2012 NFL Draft Grades: Teams Who Benefited from Early-Round Fallers

Every year at the NFL draft we focus so much on where players are going to go that when someone falls lower than we expected, we start to wonder why. Teams, on the other hand, are more than happy to see a top prospect drop down so they can get value. 

Ultimately value is what the draft comes down to. We can break down all the players that we want, but the true winners and losers are determined by just how much bang you are getting for your buck. 

So before we reach the end of the draft on Saturday night, here are grades for the teams whose drafting looks stellar thanks to players who fell further than expected. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

You want to talk about a team getting exactly what it needed, the Steelers took advantage of other teams ignoring needs on the offensive line or not having a hole to fill up front. 

Not only did the Steelers get the best and most versatile guard in the draft with David DeCastro, but they sat back and waited to see Mike Adams, who had first-round talent but inconsistent play, left out there for the taking at No. 56. 

On top of all that, Sean Spence, the team's third-round pick, has tremendous upside thanks to his instincts, speed and ability to close. He is undersized at 5'11", 230 pounds, but there is a lot of talent there. 

Grade: A

St. Louis Rams

There are times when a team has to take a risk in order to turn its luck around. With high-risk, high-reward project Stephen Hill at wide receiver and Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson, both of whom have had off-field issues, the Rams are putting their faith in talent. 

Whether you think those two cornerbacks will stay out of trouble is your own opinion. All we can do is look at the talent on the field, and there is a lot of it. On talent alone, Jenkins should have gone in the top half of the first round. 

Brian Quick has great size and better-than-expected speed, so Sam Bradford has plenty of new toys to play with. 

And oh, by the way, getting Michael Brockers with the 14th pick is going to make an instant impact on a beat-up defensive line. 

Grade: A-

Baltimore Ravens

It says something about the quality of value in the draft when you can move back out of the first round and get a stud linebacker like Courtney Upshaw with the 35th pick. 

Not only did the Ravens add another impact playmaker to their defense, but they get even more versatile since Upshaw can play defensive end or outside linebacker in the right scheme. 

Add to that the fact they were able to get younger and more athletic on the offensive line with Kelechi Osemele and underrated running back Bernard Pierce to the backfield to spell Ray Rice, and you have another winning draft for the always reliable Ravens. 

Grade: A-

Follow @adamwells1985