
Matt Miller Re-Grades the 2012 NFL Draft
Two seasons have passed since Andrew Luck was made the first overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. On that night, every team was full of optimism when looking toward the future. How do those picks look 32 games later?
It's a rule of thumb to only grade a draft class after three years, but you can get a good start on grading the 2012 draft after two full seasons. Some grades will definitely change as players get healthy (or injured) and earn (or lose) playing time. This is not a final grade, but rather it's a look in at how the players and picks are performing through two seasons. Think of this as a third-quarter grade card.
It wouldn't be fair to grade NFL teams without also grading myself, though, so I'm posting my original predraft rankings of each player along with his grade. In my predraft process, players are graded and ranked based on their predicted NFL success, not their draft order, so now three years later we can truly get a feel for if those grades were correct or not.
San Francisco 49ers
1 of 32
This is a draft to forget for Trent Baalke and the San Francisco 49ers—and really, it's impressive they have been so competitive with a draft class like this killing their depth and youth.
A.J. Jenkins was a monster draft-day reach, and the perception of that pick has proven to be true. It was terrible. The same could be said for drafting LaMichael James in Round 2, as he's rarely seen the field behind Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter. His few touches have largely been in mop-up time or on special teams. Given the team's depth at running back, this pick looks very bad in hindsight.
The rest of this draft is a cautionary tale, as only James and backup center Joe Looney are still on the roster.
Updated Team Grade: F
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/30 | A.J. Jenkins | Illinois | WR | 82 | B-KC | F |
| 2/61 | LaMichael James | Oregon | RB | 76 | B-SF | D |
| 4/117 | Joe Looney | Wake Forest | G | 271 | B-SF | C |
| 5/165 | Darius Fleming | Notre Dame | OLB | 232 | B-NE | D+ |
| 6/180 | Trent Robinson | Michigan State | DB | 125 | OOL | F |
| 6/199 | Jason Slowey | Western Oregon | C | NR | OOL | F |
| 7/237 | Cam Johnson | Virginia | OLB | 71 | B-IND | C- |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Chicago Bears
2 of 32
The 2012 draft for the Chicago Bears is a great example of being able to evaluate some picks but also having to wait on others.
With their first two selections, the Bears drafted defensive end/linebacker hybrid Shea McClellin and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery has become an All-Pro-level talent in his two seasons, but McClellin is still trying to find the right role to showcase his talent. That could come in 2014 under a new defensive scheme for his position. As of now, though, the McClellin pick looks like a major reach.
With Isaiah Frey being the only other draft pick still on the roster two years later, this isn't an overall good look from the 2012 draft.
Updated Team Grade: D
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/19 | Shea McClellin | Boise State | DE | 31 | B-CHI | D+ |
| 2/45 | Alshon Jeffery | South Carolina | WR | 7 | S-CHI | A |
| 3/79 | Brandon Hardin | Oregon State | S | 221 | B-NYJ | D |
| 4/111 | Evan Rodriguez | Temple | TE | 184 | B-BUF | D |
| 6/184 | Isaiah Frey | Nevada | S | NR | B-CHI | C |
| 7/220 | Greg McCoy | TCU | DB | NR | OOL | F |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Cincinnati Bengals
3 of 32
The Cincinnati Bengals have made three straight playoff appearances, and you can bet that the 2012 draft is a big part of the reason why.
Guard Kevin Zeitler stepped right in and became one of the better guards in the NFL. The depth created by doubling-up on cornerbacks, wide receivers and defensive tackles also came in huge for the team once injuries took their toll.
Grabbing Marvin Jones and George Iloka late could be the best picks of this draft, especially if Iloka performs well in a starting role this year.
Updated Team Grade: B+
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/17 | Dre Kirkpatrick | Alabama | CB | 52 | B-CIN | D+ |
| 1/27 | Kevin Zeitler | Wisconsin | G | 43 | S-CIN | A |
| 2/53 | Devon Still | Penn State | DT | 41 | B-CIN | C- |
| 3/83 | Mohamed Sanu | Rutgers | WR | 48 | B-CIN | C+ |
| 3/93 | Brandon Thompson | Clemson | DT | 80 | B-CIN | C- |
| 4/116 | Orson Charles | Georgia | TE | 58 | B-CIN | C |
| 5/156 | Shaun Prater | Iowa | CB | 126 | B-MIN | C- |
| 5/166 | Marvin Jones | California | WR | 66 | S-CIN | A |
| 5/167 | George Iloka | Boise State | SS | 67 | S-CIN | B+ |
| 6/191 | Dan Herron | Ohio State | RB | 177 | B-IND | C |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Buffalo Bills
4 of 32
With a top-10 pick in the 2012 draft, the Buffalo Bills had a chance to grab a franchise-changing player. They may have done just that in getting cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Gilmore is quickly becoming one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL. He makes this class top-heavy, but the additions of starter Cordy Glenn and key backups such as T.J. Graham, Nigel Bradham, Ron Brooks and Mark Asper help round out this very strong group.
Getting two starters with the first two picks helps, but that's expected. It's the overall depth of this group that makes it a very good draft class.
Updated Team Grade: B+
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/10 | Stephon Gilmore | South Carolina | CB | 19 | S-BUF | A |
| 2/41 | Cordy Glenn | Georgia | T | 17 | S-BUF | A |
| 3/69 | T.J. Graham | NC State | WR | 189 | B-BUF | B- |
| 4/105 | Nigel Bradham | Florida State | LB | 142 | B-BUF | B- |
| 4/124 | Ron Brooks | LSU | CB | 78 | B-BUF | B- |
| 5/144 | Zebrie Sanders | Florida State | T | 91 | OOL | F |
| 5/147 | Tank Carder | TCU | LB | 204 | B-CLV | C- |
| 6/178 | Mark Asper | Oregon | G | NR | B-BUF | C- |
| 7/251 | John Potter | Western Michigan | K | N/A | OOL | F |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Denver Broncos
5 of 32
John Elway's draft in 2012 was about setting up the Denver Broncos for the upcoming season but also for the future. He did that exceptionally well.
