NFL Draft Order 2012: Teams in a No-Lose Situation

The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins will select Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III with the first two picks in the 2012 NFL draft, but the next four teams are also guaranteed to come away with outstanding players. In fact, the teams with the following four picks are in a no-lose situation.

After months of scouting, there are six players I would call elite in the 2012 NFL draft. These are Luck, Griffin, USC's Matt Kalil, Alabama's Trent Richardson, LSU's Morris Claiborne and Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. With Luck and Griffin gone, the other four shouldn't make it past the next few picks.

No. 3: Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have holes at offensive tackle, wide receiver and cornerback. Luckily, three of those spots are represented by the four remaining elite players.

Offensive tackle is the team's biggest need, and Kalil is the best offensive line prospect to enter the NFL since five-time Pro Bowler Joe Thomas was taken with the third overall pick in 2007.

Kalil could have that kind of future ahead of him. He will be a stud and a future Pro Bowler. While guys like Claiborne and Blackmon will get consideration at this spot, the USC tackle is the smart pick for the Vikings. 

No. 4: Cleveland Browns

The Browns are also in a perfect spot to get better. The team's top needs are running back and wide receiver and Richardson and Blackmon should both be available at this spot. The smart play for the Browns would be to add a stud running back like Richardson.

With Peyton Hillis gone to Kansas City via free agency, the Alabama running back would give Cleveland the biggest improvement. Richardson is an all-around talent who will become one of the NFL's best running backs within two years.

While Blackmon would give the team a true No. 1 receiver, running back needs to be addressed first and Richardson is a rare, elite talent at the position worth a Top-Five pick.

No. 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs made some serious moves in free agency, but the team still has holes to fill. At No. 5 they should be able to fill one of them.

Tampa Bay needs a running back, because LeGarrette Blunt isn't a long-term answer at the position. That being said, the team could also use help in the secondary. While the Bucs signed Eric Wright in free agency, Aqib Talib's future is in doubt and Ronde Barber will be entering his 16th season in 2012.

For that reason, Claiborne would be a perfect fit.

The LSU cornerback is outstanding and projects as a shutdown guy at the position who should develop into a Pro Bowler. If Richardson falls here, he will be the pick. If not, Claiborne will end up in Tampa.

No. 6: St. Louis Rams

The Rams have a huge need at receiver, where franchise quarterback Sam Bradford has never had a legitimate No. 1 target. Blackmon makes the most sense for St. Louis and he is likely to drop to here. If he doesn't, the team could use an upgrade at corner and offensive tackle as well. 

That means the Rams are well positioned to essentially just take the best player available, and all of the elite guys in this draft would help them. Richardson would be a bit redundant, since Steven Jackson—one of the NFL's top running backs—is already on their roster.

Other than that, whichever player falls to the Rams will fill a need.