NFL Predictions 2011: 10 Teams in the Race for Andrew Luck

Finishing in dead last in the NFL is never a good thing, but Andrew Luck is one heck of a consolation prize. He may be the most highly touted prospect ever and even a team like the Panthers who have their quarterback of the future wold have to seriously consider him.

Shaky quarterback situations, new head coaches trying to recover from the lockout and personnel disarray have landed ten teams on this list. The post-lockout frenzy bumped a few teams off the original list, making way for a few lucky teams to jump into the mix.

Here are the top-10 teams who could finish in dead last and draft Andrew Luck.

10. Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks made some key additions to their team through free agency. Sidney Rice could be the next big-name wide receiver to disappear in the North West, but his addition could be a home run for the Seahawks.

The reason they make this list is because they are entrusting Tarvaris Jackson with the keys to the franchise. While he has upside, a lot of uncertainty is swirling around him. He has a head start because he knows the offense.

If he falters though, the Seahawks will almost certainly take a step backwards from the 7-9 record they put forth last year with Matt Hasselbeck under center.

9. San Francisco 49ers

For the majority of the post-lockout offseason, it looked as though Jim Harbaugh might be trying to reunite with Andrew Luck. The 49ers let David Baas, Manny Lawson, Nate Clements, Aubrayo Franklin and Takeo Spikes walk, failed to sign anyone of moderate significance and had a Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore holdout to boot.

It's looking more promising now. Center Jonathan Goodwin and corner Carlos Rogers are both legitimate starters who can fill holes. Gore isn't holding out anymore and the 49ers are seriously pursuing prominent wide receiver prospects through free agency.

Even so, the 49ers still have gaping holes at nose tackle, right guard and safety, should Dashon Goldson leave and Madieu Williams be dubbed the starter.

Not to mention, Alex Smith is under center again. This is his 7th year and he's still hoping to have a breakout year. This is his chance to do so. It's likely his last in a 49ers uniform.

8. Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning is holding everything together in Indianapolis. If he went down, they could easily be the worst team in the league. His presence gives them a chance to be competitive and rebuild at the same time.

Unfortunately, Manning just underwent neck surgery again. He doesn't get hit often, but one bad hit could sideline him. Think Curtis Painter can make the Colts a factor in the AFC South? Think again.

7. Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden is an incredible running back. He isn't quite in the Chris Johnson/Adrian Peterson elite group of backs, but he's right up there with Maurice Jones-Drew and the second tier of backs in the league.

Hue Jackson was a great head-coaching hire. Unfortunately, the team lost a top-5 defender in the league in Nnamdi Asomugha, a huge offensive weapon in Zach Miller and are starting Jason Campbell once again.

With no Bruce Gradkowski to insert into the lineup if Campbell falters, the Raiders are playing with fire.

6. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are a prime example of why the rookie wage cap was the right move. They were able to pay their No. 1 overall pick and still retain Carolina staples like Steve Smith, Charles Johnson, DeAngelo Williams, Thomas Davis and others.

I'm sure Panthers fans shed a tear when Matt Moore left the building.

The Panthers are due to improve. Under new leadership with Cam Newton under center, they could easily muster up 4-5 wins. Unfortunately, there is a chance they fall to the bottom.

That's when it becomes interesting. For third year in a row, could they draft their "next franchise QB" with their first draft pick?

5. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals don't have the worst quarterback situation in the league anymore. They had a great draft and brought in Kevin Kolb with the biggest trade of the offseason.

Unfortunately, Kolb doesn't come without risk. He's never played a full 16-game season and he's been less-than-impressive from a statistical standpoint. The Cardinals have Larry Fitzgerald, but he can't carry the offense.

Last year, they were the worst team in the worst division in history. A few less win and they could be at the bottom of the entire league.

4. Buffalo Bills

It's hard to put the Bills on this list. Not because they don't belong on here, but because the fans in Buffalo make the Bills easy to root for. Even so, they narrowly missed being the worst team in the league last season.

While Marcel Dareus certainly helped out their run defense, they could once again find themselves on the wrong side of a number of close games.

Dareus gives them a great piece to build around, but they need more. Undrafted players and late-round picks who make it are awesome to have on roster, but it becomes problematic when they make up such a large portion of the starters.

3. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are falling apart. They took a step forward by bringing in AJ Green and Andy Dalton, but took a giant leap backwards by losing Chad Ocho Cinco, Carson Palmer and Johnathan Joseph.

The Bengals play in a ruthless division. They are undoubtedly the bottom feeder of the division at this point and they have the front office and Marvin Lewis to blame.

One of these years, there should probably be some accountability in Cincinnati. Maybe Lewis won't be able to point to his time with the 2000 Ravens defense as justification that he is a worthy football coach.

2. Miami Dolphins

Nobody is happy in Miami. The Dolphins made it clear that even they don't think Tony Sparano is the answer by trying unsuccessfully to bring in Jim Harbaugh. The organization trying and failing to bring in Kyle Orton not only leaves their QB situation up in the air, it has turned their own fans against their starting QB.

The Dolphins brought in Reggie Bush, but their problems can't be fixed by a change of pace back or an elite return man. Jake Long is the best left tackle in the league. Miami just never gave him a franchise QB to protect.

Their woes go far beyond quarterback play though. While they have outstanding players like Cameron Wake, Karlos Dansby, Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall, their glaring holes make it impossible for their stars to carry the entire load.

It's time for new leadership in Miami. They have the pieces. Add Andrew Luck and a new head coach to that mix and the Dolphins become a contender in no time. Coaches are going to come out of the woodwork if Luck lands in Miami. It's a great location and Luck could be a once in a lifetime sort of player.

What's Don Shula doing these days?

1. Washington Redskins

The Redskins are going to unleash the wrath of John Beck and Ryan "Chandelier" Torain on their unsuspecting NFC East foes.

Are you kidding me?

It's unclear what the goal is in Washington. Dan Snyder undoubtedly wanted to make Nnamdi Asomugha the highest paid player ever, but it seems as though he may have learned that teams aren't built through free agency.

After the Donovan McNabb experiment fizzled, the Redskins landed at 6-10 last season. Given the way the rest of their division has picked up and they have fallen apart, it seems as though losing 3 or 4 more games wouldn't be a stretch by any means.