NFL Draft Results: 15 Teams Who Are Now Ready for a Super Bowl Run
Normally when draft weekend is done, NFL fans have a fairly solid idea of what their team looks like heading into the season. Not so this season, as free agency has been put on hold as the NFL experiences its labor pains.
The NFL did have an out to at least allow player trades during the draft. U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson forced the NFL to end the lockout, at least for a few days. Had the league been prepared, they could have had a contingency plan in place for trading draft picks for players.
The NFL was either unprepared, or unwilling to look weak, so I caveat this article that there will be assumptions with several of these teams.
Following is a list of the 15 teams with a solid shot at making the Super Bowl, complete with current Vegas Odds of the team winning the Super Bowl.
15. Dallas Cowboys: 16/1
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All I can say to this spread is "huh?" A 16/1 spread seems rather generous for a team that didn't make the playoffs last season and failed to address several areas of need in the draft. If not for the Vegas odds, and the Cowboy fans that would have asked where they were on this list, I wouldn't have included them.
The Cowboys got some help on the offensive line but still have major issues in the defensive backfield. They waited until round five to address the corner back position and failed to draft a safety or defensive lineman. Unless they get busy in free agency, they'll be hard pressed to make 8-8, let alone the Super Bowl.
14. Tennessee Titans: 50/1
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Some may ask what did the Titans did to fill their holes this weekend. They contend the team drafted a QB that can't hit receivers, waited until the third round to address their DL and round six to address the OG issue. OK, that last concern is accurate.
Jake Locker is an ideal fit for the Titans and was a great first round pick. But the Titans may need to look beyond Kerry Collins for a transition plan. Matt Hasselbeck might be an ideal candidate to bring Locker along. When he had pass blocking and a ground game, Hasselbeck was one of the better QBs in the league.
The Titans hit several big players in subsequent rounds. They grabbed first-round talent with Akeem Ayers in the second round, and third round pick, Jurrell Casey fills a big need on the interior of the defensive line. His talent level was much higher than the third round, but system issues pushed him down the board. He'll find a great fit in Tennessee.
The Titans will need to make a few steps in free agency. There will be several options at OG; they have to sign a starting-caliber run blocker. They may also look to find someone to replace Collins at QB that has two years of high-end production left in him.
13: Chicago Bears: 25/1
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The Bears used a first round bye and a victory over the Seahawks to host the NFC Championship Game last season. This may seem like a low placement for a team that was one game away from the Super Bowl last season.
The Packers controlled the game, though, showing the Bears still have some work to do.
Their biggest deficiency last season was their offensive line. They gave up the most sacks on the season and were dead last in the New York Life Protection Index. Oddly enough, their new pitch-man Gabe Carimi was the Bears' first round selection. He will do a lot to solidify their tackle options.
The Bears failed to grab a wide receiver, though, and won't be considered a contender unless they can find a strong starting WR in free agency. Johnny Knox needs some help, and at this point, the Hester experiment should be done.
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12. Minnesota Vikings: 35/1
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The Vikings have a chance...if they can pick up a QB in free agency or via trade. Then they need to re-sign Rice, and their OL has to play like they did two years ago. Love may be able to fill a hole there.
The Vikings have some talent on defense and added to it in the draft.
Then there is this certain RB they have...and adding the best TE in this draft will help the offense, particularly if they have to throw Ponder out there.
11. San Diego Chargers: 12/1
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For fans that try to say special teams aren't a third of the game, look no further than the 2010 San Diego Chargers. They had the top offense, top defense and about the worst special teams unit in the league. What did it get them? One of the last draft picks before the playoff teams.
They ended up with five picks the first two days and focused on beefing up the defense. They also grabbed a solid WR that should find a spot in their rotations. However, two of their second round picks seemed like big reaches. It is almost as though the Chargers were drafting guys specifically for special teams.
10. Philadelphia Eagles: 16/1
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Philly's biggest need had to be the offensive line. Vick is an amazing talent with his legs and his arm, but he needs to spend a little time in the pocket. If they can accomplish that, look for the Eagles to be even more potent in 2011.
I didn't like the selection of Watkins in the first round. I thought the Eagles should have filled their CB needs with Jimmy Smith. Rodney Hudson was available with their second pick, and I'm not sure how many GMs would feel that Watkins and Jaiquawn Jarrett is a better draft than Smith and Hudson.
That alone could keep the Eagles from getting over the hump. They had an opportunity to solidify their defensive backfield and grab a tough interior blocker in round two. They didn't, and it could keep them from advancing in the playoffs...again.
9. New Orleans Saints: 14/1
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They may have given up a lot, and next year's draft will be hampered, but the Saints certainly picked up some solid talent in 2011. Grabbing Cam Jordan was an amazing gift in round one. But to be blunt...most teams decided Mark Ingram wasn't worth a first round pick in 2011 due to the injury concerns.
Given that, how is he worth a first round in a more talent-heavy 2012 plus a second round pick in 2011? Had they held onto their second round pick they could have grabbed Mikel Leshoure.
The other main issue I have is the Saints needed to work on their secondary. The Seahawks torched the Saints through the air twice last season. A Super Bowl contender needs to offer a bit more resistance.
8. New York Jets: 14/1
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Sanchez needs to build on his improvement last season, and he'll have a few new WRs to work with if they lose Santonio Holmes and/or Braylon Edwards.
