NFL Draft 2012 Results: Doug Martin and More Surprise Picks Ready to Contribute

As usual, the first round of the NFL draft came and went in a hurry, but it certainly made a big impact on the NFL landscape—not just at the top of the draft either.

Teams bounced around like ping pong balls and a few players slipped through the cracks. Some, like Courtney Upshaw, Jonathan Martin and Cordy Glenn, are still on the board while others found their way to teams they can help immediately.

Here's a look at some of the draft's most pleasantly surprising picks.

Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers (No. 31 Overall)

After missing out on Trent Richardson and dropping down to No. 7 to take his teammate, Mark Barron, with their first pick, the Bucs and coach Greg Schiano sensed what was coming from the defending champion Giants at No. 32, and they weren't about to let it happen again.

Rather than watch Big Blue snag the all-purpose back the Bucs needed, they jumped ahead of them at No. 31 and stole Doug Martin for themselves. We know Schiano needs a guy who can do everything in the backfield and Martin was easily the No. 2 back in this class.

As the end of the first round was nearing, it wasn't evident that any more running backs would come off the board, but Tampa made the surprising play and it landed a starter because of it.

David Wilson, RB, Giants (No. 32 Overall)

The Giants didn't get the guy they wanted, but they landed a running back who can help all the same.

Wilson will be thrust into the rotation with Ahmad Bradshaw immediately, and Big Blue knows they have to be careful with their feature back because, even for all his toughness, he is injury prone.

The defending champs typically take the best value available, but they left big names on the board in order to fill a need instead.

He'll see the field immediately.

Dont'a Hightower, LB, Patriots (No. 25 Overall)

Hightower's selection in the first round was far from surprising, but the fact that the Patriots traded up to get him was one of the biggest surprises of the draft.

Now they have a proven leader and immediate contributor at the linebacker position who's arguably the top choice for defensive rookie of the year.

David DeCastro, OG, Steelers (No. 24 Overall)

The fact DeCastro fell past No. 23 is hugely surprising, and the fact that he wound up in Pittsburgh, which has a running game that desperately needs to be improved, is even more surprising.

The Steelers couldn't be happier though, and he'll be a starter immediately and a Pro Bowler sooner than later.