NFL Draft 2012 Predictions: 5 Teams That Will Be Trading Down

Every year the NFL Draft is riddled with drama as teams try to jockey for position and the 2012 NFL Draft will be no different.

The 2012 class is a particularly weak class outside of the top five players, so it’s a sure bet teams will be trying to either move into the top five or trade out of the top 10. The majority of the trades won’t happen until teams have seconds left on the timer—which makes for great entertainment.

Reasons for trading down are numerous. Some teams are so bad they simply want to accumulate more picks to infuse their team with more talent. Other teams realize the player they are set on taking isn’t a good value at their position, so they trade down to pick him at a better spot and gain more picks.

Finally, sometimes a deal is offered that is simply too good to be true.

The unpredictability of draft-day trades is somewhat lessened this year thanks to teams being more straightforward about trades.

Here are five teams that will be trading down in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Miami Dolphins

It’s no secret that the Miami Dolphins could go a variety of ways with the eight overall pick, but the majority opinion says the pick will be Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. His stock has skyrocketed as of late thanks to an impressive pro day, so the Dolphins could view him as a franchise quarterback.

With that being said, if Tannehill is still on the clock at eight the Dolphins will look to trade down. Far down. There aren’t any teams for 10-12 picks that are any threat to take Tannehill, and the ones that are (Chiefs, Seahawks) simply have too many needs and can get away with the QB’s they currently have.

Moving down 10 spots for Tannehill makes too much sense for Miami. They still get their franchise quarterback, have to pay him less thanks to the rookie wage scale and get a plethora of picks from a team that traded into the top 10.

It’s a smart move by Miami, and one that could turn the franchise around quickly.

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns have two first round picks in the upcoming draft, one particularly important selection coming in at fourth overall. They have a whopping 13 picks in total—but that hasn’t stopped them from publicly saying they are willing to trade down.

Moving out of the fourth spot is the way to go for the Browns. They missed out on the best quarterback prospects in Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. The next best quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, is a horrible value at fourth overall. Justin Blackmon is the best wide out, but not worthy of a top five selection.

The Browns have a variety of needs, and one top five selection in this year’s draft isn’t going to drastically alter the fortunes of the franchise. The Browns know that moving down a few spots, perhaps swapping picks with the St. Louis Rams, would be extremely beneficial for the team in the long run.

Seattle Seahawks

The general consensus is that the Seahawks need to upgrade their linebacker unit as a whole after losing David Hawthorne in free agency. There are plenty of good options to do so in this draft, but not where the Seahawks currently sit.

Seattle has pick No. 12 of the first round, a precarious position to be in for a team looking for a linebacker. They could elect to go with Luke Kuechly there, but he isn’t a good value that high despite what many experts claim.

They’ve been said to really like Dont’a Hightower, but he is by no means worthy of going in the top 15. Seattle will look to trade down while stockpiling picks, and it’s for the best. One of the two linebackers they so desperately need will still be there when they trade down, and adding even more talent via excess picks is only a good thing.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars need to address the wide receiver and defensive line positions when their name is called at seventh overall this year. However, they aren’t in a great position to do so despite having such a high pick.

The way the draft projects to shake out isn’t kind to the Jags. There aren’t any defensive ends or tackles that are a good value at seventh overall, and the best wide receiver will already be off the board. The one defensive end the Jags could take is Melvin Ingram, but he isn’t a great fit schematically.

The Jaguars should have no trouble trading down and picking up an extra pick or two. There are a plethora of receivers and defensive linemen available that are good values later in the draft.

New England Patriots

Shocking. A Bill Belichick team trading down in a draft?

The Patriots hold two first round picks this year coming in at 27 and 31. One of those, or even both, are being traded as the Pats pick up more picks in the future. It’s beneficial for the organization to do so because they have a variety of needs on the defensive side of the ball.

This is a draft class that is ridiculously loaded with talent at cornerback and pass-rushing specialists, but the top prospects in both categories won’t fall to the Pats that late in the round. The best bet is to establish great depth while accumulating more picks.

Trading down isn’t a popular topic in New England, and that’s understandable. But not really. They’re coming off a Super Bowl appearance, so their draft strategies must be doing something right.

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