The Fan Hub

With most of the 2011 NCAA season in the books and the NFL hierarchy continuing to take shape, it's about that time to start projecting ahead to the 2012 NFL Draft in April. Drafts can easily be articulated like markets; some are rather top-heavy with talent (aka the Christina Hendricks market), some are rather proportionately thicker in the middle (the apple-shape, known here as the Kate Winslet market), or the bottom-heavy markets (represented by J-Lo, obviously).

The 2011 Draft very J-Lo; most of the talent was grouped together in the bottom, and there really wasn't a clear upper class hierarchy. This year, however, there is a clear pecking order, but because lots of juniors chose not to enter the draft last year because of labor uncertainty, this year is one of the best senior classes in quite some time, which means even without the underclassman, the 2012 NFL Draft has the makings of finding great value through the second round. If you need a franchise quarterback, there are four or maybe five that fit the bill this year. So here is how the top 10 is shaping up thus far.

1. Indianapolis Colts
Needs: QB, LT, RT, DT, CB, S, WR

Ever watch a very awful movie and ask yourself if it would be better if someone like Pitt, DiCaprio, or Bridges was featured rather than whatever putz they got to "star" in it? The same question could be asked of the 2012 Colts. On OVERALL talent alone they were probably a 9- or 10-win team, simply because Peyton Manning is that wonder bra that can perform miracles. With his return uncertain, however, can Jim Irsay and crew afford to pass on another franchise QB? I doubt it. Usually I am all in on drafting a stud left tackle — especially one with the talent and pedigree of Ryan Kalil — and while I'm not fawning over Andrew Luck as a sure-thing-can't-miss-got-to-have player who's the next Peyton Manning, Indy really is between a rock and a hard place. But in the end, it comes down to starting to plan for life after Manning, and what better time to start than with the most highly rated prospect since Manning himself?

Pick: Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams
Needs: LT, WR, DT, CB, TE

If Sam Bradford is indeed the franchise quarterback we think he is, then St. Louis still has a bright future. Don't forget, they been one of the most snake-bitten teams this year when it comes to injuries, but still need help along the offensive line. Enter Matt Kalil, who is the best-left tackle to come out of college in two seasons. No team has allowed more quarterback sacks and pressures than the St. Louis Rams this season, so drafting Kalil and moving Rodger Saffold to right tackle would solve a major need, and get Bradford the insurance he needs on his blind side.

Pick: Matt Kalil, LT USC

3. Minnesota Vikings
Needs: LT, WR, DT, CB, TE,

It's a good thing the draft is roughly four months away, because if the Vikings actually finish with the third pick, they could go in about three different directions. Logic would indicate that continuing to bolster their pass rush in a division with Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, and Jay Cutler would probably be their best option. However, the Vikings need a wide receiver like Robin needed Batman. Justin Blackmon might be a strong possibility, with the idea of giving Christian Ponder a bona fide #1 receiver to throw the ball to. However, with Texas A&M's Jeff Fuller, Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles, Ashton Jeffery from South Carolina, Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, and Mohamed Sanu from Rutgers, they can address that need later in the first round via a trade, or early in the second round. Quinton Coples is the best pure pass rusher in the draft, and putting him opposite Jared Allen could give opposing defenses fits next season.

Pick: Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina

4. Miami Dolphins
Needs: QB, WR, NT, MLB, TE

Is it me, or are the Dolphins the best three-win team in the NFL? They have talent on both sides of the ball, what looks like a legit running back tandem in Daniel Thomas and Reggie Bush, an alpha dog wide receiver in Brandon Marshall, two good man cover corners, a superb left tackle, and a guy who can rush the passer in Cameron Wake. This team shouldn't suck. There will most likely be a coaching change in Miami, so this pick could depend greatly on who they hire as their new head coach. If Landry Jones- and Matt Barkley are still on the board — and odds are they both will be — then Miami probably goes with the higher rated quarterback, which is Jones. He can make every NFL throw, is incredibly accurate, and while he sometimes struggles to feel the rush from the pocket, he always keeps his eyes up field looking for the open receiver.

Pick: Landry Jones, QB Oklahoma

5. Carolina Panthers
Needs: CB, DT, WR, SLB, WLB, SS

The Panthers need help on the defensive side of the ball, particularly at defensive tackle. But here is the issue: there isn't a tackle whose value correlates with drafting with the fifth overall pick. Cornerback is a primary need, and LSU's Morris Clairborne has proven over the last few weeks that he is the best corner in college football this year. Carolina's defense is 5th worst in the NFL against the run and 15th against the pass, so while getting stronger at linebacker and up the middle is a necessity, the only other player that could be a fit here is Notre Dame's Manti’Te’o (MLB), who would be a good fit in Ron Rivera's defense.

