NFL: The Strongest Area of Each Team's Roster in 2011

The ultimate goal of any game is to defeat the opponent. 

In the NFL, there are several different routes to take in becoming a successful team capable of winning multiple games. 

Some teams go airborne and win with their offense, while other teams shut out their opponent with a stout defense. 

But to be more specific, some teams thrive with their deep lineup of wide receivers, or perhaps a ferocious rotation of defensive lineman, while other teams ride on the shoulders of their franchise quarterback.

So let's examine the strengths of each team and see what position will most likely better their chances of winning football games.

*Note: In order to look deeper into each team, the quarterback position will be used scarcely and only for teams that have no other sensible option.  

New England Patriots: Defensive Back

The New England Patriots have strengths at several different positions. 

This could have easily gone to the offensive line or wide receivers, but Logan Mankins is not a lock, and they no longer have an overly dominate receiver. 

The most promising group on the team is the defensive backs. 

Brandon Meriweather and Devin McCourty both made the Pro Bowl with a combined 10 interceptions (including seven by the rookie McCourty). 

Safety Patrick Chung was second on the team in tackles with 96, and he had three interceptions as well. 

But the group will only get better in 2011, as more help will be arriving. 

The 29-year-old veteran Leigh Bodden will return after missing the entire 2010 season with a shoulder injury, and the newly drafted second-round pick Ras-I Dowling will be joining the team as well.

The veteran Bodden and the rookie Dowling will fight for the other starting cornerback job opposite McCourty.

It's also worth mentioning that Meriweather is facing legal troubles stemming from an alleged shooting. If he's convicted of any charges then it will certainly impact his 2011 season.

However, the team as enough talent to get past any scenario involving Meriweather's legal issue.  

New York Jets: Running Back

The Jets have a stout defense that certainly gives them a great chance of winning every single game they play, but their rotation of running backs really stands out. 

LaDainian Tomlinson took the bulk of the carries (219) and then led the team in rushing yards (914) and touchdowns (six) . 

The 32-year-old Tomlinson has lost some of his explosiveness since his days with the San Diego Chargers, but he proved in 2010 that he still has something to offer, and he'll be under contract until the end of 2011. 

Shonn Greene was the secondary runner with 185 rushes for 766 yards, and Joe McKnight and Brad Smith both contributed as well, with a combined 77 carries for 488 yards between the two of them.

The team's balanced run attack allows each running back to take carries throughout the game, which allows them to stay fresh for all four quarters every game.

Their ability to keep runners fresh resulted in the team have the fourth ranked run offense in the NFL, with an average of 148.4 yards per game.  

Miami Dolphins: Wide Receiver

A year ago from now, if anyone asked what the Miami Dolphins' strongest position is, the answer would've obviously been "running back."

They had Ronnie Brown as the primary back, who also helped them execute the wildcat offense.

Brown split carries with Ricky Williams, who is old but still a threat to any defense. 

For the past three seasons, they've been considered one of the more potent running back tandems in the league, but now, they are both due to become free agents. 

It's possible that the Dolphins will lose both running backs to free agency, but the more likely scenario is that they'll be able to retain at least one of them. 

The team obviously feels that they'll lose at least one of them, as they used their second-round draft pick in 2011 on running back Daniel Thomas. 

So where does their strength lie exactly? 

It could be running back still, especially if Thomas excels as a rookie.

But the most flashy position for the team at this point is wide receiver.

Sure, they have some productive linebackers (Channing Crowder, Karlos Dansby) and defensive backs (Vontae Davis, Yeremiah Bell), but they have three very productive and capable receiver that unfortunately suffer from no-quarterback-syndrome.

Brandon Marshall was a highly dangerous offensive weapon in Denver, but 2010 was his least productive season since his rookie year in 2006, and he scored only three touchdowns on the season.

If the Dolphins can find a reliable passer, then there's no doubt that Marshall can post up Pro Bowl numbers once again.

But it's not just a solo act with Marshallthere was also Davone Bess, who had 79 catches for 820 yards and led the team in receiving touchdowns with five.

Brian Hartline was the third receiver, and he had 43 receptions for 615 yards, which is not terrible for a No.3 receiver.

If only the Dolphins had a competent quarterback, then the receivers would flourish like no other position on the team.    

