2012 NFL Mock Draft: Comparing Top Defensive Tackles to Their Pro Counterparts

Some of the top defensive tackles in the 2012 NFL draft class draw eerily similar comparisons to some well-known current professionals. 

To get a better understanding of the type of prospects we're dealing with, let's peg the best defensive tackles in this year's class to their NFL counterparts.

Michael Brockers, LSU 

NFL Comparison: Richard Seymour

I've been going back and forth between Ndamukong Suh and Richard Seymour for my closest comparison to Brockers. 

It could really go either way. 

He's extremely versatile and can be effective in just about any defensive line spot, just like Suh and similar to Seymour. Those two guys are deceptively powerful.

While strong in his own right, Brockers could add more bulk to his 6'6'' frame at the next level. 

He can get after the passer and has the ability to get off blocks to make plays against the run. He's truly a disruptive player with loads of upside. 

Devon Still, Penn State

NFL Comparison: Kevin Williams

At 6'5'' and 310 pounds, Still is comparable to the Minnesota Vikings defensive line staple in size and stature. 

Williams has made a living rushing the passer, but he obviously has the size and athleticism to swallow up tailbacks and running plays to the inside. 

The same goes for Still. 

He had 17 tackles for loss in 2011 and recorded a respectable 4.5 sacks. 

The lone knock many have on Still is his stamina and overall motor. He has the tendency to take a few plays off, but when he's going full bore, it's extremely difficult to contain him. 

Dontari Poe, Memphis 

NFL Comparison: Terrence Cody/Vince Wilfork

Poe is nearly identical to Terrence Cody in size, at 6'5'' and a whopping 350 pounds, but he carries his weight much better than the former Alabama defensive standout does. 

He has good footwork and is quicker than you'd expect. He even lined up on the outside of Memphis' defensive line last season on a few occasions. 

Poe is like Wilfork in that he will eat up double teams on nearly every play, but has the ridiculous brute strength and will to push through and create havoc in the backfield. 

However, when he reaches the NFL, his main objective will be to occupy as many blockers as possible to free up his teammates. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft (Last Pre-Combine Update)

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): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

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

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

11. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

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 

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 

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

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: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

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

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

32. New York Giants, Kelechi Osemele, OL, Iowa State

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