2012 NFL Draft Order: Franchises That Will Mortgage Their Futures by Trading Up

Teams that take the risk of moving up in the NFL draft often do so because they see a franchise player who can dramatically improve their team.

Sometimes it works out; last season the Atlanta Falcons traded up to No. 6 to draft Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones, who had a good season.

However, sometimes teams that trade up don't get the results they expected; the New York Jets traded into the Top 10 in 2009 to draft USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Let's look at three teams that will mortgage their futures by trading up in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are a good quarterback away from being a playoff team in the NFC, and trading up into the Top 10 to draft Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III would be a smart move.

The Seahawks' passing offense was ranked 22nd in football this season, and it was unable to give the team enough scoring to have a shot at the playoffs.

Griffin is a dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his amazing arm strength or in the running game with his good speed and field vision.

RGIII would make the Seahawks a playoff team next season, especially since they play in the weak NFC West division.

New England Patriots

The championship window of the New England Patriots isn't closing just yet, but it isn't getting any wider, either.

The Patriots usually trade down to stockpile future picks for drafts down the road, but it's time for New England to take a gamble and trade up to find a talented pass-rusher.

Head coach Bill Belichick has a lot of draft picks to use or trade in April's draft, including two first-round picks (their own and New Orleans'), so he has the pieces needed to make a big move and go up the draft board.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears' offense badly needs a star wide receiver to give quarterback Jay Cutler a real target to throw to, especially in the red zone.

The Bears need help on the offensive line as well, but a playmaking receiver who can change games would dramatically improve them. Running back Matt Forte is responsible for so much of the team's offense, and asking him to have that large of an impact is too much for one player.

Chicago could trade up into the Top 10 where it would be in prime position to select South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who has immense talent.

2012 NFL Draft Order (Projected)

1.  Indianapolis Colts                        

2.  St. Louis Rams                                    

3.  Minnesota Vikings                                

4.  Cleveland Browns                                   

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers                           

6.  Washington Redskins                                

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars                                  

8t. Carolina Panthers                               

8t. Miami Dolphins                               

10. Buffalo Bills                                        

11t. Kansas City Chiefs                                  

11t. Seattle Seahawks                             

13. Arizona Cardinals                              

14. Dallas Cowboys                                

15. Philadelphia Eagles                                  

16. New York Jets                                          

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)        

18. San Diego Chargers                               

19. Chicago Bears                                     

20. Tennessee Titans                                     

21. Denver Broncos 

22. Cincinnati Bengals 

23. New York Giants 

24. Houston Texans 

25. Detroit Lions 

26. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) 

27. Pittsburgh Steelers 

28. Baltimore Ravens 

29. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)

30. San Francisco 49ers  

31. New England Patriots 

32. Green Bay Packers