NFL Announces First Round Draft Order: A Look at Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Selections

by Greg Knopping on Feb 7, 2012 12:24 PM EST in 2012 NFL Draft

We're officially onto NFL Draft season, with the NFL Combine surprisingly only two short weeks away. That being said, the NFL has officially announced the 2012 Draft Order (although we already knew where the Patriots would be picking after they lost to the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday). It's important to note that the 8/9 picks (Dolphins and Panthers) and the 11/12 picks (Chiefs / Seahawks) still will have to be decided by coin toss. Here are the Patriots picks:

2012 NFL Draft Order: Round 1

1. Indianapolis Colts

2. St. Louis Rams

3. Minnesota Vikings

4. Cleveland Browns

5. Tampa Bay Buccanneers

6. Washington Redskins

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

8. Miami Dolphins or Carolina Panthers

9. Miami Dolphins or Carolina Panthers

10. Buffalo Bills

11.Kansas City Chiefs or Seattle Seahawks

12. Kansas City Chiefs or Seattle Seahawks

13. Arizona Cardinals

14. Dallas Cowboys

15. Philadelphia Eagles

16. New York Jets

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)

18. San Diego Chargers

19. Chicago Bears

20. Tennessee Titans

21. Cincinnati Bengals

22. Atlanta Falcons

23. Detroit Lions

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

25. Denver Broncos

26. Houston Texans

27. New England Patriots (from Saints)

28. Green Bay Packers

29. Baltimore Ravens

30. San Francisco 49ers

31. New England Patriots

32. New York Giants

Patriots draft analysis after the jump!

--------------------

Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Picks

The Patriots will obviously also have other picks. Currently, the entire New England slate of picks look like this:

Round 1, Pick 27 (From Saints)

Round 1, Pick 31

Round 2, Pick 48 (From Raiders)

Round 2, Pick 63

Round 3, Pick 94

Round 4, Pick ?? (will be finalized once compensatory picks are announced

--------------------

Draft Pick Analysis

It's not hard to decipher the common theme from the Patriots' picks in this draft - they're top heavy. With four picks in the first two rounds, the Patriots will be poised to add some significant talent early, while also being able to maintain maneuverability. While I wouldn't be shocked if the Patriots used both of their first round picks, they could also be a candidate to move up or even move out in a similar deal to the one the team made with the Saints in 2011 (picked up a 2nd rounder in that draft, their first this year).

The thing that concerns me is the lack of draft picks in the later rounds. The Patriots don't pick again after the fourth round, and while they could pick up a pick or two via compensatory picks, I think the team would be better off trading back at some point to fill out the draft board in those areas.

Tweet Comment 49 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I'm excited about the draft and about next season

I’ve been lurking on this site for quite a while now, and I guess now I feel the need to commiserate. I see no point in dwelling on the loss. It is what it is. The less I think about it, the better.

I’m excited about Josh McDaniels coming back, and maybe bringing Brandon Lloyd with him.

I’m excited to see what Marcus Cannon, Ras-I Dowling, and Shane Vereen can do next season.

I’m hopeful that Belichick can add the necessary pieces on defense so the Pats can match up better against the Giants and the Ravens.

I’m a little worried about Brady’s shoulder.

by Blue Sun on Feb 7, 2012 2:12 PM EST reply actions

Welcome to Pats Pulpit! (well, to the community at least)

I agree with everything you say. We should be in for a solid offseason, and I think getting a full offseason for players such as Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski, and Brandon Spikes could be huge for their development as well.

I wouldn’t say I’m worried about Brady’s shoulder. He’s never had a problem with the non-throwing shoulder in the past, and I think he should be able to battle through this injury (even if he might get a minor procedure).

by Greg Knopping on Feb 7, 2012 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for the welcome

I should have said, “concerned”, rather than “worried”. I wonder if he might need a corrective procedure during the offseason. Is his shoulder mildly separated? I can’t remember what happened with it.

by Blue Sun on Feb 7, 2012 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

I think that's what it was, not positive though

by Greg Knopping on Feb 7, 2012 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

Its easy to say " Im not worried about his sholder, and that a minor surgery is not a problem"

