FOOTBALL FORECASTING | NFL draft

11. ST. LOUIS RAMS (6-10)
Last season: The Rams were rudderless, playing the last 11 games with coach Mike Martz at home (heart ailment). They also were riddled with injuries: QB Marc Bulger (shoulder) missed much of the year and was one of 10 players, including both starting cornerbacks, who finished the season on injured reserve. Scott Linehan, offensive coordinator at Miami last year, will try to rebuild the team after Martz was fired.
They need: TE and OLs. DT La'Roi Glover is an offseason addition, but they lost two at that position (Ryan Pickett and Damione Lewis) to free agency and did not offer a contract to DE-DT Tyoka Jackson. Brandon Manumaleuna is the only experienced TE.
They don't need: A quarterback. Gus Frerotte, signed in the offseason, is a good insurance policy in case Bulger gets hurt again.
Possible first pick: Davis, Bunkley, Young if he slips so far; they can afford the time to develop him.
Outlook: The Rams addressed defense in the offseason, adding three and possibly four starters, but still need depth in the secondary given that CBs Jerametrius Butler and Travis Fisher are coming off injuries. They have nine picks, including two compensatory picks in the seventh round.
12. CLEVELAND BROWNS (6-10)
Last season: First-year coach Romeo Crennel got the team pointed in the right direction. Other than a 43-0 loss to Pittsburgh late in the season, Browns were competitive -- which, for them, is a sign of progress.
They need: A bona fide pass rusher, depth in the secondary, linebackers and another wide receiver until Braylon Edwards is fully recovered from knee surgery.
They don't need: QBs, TEs or any more serious injuries.
Possible first pick: GM Phil Savage loves to stockpile picks and the Browns could be a willing partner for a team wanting to move up, especially one interested in C Jeff Faine. Ngata, Bunkley or Florida State DE Kamerion Wimbley would fit right in.
Outlook: Savage's first draft with the Browns last year yielded Edwards (a future star), QB Charlie Frye (maybe this year's starter) and S Brodney Pool, but little else. Savage needs to find a few more key components for the Browns to hang in the AFC North race.
13. BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-10)
Last season: Brian Billick's worst record as Ravens coach was caused by a weak offense, except for WR Derrick Mason, who set a team record with 86 catches , and injuries to key players, especially star LB Ray Lewis, who missed 10 games.
They need: New blood at quarterback, an impact safety, offensive linemen.
They don't need: Receivers, cornerbacks.
Possible first pick: Baltimore would love to get a shot at Huff, but might need to trade up for him. No other safeties are so appealing this high, so Justice could be appealing. If Young or Cutler slid, they would gobble up either one.
Outlook: The AFC North has become a very tough division and the Ravens must upgrade their offense to keep up. Free agent RB Mike Anderson will help, especially if Jamal Lewis struggles again, but it's throwing the ball that is most problematic.
14. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (6-10)
Last season: Drafted five players that started at least one game. DT Mike Patterson (first round) had a solid season and WR Reggie Brown (second round) emerged as a capable starter and decent replacement for Terrell Owens. RB Ryan Moats (third round) and DE Trent Cole (fifth round) showed flashes.
They need: A pass-rushing DT, OLs -- particularly tackles -- LBs and WRs.
They don't need: QB, DBs.
Possible first pick: Justice, Florida State OLB Ernie Sims or Iowa OLB Chad Greenway.
Outlook: Coming off a disastrous season one year after going to the Super Bowl, the Eagles hope to get a player who can make an immediate impact. They've filled some holes through free agency and will have most of their starters back healthy. Philadelphia has been willing to trade up, and with three fourth-round picks, it's possible the Eagles will deal to get into the top 10.
No. 15 DENVER BRONCOS (13-3)
Last season: The Broncos focused on DBs last year and it paid off with Darrent Williams, Karl Paymah and Domonique Foxworth, their top three selections, all helping the Broncos get to the AFC title game.
They need: Offense, particularly running back, wide receiver and tight end.
They don't need: Offensive or defensive linemen, where they're set.
Possible first pick: Ohio State WR Santonio Holmes, Memphis RB DeAngelo Williams, or Southern Cal RB LenDale White, a Denver native.
Outlook: The Broncos don't normally select a running back in the first round, but this is a good year to buck tradition. Last year's starter, Mike Anderson, is now with Baltimore and Tatum Bell doesn't stay healthy enough to take the pounding of being a full-time starter, so former Heisman winner Ron Dayne is in line to start unless the Broncos can bring in a top runner in the draft.
16. MIAMI DOLPHINS (9-7)
Last season: After a slow start, the Dolphins won their final six games under new coach Nick Saban, but still missed the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.