Derek Wolfe, Ronnie Hillman and Omar Bolden were all very good picks when looking back at this draft, but they're trumped by selections of Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan to end the class. Jackson, as a rotational defensive lineman, and Trevathan as the starting middle linebacker, were huge impacts for the Broncos in their Super Bowl run.
The Brock Osweiler pick may look more curious today, but remember that Peyton Manning was coming off a missed season and no one knew how long he would hold up. Osweiler was a good insurance-policy pick in April 2012, and he may still be the future of the team at quarterback.
Updated Team Grade: A
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 2/36 | Derek Wolfe | Cincinnati | DT | 152 | S-DEN | B+ |
| 2/57 | Brock Osweiler | Arizona State | QB | 68 | B-DEN | B |
| 3/67 | Ronnie Hillman | San Diego St | RB | 124 | B-DEN | B+ |
| 4/101 | Omar Bolden | Arizona State | CB | 123 | B-DEN | C- |
| 4/108 | Philip Blake | Baylor | C | 119 | B-ARZ | D |
| 5/137 | Malik Jackson | Tennessee | DT | 114 | B-DEN | B |
| 6/188 | Danny Trevathan | Kentucky | LB | 240 | S-DEN | A |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Cleveland Browns
6 of 32
The 2012 NFL draft was full of bad classes that have already shown to be full of draft-day mistakes. One such class is in Cleveland.
With two first-round picks, the team drafted its running back and quarterback of the future. Two seasons later, neither one is with the team. The silver lining is that the team did flip Trent Richardson for Johnny Manziel—but we'll see how that pans out in a few years.
After Round 1, this draft got better. Mitchell Schwartz is a good starter, Billy Winn and John Hughes have shown potential on the defensive line and Travis Benjamin gives them a lot of speed in the slot and return game. But that's about it.
Out of 11 picks, only one (Schwartz) starts, and only four remain on the roster.
Updated Team Grade: F
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/3 | Trent Richardson | Alabama | RB | 3 | S-IND | F |
| 1/22 | Brandon Weeden | Oklahoma St. | QB | 50 | B-DAL | F |
| 2/37 | Mitchell Schwartz | California | OT | 47 | S-CLV | B+ |
| 3/87 | John Hughes | Cincinnati | DT | NR | B-CLV | B |
| 4/100 | Travis Benjamin | Miami (Fla.) | WR | NR | B-CLV | C |
| 4/120 | James-Michael Johnson | Nevada | LB | 84 | B-KC | C- |
| 5/160 | Ryan Miller | Colorado | G | 212 | OOL | F |
| 6/204 | Emmanuel Acho | Texas | LB | 140 | B-PHI | D+ |
| 6/205 | Billy Winn | Boise State | DT | 57 | B-CLV | B |
| 7/245 | Trevin Wade | Arizona | CB | 246 | B-NO | D+ |
| 7/247 | Brad Smelley | Alabama | FB | 200 | S-HOU | C |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 of 32
The 2012 NFL draft class for Tampa Bay wasn't a big group—just the standard seven picks—but the front office hit home runs with three of those picks. That's what gives this draft class the overwhelmingly positive reviews.
Mark Barron has been very good, but he has potential to be much better in Lovie Smith's defense. Doug Martin and Lavonte David should continue to be All-Pro-caliber players in this new scheme, with David especially blossoming as the weak-side linebacker in a Lance Briggs role.
Of the seven picks, only three were within the first four rounds. And of those seven, four are still on the roster, but three of them are franchise building blocks. That's good enough for a high grade.
Updated Team Grade: A
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/7 | Mark Barron | Alabama | S | 18 | S-TB | B+ |
| 1/31 | Doug Martin | Boise State | RB | 23 | S-TB | A |
| 2/58 | Lavonte David | Nebraska | LB | 60 | S-TB | A |
| 5/140 | Najee Goode | West Virginia | LB | 244 | B-PHI | C- |
| 6/174 | Keith Tandy | West Virginia | CB | 191 | B-TB | C |
| 7/212 | Michael Smith | Utah State | RB | 247 | OOL | F |
| 7/233 | Drake Dunsmore | Northwestern | TE | 296 | OOL | F |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Arizona Cardinals
8 of 32
Before the 2012 NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals had lost Anquan Boldin, and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was openly petitioning the team to add another big wideout opposite him. So they did.
The decision to draft Michael Floyd over Alshon Jeffery may look bad two years later, but Floyd has started to develop into a nice option opposite the future Hall of Famer. He anchors this class as the only starter two years later.
Jamell Fleming and Bobby Massie looked like sure-things in this lineup, but Fleming is now in Jacksonville, and Massie has lost the starting right tackle job. While the class has provided good depth, it's very short on impact players outside of Floyd.
Updated Team Grade: C+
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/13 | Michael Floyd | Notre Dame | WR | 10 | S-ARZ | B+ |
| 3/80 | Jamell Fleming | Oklahoma | CB | 33 | B-JAX | D |
| 4/112 | Bobby Massie | Mississippi | T | 92 | B-ARZ | D+ |
| 5/151 | Senio Kelemete | Washington | T | 116 | B-NO | D+ |
| 6/177 | Justin Bethel | Presbyterian | CB | 187 | B-ARZ | C |
| 6/185 | Ryan Lindley | San Diego State | QB | 188 | B-ARZ | C- |
| 7/221 | Nate Potter | Boise State | T | 153 | B-ARZ | C |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
San Diego Chargers
9 of 32
The San Diego Chargers went heavy on defense in the 2012 draft, but it might be a mid-round selection on offense that ultimately makes the biggest impact on the team.