But my wrist was sprained and i had to get the most minor surgery done and had some therapy done to get my strength back im only 22 so i would say younger people heal faster, my wrist is not the same as it was before. And the doctor told me everything has healed just fine.

by businessbmw on Feb 7, 2012 10:50 PM EST up reply actions

Depends on the shoudler separation

there are ligaments that hold it in socket, if torn require surgery, an immobilizing cast for ~4months and extensive rehab. My brother was in one for ~6months and had this funny dominatrix type red ball that he had to kneed in his hand to maintain muscle strength.
It’s not his throwing shoulder, but unless repaired correctly can continue to pop out of place and cause continuios pain.
We’ll obviously know absolutely nothing about the injury so I’ll stop speculating.

GFY

by TFBismywingman on Feb 7, 2012 6:53 PM EST up reply actions

Once the sholder is dislocated it will be forever prone to happen again.

I would love to see the 2013 Patriots look like the 2008 Celtics, aggressive defense.
I hate zone defense, but Im a hipocrite cause on SB sunday we played football and I got burned for 2 TD by a 11 year old (who im convinced, will one day get calls from a lot of good schools, the kid is like a mini Desean Jackson)

by businessbmw on Feb 7, 2012 11:02 PM EST up reply actions

I had chronic dislocation issues

There are surgery’s that make the shoulder a true ball and socket joint and prevent future dislocations. I had one done in 1988 and I’ve never dislocated since.

by waldoon on Feb 7, 2012 11:04 PM EST up reply actions

im sure there are those types of surgeries, but they must be much more invasive and require a lot more time off and rehab than maybe TB is willing to give up.

I can’t pretend to know a lot about the issue so i will defer to your conclusion.

by businessbmw on Feb 7, 2012 11:17 PM EST up reply actions

More particularly about the draft

I hope Belichick keeps trading a 1st rounder for a 2nd-this-year and a 1st-the-next. It basically exchanges a single first round pick for an infinite succession of 2nd round picks, as long as there is a team willing to make the deal. It’s amazing he has been able to get away with this, and I’m interested to see how long the Pats can continue to milk this.

by Blue Sun on Feb 7, 2012 2:18 PM EST reply actions

More importantly,

it offers the Pats their only chance of making it into the top-20 portion of the draft. The pain of being perennial contenders..

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Feb 7, 2012 9:02 PM EST up reply actions

Cincinnati

With not much more rebuilding to go, Cincinnati is sitting pretty at 17 and 21.

by Justin_Bobo on Feb 7, 2012 3:29 PM EST reply actions

next year, they also have an extra 1st and 4th

by prioris on Feb 7, 2012 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

I take it that's a result of the Carson Palmer trade?

by furiousd on Feb 7, 2012 7:30 PM EST up reply actions

yes

by prioris on Feb 8, 2012 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

An extra 2nd in 2013, I believe.

I think it’d be a 1st if the Raiders made it to the playoffs this year. The Steelers and Ravens are aging while the Browns and Bengals got ridiculous draft position. Wouldn’t it be amazing if Ohio dominated the AFC North for a change?

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Feb 7, 2012 9:05 PM EST up reply actions

Not really concerned about the lack of late picks.

Lee Smith, Markell Carter and Malcolm Williams were all cut this year and signed to the practice squad. Yeah you can find a Brandon Deaderick who will stick once in a while, but let’s be honest – we’ve had so many picks over the last few years that we don’t really have room for too many 7th rounders.

by wildcat61 on Feb 7, 2012 3:33 PM EST reply actions

i agree

the more stocked with talent a team becomes, the less room for talented late rounders.

many on the current team came from the the UDFA

by prioris on Feb 7, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

Teams prefer those late round picks over UDFA players

Players may prefer to go undrafted than in the 7th round, but when it comes to those late picks, you know coach Belichick loves to throw sh*t at a wall and see what sticks.

by Greg Knopping on Feb 7, 2012 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

Expect the Same next year

by Semyon on Feb 7, 2012 3:34 PM EST reply actions

defense, defense, defense

we need to go all out on D here. the offense has carried this team since 2007 and it’s time we complete our rebuild. we have a fantastic core right now with wilfork, mayo, spikes, chung, mccourty, deaderick, and love. i think we need more depth at each level (DL, LB, CB/S). i am salivating over how good this defense can be in the next year or two with all of these good young players.

also, the most glaring need on offense is an outside WR/deep threat. The free agents that fit this bill are ridiculous: vincent jackson, dwayne bowe, brandon lloyd, reggie wayne, desean jackson, stevie johnson, and laurent robinson. i think we pick one (maybe even two) of those guys.

by jamiesinnott on Feb 7, 2012 4:01 PM EST reply actions

There are only 2 of those receivers that could be Pats next year.

