2012 NFL Draft Grades: Biggest Winners from Draft Day Trades

There are a few teams that are smiling big and broad as they reap the rewards from a crazy trade-filled draft.

Picks were swapping hands at breakneck speeds. It was hard to keep track of all the action that was going down, who was picking who, and with whose picks they were doing it. 

As the dust settled, some clear winners emerged. Here they are. 

Minnesota Vikings

Picks Traded: 3, 35, 98

Picks Acquired: 4, 29, 118, 139, 211

The Vikings had a dream scenario with their first trade. They were in a position to draft a coveted player that they had little need for in Trent Richardson. 

This allowed them to field offers from teams looking to land the draft's elite RB. In the end, they chose the team drafting directly after them. 

This allowed them to pick the player they always wanted in Matt Kalil and walk away with three extra picks (118, 139, 211) for their trouble. 

The Vikings then traded back into the first round for No. 29. They used that to draft safety Harrison Smith from Notre Dame to help solve some of their massive secondary woes. 

Grade: A+

New England Patriots

Picks Traded: 27, 31, 62, 93, 126, 163

Picks Acquired: 21, 25, 90, 163, 197, 224, 235

The Patriots got the best of both worlds in this draft. They spent some picks to move up, and traded down to acquire more picks. 

The Patriots already had two first-round picks, but they sent a few of their later picks to move up in the first round to ensure the players they had targeted in Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower. 

New England needed the infusion of talent, and they got it. Both of these guys should be able to step in and be instant starters. It is a coup that the Patriots were able to add two needed starters to a team that made the Super Bowl last season. 

Grade: A

Dallas Cowboys

Picks Traded: 14, 45

Picks Acquired: 6 

The Cowboys only made one deal, but they made it count. When Morris Claiborne slid past the Buccaneers at No. 5, the Cowboys jumped on their chance to grab an elite player. 

By swapping their first-round pick and throwing in their second, Dallas was able to grab a truly elite corner. 

While this move cost them the chance to bring in two players that you would expect to compete for a starting spot, it allowed them to bring in one that should be a great player and at a position they needed. 

Grade: B+