2011 NFL Draft Grades: 5 Teams Who Significantly Improved During the Draft

The 2011 NFL draft hit quick and disappeared even quicker. 

There are actually a number players that were not drafted in 2011 that have starting potential and they will definitely make a few teams very, very happy when the league year opens.

But, with 254 players taken, there are also a number of teams that significantly improved their rosters during the draft.

Most of the following teams are coming off losing seasons, but not all of them, in fact, one of them elevated themselves from playoff team to Super Bowl contender in the first two days of the draft alone.

Here are five teams that significantly improved during the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints

The defending NFC South champions unsuccessfully defended their Super Bowl title last year and went into this draft looking to heavily improve in their defensive front seven.

At pick No. 24 they got arguably the third best value of the first round in California defensive end Cameron Jordan, third only to their own pick at No. 28, running back Mark Ingram (and NYG's Prince Amukamara at No. 19).

The Saints also went on to add linebacker Martez Wilson (much needed), cornerback Johnny Patrick (great value), defensive end Greg Romeus (former Big East DPOY) and OLB Nathan Bussey.

The Saints did this all in the first, third and seventh rounds with two picks in each.

2. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts came into this draft hoping to improve their offensive line and went out and made it so.

They were fortunate to get Anthony Castonzo in the first round and made a move up in the second round for Ben Ijalana, an offensive guard/tackle that will be a great help to this team.

In the third and fourth round they went with defensive tackle Drake Nevis, a great disruptive force for this defense, and running back Delone Carter, an insurance policy that can play.

Sixth round they hit with Michigan State corner Chris Rucker who could work his way into the lineup.

This whole draft has put this team in a better place.

3. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo needed to upgrade almost everywhere on the defensive side of the ball and hit it hard with Marcell Dareus, Aaron Williams, Kelvin Sheppard, Da'Norris Searcy, Chris White, Justin Rogers, Michael Jasper.

Dareus, Williams, Sheppard and Searcy could all be starters.

Offensively they hit with tackle Chris Hairston and running back Johnny White, both potential contributors early.

Great all around draft for this team and it makes them infinitely better.

4. Denver Broncos

Denver needed a major overhaul for their new 4-3 defense and new coach John Fox.

Von Miller (OLB), Rahim Moore (S), Nate Irving (ILB), Quinton Carter (S), Mike Mohamed (ILB), Jeremy Beal (DE) will all be players for this team (Beal will really have to work for it).

Moore and Carter could be safety starters for the future, Miller is a top talent and Irving and Mohamed have a ton of potential.

These defensive picks are the most important part of the draft for the Denver Broncos that also saw them add two tight ends.

5. Detroit Lions

Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh teaming up together, enough said.

Mikel Leshoure and Titus Young will be players immediately on offense while Douglas Hogue could be a steal defensively.

Johnny Culbreath is developmental offensive tackle for this team.

The pairing of Fairley and Suh is scary.