Tight end Ladarius Green has emerged as a clear-cut succession plan for the aging Antonio Gates. And while he may never be a Hall of Famer, he's shown the potential to become Philip Rivers' favorite target over the middle and up the seam.
The rest of the class is also very good, with starters coming from Round 2 (Kendall Reyes) and Round 5 (Johnnie Troutman). The depth is also good, as Melvin Ingram figures to be a future starter and Brandon Taylor could start pushing for reps soon in a nickel or dime package.
Updated Team Grade: A
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/18 | Melvin Ingram | South Carolina | LB | 12 | B-SD | B |
| 2/49 | Kendall Reyes | UConn | DE | 38 | S-SD | A |
| 3/73 | Brandon Taylor | LSU | SS | 135 | B-SD | C |
| 4/110 | Ladarius Green | La.-Lafayette | TE | 110 | S-SD | A |
| 5/149 | Johnnie Troutman | Penn State | G | NR | S-SD | A |
| 7/226 | David Molk | Michigan | C | 130 | B-PHI | C- |
| 7/250 | Edwin Baker | Michigan State | RB | 197 | B-CLV | C- |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Kansas City Chiefs
10 of 32
Fans in Kansas City were happy to see Scott Pioli fired as general manager, but his drafts did produce much of the talent on display when the team went from two wins to the playoffs in 2013. The 2012 draft class, Pioli's last with the Chiefs, was a good one.
Dontari Poe was an athletic marvel at Memphis, but he developed into one of the NFL's best nose tackles in his sophomore season. The foresight to draft him at pick No. 11 was impressive. The same goes for Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson—two players considered reaches on draft day, but both will start on the offensive line this season.
All in all, the 2012 class features a big part of the Chiefs' current backbone.
Updated Team Grade: A
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/11 | Dontari Poe | Memphis | DT | 35 | S-KC | A |
| 2/44 | Jeff Allen | Illinois | G | 128 | S-KC | A |
| 3/74 | Donald Stephenson | Oklahoma | T | 203 | S-KC | A |
| 4/107 | Devon Wylie | Fresno State | WR | 106 | B-SF | D |
| 5/146 | DeQuan Menzie | Alabama | CB | 95 | B-CAR | D |
| 6/182 | Cyrus Gray | Texas A&M | RB | 103 | B-KC | B+ |
| 7/218 | Jerome Long | San Diego State | DT | NR | OOL | F |
| 7/238 | Junior Hemingway | Michigan | WR | 278 | B-KC | B |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Indianapolis Colts
11 of 32
Losing Peyton Manning for the entire 2011 season was devastating to this franchise, but it opened the door for a new regime. Led by Ryan Grigson as general manager and Chuck Pagano at head coach, the Colts were focused on a new direction for the football team. And with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft they made the right—if easy—decision.
Andrew Luck is the face of this franchise, and already he's shown skills that project him to become the best quarterback in the game before long. But the Colts didn't stop there. Grabbing tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen was brilliant, and getting them together on the field in 2014 will make for an exciting offense.
The steal of the draft might be wide receiver T.Y. Hilton—a player the Colts stole in Round 3 who is now one of their best offensive weapons.
How do you grade this draft? The first five picks will all start in 2014. That's pretty dang good.
Updated Team Grade: A+
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/1 | Andrew Luck | Stanford | QB | 1 | S-IND | A |
| 2/34 | Coby Fleener | Stanford | TE | 16 | S-IND | A |
| 3/64 | Dwayne Allen | Clemson | TE | 54 | S-IND | A |
| 3/92 | T.Y. Hilton | FIU | WR | 144 | S-IND | A |
| 5/136 | Josh Chapman | Alabama | NT | 75 | S-IND | A |
| 5/170 | Vick Ballard | Mississippi St. | RB | 178 | B-IND | B |
| 6/206 | LaVon Brazill | Ohio | WR | 313 | B-IND | C |
| 7/208 | Justin Anderson | Georgia | T | NR | OOL | F |
| 7/214 | Tim Fugger | Vanderbilt | DE | NR | B-NYJ | D+ |
| 7/253 | Chandler Harnish | Northern Illinois | QB | 243 | B-IND | C- |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Dallas Cowboys
12 of 32
Jerry Jones fell in love in the spring of 2012. LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne was the man he had to have, so Jones pulled the trigger and traded up to get him. That cost Dallas a first and second-round pick, but Claiborne looked like a sure-fire stud at corner. Two years later, the pick is still up in the air.
The rest of the Dallas draft yielded good depth, but so far no impact players. A new defensive scheme may allow Tyrone Crawford and Kyle Wilber more opportunities, but they were both a better fit for a base 3-4. Now that the Cowboys are running a base 4-3, they are square pegs in round holes.
Updated Team Grade: B
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/6 | Morris Claiborne | LSU | CB | 5 | S-DAL | B |
| 3/81 | Tyrone Crawford | Boise State | DE | 79 | B-DAL | C- |
| 4/113 | Kyle Wilber | Wake Forest | LB | 132 | B-DAL | C- |
| 4/135 | Matt Johnson | Eastern Wash. | CB | NR | B-DAL | D+ |
| 5/152 | Danny Coale | Virginia Tech | WR | 193 | B-PIT | D+ |
| 6/186 | James Hanna | Oklahoma | TE | 207 | S-DAL | A |
| 7/222 | Caleb McSurdy | Montana | LB | NR | B-STL | D+ |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Miami Dolphins
13 of 32
The 2012 draft class in Miami is an interesting one—both good and bad.