Buffalo Bills: Wide Receiver

The Buffalo Bills are a struggling team that finished 2010 as the second-worst team in the NFL. 

They'll attempt to rebuild their talent through the draft and free agency, but one position they can feel confident about is wide receiver. 

Stevie Johnson joined the Bills in 2008 as a seventh-round draft pick and had 112 career receiving yards before entering the 2010 season. 

He came out of nowhere and thrilled fantasy football team owners everywhere by leading the team in receptions (82) and receiving yards (1073). He also scored ten touchdowns last season. 

But it's not just Johnson carrying the aerial attack, it's veteran Lee Evans as well. 

Evans, a seven-year veteran, had 1,000-yard seasons in 2008 and 2006. He was second on the team in receptions (37) and yards (578), which might seem pedestrian, but he did miss three games last season. 

Expect the Bills to do everything in their power to utilize both receivers heavily in their offense in 2011.  

Pittsburgh Steelers: Linebacker

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an elite defense all around, whether you're looking at Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor in the secondary or Casey Hampton and Ziggy Hood up front. 

But the true dominance of the unit comes from the four linebackers. 

Outside linebackers LaMarr Woodley (10.0) and James Harrison (10.5) combined for 20.5 sacks.

Meanwhile, James Farrior (109) and Lawrence Timmons (135) were No.1 and No.2 on the team in tackles and combined for 244 tackles on the season, as well as nine sacks.

There is simply not a weak spot between the four of them.

Historically, it is said that games are won up front (referring to offensive and defensive linemen), but in the case of the Steelers, games are actually won in the middle.

As long as these four players are playing side-by-side, the Pittsburgh defense will remain fierce.   

Baltimore Ravens: Linebacker

There is no question that the Baltimore Ravens defense is fueled by linebackers. 

In 2010, middle linebacker Ray Lewis led the team in tackles with 135, despite being 35 years old, and rush linebacker Terrell Suggs led the team in sacks with 11. 

There is clearly more talent between the two of them than any other two players at any other position on the team.

Also, weak linebacker Jameel McClain contributed 71 tackles and a sack, while strong linebacker Jarret Johnson had 73 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Terrell Suggs is still young at the age of 28, but Ray Lewis turned 36 last month.

During the next draft, the team needs to focus on finding the next big-time middle linebacker, because when Lewis retires, the defense will not be the same.

Until then, the Baltimore defense will remain one of the elite NFL defenses.  

Cleveland Browns: Defensive Back

The Cleveland Browns used the No. 7 overall pick of the 2010 draft on cornerback Joe Haden, who was widely considered the top cornerback prospect of the 2010 draft.

It's safe to say that Haden is already living up to his draft status, as he ended the 2010 season with an impressive six interceptions.

But Haden was not the only rookie to make an impact. 

Safety T.J. Ward led the entire team in tackles (123) as a rookie, and he also recorded two interceptions.

Abram Elam struggled a bit in coverage, but he was a solid tackler.

Eric Wright started 10 games at corner, and he is one of the more underrated defensive backs in the entire NFL. Unfortunately for the Browns, he will be a free agent when the lockout ends. 

Veteran Sheldon Brown also started 16 games for the Browns, and he recorded 63 tackles with two interceptions.

The Browns have some positions that need work, such as wide receiver and their defensive line, but their secondary is looking like one of the best in the league.  

Cincinnati Bengals: Wide Receiver

Before the draft, they were in desperate need of a receiver, but now, it seems as though they might suddenly be fine at the position. 

The media made a fuss over the Bengals losing Terrell Owens to free agency and also the fact that Chad Ochocinco may be released or traded.

But the reality is that at least one of those two receiver will be retained, most likely Ochocinco, since he's still under contract, which means they won't be as bad off as some people think.

The team also has slot-receiver Jordan Shipley entering his second season.

Shipley's speed added some pop to the offense, and he put together promising numbers for a rookie (52 receptions, 600 yards).

However, the real gem of the group was added to the roster last April.

The Bengals used the No. 4 overall pick of the 2011 draft to select A.J. Green, who was not only considered the best receiver of the draft, but possibly the best overall player.

A lot rides on Green's ability to adapt to the NFL as a rookie, but if he does, then wide receiver should be a solid position for the Bengals.   

