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.
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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)
8t. Miami Dolphins
10. Buffalo Bills
11t. Kansas City Chiefs
11t. Seattle Seahawks
14. Dallas Cowboys
16. New York Jets
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)
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)
28. Baltimore Ravens
29. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)
31. New England Patriots
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