2012 NFL Draft Grades: Most Pleasant Surprises in First Round

It never takes long for the NFL draft to jump off the rails and go completely off the map. Things never go according to plan.

Some picks are just hard to understand. I don't understand why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Mark Barron No. 7 overall, and I certainly don't understand why the Seattle Seahawks drafted Bruce Irvin No. 15 overall. I didn't see those picks coming, and I didn't approve of them when they happened.

There were, however, some picks I didn't see coming that I actually liked (proof-positive that I'm a nice guy). Here's a rundown of the first round's most pleasant surprises. 

Note: B/R has you covered if you need a complete rundown of all 32 first-round picks.

New York Giants Draft David Wilson at No. 32

The Giants could have gone any number of directions with the No. 32 pick. Areas of need included offensive line help, linebacker help and even defensive line help.

Instead of filling one of those needs or just taking the best player available, the Giants went for Virginia Tech running back David Wilson.

The consensus is that the Giants reached to draft Wilson, and they most certainly did. However, I understand why they did it. The Giants got a lot of explosive production out of their passing game last year, but their rushing attack was a stick in the mud all season.

That's where Wilson comes in. He's a very fast running back who will hit a few home runs here and there. Ahmad Bradshaw will pick up the tough yards, with Wilson stepping in and giving defenses something to think about.

Well played, Giants.

Grade: B

New England Patriots Draft Dont'a Hightower at No. 25

The Patriots took care of their pass-rush needs by trading up to draft Chandler Jones at No. 21. When they traded up again, I had no idea what they were doing. When it's the Patriots, nobody knows but them.

They ended up going for Dont'a Hightower. The more you think about it, the more right this pick feels.

Hightower's versatility will play well in New England's defense, and he'll be particularly useful in rush defense. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Hightower emerge as a capable pass-rusher, as he's going to be surrounded by a number of players who are going to help open up opportunities for him.

And, of course, Hightower's a winner. He was a central part of not one, but two national champion teams at Alabama.

The Patriots sure do know how to pick 'em.

Grade: B+

Tennessee Titans Draft Kendall Wright at No. 20

In evaluating the Titans before the draft, I didn't have wide receiver pegged as a major need. Cornerback, linebacker and offensive line help were much bigger needs. 

So you can count me among those who were surprised to see the Titans pick Kendall Wright at No. 20. There were cornerbacks there for the taking, but they could have easily gone for a linebacker or an offensive lineman.

But in adding Wright to an offense that already included Kenny Britt and Chris Johnson, the Titans have surrounded young quarterback Jake Locker with a pretty impressive set of weapons.

Not a bad idea. A year or two down the road, the Titans may have one of the most explosive offenses in the AFC.

Grade: B+

Chicago Bears Draft Shea McClellin at No. 19

Shea McClellin was a late riser in the final days leading up to the draft. But unlike, say, Mark Barron's rise, McClellin's rise happened rather quietly.

Maybe that's why there wasn't a lot of noise after McClellin's name was announced. It was immediately apparent that a lot of people in Radio City Music Hall didn't know who he was.

The book on McClellin is that he's a versatile player who can play defensive end or linebacker. He's an above-average pass-rusher, and that's presumably why the Bears drafted him. My guess is that they'll use McClellin as a third-down pass-rush specialist in 2012.

I like it. I figured the Bears would go for offensive line help or maybe a straight linebacker, but they got creative. Hats off.

Grade: B+

Dallas Cowboys Trade Up to No. 6, Draft Morris Claiborne

The Cowboys had a ton of problems with their cornerbacks in 2011, resulting in one of the league's worst pass defenses.

To help fix this problem, the Cowboys got bold in the draft. They could have sat back and waited for Stephon Gilmore or Dre Kirkpatrick, but they went for the best corner in the draft, Morris Claiborne.

The Cowboys struck a deal with the St. Louis Rams to move up to No. 6, and they didn't have to give up too much to make the trade. In return, the Cowboys got a player who promises to be an elite cover corner.

Dallas was going to be a threat in the NFC East before trading up to get Claiborne. After this deal, the Cowboys are an even bigger threat. Job well done.

Grade: A