2011 NFL Draft Needs: AFC East | AFC North | NFC East | NFC North
No. 3 Buffalo Bills
Top Needs: DE, OLB, QB, OT
When a team holds the No. 3 selection in the draft they usually don’t have just one need: they have multiple needs. That fits the Bills, who could stand upgrades at linebacker, offensive tackle, quarterback and defensive end. Linebacker is arguably their biggest positional need seeing as how Akin Ayodele is a free agent and Andra Davis (who was replaced in the starting lineup by Ayodele during the season) has just one year remaining on his current deal. Finding someone to play alongside Paul Posluszny in the middle is important but locating a solid pass-rusher is vital, whether that comes at defensive end or outside linebacker. If Buffalo thinks Shawne Merriman can resurrect his career, they can either invest their top pick in a D-end or a quarterback.
Possibilities in the First Round: Da’Quan Bowers (Clemson); Cam Newton (Auburn), Blaine Gabbert (Missouri).
No. 15 Miami Dolphins
Top Needs: RB, QB, S
Two years ago when the Dolphins were running the updated version of the single wing (or as the kids call it these days, “the Wildcat formation”), they had two capable runners in Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. But there’s a good chance that both have played their final downs in Miami. Brown can’t stay healthy through a full 16-game season and Williams is a free agent (who has also taken to criticizing his head coach and teammates). South Beach has been mentioned as a possible landing spot for DeAngelo Williams, which makes sense. But with the uncertainty of the CBA deal, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Dolphins took someone like Alabama’s Mark Ingram in the first round. If not, there’s no doubt that this team needs more consistency at the quarterback position, which is where a signal caller like Ryan Mallett of Arkansas makes sense. (Or Cam Newton if he falls.)
Possibilities in the First Round: Mark Ingram (Alabama), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Cam Newton (Auburn).
