2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Teams Should Consider Swinging a Deal on Draft Day?

The worst part about doing NFL mock drafts is that they're ruined the second a trade is made on draft day. Trades are all well and good, but they screw up the way things were supposed to be.

With this in mind, I would like to welcome you to an NFL mock draft that places a special emphasis one one thing: trades.

Basically what we're going to do here is go down the order, assigning picks as per usual, but I'm going to stop and focus on a handful of teams that would be wise to consider making a deal on draft day. It would be in their interest.

Sound good?

Good, let's deal.

Note: the first 24 picks of the draft order are set in stone, but 25-32 are based off of playoff projections.

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

I've mocked Andrew Luck to the Colts in every single mock draft I've done. I simply see no reason why the Colts wouldn't take the best quarterback prospect in generations, and I see no reason why they would trade the No. 1 overall pick. They need it more than the teams that would come calling for it.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

I was hesitant to mock Justin Blackmon to the Rams before, but he earned the right to go second overall with his amazing performance at the Fiesta Bowl. Sam Bradford would get the target he desperately needs if the Rams draft Blackmon.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings might get some calls from teams interested in trading up to get Robert Griffin III, but drafting Matt Kalil is going to be too tempting. He's an elite tackle prospect, and he would easily fill the space left by Bryant McKinnie's departure before the 2011 season.

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

If the Browns let Peyton Hillis walk, they're a sure bet to take Trent Richardson No. 4 overall. If for some reason they bring Hillis back, I would definitely expect them to entertain offers. I highly doubt they'll bring Hillis back, though.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Morris Claiborne is widely regarded as an elite corner prospect, and he would be a good fit in Tampa Bay. The Bucs were awful on defense in 2011, and they stand to lose both Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib. Barber is a free agent and Talib is facing an aggravated assault trial in March.

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

If the Browns bring back Hillis and start shopping the No. 4 pick, I could easily see the Redskins trading up to get Robert Griffin III. But since that's not likely to happen, the Redskins will be fine waiting for Griffin at No. 6. He would be a no-brainer pick.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Jaguars could easily go for a cornerback here to replace free-agent corner Rashean Mathis, and I can easily see them doing it. I've gone back and forth on the idea, but wide receiver seems to be the bigger need. Alshon Jeffery is the best on the board after Justin Blackmon.

8. *Carolina Panthers (6-10, subject to coin flip with Miami): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Panthers are a team that will be able to pick the best player available on draft day. In this case, that would be Dre Kirkpatrick. Cornerback is one of Carolina's many needs, and Kirkpatrick would fill it. 

9. *Miami Dolphins (6-10, subject to coin flip with Carolina): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

If the Dolphins stay at No. 8 or No. 9, I'll be expecting them to shore up their offensive line by taking Iowa tackle Riley Reiff. They could also go for Stanford's Jonathan Martin; either way.

But I'll also be looking for the Dolphins to try to move up in the draft. There's one thing they need more than anything else, and that's a franchise quarterback. They're not going to get one at No. 8 or No. 9.

One option would be to try and trade up to get Robert Griffin III, who would be the answer to the franchise's longstanding quarterback problem.

Another option would be to trade down, perhaps acquiring a first-round pick in the 2013 draft. That draft will have quarterbacks like Matt Barkley, Landry Jones, Tyler Wilson and others who will be highly sought after.

Whether this year or next year, drafting a quarterback is something the Dolphins need to do. A trade would help get the job done.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Bills are another team that could use a new quarterback, but that's a whole 'nother headache. At No. 10, they need to shore up their front seven. I like Melvin Ingram because he can play defensive end and outside linebacker, and Chan Gailey could easily take advantage of his versatility.

11. *Kansas City Chiefs (7-9, subject to coin flip with Seattle): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs are going to need a wide receiver if they lose Dwayne Bowe to free agency, but for now their biggest need is at right tackle. Jonathan Martin is a left tackle by trade, but he could easily play right tackle in the NFL. This is an easy pick, really.

12. *Seattle Seahawks (7-9, subject to coin flip with Kansas City): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Seahawks are another team that needs a franchise quarterback, but they'll have no luck finding one in the 2012 draft. The best thing they can do is grab a defensive end, and Quinton Coples would be an easy choice here.

However, the Seahawks may consider trading this pick. While they could use a defensive end, it would be a stretch to say that they need one. And besides, you never know with DE prospects.

Just as the Dolphins should consider acquiring an extra first-round pick in the 2013 draft, the Seahawks should also give that some thought. With Tarvaris Jackson's contract up after the 2013 season, they're going to need to draft a quarterback, and I've already pointed out that there will be some good ones in the 2013 draft.

For the Seahawks, Matt Barkley would be too perfect. He used to play for Pete Carroll at USC, and playing for him again would make his transition into the NFL that much easier.