The team hit on quarterback Ryan Tannehill with a pick that seemed like a reach at the time. General manager Jeff Ireland also nailed the picks of Olivier Vernon and Rishard Matthews, but the decision to add Jonathan Martin looks very questionable after the fact.
Similarly, Lamar Miller and Michael Egnew have failed to deliver on their pre-draft stock. The Miller pick looked great given the value, but he's played more like a fourth-rounder than the first-round talent he was seen as.
The bravado to select Tannehill early in Round 1 has paid off, though, and for that the team gets a high grade.
Updated Team Grade: A-
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/8 | Ryan Tannehill | Texas A&M | QB | 46 | S-MIA | A |
| 2/42 | Jonathan Martin | Stanford | T | 36 | B-SF | F |
| 3/72 | Olivier Vernon | Miami (Fla.) | DE | 160 | S-MIA | A |
| 3/78 | Michael Egnew | Missouri | TE | 148 | B-MIA | D |
| 4/97 | Lamar Miller | Miami (Fla.) | RB | 25 | B-MIA | B |
| 5/155 | Josh Kaddu | Oregon | LB | 89 | B-PHI | D+ |
| 6/183 | B.J. Cunningham | Michigan State | WR | 209 | B-PHI | D+ |
| 7/215 | Kheeston Randall | Texas | DT | 118 | B-MIN | D+ |
| 7/227 | Rishard Matthews | Nevada | WR | 155 | B-MIA | A |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Philadelphia Eagles
14 of 32
Howie Roseman and Andy Reid combined for one final draft class in Philadelphia in 2012, and boy was it a good one.
Grabbing starters Fletcher Fox, Mychal Kendricks, Nick Foles, Brandon Boykin and role players such as Vinny Curry and Bryce Brown made this group both an instant impact and huge for the long-term future of the ballclub.
Even with Brown now in Buffalo and late-rounders Marvin McNutt and Brandon Washington moving on to other teams, the 2012 draft in Philadelphia can be pointed at when the team goes on a playoff run like they did in 2013.
Updated Team Grade: A+
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/12 | Fletcher Cox | Mississippi St. | DE | 11 | S-PHI | A |
| 2/46 | Mychal Kendricks | California | LB | 83 | S-PHI | B+ |
| 2/59 | Vinny Curry | Marshall | DE | 53 | B-PHI | C+ |
| 3/88 | Nick Foles | Arizona | QB | 112 | S-PHI | A |
| 4/123 | Brandon Boykin | Georgia | CB | 64 | S-PHI | A |
| 5/153 | Dennis Kelly | Purdue | T | NR | B-PHI | C |
| 6/194 | Marvin McNutt | Iowa | WR | 90 | B-CAR | D+ |
| 6/200 | Brandon Washington | Miami (Fla.) | G | 77 | B-STL | D+ |
| 7/229 | Bryce Brown | Kansas State | RB | NR | B-BUF | C+ |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Atlanta Falcons
15 of 32
One year after moving way up in the draft to select wide receiver Julio Jones, the Atlanta Falcons faced a 2012 class with very few picks. Turning those six picks into impact players hasn't been easy.
Without a first-round selection, the Falcons aimed to improve their depth and fill future needs by selecting offensive linemen, a fullback and then going toward the defense with their final three picks. Of the six players selected, only outside linebacker Jonathan Massaquoi is slated to start in 2014—and that may be by default.
Thomas Dimitroff has had a few very good drafts in Atlanta, but the 2012 class has yet to produce for him.
Updated Team Grade: C-
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 2/55 | Peter Konz | Wisconsin | C | 26 | B-ATL | D |
| 3/91 | Lamar Holmes | Southern Miss | T | 195 | B-ATL | D |
| 5/157 | Bradie Ewing | Wisconsin | FB | 210 | B-JAX | D |
| 5/164 | Jonathan Massaquoi | Troy | DE | 74 | S-ATL | B+ |
| 6/192 | Charles Mitchell | Miss. State | DB | 280 | B-DEN | D+ |
| 7/249 | Travian Robertson | South Carolina | DT | 305 | B-ATL | C |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
New York Giants
16 of 32
The New York Giants' 2012 draft class is still somewhat clouded two seasons later. And that really begins with their first pick in the draft, running back David Wilson.
Wilson is right now waiting to be cleared before he can resume contact drills following neck surgery. Even before injury, Wilson was struggling with fumbles and had found himself in Tom Coughlin's doghouse. He had flashed potential, but if he'll ever be the same again remains to be seen.
The rest of the class was very solid, with many of the players still with the Giants and making an impact. Rueben Randle and Adrien Robinson will be asked to do more in the offense this year and could propel this class up or down based on how they perform in Year Three.
Updated Team Grade: B-
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/32 | David Wilson | Virginia Tech | RB | 51 | B-NYG | F |
| 2/63 | Rueben Randle | LSU | WR | 32 | S-NYG | B |
| 3/94 | Jayron Hosley | Virginia Tech | CB | 96 | B-NYG | C |
| 4/127 | Adrien Robinson | Cincinnati | TE | NR | S-NYG | B+ |
| 4/131 | Brandon Mosley | Auburn | T | 98 | B-NYG | C+ |
| 6/201 | Matt McCants | UAB | T | 122 | B-OAK | D+ |
| 7/239 | Markus Kuhn | NC State | DT | NR | B-NYG | C |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Jacksonville Jaguars
17 of 32
The 2012 draft in Jacksonville will forever be remembered as the year Gene Smith took Justin Blackmon in Round 1 and a punter in Round 3. And with Blackmon suspended indefinitely in 2014 killing his potential (this, following a four-game season in '12 due to suspensions), this doesn't look good for the Jaguars.
