2012 NFL Draft: Predicting Big Winners and Losers of the First Round

The 2012 NFL draft will certainly have its big winners and losers. With the eve of Super Bowl XLVI approaching rapidly, the media and fans will soon divert their attention toward the draft. 

In what is sizing up to be the most talked-about draft in NFL history, football fanatics will get their fill of all things NFL until the beginning of the 2012 season.

After lacking an offseason last summer, non-stop NFL chatter will consume our lives over the next six months, and we'll love every second of it.

Fans everywhere are excited to find out who their new additions will be, at least for now. Just like everything else in this world, not everyone can be a winner. 

Until April 26 in New York City, all who live and die with their team will be impatiently waiting on cloud nine. 

Winner: Detroit Lions with Pick No. 23

The Detroit Lions finally turned the corner in 2011 with a 10-6 record and a playoff birth. 

What they have going for them is a budding star in quarterback Matthew Stafford, the best wide receiver in the entire NFL in Calvin Johnson and a whole lot of confidence heading into 2012.

By no means are the Lions a completed project; they have a long way to go to be the best, but the fun has just begun in Detroit.

The first round of the 2012 NFL draft will prove to be a win-win situation for the Lions.

Whether they choose someone to the likes of Alfonzo Dennard from Nebraska on the defensive side of the ball or some young protection like Kelechi Osemele out of Iowa State for Matthew Stafford on the offensive line, things are looking up in Detroit.

After a decade of torment, it's all systems go for the Lions. 

Loser: Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 7 Pick

Things didn't go as planned for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011. The team's 2011 first-round pick, Blaine Gabbert, didn't necessarily impress—the Jags only averaged 136.2 yards/game through the air. 

The team finished 5-11 and only scored 14-plus points five times.

Don't forget that Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew led the entire league in rushing with 1,606 yards.

It's apparent that Gabbert needs a premier target to catch his passes. It's apparent that the best available will be Alshon Jeffery out of South Carolina. 

Once considered the best in all of college football, there are now mixed emotions about Jeffery. It's become clear that Jeffery has discipline problems and he must grow up quickly if he's to succeed in the NFL. 

The Jaguars will roll the dice and select Jeffery. There's no question that he is talented, but is he ready?

Winner: New England Patriots with Picks 27 and 32

Believe it or not, Bill Belichick can smile. He also has more choices for clothing other than a raggedy hoodie. 

He'll be smiling more following his Super Bowl XLVI victory and his two first-round picks in the upcoming draft.

Belichick will waste no time selecting defensive players for his squad. Expect the Patriots to select a cornerback like Stephon Gilmore out of South Carolina and a pass-rusher like Whitney Mercilus from Illinois. 

With the Patriots' offense looking to be in tip-top shape for years to come, a stronger defense will be all they'll need for another shot at a dynasty. 

Loser: Cleveland Browns with the No. 4 Pick

The Cleveland Browns will most likely select wide receiver Justin Blackmon from Oklahoma State with the No. 4 pick in the 2012 NFL draft. 

While Blackmon is the most prized receiver in his class, it's a quarterback that they need.

Current quarterback Colt McCoy doesn't have much help on offense, but he's not exactly an NFL-caliber quarterback.

After all, he only averaged 210.2 yards/game this season it what was coined the "Year of the Quarterback."

The Browns will miss out on an opportunity on Stanford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin III and settle on Blackmon. 

The Browns' hopes will be that Blackmon can make McCoy relevant, but Blackmon alone won't be enough.

In the end, the Browns will tread water for yet another year.  

Winner: Cincinnati Bengals with Picks 17 and 21

The Cincinnati Bengals shocked everyone with a winning season and a playoff appearance in 2011. 

Who would've thought that Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens were the source of the Bengals' problems?

With the distractions out of town and the focus on fine-tuned football, the Bengals will do nothing but improve in the 2012 NFL draft. 

Fans should expect the Bengals to improve their running game with running back Lamar Miller from the Miami Hurricanes and offensive lineman Jonathon Martin of Stanford. 

An upgraded offense from the Bengals will mean more stiff competition from the AFC North in 2012. 

Loser: Dallas Cowboys with the No. 14 Pick

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is known for taking chances on young talent with character issues. 

Things won't change when the Cowboys bet the house on cornerback Janoris Jenkins out of North Alabama via the University of Florida. 

Jenkins has a checkered past but comes with loads of talent.

Jones is just the man to take the bait on Jenkins. 

Cowboys fans will be disappointed when Jenkins has a topsy-turvy rookie season.

If Jenkins isn't careful, he'll be the next Pacman Jones. 

Winner: St. Louis Rams with the No. 2 Pick

The St. Louis Rams are sitting on a gold mine with the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL draft. 

They've made a great decision in hiring Jeff Fisher and already have a franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford. 

The fact that the Rams have the No. 2 pick was most likely the linchpin in Fisher's decision to lead the Rams.

Fisher can build his organization around trading this pick alone. 

With Robert Griffin III being so highly coveted, the Rams can demand a king's ransom for the pick. 

Rams fans should be elated for their future. 

Loser: Indianapolis Colts with the No. 1 Pick

Everyone that follows football has known for a year that Andrew Luck would be the first selection in the 2012 NFL draft.

What no one expected is that he would be selected by the Indianapolis Colts. 

The Colts are in the toughest predicament ever faced by a single franchise.

It looks and seems like the Colts are ready to part ways with the best thing that's ever happened to them—Peyton Manning. 

This has caused a deep tear in the souls of Colts fans everywhere.

These fans are used to winning thanks to Manning. While Luck may be the best thing to come out of college since Manning, he isn't a sure thing, and he's bound to take his lumps along the way.

There have been plenty of stars throughout the history of the NFL, but for every star there has been five flops. Not to say that Luck will be bad by any means, but it's hard to replace Manning. 

It's true that Manning can't play forever and the organization would be stupid to pass on Luck, but things will get uglier before they get any better in Indianapolis. 

For that, the Colts are unlucky at the moment. 

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