NFL Draft Order 2012: Playoff Disappointments That Must Trade Up

When a team doesn’t win the Super Bowl, but does go deep into the playoffs, they're put in an extremely agonizing position.

It proved that they were good enough to make it that far, but were missing a critical piece or two that would have ultimately won a Lombardi Trophy.

Unfortunately, it’s tough to get out of that hole because they will be drafting so late.

Let’s take a look at some teams that need to bolster their position and trade up during the 2012 NFL draft.

New England Patriots

The Super Bowl runners-up direly need a pass-rusher or a shutdown guy in the secondary.

They have two picks late in the first round and should parlay those into a deal to have a pick in the middle of the first day.

While they could stay pat and take risks on high-upside guys like Janoris Jenkins, they would be better served sliding up to select someone like Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick or Courtney Upshaw.

Belichick loves his Saban-educated players, after all.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers will be selecting at No. 30 unless they make their way up via trade. They had a great offseason and added a number of elite receivers, but it will be tough to get them the ball if Alex Smith is under pressure and Frank Gore can’t break big runs.

It’s likely that they draft a guard, so trading up and picking David DeCastro—the best prospect at the position since Steve Hutchinson—would be a big boost to the team.

Green Bay Packers

After going 15-1 during the regular season, you wouldn’t think that the Pack had any huge needs. However, they severely lacked a pass rush and it was their downfall during the playoffs.

If it weren’t for Aaron Rodgers, this team would never be able to win shootouts. By trading up and selecting an elite sack machine, they might not get into as many.

Melvin Ingram or Quinton Coples would be solid, high-upside picks if they decide to make a big move into the early first round.

2012 NFL DRAFT ORDER PLUS LATEST FIRST ROUND MOCK

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. *Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

6. *St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Chandler Jones, DE/OLB, Syracuse

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Nick Perry, DE, USC

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

*Rams trade No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first-round picks and 2012 second-round pick.