If the NFL season ended today, the Denver Broncos would have the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft. The Carolina Panthers (1-12) would have the top pick, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals (2-11) at No. 2. Should Stanford QB Andrew Luck declare for the draft, the Carolina Panthers would likely select Luck with the No. 1 overall pick. Matt Moore is not the answer and Jimmy Clausen is a rookie who has played like one.
↵At No. 2, the Bengals could go in a number of directions. However, defensive line help would be a great need. They are tied for last with 18 sacks this season. Looking at Russ Lande's Top 40 at the Sporting News, Clemson underclassman Da'Quan Bowers is his No. 3 prospect in the draft right now. Bowers has 15.5 sacks this season and 25 tackles for loss. That's production any defensive line would want.
↵The team tied for last with the Bengals for least sacks this season? The Denver Broncos. The Broncos could also use Bowers' help, but if the Bengals draft him who else should the Broncos turn to? Next on Lande's list is Auburn DE/DT Nick Fairley. Fairley was a disruptive presence in the trenches, accumulating 10.5 sacks for a loss of 67 yards and 21.0 tackles for loss. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound lineman would work well in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.
↵However, if the Broncos decide Elvis Dumervil's return will be enough to ignite the pass rush, then the team should look for help at corner in either LSU's Patrick Peterson or Nebraska's Prince Amukamara.
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