2012 NFL Mock Draft: Highlighting the Most Versatile Defenders in First Round

When it comes to the NFL draft, the question is not so much what players are so much as it is what they might be. 

To be sure, quarterbacks are quarterbacks, running backs are running backs and wide receivers are wide receivers. With a few exceptions, players who play the sexy positions will keep playing the sexy positions.

Teams are free to be a little more imaginative with defensive prospects. A great college defensive end might make a great outside linebacker, a great cornerback might make a great safety and so on.

There are going to be a couple players with this kind of versatility taken in the first round of the 2012 draft. Why don't we go ahead and take a closer look at them?

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-13): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

If the Colts end up with the No. 1 overall pick, they're going to take Andrew Luck. He's the most promising quarterback prospect and years, and the perfect guy to replace Peyton Manning when he and/or the Colts are ready to move on.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-13): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams need a lot of things, and an elite wide receiver for Sam Bradford is right at the top of the list. Justin Blackmon has the tools to be a stud possession receiver, and he would give Bradford's development a huge boost.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings don't have a franchise left tackle at the moment, and that's an issue seeing as how they just drafted a franchise quarterback. Matt Kalil would keep Christian Ponder's blind side safe for years to come.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-11): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns need several offensive upgrades, and running back will be at the top of the list once they wave goodbye to Peyton Hillis. Trent Richardson would be an easy pick here.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Blaine Gabbert has been awful, but it doesn't help that the Jaguars have no talent at wide receiver. That's where Alshon Jeffery would come into play, and he would hopefully make Gabbert a much better quarterback.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Buccaneers have been able to rely on Ronde Barber for years, but it's time to cut the cord. He's a free agent at the end of the season, giving the Bucs a perfect opportunity to start fresh with Morris Claiborne at cornerback.

7. Washington Redskins (5-10): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins have the makings of a good team, but they need a quarterback. Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III is practically a steal here.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Matt Barkley would have been ideal here, but he's decided to go back to USC for one more year. Instead of solving their longstanding quarterback woes, the Dolphins will have to settle for upgrading their offensive line with Riley Reiff.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-9): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Panthers are set on offense, but they need defensive help. Cornerback is not a primary need, but Dre Kirkpatrick would be too good to pass up here.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Bills scored when they drafted Marcell Dareus, but they need to shore up their linebacking corps. Zach Brown is a blazing fast outside linebacker that would add a scary new dimension to Buffalo's defense.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs could have drafted offensive line help in the 2011 draft, but they used their first-round pick on a wide receiver instead. They can't afford to pass on O-line help again, especially if they have a chance to draft Jonathan Martin.

12. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Cardinals are another team that could use some offensive line help, but they would have to reach for some at this position. They're better off drafting Michael Floyd, who would be the partner in crime Larry Fitzgerald has been missing since the Cardinals lost Anquan Boldin.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly is not a spectacular player, but he is a tackling machine. That's something the Eagles need more than anything else.

14. Seattle Seahawks (7-8): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina*

Finally, we come to our first do-it-all defender: North Carolina's Quinton Coples.

Like seemingly all recent North Carolina defenders, Coples is a freak of an athlete who can and has played more than one position for the Tar Heels. He's played both defensive end and defensive tackle at the college level, performing well at both positions.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller thinks Coples could play right or left defensive end in the pros. Look him up on ESPN.com, and you'll learn that Coples may also be able to handle five-technique duties in a 3-4 defense.

With the Seahawks, Coples would be playing defensive end in a 4-3 system, and would hopefully provide a second pass-rush presence opposite Chris Clemons.

15. San Diego Chargers (7-8): Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

The Chargers could use a brand new right tackle, and Cordy Glenn would be a perfect choice here. He's billed as a guard, but he has the goods to play right tackle.

16. Chicago Bears (7-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Bears need offensive line help, and it's worth it for them to reach for a lineman. Mike Adams is a guy they could install opposite 2011 first-rounder Gabe Carimi, thus making Jay Cutler much safer.

17. Tennessee Titans (8-7): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Titans don't really have many glaring holes, but upgrading the interior of their offensive line would be a good idea. David DeCastro would clear running lanes for Chris Johnson and keep Jake Locker off his backside.

18. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama*

Nick Saban's current Alabama team has more than its fair share of playmakers on defense, but Courtney Upshaw seems to make more plays than any of them.

