Going into the 2012 NFL Draft the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings held the first three selections. The Colts and Vikings earned those spots by being bad teams in 2011. The Redskins traded into that second spot but they didn't have to move up very far. They weren't very good either. One of the Vikings three wins was against that Redskins team. On this, the final weekend of the 2012 season, the Colts are one of the six AFC teams moving on to the playoffs. The Vikings and Redskins have a chance to earn two of the NFC playoff spots. Last year, all three teams were playing for draft position on the final weekend. This year they are playing for a spot in the playoffs. Quite a turnaround.
The selections that all three teams made with their first selections of the 2012 Draft are major reasons for the quick turnaround. Quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, in particular, look like they have the skills to keep their teams competitive for a decade or more. They've been incredible. Both have played and led like veterans rather than the rookies that they truly are. The remarkable thing about these two quarterbacks, on and off the field, is that they are so different and so similar. The Vikings ended up trading back a spot and selected tackle Matt Kalil with the fourth pick of the draft. His performance is a little more difficult to judge due to the position that he plays but it's no real stretch to say that Kalil has made an incredible impact on the Vikings offensive line and the team. He's been outstanding. The Vikings are set at the important left tackle position for a long time.
The Colts, Redskins and Vikings are much happier now than they were a year ago. They are playing meaningful games in January. Playing for a chance for an even more important game in February. Much of that is due to the selections that they made at the top of the 2012 NFL Draft.
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