2012 NFL Draft Grades: Best Value Picks in Each Round

One of the ways the best teams in the league stay atop the league is by finding phenomenal value in the NFL draft.

We know that free agency and money certainly doesn't buy championships—it can help—but there is a direct correlation with drafting well and winning Super Bowl rings.

Here's a look at the best value picks in each round of the 2012 NFL draft.

Round 1: David DeCastro, OG, Steelers

No team should be happier with their first-round pick than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sitting at No. 24, they expected to land a potential defensive starter despite needs up front on the offensive line.

Fortunately for them, the draft's best interior lineman fell down the board and now the Steelers have what could very well be the best guard-center combination in the league.

DeCastro isn't just another guard, he's a mauler on the inside who can singlehandedly change the fortunes of a running game—and protect Ben Roethlisberger.

Round 2: Rueben Randle, WR, Giants

The Giants were thinking mighty hard about taking Randle at the bottom of the first round and couldn't have been happier when they saw him still sitting in the Green Room at the end of the second round.

The LSU star is a ready-made replacement for the defected Mario Manningham and is going to excel with Eli Manning throwing him the football.

Round 3: Brandon Thompson, DT, Bengals

Cincinnati had an incredibly solid draft all around and Thompson, one of their two third-round picks, was the best value in the round.

Thompson has great size, experience and durability and could have gone as high as the early second round.

He won't make a huge impact on the stat line, but he's a great pick for this team.

Round 4: Bobby Massie, OT, Cardinals

There was talk of Massie possibly landing in the bottom of the first round, but he tumbled all the way down to the fourth round.

The Cardinals needed themselves a tackle and Massie is a potential starter down the line. Considering the other picks they already landed, he was a great fit for them here.

Round 5: Zebrie Sanders, OT, Bills

Another guy who earned talk of possibly landing in the bottom of the first at one point, Sanders tumbled even further than Massie and wound up with a team that had an even bigger need at tackle.

They landed Cordy Glenn in the second round, but he's more likely to be a guard at the next level. Sanders, though, could be a starter one day.

Round 6: Markelle Martin, S, Titans

There are some durability concerns with Martin, but he's matured into one heck of a team player and a guy who could actually start in this league if given the opportunity.

The Titans weren't looking an immediate starter here, but Martin gives them depth and something to be excited about should they need him.

Round 7: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Patriots

A legitimate first-round talent, Dennard fell down the board for a variety of reasons but will get a chance to play in New England.

He's a gifted player with physicality and a bit of upside.

In the seventh round, the Patriots cannot ask for much more.