Washington, DC (by Robert Klemko/USA Today) -- Robert Klemko of USA TODAY Sports takes a look what each NFC team needs heading into the NFL draft:

Arizona Cardinals

First pick: 13th overall

Greatest needs: OT, OLB, WR. The Cardinals allowed the second-most sacks in 2011 with 54 and desperately need an offensive tackle opposite Levi Brown. Riley Reiff out of Iowa seems the logical first round answer. There are also question marks at outside linebacker, where depth is lacking, and wide receiver, where Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald could use a sidekick.

Bottom line: The Cardinals dealt this year's second round pick to Philadelphia for quarterback Kevin Kolb, so there's a lot of pressure surrounding the No. 13 pick. Arizona has to figure out whether Kolb or Skelton can be The Guy and will have a hard time doing so if either spends the bulk of the season on his back.

Atlanta Falcons

First pick: 2nd round, 55th overall

Greatest needs: LT, C, DE. Defensive end John Abraham, center Todd McClure and tight end Tony Gonzalez are 33, 35 and 36, respectively, but the immediate need is at left tackle, where Sam Baker has been subpar.

Bottom line: The Falcons are without first- and fourth-round picks as a result of last year's deal with Cleveland for the rights to draft wide receiver Julio Jones. That leaves them out of position to draft a left tackle of the future. Nabbing long-term replacements for aging veterans might be the best course.

Carolina Panthers

First pick: Ninth overall

Greatest needs: DT, CB, WR. The Panthers spent two third-rounders on defensive tackles and didn't find an anchor last year. The defense needs a No. 2 corner opposite Chris Gamble, and the offense could use a No. 2 wide receiver who can eventually supplant 33-year-old Steve Smith as Cam Newton's go-to.

Bottom line: There are three defensive tackles projected in the top half of the first round and any one of them seems a logical choice for Carolina. There's still a lot of building to do, and after the stellar year the offense mustered, defense seems a great place to start.

Chicago Bears

First pick: 19th overall

Greatest needs: OT, OG, WR. Quarterback Jay Cutler seems to agree with those who think the Bears offensive line needs major work. J'Marcus Webb has been a disappointment at left tackle and upgrades are needed. If Brandon Marshall can be the guy, good for him and the Bears. If his off-the-field problems persist, Chicago is hurting at wide receiver.

Bottom line: Cutler was a sack magnet in 2011, some of it his own fault. Much of the blame falls on a faulty O- line in a division with some formidable pass rushers. The line wasn't addressed in the offseason, so the Bears could stock up during the draft.

Dallas Cowboys

First pick: 14th overall

Greatest needs: C, OG, S. Did Phil Costa improve enough in the late stages of 2011 to keep his job? We're thinking not, and there are a few centers with mid-round grades who could supplant Costa sooner rather than later. Whoever starts at center could use help on either side, with both guard spots primed for an upgrade.

Bottom line: The Cowboys hope defensive backfield was shored up with the addition of Brandon Carr at corner, but there is talk of Dallas targeting Brodney Pool for replacement by Alabama's Mark Barron. Depth is needed along the D- line and at outside linebacker, where Anthony Spencer could depart next season. Yet Dallas' biggest issues in 2011 were along the interior O- line.

Detroit Lions

First pick: 23rd overall

Greatest needs: CB, OT, RB. With perhaps the most-glaring need of any playoff team, Detroit must address the cornerback position, which was a weakness late last season and got weaker with Eric Wright's departure. Jeff Backus was re-signed at tackle, but the team should look for a future replacement.

Bottom line: The Lions have had some highly-successful recent drafts and have an opportunity to address specific spots with an eye on a division crown and a playoff run. Finding the right cornerback who can step into a starting role immediately will be a challenge at No. 23, but the position class is one of the deepest in 2012.

Green Bay Packers

First pick: 28th overall

Greatest needs: OLB, DE, S. The Packers might consider a running back but defense is the high priority after a slight decline in 2011. There's not much to brag about on the opposite side of pass-rushing linebacker Clay Matthews and the defensive ends had similar trouble getting to the quarterback.

Bottom line: The Packers seem to have the O-line covered despite the departures of center Scott Wells and LT Chad Clifton. Defense is where Green Bay faltered in the playoffs, with Eli Manning carving them up for 330 passing yards while being sacked just once.

Minnesota Vikings

First pick: Third overall

Greatest needs: OL, WR, DB. Provided the Vikings don't trade down and add to the 10 selections they already own, USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil seems a lock to take over for the released Steve Hutchinson . Next up is a weapon for Christian Ponder, the second-year passer who lacks a true No. 1 target.

