2012 NFL Mock Draft: 10 Teams That May Be Looking to Trade Up

There are countless stories about NFL draft day trades that happened, draft day trades that didn't happen and how those outcomes affected teams going forward.

So much is at stake during the draft, as a team's selection could be the best player in the history of the franchise.

A team's selection could also break his leg during training camp and never play a down in the NFL.

It seems obvious who the top pick in 2012 will be, regardless of whether the Colts pick first or not.

This is about the next 31 selections and which teams might trade up to secure the player they feel will help them win a Super Bowl.

1. Cleveland Browns Trade Up to Pick Robert Griffin III

The Browns are currently selecting fourth in the first round of the draft.

With the Colts projected to take Andrew Luck and the Rams set on Sam Bradford (for now), the Browns will have to trade up if they want Robert Griffin III.

The Rams will probably trade their second pick away to the highest bidder, since the demand for Griffin III seems to be growing daily.

Whichever team picks the defending Heisman Trophy winner will have to give a lot (probably a 2012 and a 2013 first-round pick) to get the Griffin III. Cleveland may bite the bullet and go for it, if for no other reason than to energize its fanbase.

As good as Matt Kalil and Justin Blackmon are, I don't see them going before either of the top two quarterbacks (Luck, Griffin III).

Fortunately for Minnesota (picking third), either Kalil or Blackmon would be a big upgrade to its roster. Unless Indianapolis doesn't draft Luck, the Vikings will get their shot at either one of those All-Americans.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars Trade Up to Pick Morris Claiborne

After the whirlwind that could ensue between teams trying to pick one of the top two quarterbacks (or a top offensive player, for that matter), the Jaguars could trade up from No. 7 to get a big-time defender.

People have said Morris Claiborne could be better than Patrick Peterson, who was selected fifth overall last year (and could've been the first pick in 2011).

The Jaguars could use help in many areas, and fortunately for them, Claiborne fills a need they have. Claiborne, like Peterson, has size, speed, instinct, technique and can return kicks.

In my opinion, he's behind only Trent Richardson and Andrew Luck as an overall player in this year's draft.

3. Miami Dolphins Trade Up to Pick Robert Griffin III

Chad Henne didn't cut it in Miami, and while Matt Moore is good, Robert Griffin III is a special talent.

Imagine him, Brandon Marshall and Reggie Bush on the same offense. Sure, it would take a while for everyone to gel, but Griffin III seems to have a good mix of talent, poise and leadership.

Right now, the Dolphins are slated to select ninth. Of course Miami and Cleveland can't both take Griffin III, so it'll depend on who has more to offer St. Louis (players, picks, etc.).

If Griffin III was a free agent and he had a choice, I think he'd pick Miami (easier division, better talent, better weather).

4. Arizona Cardinals Trade Up to Pick Riley Reiff

After Matt Kalil (USC), Riley Reiff will probably be the second offensive tackle taken in the first round.

The Cardinals need help on the offensive line. If they're ever going to figure out their quarterback situation, they're going to need a bookend left tackle they can depend on.

Reiff has good size (6'6", 300 pounds) and great durability.

Although the Cardinals could get a good left tackle if they stay at No. 13, trading up a few spots to nab Reiff wouldn't be a bad idea.

The Cardinals will need him as they go up against players like Justin Smith, Aldon Smith and Chris Long in the NFC West.

5. Dallas Cowboys Trade Up to Pick Dre Kirkpatrick

If the Cowboys have one weakness they want to address, it's their secondary.

Dre Kirkpatrick is right up there with Morris Claiborne as one of the top cornerbacks in the draft. Kirkpatrick is even bigger than Claiborne (6'3", 192 pounds) and has just as much talent.

Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are dangerous wide receivers the Cowboys will have to defend six times (or more) every year.

It makes sense to trade up (if you have to) and draft a player with Kirkpatrick's pedigree. His cover skills are superb, and he's also one of the best tacklers in the draft.

Going from Alabama to Dallas is a natural fit for Kirkpatrick, as he knows what it's like to expect to win in an obsessed football community.

6. Philadelphia Eagles Trade Up to Pick Luke Kuechly

Luke Kuechly figures to be the first linebacker taken in the draft, and the Eagles would like to be the team that takes him.

Pass rush and cover corners are there. Yes, I know the Eagles struggled in 2011, but the talent is there.

With the way the Eagles' defensive ends play so wide, it often leaves holes for the linebackers to fill.

Kuechly led the Boston College Eagles in interceptions in 2011 (three), and he was a tackling machine, which is just what the Philadelphia Eagles need.

How good of a tackler is Kuechly? He recorded 191 total tackles last season. The next three leading tacklers on the team (combined) totaled 193 tackles.

There is virtually no risk by the Eagles drafting Kuechly.

7. Cincinnati Bengals Trade Up to Pick Trent Richardson

In my opinion, Trent Richardson was the best player in college football in 2011.

Here are his credentials:

• Heisman finalist (third in voting)
• Doak Walker Award winner (nation's best running back)
• 2011 SEC Player of the Year
• Unanimous first-team All-American
• 131.9 rushing yards per game (average)
• 1,583 rushing yards in 2011 (second most in school history)

Imagine a caged dog being let loose. That's the kind of intensity I think of when I think of Trent Richardson.

After playing behind Mark Ingram for two years, Richardson played incredible football in 2011. When the defense got tired, Richardson got better—59.3 percent of his rushing yards were in the second half.

That's the exact kind of player the Bengals are looking for, as they have to play the Ravens, Steelers and Browns twice every year.

Richardson could go as high as fourth, so the Bengals will most certainly want to trade up if they want to pick him.

8. Chicago Bears Trade Up to Pick Michael Floyd

Despite inconsistent quarterback play, Notre Dame's Michael Floyd finished his college career leaving no doubt he'll be a strong NFL player.

Throughout his 30 games in South Bend, Floyd caught 28 touchdowns (school record).

His size (6'3", 224 pounds) will make him an instant mismatch against most of the defensive backs he will face.

Like Philadelphia, Chicago may not have to trade up to get its man. However, as the Bears are in desperate need of a No. 1 wide receiver, they shouldn't take any chances.

If there is one glaring need a team has, it's the Bears needing a go-to wide receiver.

Floyd fits the bill.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers Trade Up to Pick Mike Adams

The Steelers will probably trade up to pick a left tackle (or any offensive lineman), but it might not be Mike Adams.

If it is Adams, he will fill a huge hole on Pittsburgh's offensive line.

Last season, Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 42 times (10th most) and hit 77 times (14th most). Especially with Rashard Mendenhall maybe being out for all of 2012, blocking well on offense is non-negotiable for the Steelers.

At 6'8", 320 pounds, Adams would be a strong pick for the Steelers.

The true test will come when the Steelers play the Ravens and 2011 AP Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs.

10. Houston Texans Trade Up to Pick Kendall Wright

Houston is good enough to win the Super Bowl next year. Adding Kendall Wright would cement the Texans as a major contender in 2012.

The Texans' passing game is based off of play action and utilizes big, tall receivers. If they trade up to pick Wright, he will add a higher degree of speed and elusiveness to their offense.

Wright is a big play waiting to happen. He compiled over 4,000 receiving yards and caught 30 touchdowns in his four years at Baylor.

The best part about this is that between Andre Johnson and Arian Foster, Wright will have little pressure in terms of coverages against him (at least in the beginning).

In my opinion, Houston's defense is third in the league, behind the 49ers and the Ravens. The Texans offense, especially if the team drafted Wright, would probably be second behind New Orleans, if not the best in the league.