Team Needs
2011 Team Needs
We usually write an entire breakdown of every team in the league in this section. However, the lockout has clouded draft strategy by delaying the start of free agency until after the draft.
Many experts predict that this will force general managers and decision-makers to focus primarily on "need" over "value" in the 2011 NFL Draft. The logic behind this theory is that teams will be forced to fill specific areas of concern in fear of missing out on targeted free agents later in the offseason.
We don't agree with this assessment. Ray and I both feel that teams will jump at the opportunity to draft the better overall player instead of reaching for a prospect at a certain position.
There are a few reasons we think that this will be the way it goes.
First of all, nobody is entirely sure of exactly what each team needs anyway because the rules on free agency have yet to be determined. Most of us draftniks are operating under the assumption that all of the restricted free agency tenders will be validified at the conclusion of the lockout, but the reality is that nobody really knows for sure.
The lockout is also going to eliminate mini-camps so the 2011 rookie class likely isn't going to have more than a month or two to get acclimated to team playbooks and schemes. That is going to severely hinder the chances of these players being able to step into key roles in 2011.
The draft usually acts as the end of the offseason. Sure, there are months in between pick #254 and the start of training camp, but most free agent activity is done before draft boards are finalized. Aging players that often don't even make rosters tend to be the type of signings that occur after the draft. How could teams possibly be more focused on need in this draft when there will be so many more free agents available before the start of the season?
We tried to hold off as long as we could, but it's now clear that player activity won't be allowed until after the draft is over. With so much uncertainty, we're posting an abbreviated version of "team needs" this year. Think of it as more of a "team suggestions" section this year.
| AFC East | |
| New England Patriots | OLB, DE, OT, WR, OG, RB |
| New York Jets | OLB, DE, WR, NT, OT |
| Miami Dolphins | RB, QB, OG, TE, FS, CB, C, OLB, WR |
| Buffalo Bills | OLB, QB, DE, OLB, S, OT, TE, WR, CB, ILB |
| AFC North | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | CB, OT, OG, K, OLB, DE, NT, TE, WR |
| Baltimore Ravens | CB, WR, ILB, OT, DE, OG |
| Cleveland Browns | DT, DE, WR, OT, OG, S, CB |
| Cincinnati Bengals | WR, QB, DE, DT, RB, MLB, SS, K, RS |
| AFC South | |
| Indianapolis Colts | LT, RT, DT, WR, SS, OG, RB, QB, P |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | DE, CB, FS, WR, QB, OLB, SS, OT |
| Houston Texans | OLB, CB, NT, OLB, FS, SS, WR, DE, P |
| Tennessee Titans | QB, DT, MLB, OG, C, DE, OLB, SS, RB |
| AFC West | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | NT, WR, OLB, OT, C, ILB, RB |
| San Diego Chargers | OLB, DE, RT, CB, ILB, WR |
| Oakland Raiders | OG, RT, C, CB, OLB, S, TE, WR, QB |
| Denver Broncos | DT, DT, MLB, RB, TE, OT, S, DE, OLB |
| NFC East | |
| Philadelphia Eagles | CB, OG, OLB, OT, DE, CB, RB |
| New York Giants | C, OT, OG, RB, P, LB, WR |
| Washington Redskins | QB, DE, OLB, WR, OT, NT, OG, C, RB, K, P, CB, FB |
| Dallas Cowboys | OT, FS, DE, CB, Interior OL, WR, RB |
| NFC North | |
| Chicago Bears | OT, OG, DT, CB, OLB, WR, P, C, OLB |
| Green Bay Packers | RB, OLB, DE, OG, OT, WR, TE |
| Detroit Lions | CB, LT, C, OLB, RB, OG, WR, FB |
| Minnesota Vikings | QB, OT, DT, C, S, CB, DE, TE, WR, K |
| NFC South | |
| Atlanta Falcons | DE, WR, OT, OG, TE, WR, OLB, SS, CB |
| New Orleans Saints | DT, LB, DE, FB, SS |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | DE, CB, RT, DE, MLB, RB, OG |
| Carolina Panthers | DT, DE, DT, WR, OG, QB, CB |
| NFC West | |
| Seattle Seahawks | CB, QB, OG, DT, SS, WR, OT, FB |
| St. Louis Rams | WR, DT, FS, SS, OG, RB, OLB, DE |
| San Francisco 49ers | QB, OLB, CB, DE, WR, FB |
| Arizona Cardinals | QB, OLB, OT, OG, RB, WR, TE, CB |
