NFL Draft 2012: 10 Games into the 2011 NFL Season, Who Needs What?
By Jason McIntyre
New England Patriots – Permitting a league-worst 404 yards per game (299 through the air, which is last in the league). Corner and safety must be top priority, but the front seven doesn’t have many keepers, either. Belichick might want to consider a OL – Brady’s been sacked 19 times in 10 games, which is more than he was sacked in the 2009 season (16 times). November guess: 30th pick – Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia.
Miami Dolphins – QB must be addressed. Will the new coach want Matt Barkley? What if Barkley’s not around in the 5-10 range, or doesn’t come out? Do you reach for Landry Jones? It’s not even a given Robert Griffin III will leave early. Do you try for someone in free agency? Or do you hope to get a wide receiver, and just keep Chad Henne? November guess: 11th pick – Jonathan Martin, OL, Stanford. I think they’ll take a QB early in the 2nd round.
Buffalo Bills – Bottom 10 in the NFL defensively in points per game, yards per game, rushing yards per game, and passing yards per game. Alabama’s Dareus last year was a great pick and he’s having a solid rookie year. November guess: 13th pick – Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama.
New York Jets – The offensive line has been shaky. They could use an upgrade at running back, assuming they don’t overpay for one in free agency. The linebackers are old and slowing down. As of right now, I believe their safeties are the biggest defensive liability. November guess: 19th pick – Riley Reiff, OL, Iowa.
Pittsburgh Steelers – The defense is aging, but Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked a league-high 31 times and the running game is down 11 yards per game from a year ago. Since Roethlisberger is the franchise, I’d bolster the O-line (again). November guess: 28th pick – Nate Potter, OL, Boise State.
Baltimore Ravens – A shaky 7-3 with puzzling losses to Seattle, Tennessee and Jacksonville. I still don’t have a read on this team. Is Joe Flacco the long-term solution at QB? It’s tempting to think about a QB, but the defense is getting old in multiple places. November guess: 31st pick – Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska.
Indianapolis Colts – Locked in for the No. 1 pick, and there’s no way they’re trading it. They need to get a lot younger in many places, but this is the easiest decision on the board. November guess: 1st pick – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford.
Jacksonville Jaguars – The defense has been surprisingly formidable, but the offense cannot move the ball. Wide receiver makes sense, but as I see it, the Jaguars would need to start “sucking for Blackmon.” Otherwise, the Rams will grab him 2nd overall. I haven’t seen anything special out of Blaine Gabbert yet, and he inked a 4-year, $12 million deal. Can you take Matt Barkley and pay two young QBs big money? November guess: 4th pick – Matt Kalil, OL, USC.
Denver Broncos – I’m not a fan of completely shaping the roster to acquiesce to Tebow because I don’t think his style will last longer than the 2012 season (unless his pass skills magically improve). Might as well look to the the defense, which is rapidly improving, or bolster a mediocre offensive line. November guess: 24th pick (yes, I have the Broncos in the playoffs) – David DeCastro, OL, Stanford.
Oakland Raiders – No pick. Traded to Bengals in Carson Palmer deal.
San Diego Chargers – Could be some major rebuilding going on if GM AJ Smith is bounced and coach Norv Turner is, too. The defense went from giving up 271 yards per game (1st in 2010) to 336 in 2011 (13th overall). Sure, injuries have played a part, but I’d assume the offense will return to form in 2012. I’d lean defense. November guess: Mark Barron, safety, Alabama.