Bottom line: The Vikings are a long way from contention but could get on the right track with three fourth-round picks. Protecting Ponder is the top priority, and securing long-term options at safety and cornerback should be mid-round tasks.

New Orleans Saints

First pick: Third round, 89th overall

Greatest needs: DE, DT, CB. Only one Saints defensive lineman had more than 4.5 sacks last season, and that man, Will Smith, could be suspended by the NFL in the Bounty scandal. Additions are needed across the line, and New Orleans might consider adding a cornerback for depth.

Bottom line: We're still waiting for the hammer to drop on New Orleans. The team probably has a better idea of who will be suspended than we do. They'll have an extra day or two to spend evaluating prospects - New Orleans dealt a first-rounder last year for Mark Ingram and lost a second-rounder through the Bounty scandal.

New York Giants

First pick: 32nd overall

Greatest needs: TE, RB, OL. Tight ends Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum each tore ACLs in the Super Bowl, and the position is thin despite the addition of Martellus Bennett. Running back Brandon Jacobs is gone, and Ahmad Bradshaw had trouble staying healthy late in the season. Left guard David Diehl took over at tackle for the injured Will Beatty, who didn't get an opportunity to demonstrate that he can man the left tackle spot.

Bottom line: The Giants were the far-from-perfect Super Bowl champs and still have some holes to fill before they can dominate the NFC East.

Philadelphia Eagles

First pick: 15th overall

Greatest needs: DL, OLB, S. Brian Rolle played well enough to keep his weakside linebacker spot in 2012, and the team traded for DeMeco Ryans to man the middle, but Jamar Chaney was suspect on the strong side. The interior defensive line is a bigger priority given all the space Eagles tackles are expected to cover.

Bottom line: The Eagles struggled defensively early in 2011 and didn't recover in time to secure a playoff berth. Despite the loss of Jason Peters on the O-line and the unpredictability of wide receiver DeSean Jackson, the defense should get the most attention.

St. Louis Rams

First pick: (1-6)

Greatest needs: WR, RB, DT. The Rams have plenty of needs, including a running back to eventually replace Steven Jackson, a No. 1 wide receiver after the departure of Brandon Lloyd, and some interior defensive line help for a lackluster unit.

Bottom line: After the Redskins trade, St. Louis is in excellent position to do some rebuilding over the next three seasons. They own three picks in the top 40 in 2012 and could do more dealing before it's all over.

San Francisco 49ers

First pick: 30th overall

Greatest needs: OG, DL, WR. Right guard Adam Snyder's departure leaves a hole in the offensive line that should be plugged in the draft. The D-line needs depth behind Ray McDonald and Justin Smith, and San Francisco would do well to add another wide receiver in case free agents Mario Manningham and Randy Moss don't pan out for last year's 30th-ranked passing offense.

Bottom line: A replacement for Snyder and a wide receiver who can make an immediate impact would put this team over the hump.

Seattle Seahawks

Picking: 12th overall

Greatest needs: DE, LB, OG. Chris Clemons had more sacks (11) than the rest of the linemen combined. on Seattle's roster, making another edge rusher a must. The linebacking group was largely patched together with one-year deals, and Seattle is a popular pick to nab Boston College's Luke Kuechly at No. 12. The Seahawks gave up the fourth most sacks last season with 50. Released LG Robert Gallery should be replaced through draft.

Bottom line: The Seahawks hope they've found their quarterback in Matt Flynn and would do well to surround him with the right tools to aid his progression. Re-signing Marshawn Lynch was big, and the return from injury of first-round O-tackle choices Russell Okung and James Carpenter will help.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First pick: Fifth overall

Greatest needs: LB, DB, RB. The second and third levels of the defense could use upgrades, but the Buccaneers may go a different way if Alabama running back Trent Richardson is sitting there at No. 5.

Bottom line: Adding a back like Richardson to complement the serviceable LeGarrette Blount would be ignoring some serious issues on defense, namely at cornerback, with Ronde Barber nearing retirement.

Washington Redskins

First pick: Second overall

Greatest needs: QB, RT, S. The quarterbacking drought in D.C. could end with the arrival of Robert Griffin III, but he'll need some support. The O- line needs upgrades beginning at right tackle, where Jammal Brown has been anything but durable.

Bottom line: The Redskins gave up a big chunk of their future by dealing two future first-round picks and this year's second-round selection for the draft rights to one of the top two passers in the draft - likely Robert Griffin III. What they do with their remaining selections is critical to a rookie passer's development. The defensive backfield requires depth, but the need at offensive tackle is paramount.