NFL Draft 2012: Franchises That Fumbled Away Golden Opportunities

Any time a franchise has an opportunity to improve, it must do so.

For the most part, we saw teams do that during the first three rounds. However, a team like the Seattle Seahawks may have stretched too far for Bruce Irvin in Round 1.

Along with Seattle, let's look at a few other teams that they may have swung and missed on the first two days of the draft.

Miami Dolphins

Ryan Tannehill is expected to be the future for Miami, but getting another quarterback doesn't address Miami's biggest needs, which are at receiver and on the offensive line.

Last season, the Dolphins allowed 52 sacks, didn't get the ground game working until late in the season and went without a true No. 1 target. Quarterback Matt Moore proved he deserved another chance to start, so selecting a top receiver in Round 1 would have made a bigger impact.

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd was available, and his reliability and dependability as a run-blocker would have been a good fit. The Dolphins compete in an AFC East where teams knows how to rush the passer, so Tannehill's lack of experience under center will make for a longer transition.

Drafting for the offensive line could have helped immensely as well. A guy like Riley Reiff would be a great tackle opposite Jake Long, and his addition would make the pocket much safer.

Cleveland Browns

Selecting Trent Richardson was the right move, but passing on Stanford's David DeCastro really puts a damper on Cleveland's offense.

Yes, Brandon Weeden has solid potential despite his age, but DeCastro is arguably the best overall offensive lineman in the draft. His addition would have significantly improved the blocking for the running game and created a dominant left side of the line.

DeCastro has the quickness to get upfield and the balance to handle any pass-rusher one-on-one. Instead, the Browns have a quarterback competition between Weeden and incumbent starter Colt McCoy to see who gets to hand off to Richardson.

Without DeCastro on the Browns, defenses in the AFC North will continue to load the box and blitz against an offensive line that needed a boost, making the passing game uncertain.

Seattle Seahawks

So far, Bruce Irvin was the biggest reach of the 2012 draft. There's no doubt about his pass-rushing ability. Irvin had 22 sacks in two seasons at West Virginia.

The bad news, though, is that Irvin isn't a polished run defender and his size isn't ideal for a true 4-3 defensive end. Instead, the Seahawks could have gone with an inside linebacker such as Dont'a Hightower, then select Marshall's Vinny Curry at defensive end in Round 2.

Hightower suits the middle well and has the ability to defend the intermediate passing game, while Curry is a perfect complement to Chris Clemons as a 4-3 end. Curry is also an impressive run defender who knows how to force fumbles and be an every-down player.

Irvin won't produce much in short-yardage situations or on first down. He's a dominant edge player in strict passing situations, but that won't have much of an impact against teams like San Francisco and St. Louis, who have run-oriented offenses.

Detroit Lions

The Lions did well selecting Riley Reiff in Round 1, as the team's pass protection did need a boost. Round 2, however, didn't address Detroit's biggest need, which is defense.

Yes, the Lions did end up with Louisiana-Lafayette corner Dwight Bentley in Round 3, and he's going to be a solid player. But Detroit also should have remained on defense in the second round instead of taking Oklahoma receiver Ryan Broyles.

Broyles is a great player who has the potential to be a No. 2 receiver as a rookie. His production for the Sooners was impressive, but the Lions won't last long in the postseason without defense. Before Bentley, Detroit had the opportunity to take such talented defenders as Lavonte David, Vinny Curry, Casey Hayward, Trumaine Johnson or Demario Davis.

All five of these prospects would have significantly improved the Lions' ability to defend the pass. Curry brings an intimidating pass rush, while David and Davis are complete linebackers who can rush and cover.

Hayward is a proven playmaker with 15 picks at Vanderbilt, and Johnson possesses the size and versatility to contribute at corner and safety. Include one of these players with Bentley and the Lions become increasingly difficult to move the ball on.

John Rozum on Twitter.