2012 NFL Draft Preview: Picking Each Team's Biggest 2012 Draft Need

With the Thanksgiving games over and done with, teams are now preparing for the next big headline; the 2011 NFL playoffs. 

The teams unfortunate enough to be playing for draft position can only watch on as various clubs fight for entry or playoff position.

The Washington Redskins are one of the unfortunate teams who will likely watch the playoffs at home despite such high expectations at the beginning of the season. As will the Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, and various other clubs. 

The quarterback heavy 2012 draft is headlined by the highly regarded Stanford quarterback, Andrew Luck. Unlike last year, the 2012 NFL draft if far deeper and should excite general managers hoping to expedite the rebuilding process. 

In this draft preview, I will discuss the draft needs of every NFL franchise for the upcoming 2012 draft. 

Dallas Cowboys

Biggest Need: S/OG

The Dallas Cowboys secondary needs an infusion of talent. The safety positions are manned by Abram Elam and Gerald Sensabaugh. Both players are serviceable but the Cowboys could use some playmakers in the back end. 

The Cowboys could also upgrade the interior of their offensive line, especially if DeMarco Murray is to become a featured piece within this offense.

New York Giants

Biggest Need: OT/MLB

The New York Giants are weak at linebacker and should focus their attention on this position. 

On the offensive side, the Giants have one of the more overrated offensive lines in football. Eli Manning deserves an award for playing with such a poor offensive line. The Giants have only given up 19 sacks up to this point but stats can be deceiving.  

Philadelphia Eagles

Biggest Need: LB/WR

The Philadelphia Eagles focused their attention on upgrading the secondary and the defensive line but completely ignored the linebacker position. The Eagles need a defensive quarterback to run this talented defense. 

Desean Jackson is on his way out of Philadelphia and the Eagles may need to find a replacement. 

Washington Redskins

Biggest Need: QB/WR

The Washington Redskins lack playmakers on offense. They will need to address the quarterback position with what will look a high draft selection by seasons end. 

Green Bay Packers

Biggest Need: OLB/S

The Green Bay Packers have talent on defense but the explosiveness of their offense has somewhat effected this secondary. The Packers look set at the corner back position but could use another playmaker besides the hurt Nick Collins at safety. 

Another explosive pass rusher off the edge could be added to take the pressure off Clay Matthews. 

Chicago Bears

Biggest Need: OT

The Chicago Bears drafted an OT in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft and should do the same in 2012. The offense line has played well the last few weeks but the line still lacks talent. 

Detroit Lions

Biggest Need: OT/LB

The Detroit Lions should finally address the left tackle position in the 2012 NFL draft. Jeff Backus is solid but he's 34-years old. 

Minnesota Vikings

Biggest Need: WR

The loss of Sidney Rice crippled the Vikings at receiver. The Minnesota Vikings would be foolish to follow the pathway the St. Louis Rams took in addressing the receiver position for Sam Bradford.

Justin Blackmon out of Oklahoma State would be a perfect addition. 

New England Patriots

Biggest Need: DE/OLB

The New England Patriots should address their secondary but Bill Belichick has not had success in doing so. The Patriots should focus their attention to a talentless defensive line. 

If the Patriots switch to a 3-4 base defense, expect Bill Belichick to draft a rush linebacker in the early rounds.  

New York Jets

Biggest Need: OLB

The New York Jets have long needed a pass rushing presence to pair with an excellent back end. Jonathan Massaquoi out of Troy should be a perfect fit in this defense. 

Buffalo Bills

Biggest Need: DE/OLB

The Buffalo Bills could address their offensive line but they have a bigger need on the front seven. Kyle Williams (on IR) and Marcell Dareus will form a dangerous tandem inside but a 3-4 defense thrives with speed rushers off the edge.

Miami Dolphins

Biggest Need: QB

Matt Moore is solid but not spectacular. I suggest the Dolphins select a quarterback in the early rounds of the draft and resign Moore as a backup or stopgap. Landry Jones out of Oklahoma would be the ideal fit in Miami. 

Baltimore Ravens

Biggest Need: OT/OLB

The Baltimore Ravens will likely address the offense line in the early rounds of the 2012 NFL draft. If the Ravens intend to keep Michael Oher on the right side, they have to find Joe Flacco a blind side protector. 

The Ravens may look to move up in this draft to acquire the offense tackle they desire. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Biggest Need: OT

The Pittsburgh Steelers need to address the offensive line in the first few rounds of the 2012 NFL draft, as they did in 2010 with the selection of stand out center, Maurkice Pouncey.

Mike Adams out of Ohio State would be a nice fit in Pittsburgh. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Biggest Need: DB/S

The surprising Cincinnati Bengals may have to address their secondary after stud DB Leon Hall was lost for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon. Nate Clements is not the long term answer, anyway. 

Cleveland Browns

Biggest Need: QB

Colt McCoy is not the answer in Cleveland despite the high expectations. Expect Mike Holmgren to draft a quarterback in the first round even if it means moving up to do so. 