They need some edge help at DE and OLB. While they likely got a great pick with Wilkerson, they didn't manage to work on the LB position. Their lack of response to their OL issues could haunt them as well. There just isn't much at the position in FA.
I'm not sure the Jets really got better. Luckily for them, neither did the Patriots...but there are other teams in the AFC they need to worry about.
7. New England Patriots: 7/1
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Is anyone else curious what Bill Belichick will do when he no longer has Tom Brady running his offense? It will be interesting to see how much of the success is Brady and how much is the system. Ryan Mallett could have landed in the perfect place.
The message from the Patriots on draft day was clear: We're already good enough to beat you, and we're building for the future. This is clear with spending a first round pick on Solder, who needs a year or two to ramp up to the NFL. He is not ready to start and should be seen as a project.
Their next pick is a fantastic prospect, and Dowling could end up being one of the second-round gems in this draft. However, this isn't a pressing need.
Perhaps if New England had even made the AFC Championship Game last year, he would be able to stand pat. But he didn't. There were two teams in the AFC that were better last year, and there could be three or four this season.
Hats off to Belichick for adding a one and a two in the 2012 draft, as the talent next year promises to be better. Great snag with Dowling as well. However, not only do I understand taking Solder in the first round, I'm lost on why he passes up Cameron Jordan for his front seven; if he has an immediate need at OT, he didn't fill it. Athony Castonzo or Gabe Carimi would have.
Windows of success in the NFL can close quickly. Grabbing a guy in the third round (Ryan Mallett) for the future is great. Doing so in the first round is a bit risky.
6. Atlanta Falcons: 16/1
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The Falcons certainly better be ready to win now, because they gave up a lot of their future to solidify their receiving corps. The problem is, are they getting what they bargained for? I have my reservations, as Julio Jones has a tendency to drop passes; this could be an even bigger problem in the NFL, as windows are tighter and contact comes quicker. He could have problems with balls being knocked out of his hands in the NFL.
My other concern with the Falcons' draft is they had needs beyond one WR. They didn't address the TE position and really should have been looking at adding a CB. These shortcomings could be felt next season.
Jones may end up being a top receiver in the NFL, but I don't see it. Given they already have Roddy White, giving up so much to get another receiver seems short-sighted.
5. New York Giants: 18/1
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The G-Men didn't do nearly enough in the draft to get out of their division, let alone make the playoffs. All they were able to do is grab a top-10 talent CB at 19, a first-round talent defensive lineman late in the second and a second-round OL in round four. Then there were a few great additions at LB and DB late and a solid WR to add depth in round three. Aside from all of that, the Giants should have just stayed home.
Oh...wait. Maybe I should move the Giants up a few more spots. Check!
4. Pittsburgh Steelers: 11/1
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The Steelers did the bare minimum to improve this draft. While draft analysts are praising their selections, the Steelers left a few people on the board that would have had an immediate impact. They picked up Marcus Gilbert in round two, but he is a far cry from Derek Sherrod.
Cam Heyward adds depth, but there is a reason he was slipping down the draft board. He seemed to disappear at times last season.
The Steelers attempted to address secondary concerns later in the draft, but the Packers proved this need validated earlier attention. I'm not sure how grabbing the second-best CB from Texas is going to solve their issues.
Seattle was looking for a trade partner in the first round with Jimmy Smith still on the board. Steeler fans should stop praising their draft and ask why they didn't pull the trigger and move up and grab Smith. They added depth and replaced an OT, but didn't improve as a team.
Advantage Ravens.
3. Baltimore Ravens: 14/1
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The Ravens had a minor hiccup with their round one pick, but all's well that ends well. They'll save a few dollars and get the guy they wanted but didn't think would fall to them. Jimmy Smith will be the force they need at CB to help them compete in the AFC.
Their other big need was a receiver that could stretch the field. Having Torrey Smith fall to them at the end of the second round was amazing. With the Steelers failing to address the CB position, the Ravens definitely did more to improve with this addition.
The Ravens also drafted help for both lines, making the Ravens a more complete team and contender in 2011.
2. Indianapolis Colts: 14/1
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I have a simple rule. Any team that has an adequate offensive line, a few guys that can catch a football and Peyton Manning at QB is a contender. Add in some defense, and you have recipe for success.
The Colts primary needs in the draft were OL...at least one tackle and a guard. They needed a defensive tackle, an RB and some help at receiver. All but the latter were accomplished, and accomplished well.
The Colts first two picks yielded offensive linemen with first round talent. Anthony Castonzo may be the best LT prospect in the draft, and Benjamin Ijalana was a dominant force in the FCS. He could be the steal of the draft for OL.
The third round yielded a third player that had been considered a first round talent at some point. Team needs dropped him from a second round grade to the third round, and he should be able to step in immediately and improve the defense.
The issue the Colts will have to tackle in free agency is an aging receiving corps. They also need to address the eventual replacement for Manning at some point, but obviously, Kevin Moynihan and Jim Caldwell feel they have a little time yet.
1. Green Bay Packers: 7/1
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Sounds about right...the defending Super Bowl Champions went about the draft the same way they built their championship team. They filled their primary needs at a time when the value was right for the draft pick.
They grabbed a much-needed OT in round one, and then picked up a solid talent in WR Randall Cobb in round two.
They may have waited a bit long to grab talent for the front seven of the defense, but I don't see that stopping them from challenging to return to the Super Bowl. Any team that can get there with the volume of reserves they relied on in 2010...
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