NFL Draft 2011: What Each Last-Place Team Needs to Do on Draft Day
As we've seen with teams like the Rams, Bucs and Chiefs last season, going from one of the bottom-tier teams in the league to strongly contending or making the playoffs is not out of the realm of possibility for any of these teams.
Some franchises, like the Panthers, Bills and Broncos, seem to need a lot of help across the board to be able to go .500 or better, while teams like the Titans, Vikings and Cowboys may have just had a slight hiccup last year and don't need much help overall.
So, without free agency, I'll take a look at what each team needs to do to get back in the division title race.
AFC East: Buffalo Bills
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After passing on offensive tackle and quarterback in last year's first round and instead selecting CJ Spiller, the Bills still have gaping holes at both spots as well as in pass rushing on their defense.
While I don't think Cam Newton is the answer for this team with the No. 3 overall pick, they do need to have some sort of developmental quarterback to put behind Ryan Fitzpatrick and to learn under head coach Chan Gailey.
In the early second round, they could get lucky and find a top-tier offensive tackle, potentially Nate Solder of Colorado, who I think is a bit too long and struggles with power rushers, but has the size and athleticism to play left tackle in the future.
Somewhere in this draft, they need to add at least a few 3-4 defensive players, in particular a pass rusher and a defensive end.
Von Miller and Marcell Dareus are intriguing in Round 1, but guys like Dontay Moch of Nevada and Cedric Thornton of Southern Arkansas could be had in the middle rounds and could be early starters as well.
AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals are in a sticky situation with Carson Palmer, as he wants out and has given the team no chance to answer his request in free agency.
In my opinion, Palmer is serious about wanting to be out of Cincinnati, and with that being the case, they'll need to look quarterback early, whether that's with No. 4 overall or early in the second.
Also, receiver could use some help, as TO and Ochocinco are both likely gone, and Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson haven't been able to step up.
Outside of quarterback, they could use more defensive tackle and end depth overall, and they need to add another impact pass rusher to really give this defense the explosiveness it needs.
Dhani Johnson is going into his 14th season in the NFL, and the team is still lacking a true inside linebacker. Also, getting some safety help could be high on their list, as Reggie Nelson and Roy Williams are both former first-round busts who aren't starters to write home about.
AFC South: Tennesee Titans
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As I said in the introduction, the Titans are one of these teams which aren't too far away from being right back in the playoff discussion next year. With arguably the best running back in the NFL, one of the prime things they need to do is add more offensive line depth, maybe even a starter or two on the right side.
Also, without Vince Young, they obviously need a young quarterback to build around, whether that be trading up for Blaine Gabbert or trying to grab Colin Kaepernick or Christian Ponder in the late first, early second-round area.
As for the defense, the Titans need to find an impact defensive tackle who can generate pressure on the inside similar to how Albert Haynesworth did, though the defensive tackle doesn't need to be a nose tackle.
Also, adding more to the pass rush could be on their mind, as having Derrick Morgan, their other current defensive end, and another versatile pass rusher can get the Titans back to having one of the more terrifying defenses in the NFL.
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AFC West: Denver Broncos
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As for what the Broncos will do, I don't think anyone has a clear idea with John Elway running his first rodeo. Still, I think it's a pretty clear consensus that they need a lot of help on the defensive side of the ball.
With their switch to the 4-3 defense, they can slide Robert Ayers to defensive end, but finding an impact 3-technique should be on their list, and they could go that route with No. 2 overall.
Outside linebacker is a major need if they hope to keep DJ Williams on the inside and staying active, and finding an aggressive, weak-side linebacker who fits what John Fox likes to run is important. There should be good value in the second or third round for that.
The secondary is a major need, as this team was consistently one of the worst in pass defense. Patrick Peterson at No. 2 is an option, but getting guys like Rahim Moore of UCLA, DeAndre McDaniel of Clemson, and Davon House of New Mexico State would all be good fits.
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys
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Keeping Tony Romo healthy has to be the top priority for the Cowboys if they hope to pick up right where they left off as Super Bowl contenders before he got hurt.
They need to add some depth and youth to that offensive line, whether it be adding a left tackle in Round 1 or finding a right tackle in the second and leaving Doug Free at left tackle.
