2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing the Top Defensive Prospects

When the 2012 NFL Draft commences, the first few picks will be so focused on players like Andrew Luck, Justin Blackmon and Robert Griffin III that the defensive prospects will go unnoticed.

Now, that comes as no surprise considering that both Luck and Griffin were in the Heisman race and offense trumps defense when we're talking how the game has changed.

That being said, let's take a look at some first-round defenders who will make an immediate impact next fall.

Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

A 6'6", 280-pound defensive end, North Carolina's Quinton Coples has the size comparable to Julius Peppers.

And as a member of the Tar Heels since 2008, Coples recorded 22.5 sacks, 136 tackles and forced five fumbles between the last three seasons.

Off the edge, Coples is simply an aggressive force who knows how to find the ball and cause turnovers. If there's any concern, it's Coples not using leverage to create even more power and jump off the snap.

Then again, it is a challenge for some of his size to contain a constant low center of gravity. However, if Coples can prove that on a consistent basis, he'll slice past offensive lineman with ease in the NFL.

To that end, his potential is unlimited with the improvement of firing out low and remaining good body control. The Carolina Panthers could certainly use his services as they allowed an average of almost 380 total yards per game.

Other than defensive end Charles Johnson, the Panthers didn't have much of a defense with linebacker Jon Beasom out. Provided that Beasom returns to normal in 2012, adding Coples only makes their front seven that much better.

Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Despite Dre Kirkpatrick's off the field issues, which will still be concerning moving forward, he's remained first-round and top 15 talent.

The NFL Draft after all, is a risk regardless of who a team selects and what the flags are, right?

That said, Kirkpatrick was a complete lockdown corner in 2011 with 30 tackles, nine passes defended and two forced fumbles. No, the stats aren't impressive by themselves, however, being that he is considered one of the top corners coming out, it shows that Dre was rarely challenged.

Whether a quarterback simply neglected to look at the receiver or because the coverage was so blanketed, Kirkpatrick's credibility was set after the 2010 season.

There, Kirkpatrick recorded 53 tackles, three picks and defended 10 passes, so it's obvious that testing him in 2011 wasn't going to be much better for offenses.

In the NFL, the Buffalo Bills are a great fit as they need a stud No. 1 corner to improve everywhere on defense. They ranked No. 19 against the pass, No. 28 against the run and allowed an average of 372 total yards per game.

Dre is a great edge run supporter, is physical with receivers and will be reunited with college teammate Marcel Dareus. Certainly not a bad situation considering the Bills need all the help they can get on defense.

Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Unless the Seattle Seahawks try to make a move for Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, they should either trade down or address the defense.

Here, Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still would be a great addition to the Seahawks' front four.

As an interior defensive lineman, Still isn't going to record a lot of sacks or tackles. He can however, draw double-teams, force runs to bounce outside and cause pileups.

With the Nittany Lions though, Still was an all-encompassed player in recording 4.5 sacks and 55 tackles in 2011. A year earlier, Still had his breakout season with four sacks and 39 tackles, so Seattle would definitely use his power and instincts on the line.

Last season defensive end Chris Clemons accounted for 11 sacks, 51 tackles and forced three fumbles. So we have to expect that offenses will gameplan more to isolate him on blocking schemes. Therefore, having Still in the trenches will force offenses to play Clemons one-on-one.

Being that Seattle ranked No. 9 in allowing just 332.2 total yards per game, that ranking will only improve next season. Plus, if the Seahawks want increased odds at shutting down San Francisco's Frank Gore, dominant defensive tackles are needed.

Worst case-scenario is that Still adds talented-depth for the Seahawks front four.

Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

The Dallas Cowboys are in an interesting situation because they do need a stud cornerback, however, the question is whether to trade up or wait for the mid-rounds.

Fortunately for Big D, the 2012 NFL Draft has quite a bit of solid corner depth such as Jayron Hosley, Chase Minnifield, Brandon Boykin and Stephon Gilmore among others.

So to add some talented-depth at the very least, to the linebacker position, taking Boston College's Luke Kuechly would greatly benefit the Cowboys' 3-4 front. In three seasons with the Golden Eagles, Kuechly recorded 532 tackles, seven interceptions and defended 17 passes.

He's arguably the best run-defender in the draft and has some of the best instincts you could ask for in a middle linebacker. Against the pass he shields underneath routes well and is great at anticipating the throw.

Complementing Sean Lee on the inside will only wall off the intermediate passing game and take pressure off the secondary. In turn, pass rusher DeMarcus Ware simply has a little more time to get to the quarterback and the Doomsday Defense is almost reborn.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati (From OAK): Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	22. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	25. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
16. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)	32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

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