2012 NFL Draft Grades: Teams That Best Addressed Their Needs

The key to having a successful draft isn't always getting the best players; it's filling your roster's most pressing needs. During the 2012 NFL Draft three teams stood out above the rest in terms of addressing specific weaknesses and filling those holes. 

Each of the following three teams got a whole lot better through this year's draft.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings were one of the NFL's worst teams in 2011, and they needed to have a great draft to improve what was a depleted roster. Luckily for Minnesota's fans, the team killed it.

In the first round, the Vikings addressed two serious needs by landing USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil and Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith. I had Kalil graded as the second-best player in the entire draft. I regard him as the best offensive lineman to enter the NFL since the Cleveland Browns made Joe Thomas the No. 3 pick in 2007. Kalil has the makings of a perennial Pro Bowler.

Smith will be a great fit for head coach Leslie Frazier's Cover-Two defense and should start from day one. In addition to Smith, Minnesota further bolstered an awful secondary by landing Central Florida cornerback Josh Robinson and another Notre Dame product in cornerback Robert Blanton. 

The other glaring need for the Vikings was at wide receiver and they addressed that by snagging a pair of Arkansas wideouts: Jarius Wright and Greg Childs. Both guys can make plays after the catch and should help quarterback Christian Ponder immediately.

All-in-all, the Vikings did a fantastic job of identifying needs and addressing them.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers entered the 2012 NFL Draft needing to get better on defense while adding a running back who could compete for first-team carries immediately. They stuck to that script and came away with a much-improved roster.

In the first round, the Bucs nabbed Alabama safety Mark Barron, who was one of the best all-around defenders in this year's draft class. Barron should start from day one, and he will become a very good strong safety early in his career.

Then, Tampa Bay traded back into the first round to grab Boise State running back Doug Martin. Martin is tough, versatile and has great hands which means he's a much better fit for the first-team offense than current starter LeGarrette Blount. I wouldn't be surprised if the Boise State product opens the season as the starter. 

The Bucs also got a great value in the second round when they took play making Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David with the 58th pick. David is a bit undersized, but he is so fast it makes up for any lack of bulk. He'll fit perfectly on the outside in new head coach Greg Schiano's 4-3 scheme. 

Tampa Bay also added some depth by getting a pair of West Virginia defenders in linebacker Najee Goode and high-upside cornerback Keith Tandy. 

When you include the big-name free agent signings they made, the Buccaneers look poised to be one of the NFL's most improved teams in 2012.

San Diego Chargers

After another disappointing season in 2011, the San Diego Chargers needed a major overhaul this offseason. After doing an outstanding job addressing needs through free agency, general manager A.J. Smith killed it during this year's draft.

San Diego's top need heading into the draft was a pass-rushing outside linebacker and, somehow, Melvin Ingram fell to them at No. 18. Ingram was easily the best talent off the edge in this year's class, and I had him graded out as co-top defender in the draft in a tie with LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. 

The Chargers continued to get lucky as far as their front seven was concerned when another guy with a first-round grade, Connecticut defensive tackle/end Kendall Reyes dropped to them at No. 49. Reyes is versatile, smart, incredibly athletic and has an outstanding motor. He should be starting very soon as a defensive end in the team's 3-4 scheme. 

After that, San Diego nabbed yet another day one starter in LSU safety Brandon Taylor. Taylor had a second-round grade on my board, and he should immediately compete with Atari Bigby for the strong safety spot next to Pro Bowler Eric Weddle.

The rest of the draft was spent filling depth, and the Bolts continued to find bargains. In the fourth-round they landed Louisana-Lafayette pass-catching tight end Ladarius Green. Then, they bolstered the interior of their offensive line with Penn State's Johnnie Troutman and Michigan's David Molk before wrapping up the draft by taking Michigan State running back Edwin Baker. 

The Chargers got a ton of talent and made themselves a whole lot better and a whole lot tougher.