2012 NFL Draft Order: 5 Teams in Best Positions to Rebound Next Year

We certainly saw some exciting finishes in the 2011 regular season, and many teams who began slow finished strong and have increased expectations for 2012.

That said, with a high draft pick combined with offseason momentum, it appears to be a foregone conclusion that the following five teams will improve. So, here are those best positioned to rebound next fall followed by a quick mock draft based on the full 2012 NFL draft order.

Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)

All the Redskins need is a QB and with the Colts expected to draft Stanford's Andrew Luck No. 1 overall, that leaves Baylor's Robert Griffin III.

Washington has the No. 6 overall pick and the only team that may consider Griffin ahead of the Redskins are the Cleveland Browns. So, the question is whether the Redskins decide to trade up or risk waiting.

Either way, Washington must get Griffin.

For one, the Redskins have enough talent around him to make a solid turnaround in 2012. The defense has top-10 potential and the offense has a solid offensive line and veteran WRs.

We know neither Rex Grossman or John Beck is the long-term answer in our nation's capital, so Washington needs to get him.

And being on a team in Baylor where he was the offense, Robert Griffin led the Bears to a 10-3 record while accounting for almost 5,000 total yards and 47 total TDs. He's never thrown more than eight picks in one college season and is a true pocket-passer.

Griffin made everyone around him better with not much help at Baylor, so the Redskins will roll pretty well as they have some tools to assist him in 2012. In a weak NFC East that's driven by passing offenses, Washington can make up some serious ground with a stud under center.

Miami Dolphins: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

It might be somewhat of a high pick, but the Miami Dolphins can really make some noise with a talented WR in Baylor's Kendall Wright.

Maybe they trade down instead but nonetheless, pairing him opposite of Brandon Marshall creates one sick duo for QB Matt Moore (who should be the starter in 2012).

While at Baylor, Wright was made great thanks to QB Robert Griffin, however, because Griffin relied on Wright so much his potential kept increasing. On the year Wright finished with 108 receptions for over 1,600 yards and scored 14 TDs.

Compared to anyone else on Baylor in 2011, Wright almost doubled the next most productive WR Terrance Williams in yards and catches.

Lining up across Marshall will easily help setup an already improving ground game as well as prevent defenses from blitzing. Then there's TE Anthony Fasano who's a complete player and the Dolphins surpass the Jets in the AFC East.

After beginning 0-7 and finishing 6-3, hope is alive in South Florida. Providing Moore with another target and Reggie Bush becoming an every-down back, the Dolphins have a complete offense.

Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

The Carolina Panthers were weak against the run in 2011 because they were without LB Jon Beasom. Therefore, expect that to change for the better in 2012 with a healthy Beasom.

So, we move into the secondary where the Panthers need to improve their No. 24 ranked pass defense (allows almost 250 per game). Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick is the next best available DB after Morris Claiborne and Carolina can use him.

Going against explosive offenses like New Orleans and Atlanta, as well as the potentially explosive in Tampa Bay, Carolina needs to gain an edge. With their high-flying offense behind Cam Newton taking control, anyway they can slow down the Saints or Falcons is an extreme edge.

As a sophomore Kirkpatrick recorded 53 tackles, forced one fumble, and picked off three passes. As a junior he's been significantly challenged less, which is the reason for no picks and a drop in tackles.

Dre does however, have two forced fumbles and 23 of his 25 tackles are solo. It tells us that he blankets when in single coverage most of the time and can help with edge run support.

A complete corner is what Carolina needs and having him opposite of Chris Gamble creates mismatches for the opposing offense.

Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Unless Seattle tries to make a move for Robert Griffin, they should attack their defensive front and more specifically, the pass rush.

DE Chris Clemons has 11 of Seattle's 33 sacks and they rank No. 19 (tied with three others) in the league. Drafting North Carolina's Quinton Coples takes care of the end opposite Clemons and allows the Seahawks defense to really control the trenches.

The past two seasons he recorded 55 or more tackles, has a combined 17.5 sacks and has two forced fumbles. With not much help coming from elsewhere along the defensive line, Coples has seen more double-teams this season, therefore freeing up guys like LB Zach Brown and Kevin Reddick.

With Seattle, this will only make their front seven that much better and also take pressure away from an already improved pass defense.

Let's put it this way, if Seattle wants any shot at competing with San Francisco each year, then they need to stop guys like Frank Gore as well as get more QB pressure. The offense will rely on Marshawn Lynch and if need be, they'll draft a QB in the mid-rounds.

But giving a complement to Clemons will create a relentless pass rush and rush defense that can make Seattle even more competitive in 2012.

Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

Finishing 8-8 it was clearly a disappointing season for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Fortunately for them, they have talent residing everywhere except at the LB position. The offense is at worst top-10 worthy in 2012 and the pass rush finished with 50 sacks in 2011 (tied for first with Minnesota).

Also, the secondary is solid across the board so fixing the No. 16 ranked rush defense (allowed 112.6 yards per game) is a must. Which then brings us to Boston College's Luke Kuechly.

Kuechly accounted for over 100 solo tackles each of the past two seasons as well as picking off six passes. He's the only legit player on the Golden Eagles and has totaled 516 tackles in three years.

A man in the middle who can read plays quickly, avoid blockers and be a sure tackler is what the Eagles need at linebacker. It's what killed them all season when playing teams like San Francisco, Buffalo, and Seattle.

If you could run the ball against Philly you won. But with Kuechly in the middle, everything changes better for the NFL's dream team.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati (From OAK): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisconsin)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jayron Hosley, CB (Virginia Tech)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)	22. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
8. Miami Dolphins: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)	24. Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	25. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)
10. Buffalo Bills: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)	26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	27. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	28. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, G (Georgia)	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Chase Minnifield, CB (UVA)	30. New England Patriots (From NO): Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	31. New England Patriots: Cam Johnson, DE (UVA)
16. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

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