NFL Draft 2012: Who Teams Will Nab After Last Year's Trades

It's easy to forget about the draft-day trades from a year ago, but they have a way of sneaking up on the NFL.

You may remember that the Atlanta Falcons landed rookie receiver Julio Jones from the Cleveland Browns last year, a move that has bolstered their No. 2 spot opposite Roddy White. It also set up the Browns with numerous draft picks.

Here's a look at some of the trades from the last year and how they will pan out in Round 1 of the 2012 NFL draft (numbers denote draft position).

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

By trading Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders this season, the Bengals got their 2012 first-round pick and a conditional second-rounder in 2013 that can become a first if the Raiders make it to the AFC title game next season.

With the No. 17 overall selection, I see the Bengals finding Cedric Benson's replacement down the line, Lamar Miller. Miller has the speed, burst, vision and receiving ability to be a dangerous dual-threat out of the backfield in the coming years. I really think he's going to be a star and is actually undervalued right now.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

When the Browns traded away the No. 6 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft to the Falcons, the Falcons gave them their first- (27th overall), second- (59th) and fourth-round (124th) picks last year and their first- and fourth-round picks this year.

I remember a time when Kendall Wright was a borderline first-round prospect. Well, he's not borderline anymore.

Coming off a marvelous season at Baylor, Wright has the explosiveness, speed and athleticism to be a nightmare flying down the field. Colt McCoy needs a receiver to throw to and Wright could be a star.

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Fletcher Cox, DE/DT, Illinois

When the Patriots traded their first-round pick in 2011 to the New Orleans Saints (allowing the Saints to nab running back Mark Ingram), they netted the Saints' second-round choice in 2011 and 2012.

This year, the Patriots will have two draft picks in Round 1 (No. 27 and No. 31/32). I expect them to grab Fletcher Cox with the No. 27 selection, a strong, quick lineman who would be a nice fit as a 3-4 defensive end.

I see the Patriots transitioning to a 3-4 defense next season and soon-to-be free agent DE Andre Carter not being with the team next season. Even if Carter re-signs with the Patriots, I expect them to move him to outside linebacker in a 3-4.