2012 NFL Draft Order: How The Rams Could Get The Top Pick

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 23, 2011 9:14 AM CST in 2012 NFL Draft

Uh oh, don't look now, but the Indianapolis Colts, who beat the Houston Texans last night, have the same record as the St. Louis Rams and the Minnesota Vikings. That makes for some interesting speculation about the 2012 NFL draft order. Could the Rams wind up with the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft?

If all three of those teams stay at two wins, the Colts still have the top pick. Minnesota would have the second spot, and the Rams sit at number three. That's based on strength of schedule, i.e. the combined record of each teams' opponents. The late season improvement of the other two NFC West teams, Seattle and Arizona (which should also up your level of discontent with Spagnuolo's flop of a season), makes the Rams' strength of schedule even harder than the others.

But there's still football left to play.

The Colts finish the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Extrapolating based on recent results, that's a very winnable game for the once hapless Colts. Three wins would take them out of the running for the first pick.

A three-win Colts team would give the first overall pick to the Vikings, a team that, like the Rams, has their quarterback of the future already in place.

Minnesota plays the Redskins this week, a winnable game, especially if Jared Allen's disdain for losing takes hold with the rest of his teammates. They wrap up the season against the Bears, a less winnable game, but who thought Indianapolis would beat the Texans.

And then there's the Rams. They play in Pittsburgh this week, with a makeshift offensive line tasked with keeping James Harrison from ripping Kellen Clemens limb from limb. They wrap up the season against San Francisco, a team that needs to win out the season in order to win the battle for the NFC's second seed with New Orleans.

Obviously, the Rams have the toughest schedule of the group.

I don't want to get your hopes up, but it's entirely possible that Steve Spagnuolo's parting gift to the Rams could be the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. You know what that means, right? That means teams hungry for Andrew Luck will be throwing a Brinks truck(s) at whoever is calling the shots for the Rams in the draft this year.

In short, it's quite possible that the Rams could back themselves into the first pick in the draft.

Be still, my heart.

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Please....

let us get the number one pick and then a massive amount of picks in a trade down

Follow @brandonbirkhead

by Brick Top on Dec 23, 2011 9:43 AM CST reply actions 5 recs

a man would be a fool not to trae that pick

bring on the boatload of picks is what i would say.

by hbwb on Dec 23, 2011 9:43 AM CST reply actions

Sadly

Many a man has proven himself a fool at Rams Park over the years.

Who's faster home to first? Yadi or Torty?

by huja on Dec 23, 2011 7:23 PM CST up reply actions

make that trade

by hbwb on Dec 23, 2011 9:44 AM CST reply actions

if we had the number one over all pick it could turn us into the greatest show on turf again.

we could get players and picks.

by joemammaz on Dec 23, 2011 9:49 AM CST reply actions

Yeah

I did the math this morning. Barring a crazy finish, the Rams are going to have a higher strength of schedule than either the Colts or the Vikings (who are close) so we’ll pick after both of them should we have the same win total.

The NFL apparently said that the Colts will get the #1 pick if they lose their last game, so I guess the Vikings’ SOS is beyond catching Indy.

Turf Show Times editor, Mocking the Draft writer, and I gots that Twitter too, yo.
"my keyboard won't corporate, neighter will my smell check." - Knoxfan

by 3k on Dec 23, 2011 9:50 AM CST reply actions

Bradford will be sweating his ass off if we get that top pick lol

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 10:08 AM CST via mobile reply actions

nah

bradford wins wins. if the rams draft luck, bradford gets to go to another team that will probably be built and waiting for just a qb. or bradford stays and the #1 pick gets traded for a bunch of picks which makes the rams much deeper in talent in 2012 and 2013.

" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."

by palewook on Dec 23, 2011 10:11 AM CST up reply actions

Lol true

Think he wants to be a ram tho

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 10:18 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

imagine bradford

with the best two available wr’s from the next 2 drafts and a couple of other picks to finish it out..

" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."

by palewook on Dec 23, 2011 10:26 AM CST up reply actions

How about a couple good WR picks

And Reggie Wayne?

"To crush the Seahawks, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of the women."

by STLRambler on Dec 23, 2011 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

there NOT trading bradford!

please dont start that shit again…

by Mark Jaramillo on Dec 23, 2011 1:08 PM CST up reply actions

Trade Bradford

Why trade the first pick? When Luck is a better QB. Bradford is still a work in progress. He is still 2 or 3 years from being a good qb.Trade him and get a 1st round and a 2nd and a good player and that frees up money for other free agents. Luck is a natural good QB.

by REDANT on Dec 24, 2011 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

A very likely scenario

Rams lose to Pitt & SF finish 2-14
Vikes beat Bears (Bears are on there 3rd QB, no Forte and no receivers and Vikes do put up points). Vikes finish 3-13
Jacksonville rolls over to keep Luck out of AFC south. Colts finish 3-13

Rams get #1 seed ;-)

by RBramfan on Dec 23, 2011 10:09 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

i like that

being a vikes fan, i can tell you the vikes will show up to play the bears. and the bears are imploding like never before. the loss of cutler had them on the ropes. then forte going down and barber losing games for them. then the hurd drug dealing story fell out of the sky on the bears.

" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."

by palewook on Dec 23, 2011 10:13 AM CST up reply actions

kill the speculation

Vikes are gona beat the skins anyway.

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 10:17 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Yea really wish fans around here wouldnt roll over so easily..

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 10:18 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

You should be wishing the team didn't roll over so easy

For us rams fan who have been losing since 06, we know this could save our horrible team

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 10:22 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Yea but the draft is a crap shoot either way

Shouldn’t hope for the rams to lose either way, the players that we pick from the supposed trade could as easily be bust as they could be stars.

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 10:23 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Yea but percentages increase

I would rather fill a team with two firsts, two seconds, and two thirds than a first second third fourth fifth.

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 10:26 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

So would I,

But I would still hope for a win on Sunday, even though its improbable.

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 10:27 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Don't confuse a likely scenario to an actual desire

I too “want” the Rams to finish 4-12 but if I was a betting man, 2-14 would be an odds on favorite.

PS-I could live with 3-13 if we can stomp the 9ers on week 17.

by RBramfan on Dec 23, 2011 10:32 AM CST up reply actions

I would run around my neighborhood

Screaming fuck the niners of that happened..

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 10:41 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Sweet. I'll bring the camera

We’ll post the footage here at TST.

"To crush the Seahawks, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of the women."

by STLRambler on Dec 23, 2011 12:19 PM CST up reply actions

Sounds good

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 12:23 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

It shouldn't be a crapshoot.

There’s nothing wrong with hoping for a assload of picks. I do want to beat the fucking n*ners but, if we suck enough to get the first pick, so be it.

Wolf. Wolfgang Wolf

by dbcouver on Dec 23, 2011 10:33 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Plus it is a lot of fun being "on the clock" in January instead of waiting for April.

The media will be doing all sorts of speculation for us then.

Again, this is only possible because our “O” cannot score.

by RBramfan on Dec 23, 2011 10:40 AM CST up reply actions

Just difference of opinion I guess..

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 10:44 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

being a Vikes fan

I’m sure you snickered when reading the line “have their QB of the future”

If the Vikings pass on Luck to continue with Ponder, they’re nuts.

by whistlingmountain on Dec 23, 2011 10:20 AM CST up reply actions

( I am not a Vikes fan, was just quoting yours, sorry for any confusion )

by whistlingmountain on Dec 23, 2011 10:20 AM CST up reply actions

I was just gonna post this lol

Vikings made one mistake reaching for ponder.they wouldnt add on it by skipping luck

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 10:24 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

I was just gonna post this lol

Vikings made one mistake reaching for ponder.they wouldnt add on it by skipping luck

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 10:24 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

vikes have so many holes

qb isn’t among the top 5 positions they need. ponder is duct tape to get them through a couple of seasons.

" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."

by palewook on Dec 23, 2011 10:24 AM CST up reply actions

not the way the NFL works

you don’t pass on an elite QB prospect if you don’t already have one

by whistlingmountain on Dec 23, 2011 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

But when you can get "the best prospect since manning"

Why take a chance on a few years?

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 10:29 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

I like Ponder

I think if you would give him a real weapon at WR (Harvin is great as a trick/utility player, not receiver) he would be able to be a SuperBowl qb. At the least, Joe Webb seems to be a potential good qb.

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 23, 2011 10:39 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Hes ok

But he was a reach and luck is on his way to elite prospect territory

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 10:46 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

I'd just keep ponder and trade Luck

You will get way more for Luck, and Ponder can take you to a SuperBowl. Id say if he and Sanchez switched places, the Jets would be way better RIGHT NOW. Sanchez went to two AFC championships in his first two years. Ponder is already better than him IMO

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 23, 2011 10:57 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Hell if you put Sam with the Jets

They’d be a better team, Sam is better than Sanchez.

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 11:00 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

That's true

The Jets to me are like the best group of players in the league, playing with maybe the worst qb

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 23, 2011 11:18 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

He wouldnt have been a top 10 pick

If Sam would have came out that year..

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 11:24 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Plus he has the best rb in the nfl..

