NFL Draft Order 2012: Bottom Dwellers That Will Find Instant Impact Players

Jessica MarieJun 7, 2018

Teams picking at the top of the draft order have so many needs and so little time. It's hard to believe they could alter the course of their respective franchise's histories with one pick in this year's draft, but those with early selections can.

It's not even just the Washington's and the Indy's of the world that will have a whole different team next season thanks to one draft pick. Plenty of squads need just one left tackle or one linebacker to be competitive in 2012, and they'll find it this week.

Here's a look at some of the 2011 bottom dwellers who will reverse their fortunes with impact players in this year's draft.

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The Browns have a whole host of problems. They've been one of the worst teams in the NFL for years, and now that they appear to have their quarterback of the future in Colt McCoy, they don't have the kind of offense that will allow him to excel.

That all changes with the No. 4 pick in the draft. The Browns have a couple of options: They can take Trent Richardson or Justin Blackmon.

Both are the types of prospects you don't want to miss out on, but seeing as Richardson is the only running back worth taking in the first round—and he's been called the next Adrian Peterson—he is the Browns' answer here.

They will be able to find a very capable wideout with their second first-round pick, whether it be Kendall Wright or Stephen Hill.

In 2011, the Browns' rushing offense finished 28th in the league. They have the opportunity to change that narrative completely with this one player.

St. Louis Rams

Much like the Browns, the Rams have the quarterback they need—they just don't have the offense to back him up. And with Trent Richardson off the board, their decision is a lot easier.

Between Richardson and Justin Blackmon, Blackmon is the better option for St. Louis' offense. Last season, the Rams went 2-14, and their passing offense registered nine—nine—touchdowns. That is only half of the production Blackmon managed to put out all by himself last season at Oklahoma State.

At this stage, St. Louis needs the kind of electrifying, superstar wideout who is going to make the offense dangerous with each and every snap. Blackmon is one of the only players on this year's board who has that capability. He was the best in the NCAA last year, and he has the speed and the size to be one of the best in the NFL as well.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa finished in last place in the NFC South in 2011 while the Saints and the Falcons, yet again, dominated the division. Facing two of the best passing quarterbacks in the league in Drew Brees and Matt Ryan twice a year, the Bucs can't afford to have a weak secondary.

In order to compete in their division, they need a playmaker back there, and they'll find it in Morris Claiborne.

Throughout the entire pre-draft process, Claiborne has been heralded as not only the best corner available, but one of the best defensive players available.

If the Bucs take Claiborne with their seventh overall pick, they will gain a player who will serve as the cornerstone of their secondary for years to come. He has big-play potential, a great work ethic and he's a high-character guy who is easy to coach.

Claiborne has the talent and the ability to make Ryan's and Brees' jobs a lot harder in 2012, and that is the first step for the Bucs if they want to gain some traction in the division.

Here is the complete draft order for Thursday's first-round festivities:

1. Indianapolis Colts

2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis)

3. Minnesota Vikings

4. Cleveland Browns

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

8. Miami Dolphins

9. Carolina Panthers

10. Buffalo Bills

11. Kansas City Chiefs