2012 NFL Draft Order: Teams in Best Position to Get Impact Players

The 2012 NFL draft class has five players I would classify as elite and three that will make an immediate impact during their rookie seasons. The following is a look at the three teams that have an opportunity to instantly improve their rosters on Thursday night during the draft's first round, thanks to how this year's draft order shook out. 

No. 3: Minnesota Vikings

Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will be off the board after the first two picks. While both quarterbacks are elite talents, they will likely take time to grow into their roles at the NFL level. That will leave the Vikings sitting at No. 3 with a chance to take one of the three remaining elite talents in this year's draft.

The players I have tabbed as "elite" after Luck and Griffin are USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne and Alabama running back Trent Richardson. While I like Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon, I have him at the top of the second-tier of this year's draft class.

The Vikings are presumably set at running back with Toby Gerhart manning the spot until Adrian Peterson returns to full-strength after reconstructive knee surgery. That still leaves Minnesota with the ability to take either Kalil or Claiborne.

Kalil is the best fit since the Vikings have a huge hole at left tackle and possess a young quarterback in need of protection in Christian Ponder. He makes the most sense, and if we're lining players from this class up next to each other, I have Kalil as the top talent not named Andrew Luck. He is the best offensive lineman to enter the NFL since the Miami Dolphins made Jake Long the No. 1 pick of the 2008 draft. 

Either way the Vikings go they will get an elite talent, but Kalil would be the smart pick.

No. 4: Cleveland Browns

The Browns are also in a near-perfect position. Even if Kalil is gone that would leave them with the ability to land either Claiborne or Richardson, or even grab a guy like Blackmon. While I don't consider the receiver elite, he should make an impact during his rookie season.

That said, throughout the draft process I have maintained that Richardson makes the most sense for the Browns. After losing Peyton Hillis to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, the team desperately needs a go-to running back. Richardson's all-around skill set will make him a legitimate every-down back in the NFL instantly.

On top of that, the Alabama product is a hard worker whose ability to run between the tackles as well as break away from defenders will give the Browns' offense a running game immediately. Richardson has the all-around ability to be one of the NFL's best running backs within two years and Cleveland simply can't afford to pass him up.

No. 5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs are positioned to land whichever elite talent falls to them. While they would probably love to have Richardson to replace LeGarrette Blount as their top running back, the Bucs may end up with Claiborne. That's not exactly a bad consolation prize.

The LSU cornerback is the best pure cover guy in this year's class and has the size, speed and instincts to become a shutdown player at the position. In addition to that, the former wide receiver's ball skills are outstanding, which should lead to plenty of interceptions in his career.

The Bucs sit at No. 5 and basically just have to wait and see who falls to them. They will be able to land one of this draft's sure-fire impact guys and all three of those players should develop into Pro Bowlers. 

Whoever Tampa Bay gets will improve the team's roster immediately.