2012 NFL Draft: Franchises That Can't Afford Another Draft-Day Debacle

For every Cam Newton, there are a handful of Akili Smiths. For every A.J. Green, there are a boatload of Charles Rogers.

The NFL draft, in other words, is anything but a guarantee.

But it can make or break a franchise's fortunes for years to come.

Here are several organizations that need to get it right this year to break their momentum of draft-day mediocrity.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Last April's first-round pick, Blaine Gabbert, is only a rookie, so the jury is still out on him. Still, in their rookie campaigns, Cam Newton, Andy Dalton and Christian Ponder have all been more impressive.

And what other draft picks have the Jaguars really nailed in the past five years?

Last year's first-round pick Tyson Alualu had a solid rookie campaign but has struggled this year. 2009 first-round pick Eugene Monroe has been inconsistent. In 2008, the Jaguars used their first two picks on Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves, defensive ends that were supposed to bolster their pass-rush.

Neither is on the team any longer.

Jacksonville has the seventh pick in this year's draft. For once, they need to really nail it.

Cleveland Browns

4-12, 5-11, 5-11 and 4-12—those are the records posted by the Browns the past four years.

Ouch.

Part of that has to do with the draft, although the Browns actually brought in some talented players the past two years.

Last year's top picks—defensive tackles Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard and wide receiver Greg Little—had solid rookie campaigns. 2010 first-round pick Joe Haden has become one of the best cornerbacks in football.

The Browns will likely target offense early this year, and with the fourth overall pick they should be in line to select talented quarterback prospect Robert Griffin III. With Atlanta's first-round pick also in hand thanks to the Julio Jones trade last year, the Browns should be in a position to strengthen their team.

They've been solid at the top of the draft for the past two years—anything less this year, and Browns fans can expect even more four-win campaigns in their future.

Minnesota Vikings

If Christian Ponder becomes a big-time player in the future, then last year's draft by default will be considered a success. Franchise quarterbacks have that sort of power.

But since 2007—when the team drafted Adrian Peterson and Sidney Rice—you'd be hard-pressed to find too many studs on the Vikings via the draft.

Yes, Percy Harvin is a home-run hitter when he is healthy. Cornerback Chris Cook has had serious legal issues. Toby Gerhart is a solid backup to Adrian Peterson, and Kyle Rudolph should be an above-average tight end.

Phil Loadholt has been a steady presence for the team at tackle. But honestly, who the hell has this team drafted in recent memory that really stands out?

The answer, of course, is no one. If we are considering that in 2008 they traded away a bounty of picks for defensive end Jared Allen, then things look a little better. But with the third pick in the draft this year, the Vikings desperately need to land a stud.

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