Indianapolis Colts: Quarterback

It would be better to find another position to put the spotlight on other than quarterback, since that would provide a little more depth on the team's makeup.

Defensive end would be an option for the Colts.

Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are one of the best defensive end duos in the league, and they combined for 21 sacks in 2010.

But then again, they are both in their 30s now, so who knows if they'll both stay productive in 2011.

It's really hard to call any other position the "strongest area" on the roster when Peyton Manning is the one taking snaps.

At the age of 35, Manning is still arguably the best quarterback in the NFL, and that will still hold true in 2011.

Despite his "down year" in 2010, he still had 33 touchdown passes and 4,700 yards. Hardly a down year at all.

Except in 2011, wide receiver Austin Collie and tight end Dallas Clark should be healthy, which really adds to Manning's arsenal.

And now the Colts used their top two picks of the 2011 draft on two of the better offensive line prospects (Anthony Castonzo, Ben Ijalana), so that should help to keep opposing defenses out of Manning's face, which was a problem last season.

So once again, we should be expecting a great season out of Peyton Manning. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Defensive Line

The Jacksonville Jaguars do not have a position that really stands out with multiple talented players. 

The closest thing they've got in their defensive line, which has talented players from end-to-end, but they lacked any real production in 2010. 

Tyson Alualu had a promising rookie campaign with 3.5 sacks, and 24-year-old Terrance Knighton was fairly productive himself with four sacks. 

Overall, the two players are young and get the job done. They'll only get better as they develop, and most teams in the league would love to have the two of them anchor the middle of their defensive line.

The defensive ends aren't as impressive, though they're not terrible either.

Jeremy Mincey led the team in sacks, but he still only had five.

The other starting defensive end was Aaron Kampman, who had four sacks in eight games, but he missed the entire second half of the season due to injury.

If Kampman can stay healthy in 2011, then he's capable of putting up a double-digit sack season.

Don't expect complete dominance from the Jaguars' 2011 defensive line but don't expect them to roll over either and don't be surprised if at least one of them makes the Pro Bowl.  

Houston Texans: Running Back

Andre Johnson is possibly the best wide receiver in the game, but the Texans don't have near the depth at wide receiver as they do at running back.

In fact, the team's second-leading receiver was running back Arian Foster, who had 604 receiving yards.

Foster came out of nowhere in 2010 to lead the entire NFL in rushing yards with 1,616, which makes 2,220 total yards from scrimmage, as well as 18 touchdowns (including two touchdown receptions).

Other than Foster, the team also has Derrick Ward, who rushed for 1,025 yards with the Giants in 2008, as well as Steve Slaton who had 1,282 rushing yards for the Texans in 2008. 

So the top three running backs on the roster have all been 1,000-yard rushers at some point in their career.

If Foster gets injured or turns out to be a fluke (not likely), then the team can rest assured that someone should be capable of stepping up. 

Tennessee Titans: Defensive End

Yes, it's true that the team's top two defensive ends—Jason Babin and Dave Ball—will both be free agents when the lockout ends, but the Tennessee Titans will make a strong effort towards resigning both of them. 

The team's desire to bring both players back is well warranted, as Babin was the best pass-rush specialist the team had. He led the team in sacks with 12.5. 

Ball had seven sacks of his own, and two defensive ends together made a solid duo, despite the fact that Babin turned 31 last month, and Ball turned 30 in January. 

The age should not be a major concern, at least not in 2011. They are both plenty young enough to remain productive. 

But what really increases the chance of defensive end being their best position in 2011 is Derrick Morgan.

Morgan was the team's first-round draft pick in 2010, and he was thought by some to be the most talented defensive end of the draft, despite the fact that two other ends were selected ahead of him (Jason Pierre-Paul, Brandon Graham).

Morgan unfortunately missed the majority of his rookie season with a torn ACL, but if he comes back strong, then the Titans' defensive line will truly flourish.  

Kansas City Chiefs: Running Back

The Chiefs could have a really solid duo at wide receiver now that they drafted Jon Baldwin to go along with Dwyane Bowe. 

The also have a respectable defensive line that features Tamba Hali, Glenn Dorsey and Wallace Gilberry. 

