NFL Draft 2012: Ranking the Best Defensive Prospects

Looking at the overall 2012 NFL draft, it looks like the junior class saved the day.

With the infusion of talent on draft boards across the NFL and on websites, the undergraduates who have declared and made themselves eligible could make this year's selection process very special.

Really, you can thank Alabama and LSU for sending their talent to the NFL, as the two teams seem to be a feeder for the professional ranks.

It should not be a surprise that the two best programs in college football will have a major presence in this year's first round, where up to eight players from the two schools could be drafted, comprising 25 percent of the first round.

Why not just put the two schools together and see how they stack up against Indianapolis, Cleveland or Minnesota?

More surprising than maybe Robert Griffin III falling past the sixth pick in this draft (I have him going second to Washington) is the influx of defensive talent in this draft, especially along the line, with tackles being a deep position and hybrid defensive end/linebacker being a new type of player in this draft.

Here is a look at the best players overall from that side of the ball and how they rank pertaining to the upcoming draft.

15. Zach Brown, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina

Brown is still a solid first-round talent who played well in the Senior Bowl.

At 6'1" and 236 pounds, he is ideal to play in the middle of a 3-4 defense and can also play on the outside and cover tight ends across the middle.

Brown will be a linebacker taken late in the first round and could thrive in a defense like that of the Giants, Patriots or Ravens.

14. Whitney Mercilus, Defensive End, Illinois

I am not as high on him as others are. That said, he is still a great talent.

Mercilus had 16 sacks. He also forced nine fumbles on the season, breaking Illinois and Big Ten records and ranking as the second-most in NCAA history.

His 22.5 tackles for loss in 2011 led the Big Ten.

I see him as a work in progress who will be selected in the middle of the first round.

Maybe the New York Jets take a chance on him with the 16th pick.

Mercilus has good size at 6'4" and 265 pounds. I could also see him playing linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

13. Luke Kuechly, Linebacker, Boston College

Boston College has made a habit of churning out good linebackers over the years.

Luke Kuechly continues this trend.

The Butkus Award winner is 6'3" and 237 pounds, and he led the nation in total tackles with 191 and solo tackles with 102.

He was the only unanimous selection to the all-ACC first-team defense this season.

Dallas and Philadelphia could be battling over him in the middle of the first round.

12. Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

Is this a little low for Kirkpatrick?

I think there are other players on this draft board who will rise above him.

When I saw the play of Janoris Jenkins in the Senior Bowl and read comments about his play, I was convinced the Alabama defensive star could slide a bit in the top 15 of the draft.

He will be a steal in the 15-20 range of the first round.

11. Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

Coples had a good Senior Bowl week and proved he is still a top talent in this draft.

Can he play at a high rate an entire game on the next level?

I believe a team will still take a chance on Coples in the top 10 of the draft.

Does Miami or Buffalo scoop him up, or does a team trade up to select him?

At 6'6" and 280 pounds, Coples runs a 4.76 40-yard sprint. You cannot deny that kind of ability.

10. Courtney Upshaw, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End, Alabama

I think Upshaw will have an immediate impact on some team that takes him in the first round.

Does he go early or does he go late?

With his size at 6'2" and 273 pounds, scouts were drooling at his play in the Senior Bowl.

He would look good playing in Dallas with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

9. Nick Perry, Defensive End, Southern Cal

Perry, a redshirt junior, is climbing draft boards.

At 6'3" and 250 pounds, Perry will develop into a very good edge rusher.

I can see him playing in Cincinnati or Pittsburgh or maybe even for the Packers.

Perry may be the most talented defensive player coming out, but he will not be one of the first selected.

8. Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama

Jenkins was fluid and looked like a beast at the Senior Bowl.

As a player whose stock may have dropped after he was released from the University of Florida, Jenkins showed scouts his coverage abilities and his overall play has not decreased.

Jenkins will be the best defensive back to come out of the draft in the next five years.

7. Jerel Worthy, Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

I personally like Worthy and think he is a "Pittsburgh Steelers" type of player.

He has nice size at 6'3" and 310 pounds, and he could be a steal if he falls to the bottom of the first round, but I see him being taken in the middle of the round by the Jets or maybe the Chargers.

6. Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

Could Poe be the draft pick no one has heard of?

The Memphis defensive tackle was impressive at the Senior Bowl and will be a valuable asset in stopping the run.

At 350 pounds, the redshirt junior was a beast on the line and is hard to move in protection.

In a year or two, he could be a Pro Bowl-type player.

5. Dont'a Hightower, Linebacker, Alabama

Hightower is a 'tweener.

At 6'4" and 260 pounds, does he have a true position in the NFL?

But with 4.78 speed, he will find a home in the NFL.

I see Hightower as a situational pass-rusher and someone who can thrive in a 4-3 defense like the Giants.

While Alabama churns out great defensive players this year, Hightower may be a great player and a certain first-round talent, but will fall into the second round because of numbers, not because of skill.

4. Melvin Ingram, Defensive End/Linebacker. South Carolina

I love Melvin Ingram's ability and his chance to be the best pass-rushing linebacker in this draft.

While Alabama and LSU send a lot of defensive stars to the NFL, Ingram played consistent football all season and looked sharp in the Senior Bowl.

His versatility to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense could lead to him having his name called early in this year's draft.

3. Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

Maybe lost in everything that took place at Penn State the second part of the season was the fact that Devon Still was a beast all season long.

I think Still could be a difference-maker early on in his career, possibly in his rookie season.

His talent is undeniable, and he is a much better prospect than Courtney Brown, a former first pick overall in the NFL draft.

The Carolina Panthers may take a look at him with the eighth pick in the draft.

2. Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, LSU

This is a projection selection here.

I don't think he will be the second defensive player taken off the board, but I think in time, he will have the most defensive potential of anyone in this draft.

Brockers, at 6'6" and 306 pounds, has room to grow, and I could see a team like Pittsburgh or New England (teams who need more defensive talent) moving up to take a shot at him in the early part of the first round.

1. Morris Claiborne, Defensive Back, LSU

If there weren't two really good passers at the top of the draft, it could be argued that Claiborne is worthy of the top pick in this draft.

Is he the best defensive back to come out of the draft since Deion Sanders? Possibly.

I think he can be another Rod Woodson with his coverage skills and his special-teams play.

If he is available at the fifth pick, Tampa Bay would be hard-pressed to pass him up, but he certainly will not be available past Washington and the sixth overall selection.