There's a reason Smith was fired, though, and you can look at the 2011 and 2012 drafts as great evidence of why Dave Caldwell was hired to turn this franchise around.
The silver lining to this class could be Andre Branch. The defensive end played well in spot duty in 2013 and could be in for a bigger role now that he's acclimated to Gus Bradley's defense.
Updated Team Grade: D-
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/5 | Justin Blackmon | Oklahoma St. | WR | 20 | SUSP | F |
| 2/38 | Andre Branch | Clemson | DE | 28 | B-JAX | B- |
| 3/70 | Bryan Anger | California | P | N/A | S-JAX | B |
| 5/142 | Brandon Marshall | Nevada | LB | NR | B-DEN | D+ |
| 6/176 | Mike Harris | Florida State | CB | 186 | B-JAX | C |
| 7/228 | Jeris Pendleton | Ashland | DT | NR | B-IND | D+ |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
New York Jets
18 of 32
The New York Jets added what they hoped would be an impact defender when they grabbed Quinton Coples with their first pick in the 2012 draft. What they've received in return, from Coples and this entire class, has been uneven.
Coples has moved to outside linebacker, a role that's not very natural for him, and he's struggled with consistency. Similarly, Stephen Hill hasn't been able to transition from freak athlete to impact wide receiver. He'll be asked to do more in 2014. The same goes for Demario Davis, who has been a good second inside linebacker in the team's four linebacker defense.
All in all, this was a solid draft, but it lacks impact players through two seasons.
Updated Team Grade: C+
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/16 | Quinton Coples | North Carolina | DE | 27 | S-NYJ | B |
| 2/43 | Stephen Hill | Georgia Tech | WR | 22 | S-NYJ | C |
| 3/77 | Demario Davis | Arkansas State | LB | 120 | S-NYJ | B |
| 6/187 | Josh Bush | Wake Forest | CB | NR | B-NYJ | C |
| 6/202 | Terrance Ganaway | Baylor | RB | 180 | OOL | F |
| 6/203 | Robert Griffin | Baylor | G | NR | OOL | F |
| 7/242 | Antonio Allen | South Carolina | S | 134 | S-NYJ | A |
| 7/244 | Jordan White | Western Michigan | WR | NR | OOL | F |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Detroit Lions
19 of 32
The Detroit Lions headed into the 2012 NFL draft looking to address future and current needs. In some spots they were quite successful. In others, they were still trying to fill the holes with the 2014 draft.
First-round pick Riley Reiff has been very solid in his time as a starter. He looks like an anchor for the team's offensive line at left tackle. But Reiff is the only high-level contributor from this class to date. And that's a concern given the eight total picks.
Ryan Broyles has shown flashes, but he can't stay healthy. Dwight Bentley hasn't been able to crack the lineup, despite a lack of talent at the corner position. And when you see fourth- and sixth-round-picks already out of the league, you can tell there were misses.
The depth of this draft was good, but the impact has not been overall.
Updated Team Grade: B-
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/23 | Riley Reiff | Iowa | T | 12 | S-DET | A |
| 2/54 | Ryan Broyles | Oklahoma | WR | 111 | B-DET | C- |
| 3/85 | Dwight Bentley | La.-Lafayette | CB | 85 | B-DET | C- |
| 4/125 | Ronnell Lewis | Oklahoma | DE | 88 | OOL | F |
| 5/138 | Tahir Whitehead | Temple | LB | 275 | B-DET | C |
| 5/148 | Chris Greenwood | Albion | DB | 216 | B-PHI | C- |
| 6/196 | Jonte Green | New Mexico St. | DB | NR | B-DET | C- |
| 7/223 | Travis Lewis | Oklahoma | LB | 168 | B-DET | C- |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Green Bay Packers
20 of 32
Ted Thompson is one of the NFL's better general managers, and that is proven time and time again when he finds upper-level talent in early rounds and steals later in the draft. That said, 2012 was not Thompson's finest hour late in the draft, and his early picks have yet to fully develop.
Look at this draft and you'll see the Packers' last three picks are all out of the league just two years later. Also, the first two picks are backups at positions the team has upgraded through free agency and and the draft since (adding Julius Peppers and Datone Jones).
The best picks of this draft, and the saving grace, are the middle rounds. Casey Hayward and Mike Daniels are both key contributors, and a healthy Hayward could be the team's best cornerback in 2014.
Updated Team Grade: B
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/28 | Nick Perry | USC | LB | 3 | B-GB | C- |
| 2/51 | Jerel Worthy | Michigan St. | DT | 50 | B-GB | C- |
| 2/62 | Casey Hayward | Vanderbilt | CB | 47 | S-GB | A |
| 4/132 | Mike Daniels | Iowa | DT | NR | S-GB | A |
| 4/133 | Jerron McMillian | Maine | S | NR | B-KC | D |
| 5/163 | Terrell Manning | NC State | LB | 84 | OOL | F |
| 7/241 | Andrew Datko | Florida State | T | 212 | OOL | F |
| 7/243 | B.J. Coleman | Tenn-Chattanooga | QB | 140 | OOL | F |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Carolina Panthers
21 of 32
It's time to be honest—when the Carolina Panthers drafted Luke Kuechly, I wasn't a fan of the pick. I was wrong—very wrong.
Kuechly has easily handled the transition to the NFL, and since moving to middle linebacker and replacing Jon Beason he's been a top-tier performer there. The team was wise to ignore my opinion and select the Boston College 'backer with the No. 9 overall pick.