They need: Lots of help for an aging defense, including linemen, a linebacker, cornerbacks and safeties. They also need a receiver, offensive linemen and a quarterback to groom behind newcomer Daunte Culpepper.
They don't need: It's tough to rule out any position because the Dolphins lack depth across the board.
Possible first pick: Bunkley, Florida WR Chad Jackson or Greenway.
Outlook: Saban has a lot of needs and no second-round pick, so he might be in the market to trade his first-round choice for two lower picks. Look for the former LSU coach to take advantage of his college experience and draft at least a couple of players from the SEC.
17. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (9-7)
Last season: Cleaned house after a difficult season that included missing the playoffs and the infamous boat party. Fired coach Mike Tice and hired Philadelphia offensive coordinator Brad Childress as his replacement.
They need: A playmaking LB, a nickel CB, QB of the future.
They don't need: Thanks to offseason signings of Ryan Longwell and Tank Williams, kicker and safety are not priorities.
Possible first pick: If they stay put, Sims or Clemson CB Tye Hill would make sense.
Outlook: With three of the top 51 picks, the Vikings have plenty of ammunition to trade up and could be active early. Hawk or one of the big three QBs would figure to be their primary targets if they make a move.
18. DALLAS COWBOYS (9-7)
Last season: An overhauled defense that smoothly converted to Bill Parcells' beloved 3-4 scheme and a great start by quarterback Drew Bledsoe helped the Cowboys go into Thanksgiving at 7-3. But OL woes caught up to them and they missed the playoffs, prompting owner Jerry Jones to make the huge gamble of signing Terrell Owens.
They need: Quality backups. There aren't many spots open at the top of the depth chart, but newcomers could still see plenty of action. Questions linger on the OL, someone needs to replace DT Glover (now with Rams) and both starting receivers (Owens and Terry Glenn) are in their 30s.
They don't need: Another quarterback, at least not in the early rounds, considering Tony Romo and Drew Henson are only growing older while awaiting their chances. The Cowboys also loaded up on defensive ends in last year's draft.
Possible first pick: Barring an unlikely move up for Justice or Ngata, they could take Jackson or Michigan DT Gabe Watson. A trade down is a better bet.
Outlook: With only six picks and no voids that can obviously be plugged by rookies, Jones probably will be looking for deals that would add picks. Parcells loves mining for gems.
19. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (9-7)
Last season: December collapse meant no playoffs for the ninth time in 10 seasons. Still, Chargers got great play from their two 2005 first-round picks, OLB Shawne Merriman, who was Defensive Rookie of the Year, and DE Luis Castillo, who also became a starter.
They need: OT, CB, WR, ILB.
They don't need: RB, P, K.
Possible first pick: Auburn T Marcus McNeill, Virginia Tech CB Jimmy Williams.
Outlook: LT Roman Oben is 33 and missed the second half of 2005 with a foot injury that required surgery. Untested Philip Rivers is taking over at quarterback, and protecting his blind side will be key, not to mention blocking for LaDainian Tomlinson, who will probably have to carry more of the load. The secondary is as leaky as ever, and San Diego just got rid of CB Sammy Davis, the first-round pick in 2003. WR Keenan McCardell is 36 and Eric Parker is injury-prone. GM A.J. Smith will move up if necessary, and has dangled ILB Donnie Edwards as trade bait.
20. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-6)
Last season: The Chiefs were the only 10-win team not to make the playoffs, again lacking on defense in Dick Vermeil's fifth and final season as head coach. The biggest plus was the emergence of RB Larry Johnson, who started the last nine games in place of injured Priest Holmes and cracked 100 yards in all nine.
They need: A starting cornerback and a defensive end who can put pressure on the passer. The Chiefs finally released CB Eric Warfield and backup Dexter McCleon. So there's nobody to play on the opposite side of Patrick Surtain. The lack of a pass rush has haunted KC for years. A fast wide receiver would be hard to pass up at No. 20.
They don't need: LBs, RBs, OL -- although perennial Pro Bowlers Will Shields and Willie Roaf will almost certainly need to be replaced in 2007. It could be wise to look for a long-range project in the middle rounds. Same at quarterback, where the seemingly indestructible Trent Green is 35.
Possible first picks: South Carolina CB Jonathan Joseph, North Carolina State DE Manny Lawson, Boston College DE Mathias Kiwanuka.
Outlook: Chiefs have not had much luck with first-round picks the past few years. Last year's, LB Derrick Johnson of Texas, was a starter, but not a big-play specialist. If Herman Edwards is to have a smooth first year as head coach, a good draft that snares immediate help at cornerback or defensive end seems almost paramount.
Associated Press
XComing Wednesday: Teams with picks 21-53.