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 10:47 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

+1000

lol

by Thomas W on Dec 23, 2011 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

does this make a case for resting bradford the rest of the season?

why risk his wheels for the last 2 games that don’t mean much

" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."

by palewook on Dec 23, 2011 10:10 AM CST reply actions

Lol at luck's face

“rams are gonna hold me hostage”

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 10:11 AM CST via mobile reply actions

The first pick is reportedly gonna be worth 4 first rounders or something of equal value

Any team that has Sam, Lloyd, SJax, JL, Chris Long, and 5 first round picks (or something of equal value) over 2 yrs would look great to a potential coach and GM.

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 23, 2011 10:35 AM CST via mobile reply actions

What If

OSU mops the floor with S? Will Luck be the same prize?

by ThomasZ on Dec 23, 2011 10:37 AM CST reply actions

Then RG3 is the next great one.

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 23, 2011 10:40 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Doesnt mattwr, I can see it now

" even though he lost, nobody can lose as great ad luck, I mean just look at how great he took that sack, and look how great he threw that Int, just great"

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 10:45 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

None of this will mean a thing if Spags and/or Devaney still have any say in the draft.

Alex Song - Krunk as Fuck!

by Midasknight on Dec 23, 2011 10:45 AM CST reply actions

They'll screw it up.

Alex Song - Krunk as Fuck!

by Midasknight on Dec 23, 2011 10:45 AM CST up reply actions

They are good in the top two rounds

Even they couldnt screw up 8 first round picks over four years

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 10:48 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

In three years, their first round picks were no-brainers.

They can’t be given credit nor blame for any of them.

Jason Smith (consensus best OL and the only other option people thought was viable was Aaron Curry)

Sam Bradford (best QB available and we absolutely needed a QB)

Robert Quinn (he completely fell into our lap).

Are you telling me that any one of us couldn’t have picked the same way?

Alex Song - Krunk as Fuck!

by Midasknight on Dec 23, 2011 11:28 AM CST up reply actions

no im not saying that

which is exaclty my point. even THEY (who know more about drafting then we do believe it or not) could not screw it up

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 23, 2011 11:36 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah I'm tired of reading about Devaney's "great" drafts

You mean the guys he picked #2 and #33 overall are NFL starters? Duh, they’re supposed to be. How about some guys he drafted in the 3-5 rounds. Do we have any of those guys left from the past 3 years? Thats where super bowl teams are built.

For every Saffold there are 4 guys he missed on in the middle rounds. Gilyard, Illinois Mike, Hall Davis, Fendi… all busts.

"To crush the Seahawks, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of the women."

by STLRambler on Dec 23, 2011 12:29 PM CST up reply actions

true, true, true...

I’ve been saying this for two years now. I have no clue why people keep talking about his “great” drafts. I wish somebody would do an analysis on his picks over the years, from SD to Atlanta to St. Louis.

by victorian on Dec 24, 2011 9:58 AM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't have

Wolf. Wolfgang Wolf

by dbcouver on Dec 23, 2011 12:48 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Draft.....

If the Rams do end up getting the number 1 pick how do they trade the draft rights to what might be the best QB prospect coming out of college since Peyton Manning? Now we all know there are no gaurantees but seriously, who is better? Luck or Bradford? Luck would be cheaper to have as well. Not as a big a hit to the Rams cap space. I would draft Luck and trade Bradford – who is still very young and extremely attractive to a few teams that really need a QB. The Rams can definitely get a boat load of draft picks and possibly even a pretty good offensive lineman from a team willing to trade for Bradford. I think Shanahan of the Redskins would love to have Bradford. Trent Williams is still young and he would be good to have on the Rams. Plus draft picks. Or the Cleveland Browns. Joe Thomas would be awesome. Gonna be an interesting off-season for the Rams I say if they get that top draft pick for sure.

by Ricksome on Dec 23, 2011 11:35 AM CST reply actions

My pipe dream is Sam to Dallas..

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 11:39 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Hey, I gave you that scenario

And you said you hated the Boys. I agree, Sam with Dez, Murray, and Miles/Laurent

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 23, 2011 11:42 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

No... I even did a post on it

I hate the cowboys but OT would be good for Sam none the less.

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 11:43 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Stick with Sam

Please. Yes, he had a bad season, but I wouldn’t blame him. He made poor throws, but got crushed almost every time he dropped back, learned another new system + lockout, bad receiving cast.
Imagine Luck in there? Not that much better I think. Imo he’s still pinpoint accurate, probably more accurate than Luck, and he has already proven to be our franchise QB in his first year, build around him in the draft.
Pro Bradford.

