of standout talent is most clear at defensive end. Luis Castillo and Jacques Cesaire aren't exactly the "book-end" type guys you're looking for on a defensive line. The two totaled 4 sacks between them in 2010.
They would love for J.J. Watt or Cameron Jordan to fall to them, but it just doesn't look like it's going to happen. Larry English was a pretty massive bust a couple years back, and they could afford to take a hybrid outside linebacker prospect like Justin Houston, Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan or someone else.
19. New York Giants
19 of 32
Biggest need: C/G
Other needs: LB, TE, RB, DT
Shaun O'Hara and Rich Seubert aren't going to be playing forever. It's time to start looking into their future replacements. As luck would have it, their value falls right in line with where Florida G/C Mike Pouncey will be drafted.
Point blank: The Giants are going to draft Pouncey if he's available. His brother was drafted 18th last year, and the two are very similar. Mike isn't as NFL ready as Maurkice was, but the value is still there for the Giants to pick him up.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20 of 32
Biggest need: DE
Other needs: MLB, CB, OLB, RB
After using their first two choices in the 2010 NFL Draft on defensive tackles, a logical follow-up would indicate using at least one of their top two picks on a defensive end to solidify that line for the foreseeable future.
Justin Houston immediately comes to mind, though his draft stock is slipping of late. With concerns about his motor on running downs, he might be considered a reach here. Then, there's Adrian Clayborn. He's less of a pass-rushing end and more of a run-stopper, but he causes havoc in the trenches. That's what the Bucs need more than anything.
21. Kansas City Chiefs
21 of 32
Biggest need: NT
Other needs: WR, ROT, ILB, OLB
Ron Edwards doesn't exactly bring that dominating presence at defensive tackle that a defensive coordinator like Romeo Crennel would like to see. The Chiefs will never have an elite 3-4 defense without an elite nose tackle.
The Chiefs could reach on Baylor DT Phil Taylor, who has severe questions about his character, or they could go after a guy like Temple DT Muhammad Wilkerson. He has the perfect build for a 3-4 nose tackle at 6'4" and 314 pounds.
One thing Kansas City has done well recently is cultivate young talent. Saying "one player away" seems a bit drastic in any case, but the Chiefs are certainly one draft away from greatness. A standout nose tackle will go a long way toward the ultimate goal.
22. Indianapolis Colts
22 of 32
Biggest need: DT
Other needs: OG, SS, OT, CB
The Colts have had one of the worst run defenses for the past decade, and it's because for whatever reason, they can't find the right talent on the interior of their defensive line. Perhaps it's a defect of the system, but after ranking 25th against the run in 2010, it's clear something needs to be done.
There's more than one defensive tackle available at this spot in the draft that would be worth the value. Corey Liuget and Muhammad Wilkerson both come to mind. It's time the Colts improve their run defense, though, and it starts at defensive tackle.
They may see some value in trying to replace Bob Sanders, recently released from the team, but that value would likely come in the later rounds.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
23 of 32
Biggest need: OLB
Other needs: CB, ROG, OT
He wasn't swallowed in a sea of no talent in Detroit. Let's just go ahead and say it, folks. We can finally conclude that Ernie Sims was a bust. He was supposed to help bring a pass rushing presence from the linebacker spot in the exotic blitzing defense that the Eagles once ran so well.
The lack of top-end outside linebackers is somewhat surprising, but there are a few names to be had. Akeem Ayers immediately comes to mind as someone who could bolster the pass rush and cover as well.
24. New Orleans Saints
24 of 32
Biggest need: DE
Other needs: OLB, SS, DT, RB
Charles Grant and Will Smith, once a one-two to be feared, have fallen to the wayside. Grant is no longer with the team, and Smith logged just 5.5 sacks last year. In a defense that blitzes as much as the Saints, his number should be a lot higher than that.
Only 12 of their 33 total sacks came from defensive ends. If they were maximizing their production at defensive end, they could be getting closer to 40 sacks a season. Justin Houston could fall to this spot, or possibly later. Arizona DE Brooks Reed would be a reach at this point.
A defensive tackle could also improve their pass rush, with a guy like Muhammad Wilkerson or Corey Liuget if either should fall. That may be the best value for them.
25. Seattle Seahawks
25 of 32
Top Needs: OG/C
Other needs: OT, QB, OLB, CB
The Seahawks need a lot of upgrades on the offensive line. They picked up Russell Okung last year, but are still four pieces away from a solid offensive line.
