2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Teams Most Likely to Trade Up or Down

Depending on a team's specific situation with regard to areas of need, the team's draft choice and the free-agent market, trades during the draft become an essential part of the inexact science that makes up pro football.

And with the 2012 NFL draft a hot commodity as the BCS winds down and the pro football's second season gets under way, those looking ahead to late April need to consider the option of trading up or down.

So, here are some who should consider the decision heading into the 2012 NFL offseason.

Trade Up, Washington Redskins

Let's face it: Rex Grossman is not the future, and with Stanford's Andrew Luck expecting to go to Indianapolis, that leaves some teams vying for Baylor's Robert Griffin III.

Well, before the Redskins pick, a few things could happen that won't require them to trade up.

The St. Louis Rams address either defense or take Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. That said, the Cleveland Browns could also use Justin Blackmon and help on defense. So, regardless of what the Rams do, Cleveland may just pull the opposite.

If not, however, the Browns would be the more likely team to draft RG3, as Tampa Bay has no need with Josh Freeman under center. Cleveland needs a QB who can stay healthy, and with injured offensive players returning in 2012, the Browns can really make strides with Griffin under center.

To that end, Washington may have to strike a deal with St. Louis, as Cleveland's unlikely to trade down—mainly because the Browns traded down in 2009 and 2011.

And if Washington fails to move up, and Cleveland takes Griffin, well, then they'll have to wait until the later rounds to draft a QB.

But if you're Washington with a chance to get Robert Griffin, a move has got to be made.

Trade Down, Jacksonville Jaguars

The only thing Jacksonville needs right now is a QB. However, being that they drafted Blaine Gabbert in 2011, trading up for another QB isn't the answer.

For one, they must give Gabbert at least this offseason and next fall to develop. Although rookie QBs have had more success in recent history, we can't expect every single one to shred NFL defenses.

What Jacksonville needs is a threatening WR. And with Justin Blackmon likely to be gone before they pick, trading down isn't the worst of decisions.

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd is worth a top-10 pick, but only Jacksonville would be the team really needing to draft him that high. Miami will most likely look at a WR, but with Brandon Marshall and Anthony Fasano, it's not their biggest need.

Plus, there are others such as South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery, Baylor's Kendall Wright and Wisconsin's Nick Toon to look at.

Also, if Jacksonville wants to look at a QB to compete with Gabbert, there's some solid mid-round talent such as Oklahoma's Landry Jones, Michigan State's Kirk Cousins and Boise State's Kellen Moore.

Trade Up, Dallas Cowboys

What the Dallas Cowboys need other than to remain healthy, as well as Jerry Jones' ego to simmer down, is one studly defensive back.

And although the Cowboys are drafting No. 14 overall, chances are Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick, LSU's Morris Claiborne and Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard are all gone.

So, unless they want to risk drafting Janoris Jenkins (Northern Alabama/Florida), Chase Minnifield (Virginia) or Jayron Hosley (Virginia Tech) higher than expected, Dallas must trade up.

This season it's their pass defense that cost Big D a winning record and a trip to the playoffs. Ranking No. 23 against the pass, Dallas allowed 244 pass yards per game as well as 27 points per game against NFC East foes.

If they want any shot at slowing down the Eagles, Giants and Redskins (with RG3), Dallas needs one of the upper-echelon cornerbacks in the 2012 NFL draft. Whether it's a trade with Tampa Bay, Carolina, Miami or Buffalo, Jerry Jones must make something happen to get a Top 10 pick.

Otherwise, they'll be left with a crossroad decision of drafting a prospect too high (which is most likely) or to trade down and look elsewhere.

Trade Down, Seattle Seahawks

All the Seattle Seahawks need is a QB. That's really it.

Now, yes, they could use a boost to the receiving corps, however, Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, Sidney Rice and Ben Obomanu, along with tight-end Zach Miller, is a group potentially capable of doing some solid work in 2012.

So, trading down with an already solid defense would be a good decision, and add another first-round pick for 2013. To that end, they can look for another QB via free agency or in the later rounds.

As previously mentioned, Landry Jones, Kirk Cousins and Kellen Moore are all solid guys to consider. In addition, Arizona's Nick Foles, Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden and Houston's Case Keenum aren't bad choices either.

There's an array of gunslingers to choose from, and based on Pete Carroll's football mind, he can make any of them into a decent (at the very least) NFL QB.

Add a stud pass-rusher to complement Chris Clemons in the draft along with two first-rounders in 2013, and The Great Northwest is set for the future.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft (Without Trades)

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: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
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: Chase Minnifield, CB (Virginia)
9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	25. New York Giants: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
10. Buffalo Bills: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)	26. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan 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: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)	30. New England Patriots (From NO): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
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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