But the clear dominate force for the Chiefs is their backfield. 

Veteran Thomas Jones and the three-year player Jamaal Charles pretty much split the carries right down the middle. 

Jones took the majority with 245, while Charles had 230.

The team used the 32-year-old Jones as the inside runner, and he racked up 896 yards and six touchdowns for the team.

However, his age may be catching up to him, as he only averaged 3.7 yards per carry. 

Charles was clearly the more dangerous of the two as the team's outside runner. He had 1,467 yards and averaged a whopping 6.4 yards per carry. He threatened to break free for a big gain on every single carry. 

But the diversity of the backfield doesn't end with those two players, they also have Dexter McCluster as the wild card of the group.

At 5'8" and 170 pounds, McCluster cannot handle a heavy workload, which is evident given that he missed five games due to injury.

But McCluster can line up as a running back or receiver, and his speed makes him a dangerous player that opposing defenses have to account for.

The Chiefs were first in the NFL in rushing offense with 164.2 yards per game, and there's no reason not to expect similar results in 2011.  

San Diego Chargers: Running Back

The San Diego Chargers had a very respectable group of receivers last season that included Vincent Jackson (for five games at least), Malcolm Floyd, Patrick Crayton and Legedu Naanee.

If they were entering the 2011 season with that same group of receivers, then wide receiver would be the clear strength of the team.

However, Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd are both set to be free agents, and it seems as though the team will only keep one of them.

But losing just one of those two receivers greatly reduces the talent at the position, so the next strongest position is running back.

Darren Sproles will likely be lost in free agency, but the team should be able to work something out with Mike Tolbert.

Second-year player Ryan Mathews will also be returning as the team's primary back, and he's expected to have a breakout year.

Neither Tolbert or Mathews has a lengthy resume filled with 1,000-yard seasons and Pro Bowl appearances, but truthfully, they are two very capable player, and it doesn't get much better than these two guys talent wise.

They haven't gained the public's admiration quite yet, but expect that to change after 2011.  

Oakland Raiders: Running Back

This obviously depends on whether or not the Oakland Raiders can retain free agent Michael Bush, which they will attempt to do. 

But if they succeed in that attempt, then running back is clearly their most promising position. 

Darren McFadden finally had a season worthy of his No. 4 overall pick status, as he rushed for 1,157 yards and had a very admirable 5.2 yards per carry. 

However, McFadden's success was partially due to the fact that Bush was able to take some carries away from him, which kept McFadden well rested. 

If the Raiders lose Bush to free agency, they can likely sign a free-agent running back that can help them accomplish the same thing, so it's not the end of the world if Bush walks. 

But the Raiders finished second in the NFL in rushing yards per game (155.9), so it's vital that they continue running the ball successfully if they want to contend for the AFC West title in 2011.  

Denver Broncos: Wide Receiver

The Denver Broncos finished the 2010 season as the third worst team in the NFL, regardless of that they still had the seventh best passing offense in the NFL (252.4 yards per game). 

Kyle Orton brought his "A game" in 2010 as the starting quarterback, as he threw for 3,653 yards and 20 touchdowns, but the receivers deserve some credit for those stats as well. 

The 29-year-old Brandon Lloyd truly had a breakout year with 1,448 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He was also elected to the Pro Bowl, as well as the All Pro team.

Jabar Gaffney put together a solid season as well with 65 receptions and 875 yards.

The team also had Eddie Royal, who remains one of the more underrated slot receivers in the NFL. He had 59 catches with 627 yards, but his speed certainly contributed an intense element to that offense.

And although Demaryius Thomas had a pretty disappointing rookie season considering he was a first-round draft pick (22 rececptions 283 yards), he is an impressive physical specimen at 6'3" and 229 pounds, and he will continue to improve as the team allows him to develop.

The Broncos might not have the most dominate group of receivers in the entire NFL, but it's certainly a productive group that will help them win games in 2011.   

Philadelphia Eagles: Wide Receiver

The Eagles don't have a prototypical receiver that is monstrous in size, which is what most of us picture when talking about an elite receiver, such as Andre Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald.

But they do have receivers who possess blazing speed, and they're capable of lighting up any secondary in the league.

DeSean Jackson will be entering his fourth NFL season in 2011, and the 5'10", 170-pound receiver is proof that receivers don't have to be 6'4" to be a star.

