2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Need to Trade Down

While a number teams need to trade up in the 2012 NFL draft, there are a few teams that would benefit from trading down. 

Trades in the NFL draft are a common trend, but more times than not it's always the team trading up that gets highlighted more than the team trading down. 

Still, trading back is very important for some teams because it gives them more draft picks to work with and add more talent. 

With that said, let's get right to the mock draft. Picks made for each team, with further discussion on which teams are better off trading down. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft

Picks 21-32 are subject to change based on playoff results. 

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

The best option for the Colts is to take Luck and lock up a future QB. 

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Sam Bradford needs to be better protected, and Kalil will do exactly that for a very long time. 

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne is the best available player here, and he fits a major need for Minnesota. The Vikings pass defense was atrocious this season. Claiborne is an instant upgrade. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State 

The Browns have plenty of options here, especially since they have two first-round draft picks. Landing a dynamic playmaker to help Colt McCoy is a must, and nobody's better at putting points on the board than Blackmon. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Buccaneers need to take the best defender available, and that is Kirkpatrick. He'll definitely help their pass defense get better. 

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

If the Redskins plan to ever win the NFC East, they have to find a legitimate QB. RG3 is a dual-threat QB that thinks pass first, which makes him very dangerous. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina 

Finally, a team that can afford to trade down. The Jaguars' biggest need is playmakers for Blaine Gabbert. With Trent Richardson still on the board, a number of teams will be offering up picks to get here. 

The Jaguars would be reaching for Jeffery here, as they can afford to get him or another wide receiver later in the first round by moving back. 

Trading down would give the Jaguars more picks to work with to help a weak offense get stronger. Should they keep it, they have options, but I still think they'd reach for a receiver. 

Jacksonville's best move would be to avoid the reach, trade down, gain picks and still get a solid wide receiver to help Gabbert. 

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Panthers need to upgrade the defensive line, and Still is the top defensive tackle in the draft. 

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Jones still has to declare, and he may decide to return. Still, QB is the Dolphins biggest need, and Jones is the next best option after Luck and RG3. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Bills have to get better protection, and Reiff definitely would give them that. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Chiefs will think about offensive line here, but Richardson is too good to pass up.  

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Powerful pass-rusher continuing to rise up boards, would fill big need for the Seahawks.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Arizona desperately needs upgrades all over the place. Martin is best available player here. 

14 . Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

A tackling machine that would add youth and strength to the Cowboys defense. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

DeSean Jackson could be out, meaning the Eagles need another big-play WR. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is best interior lineman in the draft, and he would definitely help the Jets' run game. Jets might think about trading up to try and land Richardson. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals' first of two picks, adding Miller would make this offense even scarier. 

However, Cincinnati doesn't desperately need him like other teams might. Trading down would be smart here because it gives the Bengals even more draft picks to add talent. 

There are plenty of running backs to get later in the draft that will be an eventual replacement to Cedric Benson. As a young team, the Bengals could use all the talent they could get, which means getting more draft picks is a wise idea. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama 

The Chargers need help on the offense line, but the best ones in the draft are long gone. Taking one here would be a reach, which is why the Chargers need to move down in the draft. 

If San Diego holds on to this pick, the best bet is to fill a defensive need. Barron is the best safety in the 2012 class and he would be a nice addition to Eric Weddle in the secondary. 

However, getting more picks in this draft is truly their best move, as they can drop into the 20's and still get a solid offensive lineman. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears could also benefit from trading down. Konz is somewhat of a reach here, as he would be available in the 20's. 

Chicago's biggest need, however, is at wide receiver. The top ones are no longer on the board, and trading back with a team vying for a top defender is the best move. 

Should they hold on to the pick, they'd reach for an offensive lineman to help protect Cutler. It's a good idea, but getting a playmaking wide receiver is what the Bears need to become serious threats in the NFL. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina

21. Denver Broncos (8-8): Alfonzo Dennard, CB Nebraska

22. New York Giants (9-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Character issues, but loaded with talent that New York can't pass up. 

23. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

24. Houston Texans (10-6): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina 

25. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, G Georgia

Lions need to do a better job protecting Matthew Stafford. Glenn is versatile, strong and will help the Lions get better. 

26. Cleveland Browns (via ATL, 10-6): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina 

27. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Mike Adams, OT Ohio State

Offensive line needs to be upgraded for the Steelers, and Adams is a solid pick. 

28. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): Courtney Upshaw, LB Alabama

29. New England Patriots (via NO, 12-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR Rutgers

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Dont'a Hightower, LB Alabama

Patriots love to trade picks, but their defense is awful, and it needs to be upgraded, so using both picks is a must. 

No. 32. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington