2012 NFL Draft Order: 5 Teams That Could Take a First-Round Receiver

As the draft need for running backs gets smaller and smaller, the stock in receivers is beginning to grow.

As you've likely heard hundreds of times, the NFL is now a passing league. In a passing league, you need top-end receivers who can create favorable matchups for your offense. Finding that kind of receiver is usually easiest in the first round (unless you're Matt Millen, of course).

Let's take a quick look at five teams that could draft a receiver in the first round of April's 2012 NFL draft. 

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14)

Injuries decimated the Rams' roster this season, but they've lacked depth at the receiver position throughout Sam Bradford's short career in St. Louis. They'll have the opportunity to address that at either No. 2 or further down the draft list if they decide to trade the pick. Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon will be a hot name tied with the Rams. 

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13) 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)

6. Washington Redskins (5-11)

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)

Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert really struggled in 2011, but at least a part of that has to be attributed to his complete lack of receiving options. Not including tight ends, the Jaguars' top receiver in 2011 was Mike Thomas, who caught 44 passes for just 415 yards. While Jacksonville has other holes, none is as glaring as the receiver position. 

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*  

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*

I love the idea of the Panthers taking another big-time playmaker for Cam Newton. Carolina's offense, led by Newton and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, could be on the cusp of elite status for next season. Adding a big, physical receiver might get them there. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10)

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)** 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)**

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)

16. New York Jets (8-8)

The Jets are going to have decisions to make with both Plaxico Burress and Santonio Holmes this offseason. Burress is a free agent this summer, and Holmes was called "a cancer" by some in the Jets locker room. Both could be gone. If that's the case, New York will need to address the position with upgrades in either free agency or the draft. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) (8-8)

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8) 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8)

The Bears didn't get the kind of impact they thought they would get from Roy Williams, and Johnny Knox's football career has to be in question after a horrific back injury. Jay Cutler has never had a bona fide No. 1 receiver in Chicago, so this draft might be the one where the Bears' new GM makes a move for one. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7)

21. Denver Broncos (8-8)

22. New York Giants (9-7)

23. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

24. Detroit Lions (10-6) 

25. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons)

26. Houston Texans (10-6)

27. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

28. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) 

29. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

31. New England Patriots (13-3)

32. Green Bay Packers (15-1)

* Coin flip between Dolphins/Panthers

** Coin flip between Seahawks/Chiefs

*** Picks 21-32 determined by playoff results