2012 NFL Draft Order: Where Will the Top Pass-Rushing, Outside Linebackers Land?

If the 2011 NFL regular season didn't make it clear enough, it was certainly proven during Wild Card Weekend. 

With all the tremendous quarterbacks in the league today, pass-rushers are the most vital aspect of a team's defense. 

Let's take a look at where the top edge-rushing outside linebackers will land in the 2012 draft. 

Courtney Upshaw, Alabama 

The 6'3'', 265 pound Upshaw will play a major role in tonight's BCS title game and he's been extremely versatile and reliable on the best defense in the nation all season. After 7.5 sacks in 2010, he totaled 8.0 in 2011. 

Upshaw played with his hand on the ground a lot this season for the Crimson Tide, but he projects as an ideal 3-4 pass-rushing outside linebacker at the next level. 

The senior leader has the ideal strength and deceptive speed to get to the quarterback with consistency in the NFL. 

Because of his relatively large frame, he's not a liability against the run. 

Where is he an ideal fit? 

With the Buffalo Bills. 

They are in dire need a multi-faceted edge rusher (27th in the league in sacks) that can help the rebuilding process of the run defense. 

Upshaw's perfect. 

Whitney Mercilus, Illinois 

Mercilus is one player that was somewhat unheralded playing for an average Illinois club this year. He racked up a whopping 16 sacks and mainly those quarterback takedowns were the result of an incredibly quick burst off the snap. 

Many scouts have drawn comparisons to the San Francisco 49ers' pass-rushing demon, Aldon Smith, a guy who shot up boards the days leading up to the 2011 draft.

At 6'4'' and 265 pounds, Mercilus has the ideal size to be a situational guy as a professional. Although he's a one-year wonder, his athleticism and speed around the corner will not be ignored.

Right now, I have him going to the Green Bay Packers with the final pick in the first round. That could change. Clay Matthews is entering his prime as a sack specialist. However, a dangerous guy on the other side of the line would not only alleviate some pressure from him, but it'd help the secondary a great deal.

Nick Perry, USC

Quietly, Perry pieced together a fine career with the Trojans. In 2009 he had nine sacks. Last season his production dipped a bit and he finished the year with 4.5 sacks. In 2011 he returned to form, totaling 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Because he's at USC, you know he's an elite athlete and has an NFL-ready body.

At 6'3'' and 250 pounds he should run below a 4.6 at the Combine.

Perry brings an ideal combination of great edge speed and a variety of counter moves to the outside linebacker position.

He'll be a late-riser and reunite with his former coach Pete Carroll as a member of the Seahawks, a team desperately needing a franchise pass-rusher.

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2012 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—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

6.  Washington Redskins—Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

8.  Carolina Panthers—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

9.  Miami Dolphins—Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Seattle Seahawks—Nick Perry, OLB, USC

12.  Kansas City Chiefs—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

15.  Philadelphia Eagles—Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

16.  New York Jets—Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

17.  Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland Raiders)—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama  

18.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG, Stanford  

19.  Chicago Bears—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

20.  Tennessee Titans—Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

21.  Cincinnati Bengals—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

22.  Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons)—Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

23.  Detroit Lions—Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

25.  Denver Broncos—Devon Still, DT, Penn State

26.  Houston Texans—Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

27.  New York Giants—Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

28.  Baltimore Ravens—Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

29.  New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints)—Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

30.  San Francisco 49ers—Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington

31.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S, Alabama

32.  Green Bay Packers—Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois