2012 NFL Draft Projections: Teams That Will Add Firepower Along Defensive Line

A few teams cannot let the first round of the 2012 NFL draft pass by without grabbing a defensive lineman. They need the extra muscle up front, and the draft is the best way to go about that. 

The first round of this draft is not as loaded with defensive line talent as last year's, but there are still some game changers. 

Here is a look at some of those guys, and the teams that will draft them. 

8. Carolina Panthers, DT, Devon Still

Why They Need a Defensive Lineman

The Panthers have to go defense heavy in this draft. This is a unit that failed them time and again this year. 

They finished 24th in passing defense and 25th in rushing defense. 

They have numerous holes to fill, but if they could grab a man in the middle that will demand double teams, clog running lanes, and get the occasional QB pressure, then they will be off to a great start. 

Why Still Works

Still is the best defensive lineman in this draft. He is a prototypical defensive tackle. At 6'4" and 310 pounds, he has the size needed to play inside. He also has the strength and explosiveness. 

Still is solid in both the run and pass games. This is a perfect fit for the Panthers. 

16. New York Jets, DE, Melvin Ingram 

Why They Need a Defensive Lineman

The Jets still have a solid defense. But their once impenetrable run defense became penetrable. 

They finished last season fifth in pass defense and 13th in rush defense. What killed this run defense is that the Jets were unable to secure the edge and didn't have the speed to chase down backs. 

They have to get younger and faster up front, or this downward slide in run defense will continue. 

Why Ingram Works

At 6'2" and 276 pounds, Ingram is a freakish athlete. He will have the ability to play with his hand in the dirt or standing up on the edge. 

And wherever he plays, he will be wreaking havoc. He has the strength to hold the edge and the speed to keep backs turning inside. 

25. Denver Broncos, DT, Fletcher Cox

Why They Need a Defensive Lineman

The Broncos have an excellent pair of bookend pass rushers in Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller. What they don't have is a dominant force inside to slow down opposing rushing attacks and help keep blockers off of the edge rushers. 

Last season Denver switched from the 3-4 to the 4-3, and they are still looking for the defensive tackles to pull this off. 

Why Cox Works

Cox is an explosive DT who can live in opposing backfields. Coming in at just under 300 pounds, he is not the mountain of a man type of player who will clog lanes. 

But he will disrupt the running game by penetrating into the backfield. He will also give the Broncos an even deadlier look in pass rushing situations.