After three days and 253 selections, the 2012 NFL Draft is finally in the books.
Although it’s too premature to say exactly how each player will pan out, when some players names were called, I could only shake my head.
A few teams helped their cases with good picks. Other organizations just didn’t get the job done.
Here are my winners and losers of the draft.
WINNERS
St. Louis Rams
The Rams had the best first two rounds of all 32 teams. They were able to fill voids on both sides of the ball by picking up LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers and Appalachian State wide receiver Bryan Quick.
The steal of the draft was North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins falling to the Rams in the second round. Jenkins was a top-15 talent, but off-the-field issues forced him to transfer from Florida to North Alabama.
If new coach Jeff Fisher can keep Jenkins in line, there’s no telling how good of an NFL career he could have.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals continued their hot streak from the 2011 draft into 2012.
Cincinnati’s first-round selections of Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler gave the Bengals two solid players who will contribute immediately.
The Bengals also got a steal picking up Georgia tight end Orson Charles in the fourth round. Pairing him with fellow tight end Jermaine Gresham will give quarterback Andy Dalton yet another weapon to target.
Philadelphia Eagles
Watch out, NFC East. The Eagles will be back with a vengeance in 2012.
The Eagles filled a huge hole in the middle with Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. I was shocked he was still on the board when Philadelphia traded up to select him at No. 12.
Top to bottom, the Eagles had the best draft. I really like the pickups of Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin in the fourth round and Kansas State running back Bryce Brown in the seventh.
LOSERS
Seattle Seahawks
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Seahawks’ first-round choice: West Virginia outside linebacker Bruce Irvin. Or as I like to call him, the dumbest pick of the draft.
The pick automatically made Seattle the draft’s biggest loser. There’s no doubt linebackers were one of the Seahawks’ weak spots, but there were plenty of better prospects than Irvin still on the board.
I also questioned Seattle’s reach for Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson in the third round. After signing quarterback Matt Flynn, and with Tarvaris Jackson already on the roster, the pick just didn’t make sense.
Miami Dolphins
I can’t say it enough: Ryan Tannehill will be a huge bust for the Dolphins.
Much like Seattle’s selection of Irvin, choosing the Texas A&M quarterback with the No. 8 pick in the first round will haunt Miami for years to come.
Not only will Tannehill enter the NFL with the high expectations that come with being a top-10 pick, he doesn’t have anybody to throw to.
After trading away wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Bears, the Dolphins needed to address the receiving corps. They didn’t.
The only thing that’s a guarantee for Miami after taking Tannehill: The team will be picking in the top 10 yet again when the 2013 draft rolls around.
Micah Bedard is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Houma. Follow him on Twitter @DardDog.
 
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Contact Micah Bedard at [email protected]