2011 NFL Draft NFC Team-by-Team Needs

A couple of months ago I did division-by-division draft needs for every team. But now that we’re a couple of hours away from Roger Goodell taking the stage at Radio City Music Hall, I’ve decided to put together an updated post together on all 32 teams. So below you’ll find team-by-team needs for the NFC, as well as a quick summary for each division. (Click here to check out the AFC.)

NFC East

Washington Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan watches his team warm up for the game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on January 2, 2010. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg

Cowboys: OT, DE, OG, S, CB
Giants: OT, OLB, ILB
Eagles: OL, LB, CB
Redskins: QB, WR, RB, OL, DE, ILB, CB, S

Quick & Dirty Summary: The Cowboys’ biggest need is arguably safety, although there won’t be a safety worthy of taking at No. 9. If neither of the top corners (Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara) fall to them in the first round, it’s possible the ‘Boys will take the top OT on their board…The Giants don’t have a ton of holes to fill (at least not compared to other teams around the league), so they might draft the best player available at No. 19. But they’ll have to re-evaluate their offensive line at some point, which could mean drafting at OT and moving David Diehl inside…The Eagles had the worst red zone defense in the league last year and may look to remedy the situation by adding a cornerback in the first round, or a pass-rushing outside linebacker that can provide pressure off the edge…What don’t the Redskins need? With so many holes to address, it’s no wonder why Mike Shanahan said his team would like to acquire more picks. Quarterback is at the top of the list, but this is a team lacking playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, there are needs on almost every level.

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings new head coach Leslie Frazier leads his team against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on November 28, 2010. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

Bears: OL, WR, DT, LB, S
Lions: LB, OL, CB
Packers: OLB, DE, CB, OL, RB
Vikings: QB, DE, DT, OLB, S

Quick & Dirty Summary: It wouldn’t be draft time if Da Bears didn’t need offensive line help, although the release of Tommie Harris certainly opens up a hole at defensive tackle…The Lions’ biggest need is cornerback, but they might opt to address the offensive line in the first round instead…The defending champion Packers don’t many pressing needs, but Cullen Jenkins is set to become a free agent so Ted Thompson may choose to add depth at defensive end. Another pass rushing outside linebacker to complement Clay Matthews wouldn’t be a bad idea either… The Vikings need a quarterback first and foremost, although don’t rule out Leslie Frazier and Co. taking a defensive end in Round 1 with Ray Edwards set to become a free agent.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton pleads his case to head linesman Jerry Bergman (91) as his team took on theTampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of their NFL football game in New Orleans, Louisiana January 2, 2011. REUTERS/Sean Gardner (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Falcons: DE, WR, OL, CB, LB, TE
Panthers: DL, LB, CB, WR, TE, QB
Saints: DL, LB, S, RB
Bucs: DE, LB, S, OG, RB

Quick & Dirty Summary: The Falcons’ biggest need is to add a pass rusher at the defensive end spot, but don’t rule out Atlanta taking a receiver in the first round that can help stretch the field vertically…While the Panthers may wind up taking a quarterback like Cam Newton with the top overall pick, defensive line is arguably the team’s biggest need…Like most teams heading into this year’s draft, Sean Payton’s Saints would love to add a pass rusher in Round 1, but running back and linebacker are possibilities as well…Every team in this division wants to add a pass rusher and the Bucs are no different. Tampa is expected to take a defensive end in the first.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt watches play in the third quarter against the san Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on January 2, 2011. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 38-7. UPI/Terry Schmitt

Cardinals: QB, OLB, CB, OL, TE
Rams: WR, G, DT, LB, S, TE, RB
49ers: CB, LB, DT, WR, C
Seahawks: OL, DL, QB, RB, S, OLB

Quick & Dirty Summary: The Cardinals’ biggest need is quarterback but that doesn’t mean Ken Whisenhunt and Co. will wind up taking one at No. 5. In fact, outside linebacker Von Miller is a major possibility for Arizona in the first round…The Rams could go in a couple of different ways in Round 1, although if Julio Jones magically falls in their laps at No. 14, St. Louis will likely run up to the podium to turn in its draft card…The Niners could take a quarterback at No. 7, although it’s not likely. John Harbaugh may opt to address his defense this year and then take his signal caller of the future in 2012…The Seahawks have many needs, including quarterback, safety and defensive line. But what this team could stand to upgrade the most is their offensive line.

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