2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Franchises with Enough Ammo to Move Up in Round 1

According to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, the Redskins trade with the St. Louis Rams has been finalized:

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The St. Louis Rams announced Wednesday that the trade that gives the Washington Redskins the second overall pick of the 2012 draft is official.

The Rams formally submitted the trade for league approval Tuesday afternoon. It has now gone through, they said.

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And with trading up further in Round 1 in mind, you never know what can happen on draft day.

Whether it's been prematurely discussed or happens on the fly, it's reasonable to suspect some trading to go down between now and late April.

To that end, here are some franchises that have enough ammo to keep trading up and open option.

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Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have two second and two fourth-round selection in their back pocket heading into this draft.

In Round 1, the Eagles are sitting at No. 15 overall right now. So, depending on how the few selections after the expected foregone conclusion of Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III go, Philly trying to move into or near the top 10 would not be surprising.

The Eagles could certainly use an offensive lineman such as Iowa's Riley Reiff or Stanford's David DeCastro to add talented-depth in the trenches. Also, a defensive tackle such as Penn State's Devon Still or linebacker like Boston College's Luke Kuechly will upgrade their front-seven.

LSU's Michael Brockers is another appealing prospect, because with Trent Cole and Jason Babin doing work on the edges of the defensive line, Philly needs a stud 4-3 tackles to provide an interior pass rush.

Now, Philadelphia will obviously have to also include a future first-rounder or two along to move up, however, it's never a bad idea to go after the guy you want.

And with what appears to be a quickly improving NFC East, the Eagles can't afford any weak points.

Cleveland Browns

Already owners of two first-rounders this year, the Cleveland Browns also have two fourth-rounders in the draft.

Although it's unlikely that the Browns try to move up from their No. 22 selection (second, first-round pick), obviously because of their No. 4 overall pick, the option is realistic.

Upon drafting a guy like Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon or LSU's Morris Claiborne to boost the passing offense or passing defense, the Browns could use that late first-rounder and at least another from 2013 to slide into the top 20.

There, Cleveland could use a corner (if they go with Blackmon at No. 4) like Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick or Northern Alabama's Janoris Jenkins to put opposite of Joe Haden.

Or, provided that the Browns sneak into the top 15, South Carolina's Melvin Ingram could be available. Yes, it will take a lot for Cleveland to end up with two top 15 or top 20 first-rounders this draft, however, the opportunity is there and for immediate success to occur, why not take a chance?

It's not like the Browns have anything to lose, right?

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers need to consider trading up further in Round 1, solely because their defense was so horrendous in 2011, getting the best possible defender must happen.

The cheese currently sit with the No. 28 overall selection, but Titletown's defense ranked dead last in 2011 by allowing 411.6 total yards per game.

Additionally, the Packers defense was dead last against the pass (allowed 300 per game), only recorded 29 sacks and allowed an average of 4.7 rush yards per carry (ranked No. 26).

For Green Bay's defense to really get back on track and make some noise next season, getting a defender such as Melvin Ingram, USC defensive end Nick Perry or Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw will suffice.

Sack-master Clay Matthews needs that opposite complement lining up to apply pressure and/or someone who can sink into coverage and blanket intermediate routes. Giving up yards over the middle killed Green Bay against the Giants in the postseason, so a player with excellent field awareness is key.

Now, there are also some stud players in the middle rounds, but Green Bay needs that next dominant player who will make an immediate impact. Otherwise, the defense will cost the Pack again in 2012.

New England Patriots

It seems like every year the New England Patriots have an abundance of draft picks to mess around with, and 2012 is no exception.

At the moment, the Pats have the No. 27 and No. 31 selections on top of two second and third-rouders.

In short, New England has six picks in the first three rounds and can easily put together the most attractive proposal to a franchise in front of them. Ranking No. 31 against the pass as well as total defense, coach Bill Belichick has a lot of work to improve upon before next season.

The good news, though, is that the Pats recorded 40 sacks and recorded 23 interceptions. With an insanely talented offense and a promising front-seven, moving up will be used for a stud corner like Drew Kirkpatrick or Janoris Jenkins.

And if New England really wanted to, I'm sure it could get Morris Claiborne (but that's even a little far-fetched for the Pats, right?).

Still, even going after a linebacker such as Luke Kuechly or pass-rusher like Nick Perry, Quinton Coples or the all-around player Melvin Ingram, the Pats have the capability to get almost anything they want/need.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	18. San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	25. Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Melvin Ingram, LB (South Carolina)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)

John Rozum on Twitter.