2012 NFL Draft: Teams Poised to Benefit from Trading Up

Some teams could win big with a variety of selections in this year's NFL draft.  

For others, however, there is only one move that makes sense, or one move that has the potential to alter them from 2011 disasters to 2012 contenders.

Given the way this year's draft is front-loaded with offensives studs who are capable of changing the course of the entire 2012 season, offensively-challenged teams can't afford to wait and see if the right guy falls to them. They need to trade up if they have any aspirations of making the playoffs next season, and for many years to come.

Here is a look at some of the squads that must trade up to get the right players in this year's draft.

Miami Dolphins

There is no question that Ryan Tannehill is both unproven and nowhere near as good as Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. But the Dolphins need a quarterback after whiffing in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, and Tannehill is their best bet. If they don't move up to take him, there is a good possibility the Browns might, and that isn't a risk Miami should be willing to take.

Tannehill started off at Texas A&M as a quarterback, switched to wide receiver, then switched back to quarterback when the starter got injured in 2010.

As a result, he only has 19 career starts at the position, but the scouts are impressed by his accuracy and he has the arm strength necessary to be an elite NFL quarterback. Tannehill's also mobile—a given, with his past at wide receiver—and he is a good student of the game.

Between Matt Moore and Chad Henne last season, the Dolphins didn't have a quarterback who could crack the top 20 in the league. If they want to start competing in the AFC East, they need one quarterback to begin building around.

And just for the record, Tom Brady only started 25 games in college.

St. Louis Rams

It is readily apparent from St. Louis' offensive statistics in 2011 that they are in serious need of some star power.

The Rams finished second-to-last in the league in total offense after registering just 2,179 yards and nine touchdown receptions, the lowest total in the NFL. In order to build a balanced offensive attack—and to give Sam Bradford some legitimate talent to work with—they must add a receiver.

Justin Blackmon is the best wideout in this year's draft pool, and there is still a chance he could go to Minnesota at No. 3 or Cleveland at No. 4. This is a serious hole for the Rams, and Blackmon, who led the NCAA in 2011, is a perfect option. His game isn't lacking in any area, his speed is unparalleled and he's been compared to Dez Bryant and Terrell Owens.

This is a player who has the ability to become one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and the Rams will kick themselves for years to come if they let him get away.

Cincinnati Bengals

After trading Carson Palmer, the Bengals earned the rights to the 17th selection in this year's draft in addition to the 21st pick that they already owned. They must use one of these to get Stanford guard David DeCastro.

The Bengals badly need a competent guard, especially with a young quarterback, and DeCastro is a hot commodity given the fact that he is ready to start from day one. There is a chance that the Cardinals, instead of opting for a wide receiver, shore up their own offensive line with DeCastro, and the Bengals can't run the risk of that happening.

In DeCastro, they will get a player with all the tools and intangibles necessary to develop into an elite lineman. He's tough without being dirty, and he is durable enough to anchor this line for the next decade.