2011 Draft Team Needs

East · North · South · West NFLDraftScout.com provides a positional breakdown of team needs looking at the 2011 NFL Draft. Free agents listed are those expected to be unrestricted free agents based on the new rules in the Collective Bargaining Agreement which allow players with at least six accrued NFL seasons to become UFAs. The ratings, broken down by position for each team, will be updated frequently leading up to the draft and beyond. An explanation of what a rating number represents is listed at the bottom of each page. Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange

Buffalo Bills Team Needs Offense Defense POS Meter Rating POS Meter Rating QB 9 DE 7 RB 3 DT 4 WR 3 OLB 7 TE 6 ILB 5 OT 8 SS 6 OG 3 FS 1 C 3 CB 7 K 0 P 0 Top 2010 Contract Players Drayton Florence, CB Donte Whitner, SS Notes Although the Bills played hard all season, there are few areas where the team is set for the future. Quarterback is a high priority in the draft, and they have the early pick to find a young prospect there. Whoever takes over at quarterback needs better offensive tackles to protect him. The team ranked last in rushing yards per game allowed, so front seven help should be on the way. If starters CB Drayton Florence and SS Donte Whitner don't return, the Bills must replace them, as well. Updated on 1/6/2011

Miami Dolphins Team Needs Offense Defense POS Meter Rating POS Meter Rating QB 6 DE 2 RB 9 DT 3 WR 3 OLB 1 TE 2 ILB 0 OT 1 SS 3 OG 6 FS 5 C 7 CB 3 K 0 P 0 Top 2010 Contract Players Ronnie Brown, RB Ricky Williams, RB Richie Incognito, OG Chad Pennington, QB Notes Miami's roster has been much improved under the departed Bill Parcells, but now that's he gone no one's sure of the future of the franchise -- especially on offense. RBs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams both hit free agency after the season. Is Chad Henne or Tyler Thigpen their QB, or is someone else in the offing? Updated on 1/6/2011

New England Patriots Team Needs Offense Defense POS Meter Rating POS Meter Rating QB 1 DE 6 RB 7 DT 0 WR 2 OLB 8 TE 1 ILB 0 OT 8 SS 1 OG 8 FS 2 C 2 CB 6 K 0 P 0 Top 2010 Contract Players Logan Mankins, OG Matt Light, OT Fred Taylor, RB Stephen Gostkowski, K Gerard Warren, DT   Notes Once again the Pats' offense is carrying the hopes of a Super Bowl contender, even after trading Randy Moss, because of QB Tom Brady and a system taking advantage of match-ups with young TEs and veteran WRs. GM/coach Bill Belichick has decisions to make about his older RBs and whether to bring back the left side of his offensive line. The defense plays as young as it is in the secondary and at linebacker, which is a problem in the 3-4, but upgrades will just bring more youth through the draft. With a handful of picks in the top 75 selections, the team can do as it pleases. Updated on 1/6/2011

New York Jets Team Needs Offense Defense POS Meter Rating POS Meter Rating QB 5 DE 8 RB 2 DT 5 WR 9 OLB 7 TE 1 ILB 3 OT 4 SS 6 OG 7 FS 6 C 0 CB 2 K 1 P 0 Top 2010 Contract Players Braylon Edwards, WR Santonio Holmes, WR Brad Smith, WR Kellen Clemens, QB Shaun Ellis, DLE Antonio Cromartie, CB Brodney Pool, S Tony Richardson, FB Notes Rex Ryan's team hasn't quite lived up to the hype, but have young and veteran talent to stick around for a few years. L.T. and Shonn Greene should be a strong duo in 2011 and there's no reason to believe QB Mark Sanchez can't be a solid starter. The make-up of his WR corps is up in the air due to free agency, however, and LG Matt Slauson has been a sore spot, so help there will be needed if he doesn't improve or 2010 2nd round pick Vlad Ducasse can't take over the job. On defense, oft-injured NT Kris Jenkins and aging free agent Shaun Ellis may need to be replaced, and youth is also needed at OLB. Upgrades at safety are also likely to happen. Updated on 1/6/2011

Team Needs Explanation
Rating	Description
0-2	Solid starter(s). The team is unlikely to draft a player at this position.
3-5	This position needs depth.
6-8	This position needs a starter.
9-10	This is the biggest position of need.