Derrek Sherrod and Gabe Carimi could both be available, though Carimi is far less likely. Although they may not be immediate fixtures as starters at tackle, both can be brought along and project out to that spot in the near future.
Pete Carroll may be a little emotional, but for what it's worth, he knows how to find the right players to run his scheme.
26. Baltimore Ravens
26 of 32
Biggest need: DE
Other needs: WR, OT, CB, FS
Haloti Ngata was considered by many to be a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award. He has that kind of an impact on the game from the defensive end spot, which is remarkable in a 3-4 alignment.
Corey Redding doesn't bring nearly that level of play, so finding someone to bolster the pass rush may begin in the trenches. Cameron Heyward would be a good fit, and questions about his shoulder after Tommy John surgery shouldn't be much concern. Athletes tend to recover fine from it.
27. Atlanta Falcons
27 of 32
Biggest need: DE
Other needs: DT, OLB, WR, OT/OG
The Falcons may have had a 13-3 record last year, but they hardly did so with their dominant defense. In fact, the offense bailed them out frequently last year with late-game drives or comebacks.
The Falcons defense is two completely different beasts when playing with a lead and when playing from behind. What they need is a pass rusher who can make an impact regardless of the scoreboard.
There will be plenty of players available with good value, especially since there will probably be one or two solid prospects that fall simply because of other teams' needs.
28. New England Patriots
28 of 32
Biggest need: OLB
Other needs: DE, OT, OG, DB
Somehow, it's not hard to find weaknesses in a team that went 14-2 last year. That will happen to you when your defense ranks 25th in the league and "can't stop a nose-bleed".
One glaring hole in the roster that has lingered for the past few years is at outside linebacker. We hear all the time how the Patriots are looking for "the next Willie McGinest". I think they'd be just fine with any linebacker that projects as a three-down starter in their defense, regardless of whether he fits that mold.
The Patriots defense was a group of specialists whose weaknesses could easily be exposed. That's why they must focus on finding players who don't have to come off the field in certain, or any, situations.
29. Chicago Bears
29 of 32
Biggest need: LOT
Other needs: DT, WR, C, OLB
Sorry, Chris Williams. You weren't the answer at left tackle that everyone thought you'd be. That's okay, though, you can still contribute at guard or right tackle. You just can't be trusted to Cutler's blind side. Struggles early in the year hurt Cutler's confidence, and we all know how fragile Cutler's confidence is.
Giving Cutler all the time he can possibly have back there needs to take precedence. Most of the top talents at tackle will be gone, but Derrek Sherrod could still be on the board. He projects as a left tackle down the road, though he may have to play guard to start. Nate Solder is a boom-or-bust prospect at tackle, but so was Williams...
30. New York Jets
30 of 32
Biggest need: DE
Other needs: OLB, NT, WR, OT/OG
The Jets need a defensive end, but only if they lose out on free agent Shaun Ellis. So much of what the Jets should or shouldn't do on draft day depends on whether free agency occurs before or after the draft. The Jets could really shoot themselves in the foot by failing to re-sign some of their key players after failing to draft their eventual replacement.
Picking a defensive end wouldn't be something you'd have a hard time convincing Rex Ryan to do. Cameron Heyward could fall to this spot. So could Justin Houston. If neither are available, they also need to find the heir to Kris Jenkins' spot at nose tackle. Phil Taylor is a good value here, despite his character issues.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers
31 of 32
Top Needs: OT
Other needs: CB, NT, WR, TE
Max Starks went down with a neck injury in early November, and the Steelers depth on offensive line was really tested down the stretch. Flozell Adams shouldn't be trusted with starting duties on anyone's offensive line. He's simply too much of a liability in pass protection.
There won't be a lot of value at tackle here, but a guard would suffice. Baylor's Danny Watkins looks like a good Steelers prospect, despite his age (27). The Steelers have also been hot on the Texas scouting trail, checking out the defensive prospects down south where they have a lot of cornerbacks and outside linebackers. Perhaps they're looking that direction.
32. Green Bay Packers
32 of 32
Top Needs: OLB
Other needs: DE, OG, WR, RB
Clay Matthews could be made a much better pass rusher if he had a book-end outside linebacker to go with him to the quarterback. The thought of making Clay Matthews any more effective at what he does than he already is, is pretty scary.
But as it is, they have Frank Zombo, who totaled just three sacks last year, one in the playoffs.
The Packers have built a solid core on defense through the draft, and adding another pass rusher would be a great next move. Brooks Reed has been projected here, though he seems like a bit of a reach. Akeem Ayers seems like a good fit.
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