2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing the Draft's Top Defensive Playmakers

In the NFL draft, nearly every team wants one thing.

Playmakers.

Sure, some teams look to add offensive linemen or other "boring" players, but for the most part, playmakers dominate the draft. No general manager wants someone who is just solid; he wants an impact player.

This is true on both offense and defense. Offensive playmakers may be more high-profile, but they aren't more important. Here, we look at the defensive stars.

For full explanations, check out my most recent mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, US

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

A fantastic athlete, Morris Claiborne can do everything on the field. The 6'1", 195-pounder is a shutdown cornerback, but he's athletic enough to make huge plays when given the chance.

Claiborne isn't as physically talented as his former teammate Patrick Peterson was a year ago, but he is a better player at this point in his career. Unlike Peterson, Claiborne has actually learned technique and knows how to play the cornerback position.

Minnesota's secondary is one of the worst in the NFL. Antoine Winfield is almost 35 years old, and Cedric Griffin has suffered multiple knee injuries in recent years. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

6. Washington Redskins: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

I wouldn't take Whitney Mercilus this high, but his playmaking ability cannot be denied. Mercilus recorded 16 sacks in 2011 while emerging as a dominant pass-rusher.

At 6'4", 265 pounds, Mercilus has great pass-rushing size. However, he needs to add more moves and isn't good against the run. The Illinois star is valued for his production and upside off the edge.

Aaron Kampman is 32 years old and has played in just 17 games the past three seasons. Though Jacksonville is solid at defensive tackle, the team desperately needs a threat off the edge.

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

In just his sophomore season, Michael Brockers racked up 10 tackles for loss. The 6'6", 306-pounder is an impressive athlete with the strength to hold stout against the run.

Though he had only two sacks in 2011, Brockers can rush the passer. The LSU star has a good first step and decent pass-rush moves to go along with his penetration ability.

The Panthers have some talent at defensive end, but their tackles are awful. Carolina's defense was obviously terrible in 2011, and the team needs to improve wherever it can. Brockers fits a huge need and is one of the better players left.

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

11. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

A 6'3", 190-pound physical freak, Dre Kirkpatrick is a steal here. Kirkpatrick is capable of unbelievable interceptions, and he has a nearly unlimited ceiling at either cornerback or safety.

Though his potential is great, Kirkpatrick has some areas to work on. He has hardly played in zone coverage, and he isn't great at running down the field with wideouts. 

Dallas's secondary was awful in 2011, and Terence Newman is aging. Mike Jenkins is, at best, inconsistent, and at worst, downright awful. The Cowboys' defensive struggles started in the defensive backfield.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

20. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

23. Detroit Lions: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

26. Houston Texans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

28. Green Bay Packers: Devon Still, DE, Penn State

29. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

30. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

There is no more talented player in the draft than Vontaze Burfict. The Arizona State star weighs in at 6'3", 255 pounds and is a fantastic athlete. No one is more vicious on the field.

On talent alone, Burfict is worth a top-10 pick. Unfortunately, Burfict is a little too aggressive and is flagged far too often. He also tends to overrun some plays and needs to become more disciplined in many ways.

The Ravens have the luxury of drafting for upside here. The team doesn't really have any glaring needs, and they could actually use some developmental players at linebacker. In Baltimore's veteran locker room, Burfict could develop into a star.

31. New York Giants: Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

32. New England Patriots: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin