2012 NFL Draft Grades: Which Teams Blew It Big Time?

There were three teams in particular that blew it big time in the 2012 NFL draft. Each of these teams either did a poor job of addressing its biggest need or simply ignored it altogether.

The real problem for these teams is that they all play in difficult divisions, and in the case of two of the teams on this list, each of their rivals got better via the draft. With these considerations in mind, here are the three teams that blew it big time in the draft.

Carolina Panthers

Choosing not select an interior defensive lineman was a major risk by the Panthers. Granted, Luke Kuechly is an enticing prospect, but Carolina's defense is well-stocked at linebacker.

There is something to be said for drafting to a strength, yet that logic usually applies to a team that is already a contender. The Panthers are coming off eight wins in two seasons and haven't been to the playoffs since 2008.

They need a dominant defensive tackle, and given the depth at the position in this year's draft, it is baffling they chose to ignore this area. The Kuechly pick makes some sense if—as I suspect—the Panthers intend to utilize more 3-4 fronts this season.

However, no matter what defense it plays, Carolina needs a playmaker up front to go with Charles Johnson. Rather than moving for a mid-round tackle like Clemson's Brandon Thompson, the Panthers waited until the fourth round to address the line and went for an end in Frank Alexander.

The Panthers have a prolific offense but didn't do enough to improve a defense that still needs a major influx of talent.

Grade: F

Detroit Lions

Like the Panthers, the Lions took a huge gamble when they chose to ignore their biggest need in the early rounds. Detroit passed on the opportunity to help its secondary early, despite a deep and talented cornerback class.

Yet even with plenty of options to choose from at cornerback, the Lions didn't take a prospect with starter's potential. Instead, they selected three outside linebacker in their last five picks.

Riley Reiff was a solid pick, but there were plenty of serviceable tackles available in the later rounds, such as Mike Adams and Bobby Massie. Any defense that generates such heavy pressure with its front four and is still be burned by the pass has major secondary concerns.

Speaking of that front four, the Lions should have taken the opportunity to draft a young edge-rusher. Kyle Vanden Bosch is aging and Cliff Avril's long-term contract status remains uncertain.

With the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears adding more dynamic talent across the board, the Lions may soon regret the choices they made in this draft.

Grade: E

New York Jets

The New York Jets' draft was undermined by their questionable selection in the first round. Defensive lineman Quinton Coples was a strange choice for a defense desperately in need of an outside, edge-rusher.

The Jets may have lost out on first-choice Bruce Irvin to the Seattle Seahawks, but Marvin Ingram was still on the board. Ingram has a similar hybrid skill set and would have suited Rex Ryan's multiple schemes. Whitney Mercilus was also still available and would have given the Jets the multiple-sack artist they are missing.

Choosing a defensive lineman was odd given the drafting of Muhammad Wilkerson and Kenrick Ellis in 2011. There is also the presence of veterans Sione Pouha and Mike DeVito.

Given Ryan's history of turning unheralded and undrafted linemen into stars, the Jets could have obtained a 5-technique player like Kheeston Randall or Jared Crick in the middle rounds.

They may utilize a lot of hybrid fronts, but the Jets are still ostensibly a 3-4 team and they need an athletic, fleet-footed edge-rusher. Ryan is going to have to work even harder to scheme a consistent pass rush this season.

They made some reasonable selections later on, but the Jets did not make themselves significantly better, whereas their three AFC East rivals all stockpiled talent in key areas.

Grade: D