Matt Barkley out of USC would be the ideal quarterback in Pat Shurmer's version of the West Coast offense. 

New Orleans Saints

Biggest Need: DT

Both Aubrayo Franklin and Shaun Rogers look more natural in a 3-4 scheme as nose tackles. The Saints must find an interior presence that better complements Sedrick Ellis.

Hybrid DE/DT Devon Still out of Penn State would be a nice complement to Sedrick Ellis. 

Atlanta Falcons

Biggest Need: OG/TE

Tony Gonzalez may retire at season's end and that could prove problematic for Matt Ryan if the Falcons fail to find a suitable replacement. 

The Atlanta Falcons should also look to improve the interior of their offensive line. David Decastro out of Stanford would be a nice selection for the Falcons. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Biggest Need: WR/CB

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lack playmakers at receiver and that has definitely played a part in the regression of quarterback, Josh Freeman. 

The Bucs defensive backs feature wily veteran, Ronde Barber and the talented but troubling Aqib Talib. Both players could be gone after this season. 

Carolina Panthers

Biggest Need: DT/WR

The Carolina Panthers must address the interior of their defensive line if they indeed want to switch to a 3-4 alignment. The Panthers are awful against the run and the defense in a 3-4 alignment will fair far worse without a huge presence in the middle.

Steve Smith is up there in age and the Panthers could finally add a talented WR to pair with the veteran. Either Alshon Jeffery out of South Carolina or Dontari Poe out of Memphis, would be nice early round selections. 

Houston Texans

Biggest Need: NT/WR

Wade Phillips has done wonders with this defense but will be clamoring for a true nose tackle. The Texans could also find another wide receiver to take some pressure off Andre Johnson. 

Tennessee Titans

Biggest Need: DT/ILB

Barrett Rudd is not the long term answer in Tennessee. The Titans could also use a pass rushing threat in the middle of that defense. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Biggest Need: WR

If the Jacksonville Jaguars want Blaine Gabbert to succeed, they must surround the young quarterback with weapons. Mike Thomas is a nice slot receiver but Gabbert can not succeed without a true number one receiver in the passing game. 

Alshon Jeffery out of South Carolina would be a nice complement to the speedy Mike Thomas. 

Indianapolis Colts

Biggest Need: DT/QB

The Indianapolis Colts will likely select Andrew Luck if they indeed receive the first overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft. The Colts would be better to trade that pick but it sees Jim Irsay has his sights on the Stanford product. 

The Colts could add some beef to a smallish defensive line, who has struggled against the run this season. 

Oakland Raiders

Biggest Need: CB/DT

The Oakland Raiders may address a pass defense that has fell of this season without Nnamdi Asomugha. Richard Seymour is solid but the Raiders need a run stuffing tackle alongside the veteran. 

Denver Broncos

Biggest Need: QB/DT

The comments made by John Elway has all but confirmed Tim Tebow will not return to Denver next season.

The problem with that plan, is that Tim Tebow and the Broncos continue to win. If they intend to select one of the more hyped quarterbacks, they will likely have to move up in the draft. 

San Diego Chargers

Biggest Need: ILB/OLB

The Chargers defense has struggled this season under Greg Manusky's defensive scheme. Takeo Spikes is solid but the Chargers need some youth at the position.

They could also use another pass rushing threat opposite pro bowler, Shaun Phillips. Travis Laboy is only a temporary fill-in.  

Kansas City Chiefs

Biggest Need: NT

The Kansas City Chiefs will likely select a nose tackle to complement their edge rushers. A nose tackle is needed to successfully run a 3-4 defense. 

Dontari Poe (Memphis) or Alameda Ta'amu (Washington) would fit perfectly within the Chiefs 3-4 scheme.  

San Francisco 49ers

Biggest Need: DB/OG

The San Francisco 49ers should look to address the interior of their offensive line. Adam Snyder has played well at right guard but that position has been like a revolving door for the last few seasons.

The 49ers could also address their average (but opportunistic) secondary. Carlos Rogers will likely resign with the 49ers, making this less of a priority. 

Seattle Seahawks

Biggest Need: QB

Pete Carroll will have to find the Seahawks future signal caller in the 2012 NFL draft. The Seahawks boast a solid defense but the offense is simply apathetic. Matt Barkley is the ideal fit in Darrell Bevell's West coast scheme. 

Arizona Cardinals

Biggest Needs: OT/NT

If Kevin Kolb is to succeed in Arizona (and I have my doubts), the Cardinals must find him a blind side protector. 

The Arizona Cardinals want to run a Pittsburgh style 3-4 defense but must find a nose tackle to make the transition. 

St. Louis Rams

Biggest Need: OG/WR

The St. Louis Rams are a complete mess and will have a hard time competing for the next several years. Their lack of success can be attributed to bad drafting. 

The Rams will likely select a receiver in the first round to help out Sam Bradford and their putrid offense.