2012 NFL Draft Order: Which Teams Need a Top 5 Pick?
Let's be honest, not all teams who are making picks in the Top Five of the NFL draft need to be there. They simply had some bad luck with injuries, bad coaching and/or bad performances that were not expected. All they need is a simple tweak or two in order to get back into the playoff mix.
Meanwhile, other teams that are playing themselves out of the top picks in the draft will regret it later. I am not saying that these teams should be tanking games to get a better pick, but late-season surges often end up crippling teams more than helping them.
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.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
So, which teams desperately need a Top Five pick in the 2012 NFL draft?
Indianapolis Colts (2-13)
In all honesty, the Colts need to make sure that they get the No. 1 pick in the draft. This team is a mess right now, Peyton Manning is not long for this league—sorry, Colts fans—and they need to find a quarterback if they want to get back to being a consistent contender.
Any speculation about the Colts possibly passing on Andrew Luck if they get the top pick is pointless. The people running the team learned a lot about where this franchise is right now, and what the future will look like without a franchise quarterback.
This team has a lot of work to do in order to be a Super Bowl contender again, but it will be an easier transition if they are able to grab Luck with the top pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11)
No one expected much from the Jaguars this season, yet somehow they managed to underachieve. Aside from Maurice Jones-Drew, there is no one on the offense that is watchable.
The defense had some good moments this year, but overall they were middle-of-the-pack. They need to find a franchise cornerstone at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive end.
The good news is that this draft has a number of talented players at those positions. However, to get the best of the best, they need a Top Five pick.
A player like Quinton Coples from North Carolina would be perfect for this defense, but they will likely have to stay in the Top Five to get him.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11)
Where do you begin with the Buccaneers? There is a complete lack of control in the locker room, the players have checked out and Raheem Morris might be searching for another job after Sunday.
They need high-impact talent at a lot of positions, but particularly on the defensive line and secondary. Things got so bad up front for them that they took a chance on Albert Haynesworth.
The rebuilding process can start in earnest with this year's draft. A cornerback like Morris Claiborne would be a great replacement for Ronde Barber in the future, but he will be gone by the time the Bucs pick at No. 6, which is where they are at right now.
Washington Redskins (5-10)
The Redskins' biggest need is obviously at quarterback. They don't have a chance to get Andrew Luck, unless they trade all of their picks this year and next year, but they need to guarantee themselves a chance to get the No. 2 QB in the draft.
That is, Robert Griffin III (assuming he decides to leave Baylor).
They are in an okay position right now to get RG3, but it is entirely possible that another team (Jacksonville?) picking ahead of them will fall in love and take him.
A move into the Top Five would guarantee that they could get Griffin or another quarterback that comes out of nowhere to wow during the Scouting Combine in February.
| 1. Indianapolis Colts (2-13) |
|---|
| 2. St. Louis Rams (2-13) |
| 3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12) |
| 4. Cleveland Browns (4-11) |
| 5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11) |
| 6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) |
| 7. Washington Redskins (5-10) |
| 8. Miami Dolphins (5-10) |
| 9. Carolina Panthers (6-9) |
| 10. Buffalo Bills (6-9) |
| 11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) |
| 12. Arizona Cardinals (7-8) |
| 13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8) |
| 14. Seattle Seahawks (7-8) |
| 15. San Diego Chargers (7-8) |
| 16. Chicago Bears (7-8) |
| 17. Tennessee Titans (8-7) |
| 18. Dallas Cowboys (8-7) |
| 19. New York Jets (8-7) |
| 20. Oakland Raiders (8-7) |
| 21. New York Giants (8-7) |
| 22. Denver Broncos (8-7) |
| 23. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) |
| 24. Cleveland Browns (4-11) |
| 25. Houston Texans (10-5) |
| 26. Detroit Lions (10-5) |
| 27. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) |
| 28. Baltimore Ravens (11-4) |
| 29. San Francisco 49ers (12-3) |
| 30. New Orleans Saints (12-3) |
| 31. New England Patriots (12-3) |
| 32. Green Bay Packers (14-1) |
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.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
