2012 NFL Draft Order: Where Will Top Defensive Prospects Wind Up?

As the 2012 NFL playoffs get under way the focus of many fans isn't so much on the games themselves but on this April's NFL draft. The 20 teams that failed to make the postseason will be trying to bolster their rosters sufficiently to make it back to the playoffs next season, or at least give their fans some hope by showing signs of improvement.

For many of those teams their biggest needs lie on the defensive side of the ball, and those teams will be among those eyeing some of the following collegiate standouts, who could well end up with the squads listed below.

Morris Claiborne - CB, LSU

The 2011 Thorpe award winner would be an instant upgrade for any number of defenses and almost certainly won't make it out of the top 10, and given the absolutely horrid state of the Minnesota Vikings secondary it's possible Claiborne could go as high as third overall.

PROJECTION: Minnesota Vikings - Round 1, Pick 3

Courtney Upshaw - DE/OLB, Alabama

With the ability to play both 4-3 defensive end and 3-4 outside linebacker, Upshaw's versatility is very appealing, especially to a team such as the Carolina Panthers that featured more 3-4 looks as the season progressed.

PROJECTION: Carolina Panthers - Round 1, Pick 9

Dre Kirkpatrick - CB, Alabama

Cornerback Terrence McGee can't stay on the field and both Drayton Florence and Leodis McKelvin are average talents at best, so the Second Team All-American would be a nice fit for the Bills at the back end of the top 10.

PROJECTION: Buffalo Bills - Round 1, Pick 10

Quinton Coples - DE/DT, North Carolina

Coples was something of a disappointment as a senior in Chapel Hill, but his considerable athletic ability and 6'6", 285-pound frame will be too tempting for at least one squad in the middle of the first round to pass up.

PROJECTION: Seattle Seahawks - Round 1, Pick 12

Whitney Mercilus - DE/OLB, Illinois

The Illinois standout led all FBS players with 16 sacks in 2011 and has the speed to be a rush OLB in a 3-4 defense, making him an appealing option for a number of teams looking to bolster their pass rush.

PROJECTION: New York Jets - Round 1, Pick 16

Finally, here's an updated look at the order for the first round of the 2012 NFL draft (21-32 subject to change based on playoff results)...

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)
2. St. Louis Rams (2-14)
3. Minnesota  Vikings (3-13)
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)
6. Washington Redskins (5-11)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
8. Miami Dolphins (6-10)
9. Carolina Panthers (6-10)
10. Buffalo Bills (6-10)
11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)
12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)
16. New York Jets (8-8)
17. Cincinnati Bengals - from Oakland Raiders (8-8)
18. San Diego Chargers (8-8)
19. Chicago Bears (8-8)
20. Tennessee Titans (9-7)
21. Denver Broncos (8-8)
22. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)
23. Cleveland Browns - from Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
24. Detroit  Lions (10-6)
25. New York Giants (9-7)
26. Houston Texans (10-6)
27. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
28. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
30. New England Patriots - from New Orleans Saints (13-3)
31. New England Patriots (13-3)
32. Green Bay Packers (15-1)