2012 NFL Draft Order: Bottom Teams with Chance for First Round Steals

The complete 2012 NFL draft order is becoming more and more clear now that that Wild Card weekend is complete. There are only eight remaining spots, which are going to be determined by how certain franchises finish in the playoffs.

Those eight teams are going to be picking late, but still have a great chance of finding a sleeper or two deep in the first round of the draft.

Here are a few possible scenarios of players who could possibly end up in a great situation and help their new teams tremendously, right out of the gate.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers – New England Patriots

Sanu has a ton of upside and has been dominating in a pro-style offense at Rutgers.

He’s wisely declared to leave school early and throw his hat into the pool of eligible players to be drafted in 2012.

The Patriots would be crazy to pass on him with one of their two late picks. They already have the best slot receiver and best tight end in the league and one of the greatest quarterbacks ever throwing the ball, so look for them to address their need for a No. 1 receiver.

Sanu would be a great choice.

Chris Polk, RB, Washington – Green Bay Packers

If the Packers have a weakness, it’s their running game.

James Starks and Ryan Grant have been in a timeshare in Green Bay’s backfield, but neither is a truly elite back.

Polk has got the size, speed and natural instincts to eventually become a star in this league, but is flying under the radar right now. The Packers could do a lot worse than selecting him.

Mark Barron, S, Alabama – Houston Texans

Houston had a laughable defense in 2010-11, but they have turned into one of the top units in the league with a shift to 3-4 under Wade Phillips in 2011-12.

They can continue to overhaul their unit by adding a Nick Saban coached safety that has a ton of ability and potential.

2012 NFL draft order and predictions

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

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

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

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

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

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

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

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

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Nick Perry, DE, USC

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

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

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

16. New York Jets (8-8): Quinton Coples, DE/DT, UNC

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

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

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

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25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

27. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

28. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

32. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine