2012 NFL Mock Draft: Video Highlights of the Best Defensive Prospects

While Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson, Robert Griffin III and Justin Blackmon grab the headlines as the top players in the 2012 NFL draft class, there are some elite defensive prospects who have "instant impact" written all over them.

They'll arrive in all shapes and sizes.  

Some are shifty cover men who will likely be facing No. 1 receivers on Sunday's as early as next year. Others are speedy yet ferocious edge rushers who will look to make Von Miller or Aldon Smith-esque contributions in 2012. 

Some beefy interior defensive lineman and heady inside linebackers dot the top of the draft class, too. 

Let's take a peek. 

Morris Claiborne

The consensus best cornerback in the 2012 class, Claiborne isn't extremely flashy and he won't dominate physically. However, he simply does everything well and is an incredible athlete. 

As shown in the video, he's a ballhawk with incredible instincts (11 interceptions in his last two seasons), but is rangy and possesses enough skill to play man coverage. 

He must add weight to his 185-pound frame to become a No. 1 corner in the NFL, but he's got all the physical tools and talent to be a lockdown guy at the next level. 

Vontaze Burfict

Burfict is the most ferocious and athletic inside linebacker in the 2012 draft class. While he occasionally goes for the highlight reel hit instead of simply wrapping up, he is a relatively good tackler and an outstanding pass rusher for his position. 

See the video. 

He was a true freshmen at that point, and Burfict hasn't lost a step or his passion on the field. 

The Arizona State Sun Devil plays hard on every down and has the potential to be a big-time thumping inside linebacker that will need to be accounted for on passing downs because of his speed and quickness. 

Dont'a Hightower

Similar to former Alabama Crimson Tide star Rolando McClain, Dont'a Hightower is an enormous linebacker with astonishing strength and is the leader of the nation's top defense. 

At 6'4'', 260 pounds, Hightower can play any of the linebacker positions, but he was calling all the shots from the middle of Alabama's defense this year. 

To date, he has 79 tackles and three sacks. 

The video illustrates him playing with his hands on the ground and easily beating the Mississippi State right tackle for the quarterback takedown. 

While he's not the quickest guy sideline-to-sideline, he's an energetic hard-hitter that'll instantly upgrade any club's defensive front seven. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck	17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller
2. St. Louis Rams: Alshon Jeffery	18. Seattle Seahawks: Landry Jones
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil	19. Denver Broncos: Dwight Jones
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon	20. Cleveland Browns: Cordy Glenn
5. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson	21. New York Giants: Janoris Jenkins
6. Kansas City Chiefs: Vontaze Burfict	22. New York Jets: Alameda Ta'Amu
7. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III	23. Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Minnifield
8. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne	24. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore
9. Buffalo Bills: Zach Brown	25. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy
10. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro	26. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly
11. Arizona Cardinals: Johnathan Martin	27. Detroit Lions: Alfonzo Dennard
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick	28. New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw
13. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams
14. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff	30. San Francisco 49ers: Devon Still
15. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram	31. New England Patriots: Quinton Coples
16. Philadelphia Eagles: Dont'a Hightower	32. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Jenkins