NFL Draft 2012: 8 Players Each Super Bowl Team Could Use

While fans of the New England Patriots and New York Giants are clearly focused on their respective team winning Super Bowl XLVI on February 5th, there are a handful of prospects in the 2012 NFL Draft both teams could use to remain contenders next season and beyond. 

Let's take a look at which prospects could fill some visible holes on each roster. 

Yes, even Super Bowl participants aren't perfect. 

New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Patriots already have a hard-hitting, physically intimidating safety in Patrick Chung. 

Mark Barron brings a similar skill set and style of play to the field and he's even more of an asset against the run. 

He exudes athleticism and has above average coverage skills. In 2010 and 2011 combined, he reeled in five interceptions. 

With many gaping holes in their secondary, an instinctual, playmaking safety would greatly benefit the Patriots. 

They'll almost certainly focus on acquiring talent to add to their defensive backfield during the 2011 offseason. 

Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

Another secondary member that could help the Patriots' pass defense ascend from the league's cellar. 

Minnifield is a viable option because there's a good chance he'll be available in the late stages of the first round. 

Bill Belichick has used a variety of early picks on cornerbacks over the last few years (Devin McCourty, Ras-I Dowling) because he knows the defensive rebuilding process must feature youthful defensive backs. 

The ball was rarely thrown Minnifield's way in 2011, and at 6'0'' and 185 pounds, he has the size to match up with bigger receivers at the next level. 

He isn't superb in any specific area, but he's a reliable, all-around player with lock-down abilities. 

If selected, he'd move Kyle Arrington to the slot, a place he'd be more effective. 

Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Mercilus led FBS with 16 sacks in 2011. 

This 21-year-old junior has the "one-year wonder" label, as he accumulated a total of two sacks in 2009 and 2010.  

However, he looks the part of an aggressive edge rusher that would be ideal in the Patriots' hybrid defensive scheme. 

He's listed at 6'4'' and 265 pounds and outside of his obvious pass rushing prowess, Mercilus isn't a liability against the run. 

With Bill Belichick frequently getting the best out his talented draftees, he'd love to mold Mercilus into a situational, Aldon Smith-type player at the next level. 

The jury is still out on his draft stock. There's a chance he's a Top 15 pick because of his explosiveness and ridiculous productivity. Yet, some teams are worried he didn't show up for the Fighting Illini until this season. 

Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall

Curry may lack the size and speed to be selected in the first round, but he'd be a great option for the Patriots in Round 2. 

Actually, if they like him enough, taking him with one of the final picks in Round 1 wouldn't be a horrible reach.

At 6'3'' and 265 pounds, Curry is a pass-rushing demon with good bulk and power at the point of attack when facing bigger offensive tackles.

He's battling Ohio State mammoth Mike Adams this week at the Senior Bowl—how he fares in that matchup will tell scouts, head coaches and general managers a lot about his pro prospectus.

The Pats certainly need to inject more youth on the edge of their defensive line and Curry is a high motor player Bill Belichick would love.  

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New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams was the largest player at Senior Bowl weigh-ins this week, after he stepped on the scales and measured 6'7'' and 323 pounds. 

That kind of size projects perfectly to the tackle position at the next level.

While the Giants' offensive line has provided adequate protection for Eli manning during their Super Bowl run, they'd like to get younger on the edges of their front. 

Right tackle Kareem McKenzie is 32 and left tackle David Diehl is 31. 

Neither of those two trenchmen were significantly worse in 2011 than in previous years, but adding depth to their positions would be far from a bad idea. 

Outside of his obvious size, Adams is relatively athletic and can overpower the majority of the pass rushers that come his way. 

Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

If Mike Adams isn't available when the Giants pick, there's a decent shot Georgia's behemoth offensive lineman Cordy Glenn will be on the board. 

He's a beefy 6'5'' and 348 pounds, and probably lacks the lateral ability to play left tackle in the NFL. 

However, he'd be a solid depth option and could possibly replace Kareem McKenzie at the right tackle position if the veteran fights more injuries in the future. 

Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

This may seem like a reach in an area that's not needed for the Giants, but the future is unknown for Brandon Jacobs. 

Ahmad Bradshaw is likely to stick around, and he could certainly use another hard-nosed backfield mate. 

Martin runs with a similar style to that of Bradshaw, and will enter the league as a polished, multi-dimensional back. 

Without much to fix on the offensive side of the football, if nothing else, Martin would take some of the continual punishment away from Bradshaw and the two could become quite the formidable running back duo. 

Audie Cole, LB, NC State

Cole is a physically impressive middle linebacker prospect that was a tackling machine during his collegiate career. 

He measured in at 6'4'' and a whopping 258 pounds during the Senior Bowl weigh-in and has been one of the standouts during the practices early this week. 

Cole has closed on the ball quickly and surprisingly, held his own in pass coverage.

The Giants' received great contributions from rookie Jacquian Williams and back-up Chase Blackburn in many injury-related, desperate times this season, but could use more depth in their linebacking corps. 

Cole would likely be available in the second or third round and would bring more tenacity to the team's second level. 

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