NFL Draft 2012: Teams Whose Savvy Draft Moves Put Them in the Playoff Picture

Three non-playoff teams from last season have vaulted themselves to contender status, thanks to incredibly smart picks during the 2012 NFL draft.

One draft can add a ton of talent to a roster or can be used to plug specific holes. The following three franchises did both with their selections this year, and they can expect a serious jump next season thanks to their savvy draft moves.

San Diego Chargers

I had Melvin Ingram in a dead-heat with Morris Claiborne as the top defender in this year's draft, and somehow the South Carolina defensive end/outside linebacker fell to the San Diego Chargers at No. 18. For a team that desperately needed to add some pass-rushing punch, Ingram was a perfect fit. 

San Diego followed that up by snagging another first-round talent at No. 49, when Connecticut defensive tackle/end Kendall Reyes fell there. Reyes is a smart, versatile defensive lineman who is another absolutely perfect fit for San Diego's 3-4 scheme. 

The Bolts then moved up a few spots to ensure they filled another need with LSU safety Brandon Taylor, whose skills will be a perfect complement to Eric Weddle at the back of the defense. I really don't think another team had three better picks as far as value and filling needs. San Diego had to get tougher and add an edge defensively, and all of their first three picks will do that.

The Chargers then proceeded to fill two more needs with pass-catching tight end Ladarius Green from Louisiana-Lafayette and a developmental guard in Penn State's Johnny Troutman. 

This was an outstanding draft by San Diego general manager A.J. Smith, and it should move the Chargers firmly into playoff contention next season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Some aren't as high as I am on the Bucs draft, and I just don't understand that. They grabbed Alabama safety Mark Barron at No. 7, who I absolutely love and who fills a need. Then, they solved their LeGarrette Blount problem by moving up to No. 31 and snagging Boise State running back Doug Martin. 

Blount is not a three-down running back, and he has also had issues staying healthy and holding on to the ball. Martin versatile and can do all the things Blount can't. He's a perfect fit for what they needed there.

Then they made another pick I loved at No. 58 when they grabbed playmaking Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David. Some, including ESPN's Mel Kiper, believed David was one of the 25 best players in this draft.

While I didn't have him ranked that high, I wouldn't have argued if he came off the board late in the first round. He is just a guy who flies all over the field, and while he doesn't measure in at an elite level (6'1" and 233 pounds), he'll fit perfectly on the outside of Greg Schiano's 4-3 scheme. 

Those were three fantastic picks, and when you combine them with the tremendous free agent acquisitions Tampa Bay made, they have to be thought of as a dangerous team in the NFC. 

The Bucs also got value by snagging West Virginia cornerback Keith Tandy at No. 174 to help fill out a secondary that has a lot of question marks.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams finished 2-14 in 2011, but instead of staying put with the No. 2 pick, they traded down twice and stockpiled selections. They eventually landed at No. 14 where they took LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, who could develop into one of the best in the NFL at his position. At 6'5" and 322 pounds, Brockers is massive and incredibly athletic for his size. He should be a beast in the middle of that defense. 

The Rams then owned the second round, taking Appalachian State receiver Brian Quick at No. 33, North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins at No. 39 and Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead at No. 50. 

Jenkins is a top-10 talent whose character issues forced a major drop, but he is well worth the risk at 39. Quick is a big, athletic wideout who has some developing to do, but should provide a solid target for franchise quarterback Sam Bradford in the short-term. Meanwhile, Pead is a versatile back who will immediately provide the offense with a boost behind Steven Jackson.

I also loved St. Louis' third-round pick, as they grabbed a guy with a second-round grade in Montana cornerback Trumaine Johnson. With free agent acquisition Cortland Finnegan as a mentor, Jenkins and Johnson could flourish. 

Wake Forest wide receiver Chris Givens was incredibly productive in college, but character concerns from early in his college career precipitated a drop to the top of the fourth round at No. 96. Givens has apparently grown up a lot, but he's still a risk. But as a fourth-rounder, his upside is worth the gamble.

I don't think St. Louis is a playoff team after this draft. But when you consider what they already have on the roster and add these young players and Jeff Fisher's ability as a head coach to the mix, they will be a dangerous team in 2012. The Rams are now set up to make a major jump next season.