2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Top Pass Rushers

Andrea HangstJan 9, 2012

With quarterbacks becoming ever more dominant in the NFL, defenses need a talented pass-rusher to put pressure on opposing passers and hopefully slow down what is quickly becoming an offensively-focused league.

There are a number of teams lacking a player dedicated to putting the heat on quarterbacks. Should they be looking to nab one in the 2012 NFL draft, here are the top prospects available to them.

OLB Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

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South Carolina outside linebacker Melvin Ingram is projected to be the top player at his position drafted this year, and with a number of top-15 teams struggling at this all-important position, he's likely to get a great deal of attention.

Ingram is a versatile player who has lined up at linebacker and defensive end. At defensive end in 2009, he managed 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks despite only starting one game (he did play all 13).

In 2010, he again started one game, though he played in 14. Shifted back to linebacker, Ingram notched nine sacks, good for third in the SEC.

But in 2011, Ingram really proved why he will be an asset to a professional team. He notched 48 total tackles, 10 sacks and two interceptions in 13 games.

I project Ingram to go in the first half of the first round, to the Buffalo Bills. I could also see him selected eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers or as late as No. 13 to the Arizona Cardinals.

ILB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

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Arizona State inside linebacker Vontaze Burfict is one of the more polarizing draft prospects this year, with his explosive style of play augmented by an unpredictable personality that may prove to be a liability to his draft stock.

Regardless of his character issues, Burfict is a ferocious pass-rusher who will benefit a team willing to take the risk of drafting him.

Five of Burfict's seven career sacks came in the 2011 season, and he racked up 69 total tackles as well. He's fast and hard-hitting but has some work to do on his defensive fundamentals if he's to have long-term success in the NFL.

He's better at pressuring quarterbacks rather than sacking them, but that pressure should assist any team looking to improve at inside linebacker. He's excellent at tackling, however, which is a skill lost to many a defense this year.

Burfict will likely go in the first round, but it will depend on whether a team is willing to overlook his discipline issues that will determine how high he goes.

I can see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking a risk, picking him fifth overall. He'd be a fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the team generally has little interest in troublemakers.

Same thing goes for the Detroit Lions; he'd be a great replacement for impending free agent Stephen Tulloch, but with the team attracting a lot of unwanted attention because of Ndamukong Suh in 2011, they might pass on him as well.

OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

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Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw's greatest talent is rushing the passer, and that talent will likely see him chosen in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.

In 2011, Upshaw recorded 46 tackles and 8.5 sacks and has 134 tackles and 17 sacks on his career. He also had an interception for a touchdown this season and two forced fumbles.

Because he isn't needed to make tackles in space, he might drop some in the draft. Scouts will need to see more versatility from Upshaw, but for a team with an immediate need for a pass rusher, he should fit in quite well.

Upshaw is great at swatting away opposing tackles in his effort to get to the quarterback. He's also effective in the run game, for the same reason. Upshaw will need development to be a well-rounded pro, but the skills he already possesses makes him worthy of a first-round pick and a rookie year start.

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DE Nick Perry, USC

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Junior USC defensive end Nick Perry is the 2011 Pac-12 sack leader, notching 9.5. He also had 55 tackles (12 for a loss) this season.

He's one of the most ferocious pass-rushers in a conference full of talented quarterbacks and should provide an instant boost to the pass rush of whichever team drafts him in April.

Perry is explosive and fast, making him able to blast past opposing linemen in his pursuit of the quarterback. Though he could use a bit more strength, that's something easily improved upon in offseason conditioning.

Perry's ultimate draft positioning will rely upon his performance at the combine. I have him going late in the first round to the New England Patriots, but with a number of teams requiring a player with his kind of talent, he could go much higher.

The bottom line is this: There are a number of draft prospects with serious pass-rush skills eligible for this year's draft. With a number of teams desperately needing one of these players, it's likely that most of them will be happy with the choices available to them.