2011 NFL Draft: What Losing Teams Will Improve Themselves the Most in the Draft?

Due to the NFL lockout and delayed free agency, NFL teams will have to improve themselves through the draft.

This off-season will go down in history as a backwards one, as teams will draft players before they are able to sign free agents. 

With so much emphasis on the 2011 NFL Draft, which teams will improve themselves the most?

Out of all of the teams with losing records in 2010, which teams will improve the most and climb closer to the playoffs, if not a playoff team? 

NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @TonySantorsa.

5. Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

2010 record: 5-11

Predicted 2011 record: 7-9

Cleveland Browns team president Mike Holmgren has found his quarterback in Colt McCoy, now it's time to start building around him. 

After a rather disappointing 5-11 season, Holmgren cut ties with head coach Eric Mangini and has now hired Pat Shumur. 

The Browns have a good chunk of draft picks, one being the sixth overall pick of the draft. 

With that sixth pick, the Browns can add a much needed defensive pass rusher, as they only recorded 29 sacks as a team; or the Browns could draft Georgia's wide receiver A.J. Green to give McCoy a legitimate weapon to use. 

Holmgren has the chance to bring in some quality players to build around McCoy, it's just a matter of finding the right players to fit his offensive system. 

4. Buffalo Bills

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Running Back C.J. Spiller #21 of the Buffalo Bills runs against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida.The Bills defeated the Dolphins 17-14. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

2010 record: 4-12

Predicted 2011 record: 7-9

The Buffalo Bills are definitely moving in the right direction under head coach Chan Gailey. 

While under Gailey, the Bills have switched to a 3-4 alignment and are in desperate need of a pass rusher while ranking 27th in sacks in 2010. 

The Bills sit nicely with third overall pick and can with a quarterback, Blaine Gabbert of Cam Newton, or go with a pass rusher like Da'Quan Bowers or Robert Quinn. 

I'd strongly advice Buffalo to select Cam Newton, as he'd be a perfect fit in Buffalo. While already having a quality starting quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick, that allows the Bills to correctly develop Newton into an elusive and developed NFL quarterback. 

3. Detroit Lions

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 12: Dominic Raiola #51 of the Detroit Lions prepares to snap the ball to Matthew Stafford #9 during the NFL season opening game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated t

2010 record: 6-10

Predicted 2011 record: 8-8

The 2010 season was definitely a step in right direction for Jim Schwartz and his Detroit Lions. 

The Lions finished with an improved record of 6-10 and are entering the 2011 NFL draft with much optimism.

The Lions currently sit with 13th, 44th, 75th, and the 107th overall picks to go along with a fifth and seventh round pick.

The Lions have key players, such as Ndamukong Suh and Calvin Johnson and have found their quarterback and running back of the future in Matthew Stafford and Jahvid Best.

The biggest area that Detroit needs to improve is their offensive line—they need to keep Stafford healthy.

At 13th overall, the Lions will likely target Boston College's Anthony Castonzo. He would be a perfect fit in the Motor City.

2. Minnesota Vikings

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Interim head coach Leslie Frazier of the Minnesota Vikings looks on from the bench while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 20-13. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Gett

2010 record: 6-10

Projected 2011 record: 10-6

The Minnesota Vikings were one of the most underachieving and disappointing teams in the NFL last season. 

Their sub-par season resulted in the mid-season firing of Brad Childress. New head coach, and former defensive coordinator, Leslie Frazier looks to make a complete turnaround in 2011.

The Vikings are in desperate need of a quarterback—they are virtually average at every other position besides quarterback.

Whether if Minnesota needs to trade up from their 12th overall pick, or just sit there and hope that Newton or Gabbert falls to them. If neither of them do, the Vikings will then look to alternatives such as Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett or Christian Ponder. 

With the NFL's top running back and one of the league's top defenses, the Vikings have all the pieces to the puzzle besides the most important one: the quarterback. 

1. St. Louis Rams

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 19-6. (Photo b

2010 record: 7-9

Projected 2011 record: 11-5

The St. Louis Rams, who are in the weakest division in the NFL, were just one win away from a playoff appearance last season. 

The Rams have continued to strive forward under head coach Steve Spagnuolo, and continue to blossom with their franchise quarterback Sam Bradford. 

St. Louis is pretty stout defensively, and could use some upgrades here and there. But, offensively, the Rams must find a wide receiver for Bradford to target. 

Under newly hired offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, expect the Rams to pass a lot. So, Bradford needs some weapons to use. 

The Rams will certainly address their wide receiver needs in the draft, but the big question is "when?"

Their first round selection is slotted in at 14th overall, and they could have a chance to get their hands on Alabama's Julio Jones. 

If Jones falls to the Rams at 14th, the entire St. Louis front office will be doing back-flips. Jones is the perfect guy for Bradford, and throw in running back Steven Jackson, the Rams will be a force to be reckon with.