2012 NFL Mock Draft: Desperate Teams That Should Trade Up for a QB

Trades in the NFL draft always spice things up, especially if a team jumps up way too high or ends up taking whom it hopes will be its franchise quarterback. 

This year, it's easier to make trades because teams can include players on their current roster. The NFL lockout prevented that from happening last season, but there are no worries for the 2012 NFL draft. 

Teams making moves to land a quarterback is nothing new, but this year we won't see too much of it. There are only two quarterbacks worthy of being selected in the first round, which limits the chances of trading up. 

However, that doesn't mean there aren't teams that shouldn't be considering such a move.

With that said, here's my 2012 NFL mock draft. I'm not predicting any trades, but I will discuss which teams would be better off trading up to get a quarterback. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

*Picks to be determined by coin flip 

Picks 31 and 32 determined after Super Bowl 

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

Luck is the best player in the draft, and the Colts would be sadly mistaken to pass him or trade this pick away. 

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

The Rams may trade back here with a team looking to jump up for a QB, but landing the best offensive tackle in the draft to protect Sam Bradford for many years to come is also a wise decision should the trade offers not be that great. 

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

The Vikings' secondary desperately needs help, and Claiborne is a lock-down defender that will make an immediate impact. Plus, he has return skills too, which is a huge bonus. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Browns might be trading back as well if the offer is right and nobody makes a deal with the Rams. Here, I have them giving Colt McCoy another weapon to work with. 

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

The Bucs have several needs, but staying put and locking up the best defender available is a very smart move. 

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

One way or another, I think the Redskins are going to end up with Griffin. The dual-threat QB will gain a ton of interest in the months leading up the draft, which is why the Redskins may have to jump up just to get him. 

Yes, there is potential to stay put and land him at No. 6, but with other teams in dire need of a QB, there will be a trade that goes down, and Washington has to make sure it's the team that gets Griffin. 

Sure, Mike Shanahan could opt to look for a QB in free agency, but that really isn't the best idea. Griffin is young, and since he's a dual-threat QB that thinks "pass first," he is easily the most dangerous prospect in the class of 2012. 

Moving up to the No. 2 pick to get Griffin is the ideal situation, as the Rams are a desperate franchise in need of multiple draft picks. 

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

A small reach here, but the Jaguars have to give Blaine Gabbert a big wide receiver threat. If Griffin is somehow still available here because the Redskins make a dumb move, this is definitely a landing spot for someone to move up and get him. 

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

Another small reach, but the Panthers need help on the defensive front, and Still benefits from a weak defensive tackle class.  

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

The Dolphins have plenty of needs, but a QB is their biggest. With new head coach Joe Philbin calling the shots, Miami is the prime destination for Matt Flynn. 

However, Flynn is likely to go wherever the money is highest, because let's be real here: This is his one shot to get a mega contract, so he'll probably go where the most money is. 

Miami isn't going to win big with Matt Moore or Chad Henne. Trading up and getting Griffin is the ideal move for them because he is so versatile in his game. 

Sure, Flynn knows Philbin well, but Griffin has youth on his side and would definitely thrive in Philbin's system. Philbin has to be bold and do whatever it takes to jump up and land Griffin. 

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

The Bills have to do a better job of protecting Ryan Fitzpatrick. Reiff is the second-best OT in the class of 2012 and would be a solid addition for Buffalo. 

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

The Chiefs need to add protection for whoever their QB ends up being, and Martin has potential to be the Hall of Fame-type lineman.  

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Another team that desperately needs to move up for a QB, the Seahawks aren't going to be able to fill their biggest need at No. 11 or No. 12. 

Trading up is their best bet, as Pete Carroll would be able to do great things with Griffin. The Heisman Trophy winner has the skills to be an elite QB in the NFL, and the Seahawks can't sit around and let him go to another team. 

If the Seahawks don't move up, they're going to draft someone to help their pass rush. However, they could spend free agent money on a proven pass-rusher and do what's right in trading up to get Griffin. 

He's a dynamic game-changer, and that's why the Seahawks need to move up to get Griffin. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Cardinals need help on both sides of the ball, so they'll settle for the best available player. Upshaw would be a solid fit for Ken Whisenhunt's defense, which really needs an upgrade. 

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

Kuechly is a tackling machine that will see a lot of success in Rob Ryan's scheme in Dallas.

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

The Eagles would be wise to dump the hot-head diva that is DeSean Jackson and draft Floyd, who, despite having character issues of his own, will shape up and be ready to succeed for a contending Eagles team. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jets could possibly move up for Trent Richardson should he fall out of the Top 10; should they stay put, getting help on the defensive line to get after the QB is their best bet. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals need to find Cedric Benson's replacement, and Miller will definitely fit that role. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Chargers have needs on offense and defense, but getting a big body to help protect Philip Rivers is a great decision. Adams is steadily climbing up draft boards and will continue to get noticed during his pre-draft workouts. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

The Bears' biggest need is for a playmaking wide receiver, but the top ones are all gone, so Chicago will settle for the best lineman available, which is DeCastro. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Titans are on the rise, but they have to do a better job of getting consistent pressure on opposing QB's, which is why they'll take Ingram. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Bengals will look past Jenkins' character problems and gladly welcome his talents to their defense. 

22. Clevleand Browns (via ATL 10-6): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

If Cleveland is going to win big, the Browns need to have a force on the defensive line that can bring the QB down with ease. Mercilus may have had just one good year in college, but his 16 sacks this past season helped push him into first-round discussion, especially since the DE class isn't as strong as recent years. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia        

Matthew Stafford needs to stay upright, and adding Glenn to the offensive line will help ensure the Lions' franchise QB has great protection.                     

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict has Top 10 talent, but his character concerns will see him fall on draft day. The Steelers won't pass up on his talent, especially with the top OL off the board. Burfict will add youth to the Steelers defense, which will make them even scarier. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is rising up on draft boards, and the Broncos will take the gamble on him because his big body fills a position of need for Denver. Corner is another position the Broncos might look at.

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

It's going to be hard to bring back center Chris Meyers because of all the other free agents the Texans have. Houston will cut its losses and draft Konz to make up for it all. 

27. New England Patriots (via NOLA 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Patriots' secondary has to improve, so expect them to draft the best available corner here. 

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

The Packers need help at linebacker, but their run game is severely lacking. They'll take the risk on Polk, who definitely has the skills to be a feature back in the NFL. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina 

Baltimore would love an offensive lineman, and it may take a long look at Zerbie Sanders of FSU. However, Brown's speed on the edge is too enticing to pass up. 

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

The 49ers have a major need for a big WR threat, and Wright has the speed that will really help open San Francisco's offense up. 

31. New York Giants (9-7): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

The Giants are going to focus on defense for their first-round pick, and they'll love that Hightower has fallen their way. 

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

The Patriots could easily trade this pick to a team looking to jump back into the first round. However, I think they're much better off holding onto it and stockpiling talent on defense.