NFL Draft Trades that Will Impact Playoff Picture

Thanks to a new CBA that established a rookie wage scale, the 2012 NFL draft featured more first-round trades—eight, to be exact—than any draft since 1970. No longer will outrageous contracts and guaranteed millions be a factor in whether or not teams move up to get players they desire in the first round. 

Several of the completed moves could have an impact on how the NFL playoff picture shapes up next season. 

Below, we identify the trades that will have postseason implications in 2012.

Look here for an extensive breakdown on the eight trades.

Dallas Cowboys trade up for LSU CB Morris Claiborne

One of the draft's six blue-chippers, Claiborne lands on a team that was a game or two away from keeping the Super Bowl champion New York Giants out of the 2011 playoffs. The aggressive move up to get Claiborne at No. 6 overall could pay off in a big way for the Cowboys.

The former LSU star should make a formidable cornerback duo with Brandon Carr, who the Cowboys picked up in free agency from the Kansas City Chiefs this spring. If Claiborne can help the Cowboys do better against the pass in 2012—they finished in the bottom third last season—Dallas may be looking at a playoff appearance next season.

Don't underestimate the impact Claiborne could have on special teams, too. He's not Patrick Peterson, but I can't imagine the Cowboys don't take a long look at putting Claiborne deep on punt returns. 

Philadelphia Eagles trade up for Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox

The Eagles were linked to Cox for some time before the draft, making the move up three spots to snag him at No. 12 a no-brainer. Arguably the draft's top interior defensive lineman, Cox should be an impact player in Philadelphia from day one.

Defensive line coach Jim Washburn will get the opportunity to place Cox in favorable situational roles, and there's too much talent around him for opposing teams to put too much focus on the rookie. By the time 2012 is in the books, I wouldn't be surprised if Cox has six to eight sacks and starts for a playoff-quality defense. 

Seattle Seahawks move down, take West Virginia DE Bruce Irvin

I'll shower praise on GM John Schneider for moving down a couple of spots and getting a decent mid-round pick in return, but botching the No. 15 pick shouldn't get a pass. Taking Irvin in the middle of the first round goes down as the biggest reach among the top 32 picks. 

Schneider needed to realize how close Seattle currently is to competing for a playoff spot in 2012. His defense is close to being really, really good. But taking a situational pass-rusher—which is exactly what Irvin is—at No. 15 overall fails to represent value at a pick that Schneider needed to hit out of the park. 

New England Patriots move up, take Syracuse DE Chandler Jones, Alabama LB Dont'a Hightower

Historically a team that moves down from the bottom of the first round, the Patriots surprisingly moved up twice Thursday night. By this time next year, the two decisions New England made in the first round could be a big reason why Bill Belichick and Co. are picking at No. 32 in 2013. 

New England got to the Super Bowl last season despite a defense that ranked 31st in the NFL, but both Jones and Hightower should have a say in lowering that number in 2012. Jones is an athletic freak that reminds some of the Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul, a defensive end who terrorized Tom Brady and the Patriots last season. 

Hightower is an instinctive and versatile linebacker who Belichick should have fun with moving around on defense. 

Overall, the Patriots got two guys who should be impact players on a team that went to the Super Bowl last season. Hard to ask for much more than that in a draft. AFC favorites?

Denver Broncos move down, collect second-rounder and two fourths

The Broncos made one of the biggest offseason splashes in NFL history by signing quarterback Peyton Manning, but the trade down doesn't fit the "win now" urgency that comes with Manning's limited NFL shelf life. 

While the Broncos' brass now has a number of mid-round picks, Denver passed on several players at both 25 and 31 that could help this team win right now. Will they find similar impact players with the later picks? That's the big question. 

Denver needs to hit on each of its mid-round picks to make up for passing on a player at No. 25.