2012 NFL Draft: 5 Teams Likely to Trade with St. Louis Rams for Shot at RG3

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the St. Louis Rams have made it clear that they've made a decision about their No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft:

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The St. Louis Rams have decided to trade the No. 2 pick, league sources said Monday.

According to sources, the Rams already have had trade discussions with the Cleveland Browns (No. 4), Washington Redskins (No. 6) and Miami Dolphins (No. 8).

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That being said, here's what the Rams are expecting in a trade according to Schefter:

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The Rams are seeking a deal similar to what the San Diego Chargers got for the rights to 2004 top overall pick Eli Manning, sources said Monday.

Manning was selected by the Chargers with the No. 1 overall pick in 2004 and traded to the New York Giants for two first-round picks, a third-round pick and a fifth-round choice.

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So by that token, here are five teams (three of which you can guess) that are most likely to trade with St. Louis in late April.

Click the link for a full view of 2012 salary cap projections.

Cleveland Browns

With two first and fourth round picks, the Cleveland Browns are arguably in the best position to make a move for the No. 2 overall spot.

The question for the Browns, though, is whether moving up two spots is worth swapping first-rounders, giving up their other first-round pick as well as potentially both fourth-round selections.

Cleveland no doubt could use an upgrade at quarterback, however, there's a much greater need to improve the receiving corps and rush defense.

Unfortunately, no one in this draft is worth a top two pick in terms of the defensive front seven, and Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon not fully participating in the combine raises some concerns about the receiver. Therefore, it would not at all be surprising if the Browns hit the green light on this move.

The Rams want multiple draft picks and that's what they'll get from Cleveland more than anyone else. It's also not a bad idea for the Browns as they're projected to have a good amount of cap space available.

Washington Redskins

Here is the franchise most desperate for a quarterback.

We have to anticipate that one thing is (for the sake of Redskins' fans everywhere) for certain—Rex Grossman and John Beck will not be options under center in our nation's capital for 2012.

To that end, the next concern is who the quarterback will be. There's been talk of Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn via free agency, as well as Robert Griffin III.

Obviously the Redskins can't match what the Browns could potentially offer, but then again, there are always future draft picks as well.

Cleveland has more to offer in this draft and if Washington wants to match, then adding in its 2013 first-rounder on top of swapping as well as both fourth-rounders from 2012 is the minimum. Plus, the Rams may also want the Redskins to toss in a guy like cornerback DeAngelo Hall to make it more appealing.

And after all this is said and done, the next bridge to cross is determining Mike Shanahan's future. It's far from an ideal situation to be in when looking for a franchise quarterback.

If all else fails, though, it appears the Redskins may be interested in Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Much like the Redskins, the Jacksonville Jaguars will need to throw in their 2013 first-round selection on top of their second, third and most likely fourth-rounders from the 2012 draft.

But the Jaguars are in a better position than Washington from a personnel perspective, so they are likely willing to give up more for that No. 2 spot.

Jacksonville has a new head coach in Mike Mularkey, a great defense led by coordinator Mel Tucker and arguably the best and most complete running back in the game, Maurice Jones-Drew.

If anything, the Jaguars need at least one standout receiver, but that can be addressed via free agency as Jacksonville is expected to have quite a bit of cap space.

Giving up an additional first-rounder along with multiple other picks won't hurt the Jaguars nearly as much as Washington. Plus, Jacksonville has the No. 7 overall selection, meaning the Rams will still have an opportunity to draft a guy like Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still or potentially Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon.

Just be sure to keep an eye on the Jaguars because they are really close to becoming a complete team in 2012.

Miami Dolphins

The million-dollar question here is whether new head coach Joe Philbin believes that Matt Moore is the future at quarterback.

If there's any fickleness to the answer, then the Miami Dolphins will have a quarterback competing with Moore during training camp, though it remains to be seen who that will be.

Green Bay's Matt Flynn having backed Aaron Rodgers under Philbin for four years (2008-2011) makes him a feasible option for the Dolphins along with Peyton Manning. As for considering a trade with St. Louis, Miami would have to give up a lot.

Obviously swapping 2012 first-rounders but then adding their 2013 first-round pick and just like the Jaguars, the 2012 second, third and potentially fourth-round selections. The Dolphins are at a slight disadvantage here, however, because each offered selection in 2012 would be after any of Jacksonville's.

So, getting a little creative, Miami would have to throw in a guy like receiver Brian Hartline or Davone Bess or linebacker Cameron Wake. Wake would be a lot to give up considering he was an All-Pro in 2010, but the Rams desperately need to improve on defense.

If there's one team that appears to be content and unlikely to make a move, Miami would be it.

Seattle Seahawks

For the Seattle Seahawks to make a deal with their division rival, it would take quite a bit.

Still, Seattle really needs a franchise quarterback and is as close to a complete team as you can get without quite having one. To some extent, they are a better version of the Jaguars.

They have an excellent ground game, a great defense, and a great coach but the difference lies in their receiving corps. Seattle is better equipped for the passing game, however Tarvaris Jackson is simply not the long-term solution.

And if the Seahawks are to pursue St. Louis for the No. 2 selection, aside from swapping 2012 first-rounders, the other 2012 selections would be in Round 2 and 3, and then Rounds 1 and 2 in 2013.

Fortunately for Seattle, its also in solid position for salary cap space, so doing a little spending through free agency couldn't hurt. Here, we have to ponder whether Pete Carroll has confidence in Jackson or if the Seahawks are going to search the middle rounds for a franchise quarterback.

But just think how great of a quarterback-head coaching duo Robert Griffin III and Pete Carroll would be. Impressive to say the least.

John Rozum on Twitter.