2012 NFL Draft Order: Teams with Tough Draft Positions

It's not always about what pick you have in the first round of the NFL draft.

Sometimes it's the position you're put in when making this pick.

We've seen throughout the years that some teams will either reach for a need or go with the best player available at their respective draft positions. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Here's a look at the teams I see having a tough choice when they're on the clock in the 2012 NFL draft (complete with final draft order).

Arizona Cardinals, No. 13

There's no question that the Cardinals' primary need is at offensive tackle. While quarterback Kevin Kolb had a forgettable season, not everything should be pinned on him. Levi Brown may be the worst starting offensive tackle in the NFL.

In that regard, the Cardinals are going to have a tough choice to make. Top tackles Matt Kalil, Riley Reiff and Jonathan Martin will likely be selected by No. 13, so they may have to look at Ohio State's Mike Adams.

Adams has impressed lately, particularly at the Senior Bowl, and his measurables stack up well to the next level, but he still needs to work on technique and there are some character concerns there.

San Diego Chargers, No. 18

The Chargers would love a top offensive tackle or pass-rushing outside linebacker. The problem is, it's going to be difficult to find one here.

All the top tackles should be selected at this point. I could see South Carolina's Melvin Ingram making it here, and I really like him as a player, but there are questions about whether he's more suited to be a defensive end than an outside linebacker given his size.

The question is, do the Chargers take a chance and project him as an outside linebacker or go a different direction? I'd take a chance on him.

Tennessee Titans, No. 20

I find it hard to believe that top guards David DeCastro and Cordy Glenn will make it to this point, so the next step would be to potentially find a 4-3 defensive end.

There aren't a lot of game-changers at this draft position in my opinion, which means the Titans may have to reach for someone like Clemson's Andre Branch, who is widely considered to be a fringe first-rounder.

San Francisco 49ers, No. 30

The 49ers would love to grab a receiver like Baylor's Kendall Wright or Rutgers' Mohamed Sanu, but I see them being selected before No. 30.

In that case, they may have to think about adding depth to their secondary. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins comes to mind.

Jenkins has all the ability in the world and the measurables to translate nicely to the NFL, but there are serious character concerns surrounding him, which is why he may drop this far.

The 49ers have to decide whether they want to gamble on him. If it pays off, it could be huge. If it doesn't, you could be talking about a disruption in the locker room, which is the last thing the cohesive 49ers need.

New York Giants, No. 32

There's no question the No. 1 need for the Giants right now is inside linebacker. The only problem is, there appear to be few game-changers at the position in this year's draft class.

I see Vontaze Burfict being selected by the Baltimore Ravens at No. 29 overall, which means the Giants may look at Boston College tackling machine Luke Kuechly.

The overall opinion is divided on Kuechly. He has the instincts, tackling ability and range to be a star in the NFL, but his size and strength at the position raise significant red flags at the next level.

However, I don't think the Giants will have a choice but to gamble on him if he's available at No. 32 overall.

2012 NFL Draft Order

1. Indianapolis Colts

2. St. Louis Rams

3. Minnesota Vikings

4. Cleveland Browns

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

6. Washington Redskins

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

8. Miami Dolphins

9. Carolina Panthers

10. Buffalo Bills

11. Kansas City Chiefs

12. Seattle Seahawks

13. Arizona Cardinals

14. Dallas Cowboys

15. Philadelphia Eagles

16. New York Jets

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK)

18. San Diego Chargers

19. Chicago Bears

20. Tennessee Titans

21. Cincinnati Bengals

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL)

23. Detroit Lions

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

25. Denver Broncos

26. Houston Texans

27. New England Patriots (via NO)

28. Green Bay Packers

29. Baltimore Ravens

30. San Francisco 49ers

31. New England Patriots

32. New York Giants