2012 NFL Mock Draft: Top Defensive Prospects with the Most Upside

For the most part, NFL teams are looking for a instant impact starter when they choose their first-round pick. 

However, sometimes they go after a raw, dynamic prospect with loads of upside and potential. 

Let's look at which defensive players in the 2012 draft class have the most upside. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford 

2. Washington Redskins (trade with St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

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

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

Brockers was a surprise entry in the 2012 draft, only being a redshirt sophomore at LSU, but with his elite athleticism, footwork and overwhelming power, this 6'6'', 30-pound defensive lineman has everything it takes to be one of the most disruptive defenders in the NFL after a few years in the pro ranks.

He's 21 and could certainly add bulk and muscle mass to his frame, and Brockers has a non-stop motor, which rarely can be taught at this level.  

9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

11. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB Illinois

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, Southern California 

Perry will enter the league as a 22-year-old with special athleticism to get after the quarterback. He was productive as a member of the Trojans and even had nine sacks in his freshman season. 

He stands 6'3'' and 250 pounds and has great quickness and suddenness off the edge. 

Perry must develop more counter moves to get past bigger offensive tackles. 

When he does that, he'll be a dangerous outside rusher who can play in the 3-4 or 4-3 defensive alignment. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Hightower will turn 22 in March, but at 6'4'' and 260 pounds, he already possesses a chiseled NFL-ready body. 

He isn't especially fast from sideline-to-sideline, but he's an instinctive linebacker who thumps in the running game and is a punishing tackler. 

With good coaching, he can learn to play the angles in the NFL and be an impactful man in the middle for the next decade. 

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

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

25. Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State 

26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

28. Green Bay Packers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

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

31. New England Patriots: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

32. New York Giants: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

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