NFL Draft 2012: Analyzing the Franchises with Enough Ammo to Trade Up in Round 1

Trading down to stock up in the NFL draft is rarely a bad idea. It helps build for future drafts and can really help a franchise make a quick turnaround.

However, there are also times when a team must trade up to really address any weak point(s). And although it remains to be seen, the following teams do have enough ammo to trade up as another option. 

New England Patriots

Bill Belichick has five picks in the first three rounds to work with. As the defending AFC champions, New England holds two late first-round selections and the next comes at No. 48 overall in Round 2. That's quite the advantage for an already stacked team on offense.

Here, the question remains as to whether the Patriots want to add multiple players to the vulnerable defense or get one big name. Surely with their two first-rounders alone the Pats could move up in Round 1, but throwing in a second-rounder would get them even higher.

Lest we forget about future draft picks and the current prospects that New England needs in order to get the defense on par with the offense. If the Pats do make a splash to get a Top-15 selection, they would have to consider guys like Melvin Ingram or Quinton Coples.

It always seems like the Pats have numerous draft picks to work with, and although it would be surprising to see them trade up, Belichick always has that option.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams, if they wanted, could make a move to get a second first-round draft choice. Having multiple future first-round selections to use, St. Louis would make some big improvements for 2012 with another Round 1 spot.

Whether it's getting a stud receiver or defensive player, the Rams would significantly close the gap in the NFC West. At No. 6 overall, the Rams can look at LSU's Morris Claiborne, Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff or South Carolina's Melvin Ingram.

With an additional 2012 second-rounder, their own second-rounder and future first-rounders, some combination would get them near No. 20 in Round 1. There, St. Louis could add a stud defensive tackle or interior offensive lineman to help out Steven Jackson and set up play-action.

At this juncture, the Rams need the best possible top-tier talent they can get. It's just a matter of whether waiting a year or two for the addition first-rounders in 2013 and 2014 is worth it.

Cleveland Browns

Having the No. 22 overall selection gives the Browns the option of moving into the Top 15 by adding some future first-rounders. Cleveland is in an interesting position because, much like New England, it has two first-rounders, but much like the Rams, the Browns need a lot of offensive help.

At No. 4 overall, Cleveland must strongly consider either Trent Richardson or Justin Blackmon since Colt McCoy needs at least one playmaker. And if Cleveland wants to really make some noise in 2012, putting up its 2013 and/or 2014 first-rounders can suffice to slide up from No. 22.

Franchises may also be persuaded, as the Browns haven't had much success since rejoining the NFL in 1999. So the potential odds of a Top-10 pick are in the field's favor. As for Cleveland, it's not like there's much pressure to win, and high-risk calls for high-reward.

The Browns have a solid defense and getting an offensive player at No. 4 gives them hope. Trading up even further in Round 1 from No. 22 provides the opportunity to get Stanford offensive lineman David DeCastro, Alabama corner Dre Kirkpatrick or LSU's defensive lineman Michael Brockers.

Philadelphia Eagles

Of the franchises mentioned here, the Eagles don't have as much ammo, but it's still enough to be quite useful.

For one, Philadelphia has the No. 15 overall pick and then two second-rounders as well. Swapping their first-rounder and both second-rounders could get the Eagles into the Top 10. However, a future selection would likely have to be added as well.

In their current spot, the Eagles can land Stanford offensive tackle Jonathan Martin or snag a defensive tackle like Fletcher Cox, Michael Brockers or Dontari Poe. In the Top 10, though, Philly would get an upgrade at offensive tackle with Riley Reiff or in the front seven with Melvin Ingram.

Ingram's versatility fits anywhere, and Reiff's athleticism would make even greater running lanes and screens for LeSean McCoy, and in the horizontal ground game for DeSean Jackson.

John Rozum on Twitter.