2012 NFL Draft: Teams That Will Shock Fans and Experts

When it comes to the 2012 NFL draft, there are a few things we know for sure: Andrew Luck will be going to the Indianapolis Colts, Robert Griffin III will be with the Washington Redskins and Mel Kiper Jr. will be using copious amounts of hair gel to get his hair just right.

However, that isn't why we as fans are fascinated by the draft—we love the shocking storylines that come out of the event. Our teams' futures are determined right before our eyes, and often the logic of fans and the front office collide right before our eyes.

Despite months of speculation and rumors touted by both fans and experts alike, there are always a few teams that leave us saying, "They did what?!" The following teams are prime suspects to leave us shocked come draft time.

New England Patriots

By now almost every fan instantly connects the strategy of trading down and stockpiling draft picks with the Patriots. Their front office has practically invented the move, if not perfected it.

For years the Patriots have made a habit of trading away picks that they aren't in love with only to find a solid player later with both picks that they acquired from getting rid of one.

Armed with two first-round choices in 2012 (27 and 31), the Patriots won't surprise anyone by trading their picks, but they could still be one of the most shocking teams of the draft—by trading up.

Last year the Atlanta Falcons shocked everyone when they made a blockbuster deal with the Cleveland Browns. The Falcons moved from the early 20s to secure the No. 6 pick and took Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones.

If the Patriots feel that they could vastly improve their defense by adding one of the draft's blue-chip pass-rushers like Melvin Ingram or Quinton Coples, or they are really high on Alabama safety Mark Barron, they won't hesitate to make that move.

Seeing the Patriots trade up for a change would definitely emerge as one of the most shocking storylines of the draft.

Minnesota Vikings

Ever since the St. Louis Rams traded the No. 2 selection to the Washington Redskins, left tackle Matt Kalil has been locked in to be drafted by the Vikings in just about every mock draft known to man.

Although the notion that the pick could be traded has recently picked up some momentum based on quotes from GM Rick Spielman, the transition from media "smokescreen" to actual reality would be a shocking revelation for both fans and experts.

Offensive linemen are widely regarded as the safest of selections early in the draft, so the Vikings selecting a future franchise left tackle for quarterback Christian Ponder and star running back Adrian Peterson seems to be the most logical move.

If the Vikings decide to buck conventional wisdom and either take Morris Claiborne—as Michael Lombardi suggests they are considering in this tweet—or trade down and risk losing out on Kalil, they would certainly shock everyone.

Miami Dolphins

At this point, nearly every mock draft has the Dolphins linked to Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

The Dolphins are desperate for a quarterback who they can make the face of the franchise after losing out on the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, the Matt Flynn consolation prize and the Robert Griffin III bidding war.

The general consensus seems to be that they are automatically in line to select the best available quarterback when they get on the clock with the eighth selection.

But what if the Dolphins decide to go another direction?

While the fanbase is starving for a franchise quarterback they can get behind (apparently David Garrard and Matt Moore don't conjure up visions of Lombardi trophies), the fans don't get to draft for their team—the Dolphins front office does.

If the Dolphins feel that they would be better off filling a hole on the roster that can be improved right away by going elsewhere with the pick, they could shock everyone by passing on Tannehill.

If they do in fact pass on Tannehill, we will be shocked by two things: (a) how far Tannehill falls and (b) who the Dolphins opt to take.

Tannehill has been mocked to the Dolphins for so long it is hard to imagine them taking anyone else. The potential domino effect is a draft storyline to keep an eye on.