Needs of Top Ten Picks

1. Boston Patriots   The Patriots acquired the first overall pick from Baltimore. They are already in excellent shape with no starters rated less than a 6. But they could upgrade at tackle (Oher-8), OLB (Cushing-9), CB (Powers-7) or safety (Byrd-9).   2. Philadelphia Eagles   Philadelphia's most glaring needs are at WR and DE. They could use upgrades at guard and OLB along with a QB of the future to replace Favre next season. WR Percy Harvin (60 receptions) looks like the best bet.   3. Houston Texans   The Texans' need improvements on the lines on both sides of the ball, especially the defensive line. The best rating available at those positions will be sixes so the best choice may be to just take the best player available at any position.   4. Cincinnati Bengals   Cincy is already a much improved squad from the 4-12 team last year. Positions needing improvement are tackle and safety where 5 ratings have starting positions. S Louis Delmas (7) would work. Several 6 rated tackles are also available but that would be a reach. Another potential best player regardless of need pick is possible.   5. New York Giants   The Giants are midgets on the defensive line but the pool only has aging DT Kelly Gregg (7) that is rated higher than a 6. There's a weakness at safety (5) that Delmas would fill. An upgrade at WR would be good as well. Austin Collie (60 receptions) or Jeremy Maclin (55 catches) would help.     6. Buffalo Bills   Buffalo's offense requires major rebuilding starting with QB. Kerry Collins is not the future,  Mark Sanchez or Matthew Stafford are.   7. Kansas City Chiefs   Major defensive needs on the Chiefs : DE, LB, CB. How about ILB James Laurinatis (7)? OLBs Clay Matthews and Brian Orakpo (8 ratings) could be available as well.   8. Oakland Raiders   The Raiders' trend is up, perhaps 10 wins this season. The defense is decent albeit with some weaknesses (DT, S) but the offensive line is terrible. And Darren McFadden's 3.4 average compounds the running game woes. Tom Brady throwing to Brandon Marshall (101 catches) and Miles Austin (81 catches) is nice but a running game is needed. Best value would be an RB like Beanie Wells (793 yds, 4.5 avg) or a pass catching one like LeSean McCoy (637 yds, 4.1 avg, 40 receptions). Otherwise, start fixing the offensive line with average guys since only sixes will be available.   9. San Francisco 49ers   SanFran is still a year or two away from escaping mediocrity. The defensive line and secondary are terrible. They have an additional pick in both the 2nd and 4th rounds. Draft defense and draft often. The question is whether they draft best overall in the first round or do they just start filling holes.     10. Cleveland Browns   The Browns have a decent amount of talent. I expect their simulation numbers not to be as dismal after the draft. They still own all their draft picks and must use the early ones to draft offensive tackles and a defensive line.

Latest Simulation: Green Bay Rises

The Green Bay Packers narrowly passed the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 20 season simulation using the latest league files. The Packers won 231 games over 20 seasons, the Steelers 228. The next closest team in the NFC was Dallas with 202 victories. This puts Green Bay and Pittsburgh on a collision course for the NFC Championship. The Carolina Panthers are still the dominant team in the league and will easily defeat all comers, from the first game to the Super Bowl. They won 293 games, 16% more than the next closest team, San Diego, who won 251 games. So, at this point, although Pittsburgh's road to another Super Bowl loss is jeopardized by Green Bay, the Tri-peat of Carolina is in the bag. There was no shuffling in the division orders except for Green Bay and Minnesota. Here's how they break down: NFC East Pittsburgh (11-5) Dallas (10-6) NY Giants (9-7) Washington (8-8) Philadelphia (8-8) Cleveland (4-12) NFC Center Green Bay (12-4) Minnesota (10-6) Baltimore (8-8) Detroit (7-9) San Francisco (4-12) Chicago (2-14) AFC East Carolina (15-1) Boston (11-5) Atlanta (8-8) Miami (7-9) Buffalo (5-11) NY Jets (1-15) AFC Central San Diego (13-3) Denver (12-4) Cincinnati (10-6) Oakland (10-6) Houston (5-11) Kansas City (3-13)

Prediction: Three in a Row for Carolina

The Dallas Technology Center predicts that the Carolina Panthers will win Super Bowl VI over the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the Panthers will celebrate theire 3rd championship in a row, the Steelers will be forced to endure the embarrassment of losing their 4th Super Bowl...in a row.   That prediction is based upon 12 seasons of simulation using a schedule generated by the Action software. Of course, this is preliminary, based on pre-cut, pre-draft rosters and an unofficial schedule.   But it will be correct.   San Diego will be the only other obstacle in Carolina's championship season. The rest of us are destined to be roadkill. Following are the predictions overall which the DTC will not guarantee because of the variables.   But they will be close.     NFC East Pittsburgh (13-3) Dallas (11-5) NY Giants (9-7) Washington (8-8) Cleveland (3-13)   NFC Central Minnesota (11-5) Green Bay (10-6) Baltimore (6-7) Detroit (6-10) San Francisco (4-12) Chicago (2-14)   AFC East Carolina (15-1) Boston (11-5) Atlanta (9-7) Miami (6-10) Buffalo (4-12) NY Jets (1-15)   AFC Central San Diego (13-3) Denver (11-5) Cincinnati (9-7) Oakland (8-8) Houston (6-10) Kansas City (3-13)