2012 NFL Draft Order: NFL Releases Complete, Final Order

With the awarding of 32 compensatory picks yesterday, the NFL was also able to release the complete 2012 Draft order for the first time. Here are a few things that stood out to me:

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48 New England from Oakland

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My Take: While there has been a lot of ink given to the first-round pick acquired, not enough attention has been paid to the Raiders decision to give the Patriots this year's second-round pick for two 2011 picks that turned into OL Joseph Barksdale and RB Taiwan Jones. The Patriots have four of the first 62 picks, enough to make a rare trade-up or just continue to have a great haul despite their low hit rate on early picks.

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51 Philadelphia from Arizona

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My Take: This was another trade that has been left in the rear-view mirror. Even though Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie didn't pan out, the Eagles still won by getting this pick alone, and the Cardinals had to ponder whether they even wanted to give Kevin Kolb seven million dollars to still be a member of their team earlier this month. The Eagles had some inexplicable collapses last year (including to the Cardinals).

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72 Miami

73 Miami from Carolina through Chicago

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My Take: There had been differing reports as to whether the Dolphins had acquired the Bears natural pick of No. 79 or the pick they had acquired from Carolina for TE Greg Olsen. This is obviously a better scenario, as the Dolphins can now trade a third-round pick and be virtually get guaranteed to get the same target that they would have taken with the pick

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76 Houston from Philadelphia

88 Philadelphia from Houston

99 Houston from Tampa Bay through Philadelphia

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My Take: File this one under deals that Tampa Bay GM Mark Dominik would like to have back, as the Bucs gave up this year's fourth to move up 12 spots for TE Luke Stocker, who was hurt and mostly ineffective last year. The Texans got that pick (as opposed to the Eagles natural pick of 114) plus the 12 pick bump in the third for LB Demeco Ryans. Now the Texans can choose to upgrade that pick by trading out of the first round as a team that is probably looking best player available, and they also stand a decent chance of getting one of their their top two or three targets at their original pick of 88 at their extra fourth-round pick of 99.

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108 Denver from New York Jets

137 Denver from St. Louis

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My Take: The Broncos have two extra picks in the top 150 because they parted ways with Tim Tebow and Brandon Lloyd. With the team in a "win now" mode, GM Brian Xanders should be ready to pull the trigger on a trade-up in the first or second-round if a target that previously seemed out of reach falls into their range.

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109 Washington from Oakland

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My Take: An initial look at the full draft order isn't pretty for Oakland. They gave up this pick for Jason Campbell, who is now a member of the Chicago Bears. The extra pick for Washington could help them get back in the second round after giving up their pick in the round to move up for Robert Griffin III.

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188 Denver from New York Jets

194 Philadelphia from Denver

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My Take: The second part of the Tim Tebow trade swapped the Broncos seventh-round pick with the Jets sixth. Kudos to Xanders once again, as the Broncos had traded their sixth to Philadelphia (originally JJ Arrington, but when he fizzled out and didn't make the roster, the deal reverted to a term that sent the Broncos sixth-round pick instead). Now they won't miss on a sixth-round target. Keep in mind that teams are usually taking players they have third or fourth-round grades on in the sixth round. Mays was just re-signed by the Broncos and he has been a success story for Xanders.