2012 NFL Draft Order: Teams in Best Position to Steal Sleeper Stars

As much as we love star power, what makes the NFL Draft such a special event every year are the sleeper picks that don't get as much hype as someone like, say, Andrew Luck, but can be just as valuable to their team. 

Now, it is hard to be a sleeper in the first round because there is so much coverage of all these prospects that no one really sneaks up on you. But, there are players who aren't being thought of as highly as they should be. 

So, which teams are in the best positions to steal some of these underrated stars when the draft rolls around in April?

No. 13 Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are not that far off. They still have to figure out what kind of quarterback Kevin Kolb is going to be, but they still won seven games this season with him and John Skelton calling plays. 

They need to fill positions with bodies that can fill the trenches. This is a good draft to get an offensive or defensive lineman in the middle of the first-round. 

Our own Matt Miller has them taking Stanford offensive tackle Jonathan Martin, who I think would be a great fit for this team. 

No. 21 Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals actually have two first-round picks thanks to the deal they made with Oakland for Carson Palmer, but their original pick at No. 21 will provide them with the best value. 

I could see them going in a number of directions right here, like offensive line or running back. They have the luxury to address their two biggest needs in the first round. That is a luxury, that very few teams are afforded. 

It's entirely possible that they will go off the board and surprise with this pick, but knowing how conservative Marvin Lewis is, I would be surprised if that happened. 

San Francisco 49ers, Pick TBD

Optimism should be high for the 49ers this offseason, regardless of what happens to them in the playoffs. Not only did they win 13 games, they managed to do it despite having glaring weaknesses in the secondary and wide receiver, with some questions at quarterback. 

Now, they are going to be able to get one of the top-tier secondary or receiver prospects, and they will not have to pay top dollar to sign them. 

Personally, I think that they need to address the cornerback position more than anything else. They can sign a one-year stop game at receiver, like Reggie Wayne, to play alongside Michael Crabtree. 

2012 NFL Draft Order 

*Coin flip needed to break tie 

Picks 25-32 to be determined by playoffs 

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14)

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)

8.* Carolina Panthers (6-10)

8.* Miami Dolphins (6-10)

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10)

11.* Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)

11.* Seattle Seahawks (7-9)

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)

16. New York Jets (8-8)

17. Cincinnati Bengals from OAK (8-8)

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8)

19. Chicago Bears (8-8)

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7)

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

22. Cleveland Browns from ATL (10-6)

23. Detroit Lions (10-6)

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

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