2012 NFL Draft Grades: Teams That Improved the Most Offensively

With the 2012 NFL draft in the books, we take a look back at which teams improved the most offensively.

Cleveland Browns

A team that scored just 13.6 points a game last season needed to make big changes on the offensive side of the ball, and that's exactly what the Browns accomplished early in the 2012 draft.

No. 4 overall pick Trent Richardson will give Cleveland the offensive identity that it lacked last season, while Brandon Weeden is a mature quarterback who is expected to start right away under center. Both figure to be upgrades over what the Browns featured last season. 

Also, securing a starting right tackle (Mitchell Schwartz) and a potential game-breaking receiver (Travis Benjamin) should go a long way in putting more points on the board in Cleveland. This team has to be more explosive on offense in 2012 and beyond. 

Offensive draft grade: A

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals got great value up and down the board, but the improvements made on the offensive side of the ball were what caught my eye.

Kevin Zeitler is a starting guard right away for the Bengals, and I wouldn't doubt if Mohamed Sanu caught 50-to-60 balls opposite A.J. Green next season. Cincinnati then found another playmaking tight end in Orson Charles, and a sleeper receiver in Cal's Marvin Jones. All four could be contributors on a suddenly stacked offense in 2012. 

Overall, quarterback Andy Dalton has been handed all the weapons he needs to score his way to the top of the AFC North.

Offensive draft grade: B+

Indianapolis Colts

Getting Andrew Luck at No. 1 overall was enough to put the Colts on this list, but then GM Ryan Grigson did a smart thing with the rest of his draft: He spent four of his next five picks on surrounding Luck with the talent he'll need to be successful in year one. 

Tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen could be a Gronkowski-Hernandez like tandem, and Luck should feel right at home with using a high percentage of two tight-end sets. Stanford's offense revolved around the position during Luck's time there. 

Indy also used later picks on a dynamic slot receiver/returner in T.Y. Hilton and a pounding running back in Vick Ballard. In the end, give Grigson credit for making his offense as Luck-friendly as possible for 2012.

Offensive draft grade: A

Pittsburgh Steelers

It's hard not to love what the Steelers accomplished in this draft. With its offensive line in shambles, Pittsburgh used the team's first two picks on likely starters at guard (David DeCastro) and tackle (Mike Adams). Both were solid value selections, too. 

But the name that fascinates me most from the Steelers class is Florida running back Chris Rainey. He won't play a bunch of downs for Pittsburgh, but he'll be electric when he's on the field. If used right, Rainey can have a Darren Sproles-like effect on the Steelers offense. 

Offensive draft grade: A-

Arizona Cardinals

While there were other holes on the roster, it's easy to see what the Cardinals were thinking when they took Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd. You team the impact receiver with Larry Fitzgerald, and Arizona has its Fitzgerald-Anquan Boldin 2.0. 

However, the offensive pick that really may pay off for the Cardinals was Mississippi tackle Bobbie Massie. He could be an instant stater on Arizona's offensive line and a guy who has the potential to hold down left tackle over the long term. 

Offensive draft grade: B+