If the Seahawks find a way to arrange two first-round picks for themselves in 2013, acquiring Barkley would be much easier.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Offensive line help would be ideal for the Cardinals at this spot, but there really aren't any players worth reaching for at this scenario. They would be better off taking Michael Floyd, who would be a great complement to Larry Fitzgerald.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys would be getting a steal if Courtney Upshaw were to fall to them. Outside linebacker isn't a huge need, but it's scary to imagine Upshaw playing alongside Sean Lee and DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys would have a deadly defense. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

I've been going back and forth as to whether I like Vontaze Burfict or Luke Kuechly more for the Eagles. Kuechly would be a safer pick, but Burfict has the higher ceiling. This week, I'm going with Burfict. The Eagles could look to make a deal, but both of these ILBs will be available at No. 15. No need to deal.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Nick Perry, OLB, USC

Hint: If you're looking for a prospect to watch in the coming months, keep an eye on Nick Perry. He's going to be a fast riser, and just yesterday Wes Bunting tweeted that he could be the best 3-4 outside linebacker in the 2012 draft class.

The Jets could hang back to draft a 3-4 OLB, but I have a somewhat crazy theory that the best thing they can do is trade up in the draft to take a certain Alabama running back.

Yup, Trent Richardson. He's a perfect fit for the Jets' "ground and pound" philosophy, and I would wager that he's already a better running back than Shonn Greene.

This notion may sound like a stretch, but consider how much the Jets struggled on offense this year without a productive running game. They need their running game to be successful, lest they trust Mark Sanchez to generate offense.

It's a bold suggestion, I know, but trading up to draft Richardson would be a bold move worth making. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Since they have two first-round picks to work with, the Bengals are another team that I could see trading up to draft Richardson. But they don't need him that bad, and they're likely going to have first dibs at Lamar Miller. May as well hang back and take him.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

This is a mock pick that I'm beating to death at this point, but Cordy Glenn just strikes me as a good fit for the Chargers. He could slide over and play right tackle, and it just so happens the Chargers need a new one.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Bears will be in a world of trouble if they lose Matt Forte, but their main draft priority right now is shoring up their offensive line. They took Gabe Carimi last year and they should take Mike Adams this year. Check and mate.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

There's a strong possibility that the Titans will go for a cornerback here, but I need to see Cortland Finnegan walk before I believe they will. If they keep Finnegan, expect the Titans to go for David DeCastro, who would be a steal here.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

After they draft Miller, the Bengals need to focus on adding a cornerback. Alfonzo Dennard is a bit on the small side, but he's a pesky cover corner who will frustrate receivers at the next level. Good pick.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta Falcons): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

This would have been a great spot to pick up Landry Jones, but he wisely chose to go back to school. The Browns still need offensive upgrades, though, and drafting Kendall Wright would be too easy here. With Wright and Trent Richardson in the mix, Cleveland's offense would be much better in 2012.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Lions are solid up front, but they could use another body in their secondary, especially if they want to compete with the Green Bay Packers. Stephon Gilmore is an underrated cover man, and he can help in special teams, too. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

With no offensive line help in sight, the Steelers will have to fill other needs. One option is drafting an heir apparent for Casey Hampton, and Dontari Poe would be a no-brainer if the Steelers choose to pursue that route.

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

I toyed with the idea of having the Broncos draft Washington running back Chris Polk here, but their need at defensive tackle is too pressing to ignore. The Broncos need an upgrade in the middle of their D-line, and it's hard to find a better option than Jerel Worthy.

26. New York Giants (9-7): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

If the Eagles pass on Luke Kuechly to take Vontaze Burfict, Kuechly will slide all the way to the Giants. Because they need an inside linebacker, he would be an obvious choice. He seems like a good Tom Coughlin guy, so it would all work out.

27. Houston Texans (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

If Chris Myers sticks around, the Texans won't need Peter Konz. If Myers walks for greener pastures, the Texans will need Peter Konz. That simple.

In the event that Myers does stick around, the Texans won't really have any glaring needs to fill with this pick. That has me thinking that they may as well trade it.

It wouldn't have to be a major trade. They could trade back a couple spots or give the pick up for additional picks later in the 2012 draft. The Texans only have minor needs, and those needs could be filled outside the first round.

If nothing else, food for thought.

28. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

The 49ers could go for a wide receiver here, but they can find one of those in free agency. They could use a cornerback, and Chase Minnifield would be the best player available here. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

The best-case scenario for the Ravens is to find an heir apparent for Ray Lewis, but they're not going to get one here. They could trade up to take Vontaze Burfict (imagine that), but they may as well stick around and draft an offensive lineman. At the very least, they need depth, but Zebrie Sanders could start down the line.

30. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans Saints): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Pats need a body for their defensive line, and Devon Still is a guy they could play at multiple positions. On a 3-4 line, he's a defensive end. On a 4-3 line, he's a defensive tackle. Bill Belichick couldn't lose with Still.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Markelle Martin, FS, Oklahoma State

The Patriots had one of the worst pass defenses in the league during the regular season, and part of the reason is because they were undermanned in their secondary. They need a safety, for example, and Markelle Martin would be a good pick.

But just like the Texans, the Patriots should consider handing this pick off to another team. They don't really need it, as all the guy they could choose to pick with it should be available early in the second round. Getting there would be pretty easy if the Pats moved this pick.

Don't be surprised if this happens. The Pats are not strangers to trading late-round picks.

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

I've been mocking Chris Polk to the Packers for a couple weeks now, and I like the idea more and more as time goes by. They need a running back who can produce on a consistent basis, and Polk is that and more. He's easily one of the most underrated prospects in the 2012 draft class.