1. Carolina (2-14)
Possible first pick: QB Cam Newton
Needs: QB, WR, DT, DE, CB
Outlook: New coach Ron Rivera’s first draft would be much easier if Stanford QB Andrew Luck didn’t stay in school. Newton’s skills, arm and athleticism have wowed Carolina’s brass, but the franchise has shied away from players with character and off-the-field questions. They also need help at WR, have huge holes on DL and have 28 potential free agents.
2. Denver (4-12)
Possible first pick: DE Marcell Dareus
Needs: DL, LB, WR
Outlook: Broncos really need a new defensive tackle to build around, but if Dareus goes first to Carolina, they could turn to Texas A&M pass-rushing LB Von Miller.
3. Buffalo (4-12)
Possible first pick: LB Von Miller, Newton, Dareus, QB Blaine Gabbert
Needs: DE, OL, QB
Outlook: With offense starting to click, and coach Chan Gailey adept in adjusting to the strengths of his roster, improvement appears close. The defense, however, is too weak to contend in the AFC.
4. Cincinnati (4-12)
Possible first pick: WR A.J. Green
Needs: QB, WR, RB, S, CB, OL, LB
Outlook: Will the standoff between QB Carson Palmer and management affect the draft? If not, there are plenty of other holes to fill.
5. Arizona (5-11)
Possible first pick: Miller, Gabbert, CB Patrick Peterson, LB Robert Quinn
Needs: QB, LB, DE, CB, OL, WR
Outlook: The Cardinals need a quarterback, but they prefer acquiring a veteran in a desire to win now rather than commit to a longer rebuilding plan. As tempting as Gabbert might be, the Cardinals need immediate help from a pick this high. Miller, if he’s not gone, would be a much-needed upgrade for an awful pass rush. Peterson’s athletic talent would be welcome.
6. Cleveland (5-11)
Possible first pick: Green, WR Julio Jones, Quinn
Needs: WR, DL, OT
Outlook: It’s hard to imagine the Browns going with a defensive player unless Peterson drops. GM Tom Heckert had a strong 2010 draft, getting CB Joe Haden, S T.J. Ward and QB Colt McCoy with the top three picks. He needs another gem.
7. San Francisco (6-10)
Possible first pick: Miller, Peterson
Needs: QB, CB, DE
Outlook: New coach Jim Harbaugh, a former quarterback, will be called upon to groom a new one. Adding key pieces will be paramount for a team that believes it greatly underachieved last season.
8. Tennessee (6-10)
Possible first pick: DT Nick Fairley, DE Da’Quan Bowers, Miller
Needs: QB. DT, DE, LB
Outlook: The Titans aren’t in complete rebuilding mode, not with RB Chris Johnson and WR Kenny Britt on offense. But Tennessee is nowhere good enough to overlook the best player available. The draft is deep enough in quarterbacks that they could grab one in the second round (39th overall).
9. Dallas (6-10)
Possible first pick: T Tyron Smith
Needs: OT, DT, LB, S, CB
Outlook: Their first draft together could yield some clues about how owner Jerry Jones and coach Jason Garrett are building/rebuilding a club that still has enough talent to pick up where it left off in 2009.
10. Washington (6-10)
Possible first pick: Jones
Needs: QB, RB, WR, DT, DE, LB, S
Outlook: Coach Mike Shanahan’s rebuilding effort was set back immeasurably by the Donovan McNabb debacle, which cost the Redskins two draft picks and forced the team to start over at QB. Washington is too old and too thin in too many positions.
11. Houston (6-10)
Possible first pick: DE Aldon Smith
Needs: DL, S, CB, DE
Outlook: The defense needs some rebuilding, and also needs to stay healthy. The Texans need at least one more impact player on defense to break through for their first playoff berth.
12. Minnesota (6-10)
Possible first pick: QB Jake Locker
Needs: QB, OL, DL, CB
Outlook: The ill-fated Randy Moss trade with the Patriots leaves the Vikings without their third-round pick. Quarterback, again, is the most pressing need for a team moving on from Brett Favre. If Locker and Gabbert are gone, the Vikings could grab a defensive end to help shore up a pass rush that dropped off last season.
13. Detroit (6-10)
Possible first pick: CB Prince Amukamara, Smith
Needs: CB, LB, OT
Outlook: Detroit has a big need at cornerback, but its biggest concern is keeping QB Matthew Stafford on the field.
14. St. Louis (7-9)
Possible first pick: Jones
Needs: WR, LB, S
Outlook: Finding a talented backup at running back remains a major item on the wish list. The depth is thin overall.
15. Miami (7-9)
Possible first pick: RB Mark Ingram
Needs: RB, QB, TE, G, S, WR, LB
Outlook: With many needs and only two of the first 109 picks in the draft, the Dolphins would love to trade down but might not find much of a market. It will be shocking if they don’t devote a top choice to a playmaker, perhaps even a QB.