Jackson put up his second consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2010 (1,056), despite missing two games, and he scored eight total touchdowns (including one rushing touchdown and one as a punt returner).

Jackson's longest touchdown of the season was 91 yards, and he threatens to burn past any secondary if they are not careful.

The Eagles also have Jeremy Maclin, who isn't quite as small as Jackson at 6'0" and 198 pounds but still not a juggernaut either.

Maclin had 964 yards in 2010, and he led the team in touchdown receptions with 10.

He also possesses a dangerous ability to outrun the secondary, just like Jackson. So it's difficult for teams to account for both of them at the same time.

Jackson and Maclin are basically all the fire power that the Eagles need, but they also have Jason Avant.

Avant has decent size at 6'0 and 212 pounds, but he has a lesser role compared to Maclin and Jackson.

Avant had 573 yards on the season and only one touchdown, but he's still a reliable talent as the teams third best receiver.

Between the three of them, along with Michael Vick throwing the ball, expect the Eagles to present another exciting year of offense in 2011.  

New York Giants: Defensive End

The New York Giants have made their living the past few seasons by boasting a deep and powerful rotation of defensive ends.

The philosophy helped them defeat the 18-0 New England Patriots during the Super Bowl following the 2007 season, and it's still helping them win games today.

Clearly, the two most dominate members of the rotation in 2010 were Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, who combined for 23 sacks (11.5 each).

Most teams would be thrilled with just the two of them, but they also have Jason Pierre-Paul, who had his rookie season in 2010.

Pierre-Paul is not a relentless force quite yet, but he did show some promise as a rookie with 4.5 sacks.

Mathais Kiwanuka was another member of the rotation.

Kiwanuka had four sacks in just three games before missing the rest of the season due to injury, but he'll be a free agent when the lockout ends, and given some of the other free agents that the Giants are forced to deal with (Ahmad Bradshaw, Steve Smith, Barry Cofield), they'll probably let the injury-prone lineman sign with another team. 

But even without Kiwanuka, the Giants clearly have enough firepower to continue their success at defensive end in 2011, and they'll certainly continue to scare the hell out of opposing quarterbacks.  

Dallas Cowboys: Wide Receiver

Prior to the 2010 season, the media talked about the Dallas Cowboys as if they were serious Super Bowl contenders (but doesn't ESPN talk that way about them every year?). 

So it must have been pretty disappointing to their fans after they finished the season with a 6-10 record. 

However, one thing that's undeniable about the Cowboys is their surplus of weapons on offense, particularly at wide receiver. 

The Cowboys, who finished with the sixth best passing offense in the NFL, were led at wide receiver by Miles Austin. 

Austin had 61 catches for 1,041 yards and seven touchdowns and was elected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl. 

Austin had help in 2010 from the rookie Dez Bryant, who had 561 yards and six touchdowns.

Bryant was also utilized as the team's return specialist, and he even scored two touchdowns off of punt returns. 

It's pretty clear that Bryant and Austin will be leading the position for the next several years, but they also have help from veteran Roy Williams. 

Williams is a colossal bust as the No. 7 overall pick of the 2004 draft by the Detroit Lions, but nonetheless, he made slight contributions to the Cowboys' offense in 2010. 

He scored five touchdowns for the team and had 530 receiving yards.

The Cowboys may not have any remarkable talents behind Bryant and Austin, but their top two provide enough production to give them one of the better receiving units in the NFL.  

Washington Redskins: Linebacker

Nothing about the Washington Redskins really stands out. 

They have some talent on defense, but the only defensive group that really has multiple talented players is linebacker. 

Their secondary has DeAngelo Hall and LaRon Landry, but those two players don't really match-up with London Fletcher and Rocky McIntosh. 

Fletcher may be 36 years old, but he still led the Redskins in tackles with 136 and had 2.5 sacks with an interception. He also made his second consecutive Pro Bowl last season. 

Not bad for an elderly man. 

McIntosh is still relatively young at the age of 28, and he finished second on the team in tackles with 110. He also had two sacks. 

The Redskins finished 31st in the NFL in total defense (yards per game), which is really unacceptable considering the amount of defensive talent on the roster, and it's shocking that Jim Haslett is still employed. 