Brandon Lloyd or Reggie Wayne. I wouldn’t want V Jax K (any screw up he is done for the year), Stevie ( gets the dropsies at the worst time), maybe Desean (never going to happen as he wants to get paid).

With Lloyd or Wayne its going to come down to price, and with Lloyd it will also come down to a potentially reduced role with the focus being on distribution as oppossed to padding your stats. I would be happier with Lloyd, but I wouldn’t complain with either

by BAMF. on Feb 7, 2012 4:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I'd love to get Lloyd

but I’m not sure that he would fit on the team

by iso1512 on Feb 7, 2012 4:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Reggie Wayne

I wouldn’t mind Reggie, but my guess is he goes where Peyton goes (if Fivehead is shipped out of Indy). Let’s say Big Brother ends up in Miami. The Dolphins’ FO would be insane not to keep the “Manning to Wayne” connection going for at least another few years.

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

by MaPatsFan on Feb 7, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

True, but I almost wonder if Reggie wants to prove he can do it consistently w/o Peyton

by Greg Knopping on Feb 7, 2012 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

That's a good point - especially if there is another HOF quality QB at the helm.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 7, 2012 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

One with a supermodel for a wife maybe? Uhhmm... OK!!

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

by MaPatsFan on Feb 7, 2012 6:48 PM EST up reply actions

Im willing to bet BB will draft 2 WR in the draft.

its a trend, 2 TE, 2 DB, 2 RB…. 2 WR.
im also thinking we Might see BB draft a NT early.
Im thinking of other positions other than the “need” positions. Cause tha’ts how BB drafts.

by businessbmw on Feb 7, 2012 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

Juron Criner should go at 48

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Feb 8, 2012 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

I like that thought if Sanu isn't around at 31

by waldoon on Feb 8, 2012 10:44 PM EST up reply actions

T.Y Hilton is an electrifying player, he has excelent speed.

by businessbmw on Feb 12, 2012 11:22 PM EST up reply actions

Since we've got Mcdaniels

I’m really hoping we get Lloyd

by A Guy on Feb 8, 2012 7:46 AM EST up reply actions

I don't really do predictions, but since this one is money.

Our 31st pick will be traded for a 2nd round pick and a 1st rounder next year. There, now I spoiled the surprise.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 7, 2012 6:18 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

You are really going out on linb with this one!

GFY

by TFBismywingman on Feb 7, 2012 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

he’s dreaming

but if your gonna dream – dream big

by prioris on Feb 8, 2012 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

If one of those Alabama kids are there at 31, I'll bet anything BB will use it.

by businessbmw on Feb 12, 2012 11:23 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, and maybe they will go "all in" on the draft and "load up" on players while Brady still has a shot.

Ha ha ha, just kidding. I just wanted to be the first to say it. Made me laugh.

Our six picks will get turned into roughly 10 picks this year and two more next year (including that first rounder I predicted). I also don’t think we’ll get a compensatory pick this year.

Yeah, one of them will be a tight-end that’s good at blocking, but not much else and can fill in on the ST wedge.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Feb 7, 2012 6:26 PM EST reply actions

1st time post

6 Superbowls in 15 years ain’t bad at all. Sure it would be nice to be better than 3-3, but when you get to that game the other team is usually pretty good (except the one Peyton one!) A few thoughts about upcoming season:
1. Don’t underestimeate McDaniels as OC, remember 2007? Subtract Moss and add two all world TE’s! Should be extremely potent offense!
2. Any sort of deep threat at WR. With the threats of Gronk, Hernadez and Welker causing a focus in the middle imagine what a true deep threat could do! SCARY!!! Perhaps this tempts a guy like Lloyd to come for a season on the cheap in hopes of putting up monster numbers to cash in the following year?
3. Patriots D was actually decent in the 2nd half of the season. The Pats give up yards but make you kick field goals. If Mayo turns he stops the Giants first TD, possibly makes the INT.
4. The Hoodie appears to detest taking DE or pass rushing OLB in the draft, If the Patriots make a pick in the first round I would be shocked. We all see the trade down coming! I bet the Pats still only pick two 2nd round picks trading out again.