16. Jacksonville (8-8)
Possible first pick: DE Ryan Kerrigan
Needs: DE, S, LB, CB, C, G, QB, WR
Outlook: With so many holes, the most pressing on defense, the Jaguars could go in any direction. Quarterback remains a concern, especially with little depth behind 33-year-old inconsistent starter David Garrard, but don’t expect them to address that until the second or third round.
17, 28. New England (14-2)
Possible first pick: DE J.J. Watt
Needs: OL, LB, DE
Outlook: As usual, coach Bill Belichick piled up draft choices and has great flexibility to move up or down. The Patriots have two picks in each of the first three rounds. An aging offensive line needs help.
18. San Diego (9-7)
Possible first pick: DE Cameron Heyward, DE Cameron Jordan
Needs: LB, DE, OT, S
Outlook: The Chargers need an impact player on defense. Yes, they had the top-ranked defense in the NFL, but that was based on yards allowed.
19. N.Y. Giants (10-6)
Possible first pick: G-C Mike Pouncey, OT Anthony Castonzo, Kerrigan, Ingram
Needs: OT, G, C, DE, OLB, RB
Outlook: Ball control and defense have been constants, but the O-line could use some help. While loaded on the defensive line, the Giants won’t hesitate to add another contributor. The wild card might be if Ingram is available.
20. Tampa Bay (10-6)
Possible first pick: DE Adrian Clayborn
Needs: DE
Outlook: There will be an effort to rebuild the defense. An inconsistent pass rush makes it difficult to compete in the NFC South against QBs Drew Brees and Matt Ryan.
21. Kansas City (10-6)
Possible first pick: LB Justin Houston
Needs: WR, DE, LB, C, G, NT
Outlook: GM Scott Pioli spent his first two first-round selections on defense. This will be the first time he doesn’t get to select in the top five.
22. Indianapolis (10-6)
Possible first pick: OL Gabe Carimi
Needs: OL
Outlook: They need to rebuild the offensive line quickly. Carimi fits, but if he’s not there, look for Boston College’s Castonzo or Colorado’s Nate Solder. One of the three tackles is likely to be available when Indy picks.
23. Philadelphia (10-6)
Possible first pick: Carimi, Pouncey, CB Jimmy Smith, OT Derrick Sherrod
Needs: OL, CB
Outlook: The Eagles need to upgrade the offensive line and must add another cornerback to improve their poor pass defense. Philadelphia has always been active on draft day, and could look to package some picks to move up. Backup QB Kevin Kolb is on the trading block.
24. New Orleans (11-5)
Possible first pick: Heyward, Clayborn, OLB Akeem Ayers, Ingram
Needs: DL, LB, RB
Outlook: The Saints want more depth on their defensive front. First and foremost, they could use a playmaking pass rusher. New Orleans also could be inclined to take Ingram if he’s available.
25. Seattle (7-9)
Possible first pick: DL Muhammad Wilkerson
Needs: QB, OL, DL, WR, CB
Outlook: No one disputes Seattle desperately needs a quarterback with the uncertainty of Matt Hasselbeck returning, which is fueling talk of taking a hard look at TCU’s Andy Dalton, Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett or Locker. But Wilkerson would give Seattle depth at its hybrid defensive end/tackle position. The Seahawks need depth on both lines.
26. Baltimore (12-4)
Possible first pick: Heyward, CBs Brandon Harris or J. Smith
Needs: DE, OT, CB
Outlook: GM Ozzie Newsome rarely fails to shine on draft day, even though the Ravens usually pick deep in the first round. Newsome makes a habit of grabbing the best player available, regardless of position.
27. Atlanta (13-3)
29. Chicago (11-5)
Possible first pick: Sherrod, Solder, DT Corey Liuget
Needs: OL, WR, DT, LB
Outlook: The Bears desperately need help on the offensive line after QB Jay Cutler was sacked 52 times. They could also use a replacement for DT Tommie Harris, a top-tier receiver and some youth on defense.
30. N.Y. Jets (11-5)
Possible first pick: Liuget, NT Phil Taylor, Heyward, S Rahim Moore
Needs: DL, S, LB, WR, OT
Outlook: The defensive line might be revamped. QB Mark Sanchez also might need some new targets.
31. Pittsburgh (12-4)
Possible first pick: CB Aaron Williams, Wilkerson
Needs: OL, CB, DL
Outlook: This is a deep, talented and well-coached team with more depth than most.
32. Green Bay (10-6)
Possible first pick: DE Brooks Reed
Needs: LB, OL, DE
Outlook: Without glaring needs, Packers GM Ted Thompson might be even more inclined than in the past to take the best player available. But Packers also could use some help in the return game.
48. Oakland (8-8)
Possible first pick: OL Stefen Wisniewski, OL Rodney Hudson, J.Smith, QB Colin Kaepernick
Needs: OL, DB, QB
Outlook: Oakland traded its first-round pick to New England two years ago for DT Richard Seymour. With Pro Bowl CB Nnamdi Asomugha a free agent, the Raiders could be in the market for a starting cornerback.
Associated Press