The rest of the 2012 draft is harder to value right now. Amini Silatolu is a starter but an average one through two seasons. He's still acclimating to the NFL, though.
Frank Alexander and Josh Norman are good depth players—with Norman being more of an impact to date. And grabbing punter Brad Nortman in Round 6 has worked out well. But a miss on Joe Adams still stings—especially given the team's lack of talent at wide receiver.
Updated Team Grade: B
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/9 | Luke Kuechly | Boston College | LB | 30 | S-CAR | A |
| 2/40 | Amini Silatolu | Midwestern St. | G | 87 | S-CAR | B |
| 4/103 | Frank Alexander | Oklahoma | DE | 264 | B-CAR | B |
| 4/104 | Joe Adams | Arkansas | WR | 94 | OOL | F |
| 5/143 | Josh Norman | Coastal Carolina | CB | 104 | B-CAR | C |
| 6/207 | Brad Nortman | Wisconsin | P | N/A | S-CAR | B+ |
| 7/216 | D.J. Campbell | California | DB | NR | B-SF | D |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
New England Patriots
22 of 32
Bill Belichick's reputation as a general manager and drafter has taken a bit of a hit, but when you look at his 2012 draft class, it's easy to remember why the New England Patriots remain so successful.
With two first-round picks, the Patriots reinforced their defense by adding Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower. Both players are part of a young nucleus on defense that has kept the Patriots competitive even as the weapons on offense have left or been injured.
Grabbing Tavon Wilson in Round 2 was a head-scratcher, and still is, but the gamble to pick up Alfonzo Dennard in Round 7 looked smart then and still does two years later.
Updated Team Grade: A-
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/21 | Chandler Jones | Syracuse | DE | 45 | S-NE | A |
| 1/25 | Dont'a Hightower | Alabama | LB | 24 | S-NE | A |
| 2/48 | Tavon Wilson | Illinois | S | NR | B-NE | C- |
| 3/90 | Jake Bequette | Arkansas | DE | 107 | B-NE | C- |
| 6/197 | Nate Ebner | Ohio State | DB | NR | B-NE | C- |
| 7/224 | Alfonzo Dennard | Nebraska | CB | 72 | B-NE | B+ |
| 7/235 | Jeremy Ebert | Northwestern | WR | NR | OOL | F |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Oakland Raiders
23 of 32
The Oakland Raiders entered the 2012 NFL draft without a first- or second-round pick due to trades for Carson Palmer and a move up in the 2011 draft. That left them with six picks but little room to grab the impact players they so badly needed.
Because of the lack of early picks, this draft must be evaluated differently. The Raiders' first pick in Round 3 would normally net a future starter—and it has with guard Tony Bergstrom. In Round 4 the team added more depth, and a spot-starter, in Miles Burris. With depth coming from Rounds 4 and 5, this draft is much more solid than it might appear at first glance.
Updated Team Grade: B
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 3/95 | Tony Bergstrom | Utah | G | 149 | S-OAK | B+ |
| 4/129 | Miles Burris | San Diego St. | LB | 286 | B-OAK | B |
| 5/158 | Jack Crawford | Penn State | DE | 159 | B-OAK | B |
| 5/168 | Juron Criner | Arizona | WR | 145 | B-OAK | B |
| 6/189 | Christo Bilukidi | Georgia State | DE | NR | B-CIN | D+ |
| 7/230 | Nathan Stupar | Penn State | LB | NR | B-JAX | D+ |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
St. Louis Rams
24 of 32
The 2012 draft order was originally set with the St. Louis Rams holding the No. 2 overall pick, which they flipped for a haul from Washington months before the draft. That pick became Robert Griffin III for Daniel Snyder's team, but it set the Rams up for the long term with extra ammunition to grab impact players and make the trades needed to pick up extra selections.
Michael Brockers is a stud at nose tackle and will see more one-on-ones with Aaron Donald lined up next to him. The team missed on Brian Quick and Isaiah Pead, but it made up for it with Chris Givens and the duo of cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson.
Even the sixth-round-pick, Greg Zuerlein, was a steal, as he's become a top-tier NFL kicker.
Updated Team Grade: A
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/14 | Michael Brockers | LSU | DT | 9 | S-STL | A |
| 2/33 | Brian Quick | Appalachian St. | WR | 59 | B-STL | F |
| 2/39 | Janoris Jenkins | North Alabama | CB | 61 | S-STL | A |
| 2/50 | Isaiah Pead | Cincinnati | RB | 73 | B-STL | F |
| 3/65 | Trumaine Johnson | Montana | CB | 70 | S-STL | B |
| 4/96 | Chris Givens | Wake Forest | WR | 143 | S-STL | B+ |
| 5/150 | Rokevious Watkins | South Carolina | G | NR | B-KC | D+ |
| 6/171 | Greg Zuerlein | Missouri Western | K | N/A | S-STL | A |
| 7/209 | Aaron Brown | Hawaii | LB | NR | OOL | F |
| 7/252 | Daryl Richardson | Abilene Christian | RB | NR | B-NYJ | B |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Baltimore Ravens
25 of 32
Ozzie Newsome's status as one of the NFL's best general managers is intact today, and going back to the 2012 draft you can see why.
Newsome makes shrewd decisions—such as moving out of Round 1 for a second- and fourth-round pick from the Minnesota Vikings. Those picks became Courtney Upshaw—a player with starting potential—and Gino Gradkowski—a top reserve on the offensive line. Maybe they're not All-Pro players after two years, but it was smart drafting.