We’ve been spoiled in excellence for over a decade, but being greddy is fun!

by Chris Sanford on Feb 7, 2012 6:30 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Its sux being a hardcore fan, sunday i felt like I got punched in the stomach, I acctually felt sick. It cannot be healthy. Maybe I just need a GF, Nah i'll stick with the Pats.

by businessbmw on Feb 7, 2012 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

Keep in mind

If the Patriots make a pick in the first round I would be shocked.

We have two first rounders this year. I anticipate BB using one of them (most likely the 27th from New Orleans) and trading the 31st for another second and some late rounders, or maybe something next year.

There are a lot of people that hate his style of stockpile drafting, but it does keep heavy ammunition firmly in the Patriots’ grasp. If BB really and truly found a guy he absolutely needed, they do have the ability to move around and pick him with the slew of picks every year.

Can I Scream?

by Adam Fox on Feb 7, 2012 11:35 PM EST up reply actions

Throwing this out there

I know we need a long term solution at Center
What about Saturday? he may follow Peyton somewhere but I’m sure Kraft could coax him over to the dark side for another run at a ring. Konz is the only real stud C in this draft if he falls to us then its a done deal.

GFY

by TFBismywingman on Feb 7, 2012 7:00 PM EST reply actions

I'd rather have Koppen back than Saturday

by Greg Knopping on Feb 7, 2012 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

Nah, Koppen was good while Saturday was a beast.

But Saturday’s playing days are behind him. I suspect Koppen’s done for. 2010 was a regressive season for him and the injury, combined with his age, increases the likelihod that his best days are behind him.

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Feb 7, 2012 9:09 PM EST up reply actions

If Konz falls to 27- I'm all for it

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Feb 8, 2012 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

What's the consensus on Hoyer????

I’m thinking they put a Second Round Tender on him and hope a team like Denver sees him as a non-controversial option as a backup to Tebow and grabs him. If we end up with a Second for Hoyer I’d be smiling.

by waldoon on Feb 7, 2012 11:21 PM EST reply actions

no one would give up a second for him

Plus Mallet waiting in the wings makes him even less valuable as other teams try to assess your depth at the position

GFY

by TFBismywingman on Feb 8, 2012 8:47 AM EST up reply actions

I think other teams are more concerned about their own depth

Hoyer can be had for cheap money as a backup with experience within a winning system. Mike Lombardi loves him and rates him above most of the QB’s available in this draft. Rotoworld offers this "The Patriots are expected to tender restricted free agent QB Brian Hoyer “at least” at the second-round level in March."

by waldoon on Feb 8, 2012 10:40 PM EST up reply actions

No more point of packaging picks for next year, then the next and the next.

Brady only has a few more years. Not saying we should do anything drastic to get at least 1 more ring, but the packaging hasn’t resulted in a ring in the past couple seasons. Lets go deep on defense with only 2 picks if that on the Offense. WR in the 2nd round and a C in the 4th round or so. Ngata was more than held in check in the AFCCG. Our C’s held up well this season despite all the injuries. So to me it’s not as major a need as a pass rush, wide reicever and secondary.

Depth is great. Right up until you need it!!

by Vic85 on Feb 7, 2012 11:41 PM EST reply actions

Not going to happen

Bill has found a way to neutralize the natural effect of the draft, which is designed to make weak teams stronger. By having multiple picks in each of the lower rounds, you can exercise the lower pick and trade the higher pick into the same situation next year. By resisting the temptation to use them all you create a situation that will always have you picking lower than you should in every draft (assuming you continue to win at a high level). It also creates a situation where you are a perpetual powerbroker in the draft and are offered a higher value for your picks because you become a team that others can count on to enable them to maneuver in the draft to fill needs. That’s just a reality we have to accept as BAU for the Pats.

by waldoon on Feb 8, 2012 12:00 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs