2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams in Dire Need of Trading Their Selection

The Washington Redskins agreed in principle to trade a handful of high draft picks to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, which more than likely means the rights to Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

The Redskins had no choice but to make the move considering they were sitting in no man's (or no quarterback's, at least) land at No. 6. Now that the 'Skins have won the Griffin III sweepstakes, let's run through the first round of April's draft and take a look along the way at some other teams in dire need of trading their current selection.

No. 1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, Stanford, QB

No surprise here. Luck has been the favorite to go No. 1 overall since last year and with Peyton Manning no longer a Colt we can now say for sure he will be. 

No. 2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis Rams 2-14): Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB

The Redskins made their pre-draft trade with the Rams for one reason, to draft a franchise quarterback in Baylor's Robert Griffin III.

No. 3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, USC, OT

If the future involves Christian Ponder, then the Vikings may want to take the sure protection in Matt Kalil.

No. 4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR

With virtually zero down-field receiving threats on its roster, Cleveland will be forced to take the best wide receiver in the draft. 

No. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, LSU, CB

The Bucs need to recharge their underachieving roster with an all-around play-making corner like LSU's Morris Claiborne, who dominated in the shadow of the Honey Badger last season with the Tigers.

No. 6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins 5-11): Riley Reiff, Iowa, OT

Their pre-draft trade with the Redskins hurts the Rams' chances of landing highly coveted offensive lineman Matt Kalil, but there are still some other names out there like Iowa's Riley Reiff who could fill the void in St. Louis. 

No. 7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, North Carolina, DE

The Jaguars could benefit from trading their No. 7 pick in exchange for some veteran talent. Their defense was nothing to sneeze at in 2011, and their most pressing issue is Blaine Gabbert and their 32nd ranked passing offense. With Justin Blackmon likely already off the board and no must-take quarterbacks left, they are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

No. 8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Trent Richardson, Alabama, RB

Now that the Washington Redskins have secured the No. 2 pick from the St. Louis Rams and likely Robert Griffin III, the Dolphins are in serious need of trading their selection. It would be a reach to take Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill at No. 8, so for right now they can take the best player on the board.

No. 9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, DE

The Panthers defense was slashed week in and week out in 2011 and that side of the ball must be addressed this April.

No. 10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB

Kuechly is one of the top linebackers in the draft, and can help bolster the Bills' D.

No. 11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Michael Brockers, LSU, DT

The Chiefs ranked 26th in rushing defense last season, and Brockers can plug up gaps with his enormous frame.

No. 12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, LB

Upshaw brings tremendous leadership to the table as well as high football IQ and a laundry list of intangibles.

No. 13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, Stanford, OT

The Cardinals need to revamp their offensive line, and are also a team in desperate need of trading their first round selection in order to move up. Odds are that USC's Matt Kalil and potentially Iowa's Riley Reiff will be off the board by No. 13, so the if that's the case Arizona will settle on Stanford's Jonathan Martin.

No. 14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama, CB

The biggest weakness for the Cowboys in 2011 was their pass defense, which ranked in the bottom 10 in the league. 

No. 15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, DT

Opponents ran through, over and around the Eagles' D last season, and Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox can hopefully provide a sturdy boundary for Philly in 2012.

No. 16. New York Jets (8-8): David Wilson, Virginia Tech, RB

Wilson gives the Jets another dimension in the back field, speed.

No. 17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders 8-8): Mark Barron, Alabama, S

The Bengals' secondary could use some help, and a rugged safety like Alabama's Mark Barron is worthy of the No. 17 selection. 

No. 18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, Stanford, G

Philip Rivers was on the ground far too many times in 2011 and the result was a pitiful finish in the AFC West. Fix the offensive line and fix the offense.

No. 19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, WR

A big target that the Bears have lacked for years now, Floyd can develop into a decent NFL starter right away. 

No. 20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Cordy Glenn, Georgia, G

The heaviest player at the scouting combine this past February was Georgia's Cordy Glenn. 

No. 21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, Miami, RB

Having already taken a safety at No. 17, the Bengals will snag a running back with plenty of question marks but just as much speed and game-breaking ability. 

No. 22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons 10-6): Andre Branch, Clemson, DE

The Browns' rushing defense ranked 30th in the NFL last season despite boasting some quality talent on the defensive line. Help must come in the form of a defensive end though in 2012. 

 

No. 23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB

The Lions are another team that need to trade up in order to fill some of their many needs. The secondary is one such area of need but in this mock they luck out and acquire Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick at No. 23. 

No. 24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Kendall Wright, Baylor, WR

With Hines Ward no longer in the Steel City and Mike Wallace's future uncertain the Steelers and new offensive coordinator Todd Haley need to draft an offensive weapon with their first round selection. 

No. 25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, Penn State, DT

Denver's defense is on the rise, and the addition of a wall in the middle will only help continue the process.

No. 26. Houston Texans (10-6): Brandon Thompson, Clemson, DT

With dominant pass rushers on both edges, the Texans can build a championship-caliber defense with the addition of a dominant defensive tackle. 

No. 27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints (13-3): Dont'a Hightower, Alabama, LB

The Patriots desperately need to improve their secondary, but unfortunately for New England involved trading up in the draft to acquire one of the three top corners on the board. Morris Claiborne will likely be gone in the top five, while Dre Kirkpatrick and Janoris Jenkins look to be mid-round selections. If they can't get out of their spot they can improve on defense with an addition at linebacker.

No. 28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chandler Jones, Syracuse, DE

The Pack needs another threat on the outside to help pressure the quarterback and shut down quick ball carriers. 

No. 29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, Wisconsin, C

A young center would be an underrated pickup for the Baltimore Ravens, who can't go wrong with the No. 29 pick. 

No. 30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Zebrie Sanders, Florida State, OT

Meat and potatoes took the Niners to the NFC Championship Game in 2011, so why stop now?

No. 31. New England Patriots (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina, WR

The Pats could benefit from adding another deep target not named Randy Moss. 

No. 32. New York Giants (9-7): Mike Adams, Ohio State, OT

The defending Super Bowl champions ranked dead-last in the league in rushing during the regular season, and now that Brandon Jacobs has been released, they need to address the bigs up front as well as the ground attack.