2012 NFL Draft Order: Teams That Must Gamble and Trade Up in Draft

It is time for the following teams to throw caution to the wind and make a bold move in the 2012 NFL Draft. Trading up in the first round is expensive and risky. It is not for the faint of heart.

However, if this move is done for the right player and in the right circumstance, it can pay huge dividends. 

Washington Redskins

The Redskins are in desperate need of a QB. They rolled this season with a combination of Rex Grossman and John Beck. That is just not going to cut it. 

This is a team that was competitive when their QBs allowed the game to be. They have a solid young core on defense and a developing offensive line. Mike Shanahan just needs a QB to build around now. 

With Matt Barkley deciding to return to school, there are just two upper-echelon QBs left in this draft: Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. 

There is a chance that Griffin could slide to them at No. 6, but the Redskins can't risk it. Colt McCoy was underwhelming in his second season and the Browns may decide to take Griffin at No. 4. 

Also every team in the draft knows that there is no way Griffin is sliding past the 'Skins at No. 6. This means any team with their sights set on Griffin will be ready to pull the trigger to trade in front of them. 

Washington has to work out a trade with the Vikings. This will all but ensure them the opportunity to go for Griffin. 

If the Redskins are feeling especially bold, they can see what it would take to trade with Indianapolis and make a deal for the right to acquire Andrew Luck. Luck would be an instant upgrade at QB for Washington. That would be a costly trade. The 'Skins would likely have to trade at least two firsts and a second. 

New England Patriots

If the Patriots continue at their current rate, in 10 years they will have every pick in the first round. The problem with this is that their defense has disintegrated into rag-tag mess. 

Tom Brady isn't getting any younger. The Patriots would be doing him and their franchise a disservice if they didn't do everything they could to field the best possible team right now.  

It is time for the Patriots to turn their wealth of picks into a top-notch defensive stud. 

With their stockpile of picks, the Patriots will have no problem moving up in the draft. They need to target a difference maker for their secondary with this move. 

They could go for a potential shutdown corner like Morris Claiborne from LSU or a talented safety like Mark Barron from Alabama. 

Either player would be a huge upgrade and pay instant dividends. 

Check out the latest draft order for all non-playoff teams.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14)

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13)

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

5. Tampa Bay Bucs (4-12)

6. Washington Redskins (5-11)

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10) (coin flip)

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10) (coin flip)

9. Buffalo Bills (6-10) 

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) (coin flip)

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) (coin flip)

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

14. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)

15. New York Jets (8-8)  

16. Oakland Raiders (8-8) (traded to Cincinnati)

17. San Diego Chargers (8-8)

18. Chicago Bears (8-8)

19. Dallas Cowboys (8-7)

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7)