Pick: Morris Clairborne, CB LSU

6. Jacksonville Jaguars
Needs: WR, LT, DE, OLB, ILB

Defensively the Jaguars can get after the quarterback and stop the run, however, they can be difficult to watch at times on offense. The Jaguars are at the rebuilding point, which means if they are going to stay in Jacksonville (unlikely) they could consider selling high on Maurice Jones-Drew for a bevy of picks and start over from the ground up. Blaine Gabbert seems antsy in the pocket at best, but that doesn't mean he won't develop into a decent NFL quarterback. If the Jaguars are going up for sale, they'll need assets to attract future owners to pay top dollar. Justin Blackmon fits that bill, as he is the clear front-runner to win Biletnikoff award, and is a big, physical receiver who could be a star in the NFL.

Pick: Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State

7. Cleveland Browns
Needs: WR, RB, SLB, MLB,S, T

This draft will say a lot about how the Browns really feel about Colt McCoy. Most likely either Matt Barkley or Landry Jones will be on the board, and if there is even a moment's pause from Mike Holmgren and crew that McCoy can't be the guy, then the Browns could pull the trigger on whichever of the two QBs not named Luck is still available. Still, the odds that Peyton Hills will be returning to Cleveland are growing slimmer each day, and while receiver is a pressing need, so too is a runner who can help alleviate their offensive woes. Trent Richardson is by far the best running back in this year's draft class, and while a receiver might be a more pressing need, the Browns need a versatile running back who can run between the tackles, and is good in pass coverage.

Pick: Trent Richardson, RB Alabama

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Needs: MLB, CB, WLB, S

The Bucs have had somewhat of a disappointing year after last season's surprise effort. Whether they were victims of scheduling or we overrated them, Tampa Bay needs a playmaker on defense, particularly at linebacker. Opponents are averaging 139.7 yards per game on the ground against them, which means teams are able to dictate the pace of the game. The answer is to get stronger up the middle. Albert Hayensworth was brought in to help, but Gerold McCoy has been unable to stay healthy since being the third overall pick in the 2010 Draft. Barrett Ruud departed via free agency, and this is perfect time to upgrade their linebacking corps. While some think Boston College's Luke Kuechly will be the first inside linebacker off the board, I think Notre Dame's Manti Te’o is the most complete linebacker in the draft. He has great recognition skills and has the ability to quarterback a defense from day one. Tampa could find their Ruud replacement and address corner later in the draft, as well.

Pick: Manti Te'o, ILB Notre Dame

9. Kansas City Chiefs
Needs: DT, RT, ILB, CB, G, QB (maybe)

Like the Browns, the Chiefs can show how they feel about Matt Cassel with this pick, but the odds of Scott Pioli pulling the plug on Cassel in an effort to rebuild at the QB position are slim to none. They drafted Jonathan Baldwin last season, and could look at upgrading their offensive line, which would mean that Stanford's Jonathan Martin or Iowa's Reily Reiff could be in play. However, the Chiefs rank in the bottom of the league at stopping the run, so upgrading their defensive tackle position or selecting a versatile inside linebacker to play opposite Derrick Johnson could be an option as well. I think they go DT here, and Washington's Alameda Ta’amu has the ability to be a disrupting force to attack the A gaps. The Chiefs could play him in a 0 technique and then move him play some 1 technique on passing downs.

Pick: Alameda Ta’amu, NT/DT Washington

10. Arizona Cardinals
Needs: LT, MLB, OLB, WR, TE, DE

Ever since the Cards lost Karlos Dansby they haven't had big play linebacker who can fill that void, so logic would suggest that jump all over BC's Luke Kuechly here to help solidify their defense. But they also invested significant capital in both dollars and personnel in Kevin Kolb, and have been one of the worst teams in the league at protecting their quarterback. The best offensive tackle on the board is Stanford's Jonathan Martin, and Levi Brown could go back to right tackle. Early Doucet has proven that he can compliment Larry Fitzgerald at the other receiver position. Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles will most likely be around in the second round or Clemson's Dwayne Allen (TE) could be a possibility early in round two as well. The Cardinals need to do a much better job at protecting the quarterback, and Martin spent his career protecting Andrew Luck's blind side; now he could do the same for Kevin Kolb.

Pick: Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford

That's how the top ten looks to be shaking out for now. Every year one or two players fall for some reason or another, and as of now Luke Kuechly might that inexplicable player who falls out of the top ten for no particular reason other than the way the draft shakes out. Another player who could also drop out of the top ten is USC's Matt Barkley or Oklahoma's Landry Jones. As of now, unless Cleveland pulls the trigger on quarterback, only Miami and Indianapolis are the clear buyers at that position, which means whomever Miami doesn't take could see a bit of drop until Seattle or Washington. One other player to keep an eye on is Robert Griffin III, who I think is a perfect fit in Denver. John Elway could possibly find a mirror image of his younger self with a quarterback who can spin the rock and also has the running ability of his current quarterback. WR's Michael Floyd (Notre Dame), Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina), Jeff Fuller (Texas A&M), and Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers) could also find their way into the later parts of the first round as well.