The entire draft is solid for Baltimore, even with just one starter in Kelechi Osemele. Players such as Bernard Pierce and Asa Jackson are likely to see more reps in 2014, with Pierce especially being a key player if/when Ray Rice is suspended.
Updated Team Grade: B+
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 2/35 | Courtney Upshaw | Alabama | LB | 15 | B-BAL | B- |
| 2/60 | Kelechi Osemele | Iowa State | T | 34 | S-BAL | A |
| 3/84 | Bernard Pierce | Temple | RB | 113 | B-BAL | B+ |
| 4/98 | Gino Gradkowski | Delaware | G | NR | B-BAL | C |
| 4/130 | Christian Thompson | South Carolina St. | DB | 171 | OOL | F |
| 5/169 | Asa Jackson | Cal Poly | DB | 158 | B-BAL | C |
| 6/198 | Tommy Streeter | Miami (Fla.) | WR | 147 | B-TB | D+ |
| 7/236 | DeAngelo Tyson | Georgia | DE | 318 | B-BAL | C |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Washington
26 of 32
Daniel Snyder looked at the 2012 NFL draft and made a decision to move up and get a quarterback. To do that he jumped from pick No. 6 all the way to No. 2—putting his team in position to grab whichever quarterback (Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III) the Indianapolis Colts passed on.
Washington got its franchise quarterback in Griffin, even if it meant swamping first-round selections in 2012 and sending first-rounders in 2013, 2014 and a 2012 second-round selection to the St. Louis Rams. Whether or not Griffin is worth that haul is yet to be seen through two seasons.
The move to select Kirk Cousins with its third pick in the draft was very questionable, and really, it still is, but injuries to RGIII have forced Cousins into the lineup, and he's performed well there.
The real gem of this class, though, was finding Alfred Morris in Round 6. He's gone from late-round pickup to one of the game's top running backs. And for that, Snyder and Bruce Allen deserve a high grade.
Updated Team Grade: A+
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/2 | Robert Griffin III | Baylor | QB | 2 | S-WAS | A |
| 3/71 | Josh LeRibeus | SMU | G | 198 | B-WAS | C- |
| 4/102 | Kirk Cousins | Michigan St. | QB | 44 | B-WAS | B |
| 4/119 | Keenan Robinson | Texas | LB | 115 | B-WAS | C |
| 5/141 | Adam Gettis | Iowa | G | NR | B-WAS | C |
| 6/173 | Alfred Morris | FAU | RB | NR | S-WAS | A |
| 6/193 | Tom Compton | South Dakota | T | 176 | B-WAS | C |
| 7/213 | Richard Crawford | SMU | DB | NR | B-WAS | C |
| 7/217 | Jordan Bernstine | Iowa | DB | NR | OOL | F |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
New Orleans Saints
27 of 32
The 2012 draft saw the New Orleans Saints wait until the third round to make a selection after trading their first-round pick to the New England Patriots and having their second-round pick taken after the Bountygate scandal. With limited resources, general manager Mickey Loomis put together a good class.
Akiem Hicks will be a mainstay on the defensive line in a 3-4 defense and look for Corey White to see the field plenty at cornerback. Nick Toon, for a fourth-rounder, has potential to see the field as a fourth wide receiver, giving the team good return on investment.
Expecting a huge impact from middle- and late-round picks wouldn't be fair, but grading this draft on where the picks were made, the Saints have done well.
Updated Team Grade: B+
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 3/89 | Akiem Hicks | Regina | DE | 227 | S-NO | A |
| 4/122 | Nick Toon | Wisconsin | WR | 69 | B-NO | C+ |
| 5/162 | Corey White | Samford | CB | NR | B-NO | B |
| 6/179 | Andrew Tiller | Syracuse | G | NR | B-GB | D+ |
| 7/234 | Marcel Jones | Nebraska | T | 236 | B-NO | C |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Seattle Seahawks
28 of 32
When the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl, it was immediately obvious that the 2011 and 2012 draft classes were a big part of their success.
In 2012, general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll added starters in Rounds 1, 2, 3 and 7. One of those starters was quarterback Russell Wilson. Another was middle linebacker Bobby Wagner—two of the most important players on the field, both added after Round 1.
The Seahawks have owned the draft lately, and if they can get Bruce Irvin on the field for 16 games, he could easily be a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Even Robert Turbin may see his stock increase as he gains carries in rotation behind Marshawn Lynch.
The gem of the class? Wilson was a great pick in Round 3, but drafting defensive end J.R. Sweezy and developing him into a starting offensive guard is just impressive.
Updated Team Grade: A+
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/15 | Bruce Irvin | West Virginia | DE | 99 | S-SEA | C |
| 2/47 | Bobby Wagner | Utah State | LB | 62 | S-SEA | A |
| 3/75 | Russell Wilson | Wisconsin | QB | 102 | S-SEA | A |
| 4/106 | Robert Turbin | Utah State | RB | 121 | B-SEA | A |
| 4/114 | Jaye Howard | Florida | DT | 185 | B-KC | D+ |
| 5/154 | Korey Toomer | Idaho | LB | NR | B-SEA | C |
| 6/172 | Jeremy Lane | Northwestern St. | CB | NR | B-SEA | C+ |
| 6/181 | Winston Guy | Kentucky | S | 274 | B-JAX | C- |
| 7/225 | J R Sweezy | NC State | DE | NR | S-SEA | A |
| 7/232 | Greg Scrugs | Louisville | DE | NR | B-SEA | C |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Pittsburgh Steelers
29 of 32
Drafting late in each round makes it much tougher for the general manager to consistently add impact players. That much is obvious, but in Pittsburgh the team's struggle to stay competitive while getting younger can be connected to this trend. The 2012 draft is a good example of this.