Also, with Dez Bryant reportedly having a lot of issues being a professional and Roy Williams likely on his way out, it'd make sense to grab a receiver in the middle of this draft, and it's a fairly deep year for No. 2 or No. 3 receivers. A guy like Edmund Gates of Abilene Christian or Terrence Toliver of LSU makes sense.
On defense, finding an impact 3-4 defensive end needs to be high on their wish list, as they lack the consistent pass rush from their front three. Backside guys like Anthony Spencer need that one-on-one blocking that a good defensive end forces.
Adding to the secondary seems like their top priority, as reports are that both Terrence Newman and Mike Jenkins could be let go this offseason, and the safeties are nothing to write home about either for this team. Prince Amukamara of Nebraska is high on their board from people I've spoken with.
NFC North: Minnesota Vikings
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The Vikings were my pick to play in the NFC title game last year, but Brett Favre and the rest of the team's injuries put that flame of a prediction out pretty quickly.
Assuming reports are true that there is mutual interest between the team and Donovan McNabb, I'd say that they can likely pass on a quarterback early in this draft, with Joe Webb in the fold already.
They would be wise to add more depth on this offensive line, where Bryant McKinnie struggled last year, and they could use some depth on the interior in a guy like Jason Pinkston from Pittsburgh.
On defense, keeping the front four the most dangerous in the NFL has to be high on their priority list, so adding depth to the defensive tackle unit early would make sense for a team that could use the talent. That and the fact that the class is so talented this year.
Defensive end could also be an option to work into their rotation, and Da'Quan Bowers could fall to them, even if they trade back a bit in Round 1.
Also, getting younger outside linebackers to play alongside Chad Greenway and EJ Henderson may be a wise move, and getting a guy like Greg Jones of Michigan State in the early rounds or Eric McBride of Richmond later could be in their draft plans.
NFC South: Carolina Panthers
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Based on their record, it looks as though the Panthers need a lot to be back in the mix, but in reality, if they can stay healthy and retain their young players, they could be on the rebound quicker than most think.
Not having a second-round pick is a killer this year, so trading back from pick No. 1 seems to be the logical move for the Panthers, and passing on Cam Newton in favor of giving Jimmy Clausen another year is what I would do.
Adding to the offensive line depth must be addressed, as the talent is there for this to be a solid crew, but a guy like Clint Boling of Georgia in the early-to-middle rounds who can play a variety of spots seems like it would work well.
Also, adding some dynamic players to that offense, whether it be AJ Green at No. 1 overall, or some explosive running backs and receivers like Derrick Locke of Kentucky or Tandon Doss of Indiana in the middle rounds, would be wise.
On defense, the Panthers have some talented pieces like Charles Johnson at defensive end, Jon Beason at outside linebacker, and a host of solid NFL secondary guys. However, adding pass rushers on the interior has to be addressed, as they had only four sacks by defensive tackles last year.
Also, with Charles Johnson's contract up, they could look to let him go in favor of adding another high-impact defensive end in the middle rounds, such as taking a shot at Greg Romeus of Pittsburgh.
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals
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Along with the Vikings, I'm going to assume that no quarterbacks that the Cardinals really want (Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert) are going to be there at No. 5 and that they'll live with John Skelton for now and make a strong run at Kevin Kolb or Carson Palmer once free agency starts.
For that new quarterback or for Skelton, they should finally add a reliable short-range target, and Kyle Rudolph in the early second round seems to be a perfect fit, similar to Heath Miller for Ken Whisenhunt back when he was with Pittsburgh.
On defense, they need to continue to try to replace Karlos Dansby, who left last year and took a major impact player out of the Cardinals' interior. Darryl Washington did pretty well, but a high-ceiling guy like Kelvin Sheppard of LSU or Nate Irving of NC State could give that 3-4 the presence it needs.
Also, finding an elite pass rusher needs to be high on their list, and that could be the target of their No. 5 overall pick. Von Miller of Texas A&M is likely their first choice, and they could even take him over Gabbert/Newton if he's available.
But if he's gone, Robert Quinn of North Carolina could be their backup plan.
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