Regardless, Fletcher and McIntosh will continue to produce in 2011, and they will contribute to the few wins the team will have next season. 

Chicago Bears: Linebacker

This should be obvious enough, given that Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs are both playing at an extremely high level. 

Urlacher led the Bears' defense in tackles with 125, and he also had four sacks. 

Briggs was second on the team in tackles with 89. And as far as sacks, forced fumbles and interceptions, he had two of each.

Urlacher is now 33 years old, but if Ray Lewis is any indication, then Urlacher should have no problem staying productive for another year.

Briggs will still be in his prime in 2011, despite the fact that he'll turn 31 half way through the season.

So expect the two of them to carry the defense once again, and if the Jay Cutler can put together a career year, then they just might make it past that Championship game this time around if luck is on their side.  

Green Bay Packers: Wide Receiver

Since the Packers are solid at many different positions, that made this decision particularly difficult. 

It could have easily been linebacker, defensive back, running back and certainly quarterback.

But wide receiver seems to stand out more than any of those positions as far as depth.

Greg Jennings was the leader of the group, and he was just as productive as any receiver in the league in 2010, as he finished the season with 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The veteran leader of the receivers was 36-year-old Donald Driver, who was second on the team in receptions with 51, and he also had 565 yards and four touchdowns.

James Jones was a solid target with decent size (6'1" and 208 pounds), and he had a solid year with 50 catches for 679 yards and five scores, although he struggled with dropped balls at times in 2010.

Jordy Nelson is the giant of the group at 6'3" and 217 pounds, but just because he's the largest doesn't mean he had the biggest role, although he certainly put together a nice season with 582 yards and two touchdowns.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers deserves a lot of credit for what he accomplished in 2010, but it certainly helps when you're throwing to the four receiver listed above.  

Detroit Lions: Defensive Tackle

There is no debating this one.

Even if the team had not just used a first-round draft pick on Nick Fairley, Ndamukong Suh alone makes defensive tackle the Lions' most loaded position on the team. 

Defensive tackle is typically a position that does not receive a great deal of praise, but when a dominating force like Suh enters the league, it's hard to avoid raving about him.

Suh finished fourth on the team in tackles with 66, and he recorded 10.0 sacks, which resulted in him being voted into the Pro Bowl and elected to the All Pro team.

Even Warren Sapp only had three sacks as a rookie, so that should be an obvious hint that Suh is a very rare talent, and he'll have a very prestigious career when it's all said and done.

Even so, the team could not shake the thought of having the best defensive tackle of the 2010 draft, combined with the best tackle of the 2011 draft. 

The thought of the two of them together was just so mind-boggling that they had to pull the trigger and select Nick Fairley. 

Fairley was actually the second defensive tackle drafted in 2011 behind Alabama's Marcell Dareus. 

However, Fairley was the more impressive player on the actual playing field by far, and Dareus was drafted earlier due to Fairley's questionable attitude and work ethic. But it should be clear that Fairley is the better football player, and Dareus is just the lowest risk.

So given the enormous amount of talent the Lions have at the position, it's clearly the most dominate group on the entire team.  

Minnesota Vikings: Running Back

The Vikings had possibly the best defensive line in the NFL in 2009, but the production regressed in 2010.

Don't expect a revival in 2011, due to Ray Edwards becoming a free agent and Pat Williams contemplating retirement at the age of 38.

Sure, Jared Allen and Kevin Williams are capable of carrying the defensive line, but it seems as though the talent torch has been passed from defensive line to running back.

Adrian Peterson remains an elite running back in this league, so that alone should get the position lot's of attention.

But the real deal breaker is Toby Gerhart, who will surely take a much bigger role in 2011 since the team will rely more on the run with a rookie quarterback under center.

Gerhart had only 322 yards and a modest four yards per carry in 2010, but people constantly forget that it takes time to develop and not every player can flourish as a rookie.

Gerhart is a talented running back, and he's learning from the best in Peterson.

With wide receiver Sidney Rice possibly leaving as a free agent, and with the defense line tacking a step back, it's hard to compare any other position of the Vikings to their running back duo.  

Atlanta Falcons: Wide Receiver

Currently, the most loaded position for the Atlanta Falcons is wide receiver, and they paid a lot to make that statement true. 

