NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Assessing the Suck for Luck Sweepstakes

Despite only being midway through the 2011 NFL season, it's never too early to talk draft. And for the following four NFL franchises, the 2012 NFL Draft can't come soon enough.

As we know, Stanford's Andrew Luck is slated to be the No. 1 overall pick, but who will get him? Well, obviously, that remains to be seen, but here are those in the "Suck for Luck" sweepstakes.

Seattle Seahawks (2-5)

If the Seahawks are lucky, they'll finish off 2011 with a 4-12 record. With an offense struggling to score points, the defense is the reason why they have even two wins.

And based on their performances this season, we know that Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst are not franchise QBs.

If Seattle does not get the No. 1 overall pick, don't be surprised if they propose a package deal to get the No. 1 pick, because adding Andrew Luck would significantly boost their fanbase and their chances in the NFL's weakest division.

Denver Broncos (2-5)

Denver fans, you can blame anyone you want for the Broncos' current state, but if there's one guy we can pin it on, it's Josh McDaniels. Trading up to get Tim Tebow was an obvious failure before anything happened, so it's clear that total reconstruction is needed.

And with the Broncos lacking talent all around, don't be surprised if they send Tebow and Kyle Orton packing this offseason. When the Broncos acquired John Elway, they were in a similar situation. A few studs on defense and nothing on offense.

We can expect some noise from The Mile High City as the draft nears because Tim Tebow is not the future.

Indianapolis Colts (0-8)

Regardless of what happens with Peyton Manning, the Colts are desperately needing a QB. And if Manning can even give them one more season or two, having Luck learn beneath him during than span will bode well for the future.

Indy would then hit the ground running once Manning retires, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Peyton as Luck's offensive coordinator. In any event, the Colts aren't in the need of too many positions because the offense is solid everywhere else, as is the defense; they're simply just lacking confidence and suffering from injuries.

However, the QB position is a need, and Andrew Luck would be the perfect fit to save a franchise from a complete meltdown post-Manning.

Miami Dolphins (0-7)

The team that needs Andrew Luck the most is the Miami Dolphins. The offense has a couple of decent weapons in RBs Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas, as well as WR Brandon Marshall, while the offensive line does have talent, despite their lack of production.

And their defense is giving as much as they can; it's just not enough with an offense that can't produce points. Matt Moore is proving to be a nice incumbent to their QB situation with Chad Henne sidelined, but don't think for a second that Moore is the future.

He's proving to be a solid backup and nothing else, which will allow room for Andrew Luck. Also, Miami will most likely be with a new head coach, so getting a fresh start at both QB and the ball coach will give Dolphins fans a better sense of optimism for the the future.

Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

1. Green Bay Packers (7-0) (LW 1)	17. Oakland Raiders (4-3) (LW 17)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) (LW 6)	18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) (LW 18)
3. Baltimore Ravens (5-2) (LW 5)	19. Dallas Cowboys (3-4) (LW 15)
4. San Francisco 49ers (5-1) (LW 4)	20. *Kansas City Chiefs (3-3) (LW 23)
5. New England Patriots (5-2) (LW 2)	21. Tennessee Titans (4-3) (LW 21)
6. New York Giants (5-2) (LW 7)	22. Minnesota Vikings (2-6) (LW 28)
7. Houston Texans (5-3) (LW 8)	23. Carolina Panthers (2-6) (LW 22)
8. Buffalo Bills (5-2) (LW 9)	24. Cleveland Browns (3-4) (LW 24)
9. Detroit Lions (6-2) (LW 10)	25. Washington Redskins (3-4) (LW 25)
10. New Orleans Saints (5-3) (LW 3)	26. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) (LW 26)
11. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) (LW 14)	27. St. Louis Rams (1-6) (LW 30)
12. Chicago Bears (4-3) (LW 11)	28. Seattle Seahawks (2-5) (LW 27)
13. New York Jets (4-3) (LW 12)	29. Arizona Cardinals (1-6) (LW 29)
14. *San Diego Chargers (4-2) (LW 13)	30. Denver Broncos (2-5) (LW 23)
15. Atlanta Falcons (4-3) (LW 16)	31. Indianapolis Colts (0-8) (LW 31)
16. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) (LW 19)	32. Miami Dolphins (0-7) (LW 32)

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

And, you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.