2012 NFL Draft Grades: Teams That Upgraded to Super Bowl Contenders

We already know teams like Green Bay, San Francisco, Houston, New England and Baltimore are considered Super Bowl contenders.

However, there are some teams that made significant strides via the 2012 NFL draft to become legit Super Bowl contenders. The Philadelphia Eagles are a prime example as their 2011 season finished strong, and in addition to the free agents from a year ago, this offseason has been quite nice to them.

However, the Eagles are just one team; so along with them, let's see who else made it into the Super Bowl-contention echelon.

Cincinnati Bengals

After making the postseason in 2011, the Cincinnati Bengals have increased expectations for 2012. Fielding a top-10 defense against the run and pass, Cincy still needed to buff out some rough spots and succeeded in doing so.

Getting Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick adds much talent to the secondary. He has the potential to start right away as the No. 2 corner and, at the very least, contribute as a nickel/dime back on the inside.

Elsewhere on defense the Bengals added two defensive tackles in Devon Still and Brandon Thompson. Both guys can penetrate the backfield to get pressure and stuff lanes to help against the run.

In Round 5, though, Cincy got a steal with Boise State safety George Iloka. He's a big safety that can roll down in the box or sit back deep to play over the top. Possessing great size and speed, Iloka will dominate behind a strong front seven.

The Bengals also made some impressive moves to help the offense as well. Round 1 gave them Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler, who's a complete player for passing protection and getting downfield to extend running lanes. Also, receiver Mohamed Sanu has the acceleration and reliability to come in at the No. 2 receiver opposite of A.J. Green.

Grade: A+

Buffalo Bills

This offseason has been great to the Buffalo Bills. After upgrading the front seven to an elite status before the draft, Buffalo has now become a legit Super Bowl contenders

The secondary still needed some upgrading and South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore, drafted in the first round, enhanced the defensive unit. He's a lockdown corner with awesome instincts and knows how to play at a consistently high level. Gilmore will flourish on the outside of the Bills' dominant front seven.

Buffalo also added two solid linebackers in Nigel Bradham and Tank Carder to the defensive front to help in strict passing situations. If anything, both provide talented depth and will contribute in specific passing situations.

Offensively, Buffalo's big selection comes in Round 2 with Georgia's Cordy Glenn. A versatile offensive lineman, Glenn can immediately contribute at guard or tackle. He's a boost to the pass protection, but Glenn's ability to run block will polish off the running lanes for Fred Jackson.

Glenn can also move well laterally, so expect more play-action bootlegs from Buffalo this season to keep defenses off balance early in games.

Grade: A

Dallas Cowboys

2011 for Dallas was just like recent history for the Cowboys: a disappointment. Nonetheless, Big D still remained in the playoff hunt at season's end but failed to get the job done.

Well, expect Dallas to explode in 2012 because of an excellent draft after free agency. Presenting him opposite of Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne joins the Dallas secondary to shut down the pass. Claiborne, above all else, is a reliable playmaker (11 picks returned for 274 yards) and will help against the run on the perimeter.

Big D also brings in two other stout defensive players in Tyrone Crawford and Kyle Wilber. Both provide the ability to make plays in the backfield and cause fumbles when making tackles. Because of their additions, expect a huge season from inside linebacker Sean Lee.

On the offense Dallas didn't make any drastic changes, but Jason Garrett did get Virginia Tech's Danny Coale to complement Miles Austin and Dez Bryant at receiver. Provided the Cowboys can field a more consistent running game and stay healthy, this balanced offense will slice and dice in 2012.

Grade: A-

Philadelphia Eagles

With all their talent already, the Philadelphia Eagles simply underachieved to an extreme level last year. Fortunately, they did close on a four-game win streak and go 5-1 against the NFC East.

So, Philly has every reason to feel good about heading in 2012, especially with how well the Eagles drafted. Fletcher Cox and Vinny Curry are supreme additions to the front four because both can get quarterback pressure (inside and out) and possess the quickness to defend well against the run.

Considering Trent Cole and Jason Babin remain at defensive end, success will be marginal versus Philly on medium and long down-and-distances. The Eagles then upgraded at linebacker to help DeMeco Ryans with Cal's Mychal Kendricks.

Kendricks also presents a pass rush, but he can also fill running lanes fast and shut down any edge-running game with his speed. One other defensive selection worth noting is corner Brandon Boykin. Albeit undersized, Boykin can play the nickel/dime back to blanket slot receivers and zone off against the intermediate game in strict passing situations.

The Philadelphia offense need not make any major additions; however, Iowa's Marvin McNutt presents a deep threat that can stretch the field and open up the middle for DeSean Jackson. A solid route-runner and playmaker, McNutt can get impressive yards after the catch and run block as well.

Grade: A+

John Rozum on Twitter.