NFL Draft 2012: Teams That Will Benefit from Missing Postseason

While making the playoffs has to be the goal of every NFL team, these franchises will look back on missing the playoffs this year as a good thing. 

Had they made the playoffs, they would be picking at a lower spot in the draft, unable to draft the studs that they are now in perfect position to get. 

Spots in the draft courtesy of ESPN. 

Carolina Panthers - Eighth or ninth pick in first round, pending a coin toss with the Dolphins.

What They Need:

The Panthers' run defense was pathetic all season. It was too easy for opponents to keep the ball away from Cam Newton early and make him one-dimensional late. This team is not far from being a real contender, but they need to get better. 

Carolina allowed 2,093 rushing yards last season, which was 25th in the league. They will get some help when Jon Beason returns, but a big man in the middle is needed to keep opposing lineman from getting to the star linebacker.

Very little goes wrong when teams rush. The Panthers' passing defense wasn't great in 2011, but interceptions are much easier to force than fumbles. Carolina has to make sure that teams are forced to pass more. 

Best Fit: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

At 6'5, 310 pounds, Still will do a fine job keeping the blockers away from the linebackers. He wreaked havoc on Big Ten defenders all season. He is a big player that will make life very difficult on opposing lineman. He will be ready to make an impact in the NFL.  

Arizona Cardinals - 13th pick in first round.

What They Need: 

The Cardinals will need to figure out their quarterback situation, but a sick hybrid of Joe Montana, John Elway, Peyton Manning and Michael Vick wouldn't succeed with Arizona's terrible blocking. 

Only the Rams allowed more sacks than the Cardinals in 2011. No quarterback will ever succeed playing behind an offensive line that does that. The Cardinals need to spend their picks on tackles, solidifying their offensive line. When that happens, they can take a serious look at their quarterback situation and determine what needs to happen. 

Arizona has a few more good years with Larry Fitzgerald, who will be 29 next season. They can't squander such an elite talent by not protecting the guy who's supposed to pass Fitzgerald the ball. 

Best Fit: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Ask Andrew Luck how good Martin is. He was the blindside tackle for a two-time Heisman Trophy runner up. That is not a fluke.

Martin has undeniable tools to succeed in the NFL. He is a cornerstone lineman that the Cardinals can rely on for a long time. 

Chicago Bears - 19th in the first round.

What They Need:

A team like the Bears has always had a defensive identity, so it's a little confusing to see them tied for 19th in the NFL in quarterback sacks. When you share a division with Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford, that has to change or the Bears will be in for some long games. 

Chicago has a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball, but they are definitely an aging group. Obviously any player that they draft will make them younger, but they need to go after a guy who will spend most of his first season attacking the quarterback. 

As the season progresses, that player can move into more of a full time role, spelling the older players.

Best Fit: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The player I keep drawing a comparison with is Aldon Smith of the 49ers. Early in the season, he played only sparingly, not doing much other than attacking the quarterback. As the season progressed, he became more of an every down player and terrorized offenses. 

Upshaw has a lot of the same skills. He lit up SEC quarterbacks all year to the tune of 9.5 sacks. He will put the pressure on the quarterback that the Bears need to compete in an NFC that is becoming a deep conference.

Follow @mdixon1985