Upshaw is always right in the thick of things, and his specialty is rushing the passer. The only real issue is that he is viewed as something of a tweener, as he is shorter and thicker than your average linebacker.

But that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you ask Miller (see above link), Upshaw could play inside or outside linebacker in the pros, and could perhaps fill both roles on the same team.

On the Cowboys, Upshaw would fit in alongside Sean Lee and DeMarcus Ware, giving Dallas one of the scariest linebacking corps in the NFL.

19. New York Jets (8-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina*

Melvin Ingram is South Carolina's very own Swiss Army knife. Whatever the Gamecocks need him to do, he does it.

Ingram started his career as a linebacker, but has since been moved to defensive end. However, the Gamecocks have also used him on the interior of their line, and he has also pitched in on special teams.

So yeah, Ingram can pretty much do it all.

If you ask Miller, Ingram is best suited playing either defensive end or outside linebacker in the pros. The Jets could use an outside linebacker, particularly one who can rush the passer.

It just so happens rushing the passer is another one of Ingram's specialties.

20. Cincinnati Bengals (via 8-7 Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals will likely cut ties with Cedric Benson after this season, leaving them with a void at running back. Lamar Miller would form an impressive trio with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green.

21. New York Giants (8-7): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The Giants have some holes to patch on their offensive line, but there's nobody worth reaching for here. They're better off taking an inside linebacker, and Dont'a Hightower would be ideal.

22. Denver Broncos (8-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State*

At 6'5" and about 310 pounds, Devon Still is gigantic.

He's also surprisingly athletic, and is perfectly capable of busting through offensive lines. That makes him a fit for more than one position.

It is generally agreed that Still could play defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense, and he could conceivably be used as a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense as well. 

On the Broncos, Still would play DT in John Fox's 4-3 defense. His job would be to disrupt O-lines and create opportunities for Denver's pass-rushers. He would also help himself to few sacks and tackles.

23. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Bengals don't need much on defense, but finding a suitable replacement for Johnathan Joseph is a good idea. Alfonzo Dennard may actually be a steal at this point.

24. Detroit Lions (10-5): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Janoris Jenkins would come with some character concerns, but that wouldn't worry a team like the Lions. He couldn't possibly be more of a headache than Ndamukong Suh, right?

25. Houston Texans (10-5): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Texans are strong up and down their roster, but they could use a home run threat to take some pressure off of Andre Johnson. Kendall Wright would be an ideal pick.

26. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

The time has come to find a replacement for Ray Lewis, and Vontaze Burfict would be a fitting choice. He's got talent reminiscent of Lewis' when he was playing at Miami, and he's also a wild man who plays with a mean streak.

27. Cleveland Browns (via 9-6 Atlanta Falcons): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

The Browns shouldn't be overly willing to trust Colt McCoy as their franchise quarterback. Given his upside, Landry Jones would be a steal here.

28. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina*

It's entirely possible that Stephon Gilmore will go higher than this. In fact, he probably should.

Gilmore doesn't get nearly enough love for his abilities. He's very good in coverage and can also help in run support. He's a do-everything corner who will be a pest in the pros.

What sets Gilmore apart from his contemporaries is that he can also be used as a return man. He's not Patrick Peterson, but his athleticism makes him useful in a variety of roles.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Steelers would love to go for an offensive lineman here, but they would have to reach. They're better off taking Dontari Poe as an eventual replacement for Casey Hampton. 

30. New England Patriots (via 12-3 New Orleans Saints): Jared Crick, DE, Wisconsin*

If Jared Crick hadn't torn a pectoral muscle earlier this season, he's probably being looked at as a top-15 or even top-10 pick right now. 

Crick is the easily the most versatile defensive lineman in the 2012 draft class. Playing defensive end in a 3-4 is probably his best fit, but he could also play on the inside or outside of a 4-3 defensive line.

The Patriots could use Crick in all three capacities. That depends on which defense Bill Belichick wants to stick with in 2012.

Whichever one he chooses, Crick would fit.

31. New England Patriots (12-3): Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State

Cornerback help would be ideal, but the Patriots also need safety help. I could see them going for Alabama's Mark Barron, but Markelle Martin would be the safer pick.

32. Green Bay Packers (14-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Packers have everything they need on offense. Except for a stud running back, of course. If they draft Chris Polk, that problem will be solved. He's arguably the most underrated player in the 2012 draft class.