2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Vontaze Burfict & Nation's Top Defenders

When the 2012 NFL draft begins, a lot of obvious attention will be draw to where Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III end up.

However, the focus should thereafter shift toward some of the nation's top defenders.

With a lot of depth on the dark side this spring, here's a look at some top defensive players and where they could up.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

Although the Browns could have definitely use Justin Blackmon, the addition of LSU's Morris Claiborne is just as great.

Claiborne picked off 11 passes in the past two seasons and ranked No. 2 with 173 interception return yards in 2011. So, his playmaking skills and ability after the pick will significantly help the Browns.

Now, Cleveland may have ranked No. 2 against the pass in 2011, but they were No. 30 against the rush. Bringing in Claiborne will make it virtually impossible to pass on Cleveland, with Joe Haden as the other corner. Therefore, the front seven can strictly focus on stopping the run and the safties can roll down.

Both Haden and Claiborne each lock up half of the field, and the Browns rush defense will improve by default.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame) 
8. Miami Dolphins: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)
10. Buffalo Bills: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

The Bills somewhat improved on defense as the season went on.

However, they still finished ranked No. 19 against the pass and No. 28 against the run—a total of 372 yards per game.

So, it doesn't matter who they draft at No. 10, as long as it's a defensive player.

Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard is a good fit.

In 2010, with Prince Amukamara dominating the other half of the field, Alfonzo was challenged more and locked down coverage by picking off four passes and forcing a fumble.

This season he doesn't have an interception, but that's because he has rarely been tested. In Buffalo, his ability to keep receivers at the line, get off blocks to help with edge run support and blanket coverage will force offenses to adjust their game plans.

In turn, the Bills improve in both dimensions on defense by having the liberty to blitz linebackers more and play confident press coverage.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama) 
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

Luke Kuechly is a linebacker who has recorded over 500 tackles in three college football seasons.

With virtually no help defensively other than now-New York Giant Mark Herzlich, Luechly has been a dominant force on a bad team.

With the Eagles, Kuechly is the perfect player they need. The offense is top-10 potential as they were in 2011. But, the defense ranked No. 10 against the pass and only No. 16 against the rush.

Include a solid pass rush combo from Trent Cole and Jason Babin, and the Eagles simply need a stud linebacker.

Well, Kuechly is a sure tackler—191 this season—and has seven career interceptions—three this season, as well. So, he's proven to stop the run—both inside and outside—while also covering a wide range across the middle.

Kuechly simply will get the job done for Philadelphia. If he thrived with hardly any help at Boston College, he will flourish on a team with nothing but talent surrounding him.

16. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)
17. Cincinnati (From OAK): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
19. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisconsin)
20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
22. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
23. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)

And we get to where the Browns will improve their front seven. With Morris Claiborne added to the secondary, Arizona State's Vontze Burfict is the perfect man to help focus on improving the rush defense and taking the pass rush to another level.

The drafting of Burfict allows Cleveland to run multiple defensive fronts other than the 4-3. Using Burfict's athleticism, switching to a 3-4 or 1-5-5 would not only create confusion for the offense, but it puts Vontaze in multiple positions to make plays.

He can dominate in the middle, blitz on the edge or middle, single cover tight-ends and take on fullbacks or upbacks to free up D'Qwell Jackson, among others. While at Arizona State, much like Kuechly at Boston College, he was the entire defense.

Accumulating 219 tackles, seven sacks and forcing three fumbles throughout his career, it's Burfict's presence and attitude that makes him an imposing threat. Vontaze plays downhill with a vengeance, something Cleveland needs on top of just improving. Meaning, attitude.

24. Denver Broncos: Chase Minnifield, CB (Virginia)
25. New York Giants: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
26. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
27. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
28. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
30. New England Patriots (From NO): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
31. New England Patriots: Cam Johnson, DE (UVA)
32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)
 
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