2012 NFL Mock Draft: Vontaze Burfict and More Instant Impact Defensive Studs

The 2012 NFL draft has quite a few impact defensive players just waiting to be selected.

These guys have a chance to start and become game-changers from the first preseason game throughout the 2012-13 season.

Keep reading for a full mock and check out the in-depth coverage of the italicized defensive players who have the best chance to make a splash for the team that drafts them.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck is the consensus No. 1 pick no matter what happens or who selects in this spot.

It would be simply incredible for anything else to happen.

2. $$ Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

It’s being widely rumored that the Cleveland Browns are going to trade up to this spot to select RGIII. The Redskins are also interested but do not have as many assets.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is better than Mo Claiborne here because he will protect their young QB Christian Ponder and their star RB Adrian Peterson. That is a priority for this team.

4. $$ St. Louis Rams (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams were so atrocious on offense last year that they need a player who can help put points on the board. Blackmon is the pick after they trade down.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

This is great value and fills a need for a shaky Buccaneers defense.

He’s one of the best man coverage corner prospects in years and has all the tools needed to be a beast in the NFL.

LSU produced a top-notch corner last year in Patrick Peterson, and Claiborne has just as much upside, if not more.

Look for him to instantly start across from Aqib Talib in 2012.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

This guy has made a huge jump into the first round and the top 10 of this mock. He’s wowing scouts and will be the third QB off the board barring a setback.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE/DT, UNC

The Jaguars need a pass-rusher and Coples has the highest potential of any in the draft.

It’s a reach, but they can always trade down.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Carolina needs help stopping the run. Still is the best DT in a weak class.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff will be a solid pick this year, and they can address the QB situation next year if Matt Moore does not pan out.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Upshaw was voted the MVP of the national championship game and has had a highly decorated career with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

He’s not the fastest or biggest guy, but has a huge amount of skill and heart.

Those intangibles are what separate the average players from the greats, and this young man has a chance to be one of the best.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Seattle has to decide if they want to re-sign Marshawn Lynch. If they don’t and Richardson is available, it’s a slam dunk.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin will help restore the Chiefs offensive line to their former glory.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Vontaze went to school at Arizona State and dominated during his time there.

He’s known for being a little insane and playing with his heart more than his head, but that is a positive trait to look for in a middle linebacker.

Ken Whisenhunt will set him straight and mold him into one of the best young backs in the league, instantly making an impact on the Cardinals defense and becoming a starter.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

This big guard will help the Cowboys run more consistently next season.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd is the best fit in the middle of the draft for Philadelphia. It will help Vick scramble less for first downs, and he will be able to look for a possession-oriented receiver instead of consistently targeting his deep threats.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram will help the Jets bring down the QB, something they needed more of this year.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

Who cares that Dre Kirkpatrick smoked a little pot? Many NFL players have; they are human after all.

He’s not pulling a Sam Hurd and trying to start a drug ring.

The fact that he got busted does not change the size, speed and skills he possesses that once made him a top-10, and possibly top-five, pick.

He would immediately help a Bengals’ secondary that got exposed for relying on Pacman Jones in the playoffs.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Here is yet another pass-rusher that is probably going too early with a ton of teams lacking them.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears were stupid not to pay Olin Kreutz last season and now need to draft a replacement.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

This guy is a physically dominant player but is only a redshirt sophomore and has a lot to learn.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

If the Bengals decide to move on from Cedric Benson, they would do well to replace him with the speedy Miller.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery is overrated right now because he hasn’t shown the ability to actually dominate on the field.

He has the size and athleticism, but does he have the heart?

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The Lions patchwork secondary must be shored up with a corner or safety.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Steelers fearsome LB core is aging and was hit with injury this season. Kuechly has the chance to be a decent player at the next level and possibly a serviceable starter. He’s overrated and the chatter of his instinctive play comes from the rest of the defense being so awful around him.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Fletcher Cox will help the Denver defense continue to get better at stopping the run.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is the most complete safety product in the draft and immediately helps a Texans team that improved their secondary substantially, but he still has work to do.

If he falls here, it’s a no-brainer for a team that just made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and is looking to become a regular contender.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The Pats defense is so awful that they have no choice but to address the fact that they have no serviceable pass-rushers on the roster.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Green Bay doesn’t have many needs after their incredible season, so adding a project to work on for a few years is fine.

29. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

The Giants have worked magic with incredible athletes before. Look at Jason Pierre-Paul. If Brown can be anywhere near as good in a few years, this is a great pick.

30. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Ray Lewis is 36 years old and will be forced to retire someday. Hightower is an ideal replacement.

31. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The 49ers need a vertical threat if they decide to open their offense up next season, and Wright will help immediately.

32. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins is a reclamation project, something New England loves to take on.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine

$$ Potential Trade