Roddy White led the NFL in reception with 115 and was second in receiving yards with 1,389. 

He's not overwhelmingly tall at only 6'0", but he still had the ability to fight for the ball, which makes it difficult for any team to cover him. 

Michael Jenkins was a somewhat reliable No. 2 receiver that produced 41 catches for 505 yards, which is pretty solid but has been more productive in the past, such as his 777 yards in 2008. 

Though the two were a solid duo, there was room for improvement. The real kicker is how much the team was willing to give up for that improvement. 

During the 2011 draft, the Falcons had the No. 26 overall pick, but they traded with the Cleveland Browns in order to obtain the sixth overall pick so that they could select Julio Jones out of Alabama. 

Jones is an impressive prospect with admirable size (6'3", 220 pounds) and speed (4.39 second 40-yard dash). 

No one is denying that Jones is impressive, but was he really worth Atlanta's first, second and fourth-round picks in 2010, as well as their first and fourth-round picks in 2011?

Maybe Jones will prove to be worth the trade, maybe not. 

But for now, they picked up a great prospect, and combined with the current receivers, they certainly have a solid trio at the position. 

New Orleans Saints: Quarterback

The New Orleans Saints are a team dominated by offense, so it's clear that their strength position should be an offensive one. 

Yet, they don't have a remarkable set of running backs, just a committee of players who each bring a different skill and responsibility to the table.

And their wide receivers are not much different.

Marques Colston has 1,000 or more yards in four out of his five NFL seasons, but he's hardly considered a powerhouse receiver. 

Their receivers basically consist of Colston being the most reliable, followed by a group of adequate players that are magnified by the efforts of a stellar quarterback. 

So therefore, there is no other position on the team that truly stands out like Drew Brees does as the quarterback. 

Despite throwing a career high 22 interceptions, Brees threw for over 4,000 yards for his fifth season straight and had 33 passing touchdowns. 

At the age of 32, which is still relatively young for quarterbacks, there is no reason to expect any decline out of Brees in 2011. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Quarterback

It's tough to figure out what the strongest position is for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

It seems as if they have one really good player at a lot of different positions, but no one too enticing after that one guy. 

They have Mike Williams at receiver, but there's no one that has proven to be productive behind him; the same goes for LaGarrette Blount at running back (Cadillac Williams will be a free agent), Barrett Rudd at linebacker and Kellen Winslow at tight end.

Cornerback is another option with Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib, but Talib was just indicted on felony charges that could carry a prison sentence, so he might not be much use in 2011.

Quarterback is the clear answer.

Josh Freeman just wrapped up his second NFL season in 2010, and he made his first Pro Bowl following the season.

He threw for 3,451 yards and 25 touchdowns with only six interceptions.

He also finished third on his team in rushing yards with 364.

Since becoming a starter during the middle of the 2009 season, no NFL quarterback has more fourth quarter comebacks than Freeman.

It's clear that Freeman is developing into a franchise quarterback, which is something the Buccaneers have not seen in a long time.  

Carolina Panthers: Running Back

DeAngelo Williams will be a free agent when the lockout ends, and he will likely sign with a different team that will give him a chance to win games, and no one can really blame him for that. 

But the Panthers are still set at running back even if Williams walks. 

The 24-year-old Jonathan Stewart had 770 yards in 2010, which is certainly a drop from his impressive 2009 season where he ran for 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

But he only had 178 carries on the season and had a 4.3 yards per carry average, which means he likely would've achieved solid numbers had he been given the carries, which is not something he'll have to worry about if Williams does in fact leave the team. 

The Panthers also have Mike Goodson, who had 452 yards on only 103 carries, which averages out to an admirable 4.4 yards per carry. 

Stewart and Goodson won't be the best backfield in the NFL, but they have the ability to be very good.

This is great news for Cam Newton, as rookie quarterbacks historically perform better if the team has a solid running game. 

St. Louis Rams: Defensive End

When most people outside of St. Louis think of the Rams, they automatically picture Steven Jackson. 

That's understandable, given that he's the only elite player on their roster and the only one that frequently represents the team at the Pro Bowl. 

However, the depth behind Jackson is paper thin, and it's actually a position of need that the Rams hope to address this offseason. 

The real strength position for the team going into 2011 is defensive end. 

Chris Long had eight sacks in 2010, which is solid, but not overly impressive to those who focus solely on stats. 

His real value to the team, however, is irreplaceable. 

He relentlessly chases after quarterbacks with his non-stop motor, which forces the opposing offensive lines to constantly keep tabs on him. 

The constant focus Long demands from offensive lines opens things up for other players, such as James Hall, and allows them to make plays. 

Hall, an 11-year veteran defensive end, had a career high 10.5 sacks as the team's starting right-end in 2010. 

But due to Hall's age (34), the Rams used the No.14 overall pick of the NFL draft on North Carolina's Robert Quinn. 

Quinn was considered the most physically-talented defensive end of his draft class, but he slipped out of the top 10 due to his season-long suspension by the NCAA in 2010. 

Quinn will share time at right-end with Hall, and second-year player George Selvie will contribute as well. 

The Rams may not have a defensive end rotation like the New York Giants, at least not yet, but the position will be a strength for them heading into the 2011 season. 

Seattle Seahawks: Linebacker

The linebacking unit for the Seattle Seahawks is the clear choice when looking for their most talented position.

The have a solid secondary, especially with Earl Thomas contributing so much so soon, but Lawyer Milloy is 37 years old, and Marcus Trufant will turn 31 towards the end of next season.

The linebackers have production, but they still have their youth as well. 

Lofa Tatupu is the clear leader of the group. He is a three-time Pro Bowler, and he is, for the most part, the biggest difference maker on their defense. 

David Hawthorne is another promising player. He is just entering his prime at the age of 26, and he led Seattle's defense in tackles with 108. 

The team also has Aaron Curry, who the drafted in 2009 with the No. 4 overall pick. 

Curry has been a disappointment so far for the Seahawks, and he has not been even close to the game changer they thought he could be. 

But that doesn't change the fact that he's an extraordinary physical talent, and it's possible he could have a break out year at some point. 

If Curry comes out of his shell, the Seattle has a dangerous trio of linebackers. 

San Francisco 49ers: Running Back

The San Francisco defense is likely an overall more capable group than their offense, but regardless, there is no denying the depth they have at the running back position.

Their starter is Frank Gore, who remains one of the best in the NFL.

Gore missed five games due to injury in 2010, but he led the team in rushing with 853 yards and had a 4.2 yards per carry average.

The veteran of the team is Brian Westbrook, who had 340 yards on the ground. And although Westbrook is 31 years old and has struggled with injuries in recent years, he still has just enough speed to catch a defense off guard.

The team also have two young backs that they are developing. Both have a shot at contributing in 2011.

Anthony Dixon was a sixth-round pick in 2010, and he had 237 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie.

The other young back is Kendall Hunter, who the 49ers drafted with their fourth-round pick last april.

Hunter is a smaller back at 5'7" and 199 pounds, but his shortness allows him to stay low, and he has enough speed to break into the secondary on occasion.

Between the four of these running backs, San Francisco should not greatly struggle at running the ball.  

Arizona Cardinals: Defensive Back

Arizona's secondary is so loaded that it's almost unfair and should be considered illegal. 

Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, safety Adrian Wilson and safety Kerry Rhodes have all been to the Pro Bowl at some point in their careers. 

But despite having three Pro Bowlers in the secondary, the Cardinals still felt the need to use the No. 5 overall pick of the 2011 draft on cornerback Patrick Peterson, who is widely considered the best overall player of the entire draft class.

Every member of their secondary will offer some value to the team.

Rodgers-Cromartie is a speed demon who's quick enough to keep up with even the fastest receiver in the NFL.

Four-time Pro Bowler Adrian Wilson is a devastating hitter and solid tackler, and he's also able to put pressure on the quarterback in blitz packages.

Kerry Rhodes is a solid tackler that can rack up anywhere from 80 to 100 tackles in a season, as well as two to four interceptions.

Peterson was a highly rated draft prospect who's expected to be the next shutdown corner in the NFL. His potential could put him in the same league as Darrelle Revis and Nnamdi Asomugha.

The Cardinals have the talent to boast the best defensive backfield in the NFL at some point, maybe even as soon as next season.