Ram in Germany

by daniell on Dec 23, 2011 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

I agree, just entertaining the idea

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 12:29 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

it really is

but Sam’s the guy

Ram in Germany

by daniell on Dec 23, 2011 12:31 PM CST up reply actions

your dream...my nightmare!

by Mark Jaramillo on Dec 23, 2011 1:12 PM CST up reply actions

Haha why is that?

Rams would get Luck.

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 1:14 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

**** the COWBOYS!!!

by Mark Jaramillo on Dec 23, 2011 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

Haha agreed

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 1:17 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

for every peyton manning there is a rynn leaf

or akili smith or jamarcus russell..

luck could crash in burn in the nfl. its been known to happen. bradford has at least proven he can make the jump from college to the pros. take the picks. trade luck.

" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."

by palewook on Dec 23, 2011 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

Luck does not have bust potential in that way

He could get injured, for sure, and he might not end up being elite. You can’t predict whether a player will end up elite. But bust? No. Leaf and Russel had psychological problems. Akili, among many QBs, were entering a completely different style of playing.

Luck doesn’t have that bust potential, he is at a level of understanding of the pro game that few prospects are as well as having all the physical gifts needed.

by whistlingmountain on Dec 23, 2011 12:07 PM CST up reply actions

If Bradford crashes and burns it costs 80 million

If Luck does it it costs 40 million at the most. 80 million minus 40 million……hmmmmm let’s see…..carry the…..no, no, nevermind

Wolf. Wolfgang Wolf

by dbcouver on Dec 23, 2011 12:20 PM CST up reply actions

Williams? Thomas?

I’m pretty sure any team that would trade for Sam would be smart enough not to ruin their O-Line to do it. The whole idea would be that they think he could do well with decent protection, so including those guys in a trade would be mind-bogglingly stupid.

by IowaRamFan on Dec 23, 2011 3:35 PM CST up reply actions

I agree

I agree how can u pass up a prospect like luck Bradford can help the rams by trading him for draft picks agree u…

by REDANT on Dec 24, 2011 6:45 PM CST up reply actions

Barkley out of draft

Makes the trades odds even better for the Rams. Now there are only 2 top tier QBs in this draft with Griff III and Luck.

Looking more and more like the Rams will be able to get multiple picks if they don’t beat the Steelers on Saturday.

by 81 Witness on Dec 23, 2011 12:05 PM CST reply actions

how about we take luck and trade bradford to the redkins? i think luck would really change our luck with this franchise!

by kevio3000 on Dec 23, 2011 12:11 PM CST reply actions

Well if he does get traded I think he should go to Dallas myself they have talent and a

good coach plus they could probably afford the trade. Now if the Rams do draft luck or rg 3 may the lord have mercy on there souls.

by Freewheeler2 on Dec 23, 2011 12:35 PM CST up reply actions

THIS!!!!

I would do cartwheels man…

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 12:40 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Who

Will get weeden? I know he is 28 but he is still the best.

by ThomasZ on Dec 23, 2011 12:56 PM CST up reply actions

No dude he is not

His skill set is more limited than Lucks and RG3. You have to be an OKst fan..

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 12:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Oh?

We beat Baylor 59 to 24. RG3 Looked like a kid playing with the men.

by ThomasZ on Dec 23, 2011 1:30 PM CST up reply actions

Yea and still didnt have a bad game all year

Weaton is not on RG3s or Lucks level. Just because they beat baylor doesn’t mean he’s better, come on man..

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 1:33 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

You are drinking the kool aid.

You can watch the vid on OSU’s site. Weeden to Blackmon is great thing of beauty. and yes I am a fan.

by ThomasZ on Dec 23, 2011 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

Yea he has the best wr in the country, doesnt hurt

Add that to some of his passes are well behind. RG3 and Luck have a lot more potential, even Laundry does and I consider him overrated and I’m an OU fan.

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 1:45 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

How about doing a fanpost comparing the Top 5 college QBs in the coming draft?

Join my Google+ circle

by Douglas M on Dec 23, 2011 5:16 PM CST up reply actions

Yes he did have a bad game.

by ThomasZ on Dec 23, 2011 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

Ok one bad game, still better than weaton..

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 23, 2011 1:51 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Not!

We will not agree on this. Luck looked bad in the Oregon game. Luck has been coached up as far as he can go right now. What you see is what you get. That is why I hope every one is well and the game is the best from both teams. RG3 is not big enough to play very long in the NFL. He is young and may grow some more this next year. I wish him well.

by ThomasZ on Dec 23, 2011 2:11 PM CST up reply actions

Weeden is nowhere near as good a prospect as Luck or Griffin

Turf Show Times writer and a proud rams fan.
"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for Tim Tebow to complete a pass against the Cover-2" - Jesus Follow @jmwehrle

by Josh Wehrle on Dec 23, 2011 10:53 PM CST up reply actions