David DeCastro has big potential, but he missed his rookie season and should have a big third season. Mike Adams looks like a bust already, and Sean Spence has had trouble landing a starting job at inside linebacker.
The best pick might be the last one—Kelvin Beachum has gone from Round 7 pick to starting left tackle in Pittsburgh.
Updated Team Grade: B
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/24 | David DeCastro | Stanford | G | 6 | S-PIT | A |
| 2/56 | Mike Adams | Ohio State | T | 29 | B-PIT | D |
| 3/86 | Sean Spence | Miami (Fla.) | LB | 97 | B-PIT | C- |
| 4/109 | Alameda Ta'amu | Washington | DT | 109 | B-IND | F |
| 5/159 | Chris Rainey | Florida | RB | 150 | B-IND | D+ |
| 7/231 | Toney Clemons | Colorado | WR | NR | B-CAR | D+ |
| 7/240 | David Paulson | Oregon | TE | 257 | B-PIT | C |
| 7/246 | Terrence Frederick | Texas A&M | DB | 262 | B-NO | D+ |
| 7/248 | Kelvin Beachum | SMU | T | 294 | S-PIT | A |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Houston Texans
30 of 32
Drafting late in Round 1 after a successful AFC South title, the Houston Texans needed immediate help at outside linebacker and wide receiver. That made Rick Smith's decisions with his first two picks very easy, but those picks haven't exactly produced as expected to date.
Whitney Mercilus was a good value at the time, but he hasn't been a huge impact while holding down a starting job. DeVier Posey, on the other hand, has barely been noticeable and was replaced by DeAndre Hopkins in the 2013 draft.
The Texans did beef up their offensive line with good picks in Brandon Brooks and Ben Jones, and further depth in Keshawn Martin and Jared Crick will help fill out the roster with talent.
Updated Team Grade: B+
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/26 | Whitney Mercilus | Illinois | DE | 21 | S-HOU | B |
| 3/68 | DeVier Posey | Ohio State | WR | 175 | B-HOU | C |
| 3/76 | Brandon Brooks | Miami (OH) | G | 127 | S-HOU | B+ |
| 4/99 | Ben Jones | Georgia | C | 63 | S-HOU | B+ |
| 4/121 | Keshawn Martin | Michigan St. | WR | 323 | B-HOU | B |
| 4/126 | Jared Crick | Nebraska | DE | 56 | B-HOU | B |
| 5/161 | Randy Bullock | Texas A&M | K | N/A | S-HOU | B |
| 6/195 | Nick Mondek | Purdue | T | NR | OOL | F |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Tennessee Titans
31 of 32
Evaluating a draft class one year after the picks are made doesn't tell you much, and a good case in point is Kendall Wright. The Baylor wideout didn't have a huge impact in Year One, but he became a go-to star in his sophomore season. Now, looking at the class two years later, he's a great pick at No. 20 overall.
The rest of the class isn't as impactful. Zach Brown has moved in and out of the starting lineup an awful lot for a second-round pick. Mike Martin looked good at times, but he doesn't have a true place in the team's new hybrid defense.
Wright is the real centerpiece of this draft, though, and is the reason for an above-average grade.
Updated Team Grade: B
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/20 | Kendall Wright | Baylor | WR | 14 | S-TEN | A |
| 2/52 | Zach Brown | North Carolina | LB | 55 | B-TEN | C- |
| 3/82 | Mike Martin | Michigan | DT | 42 | B-TEN | C- |
| 4/115 | Coty Sensabaugh | Clemson | S | 237 | B-TEN | C |
| 5/145 | Taylor Thompson | SMU | TE | NR | B-TEN | C- |
| 6/190 | Markelle Martin | Oklahoma St. | S | 81 | OOL | F |
| 7/211 | Scott Solomon | Rice | DE | 299 | B-TB | D+ |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
Minnesota Vikings
32 of 32
The Minnesota Vikings had two picks in the first round of the 2012 draft, and both have been productive.
The Minnesota Vikings came into the 2012 NFL draft with clear needs at offensive tackle, and they filled that with a blue-chip prospect in Matt Kalil. He's been as good as advertised. The same goes for his fellow first-round teammate, Harrison Smith. The two form a nucleus for the future of this franchise.
The rest of the class shows great depth, as Josh Robinson, Jarius Wright and Rhett Ellison are all solid tier-two players. Blair Walsh was a smart pickup in Round 6 and helps overshadow misses in Greg Childs and Trevor Guyton.
Updated Team Grade: A
| Rd/Pick | Player | School | Pos. | Predraft rank | Status | Grade |
| 1/4 | Matt Kalil | USC | T | 3 | S-MIN | A |
| 1/29 | Harrison Smith | Notre Dame | S | 50 | S-MIN | A |
| 3/66 | Josh Robinson | Central Florida | CB | 47 | B-MIN | B- |
| 4/118 | Jarius Wright | Arkansas | WR | NR | B-MIN | C |
| 4/128 | Rhett Ellison | USC | FB | NR | B-MIN | B- |
| 4/134 | Greg Childs | Arkansas | WR | 84 | OOL | F |
| 5/139 | Robert Blanton | Notre Dame | CB | 212 | B-MIN | C |
| 6/175 | Blair Walsh | Georgia | K | 140 | S-MIN | A |
| 7/210 | Audie Cole | NC State | LB | 57 | B-MIN | C |
| 7/219 | Trevor Guyton | California | LB | 246 | OOL | F |
KEY:
S-TEAM (STARTER TEAM)
B-TEAM (BACKUP TEAM)
OOL (OUT OF LEAGUE)
.jpg)



.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)

.jpg)