2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Potential Undrafted Free-Agent Pass-Rushers

In the pass-happy NFL, a defense never can have too many talented defensive linemen who can apply pressure on the quarterback.

If there's any single element that can ruin an offense's game plan, it's constantly having defenders in the quarterback's face.

That being said, with standout pass-rushers such as North Carolina's Quinton Coples, South Carolina's Melvin Ingram and Illinois' Whitney Mercilus in this year's draft, more than a few will go under the radar.

The following pass-rushers are potential undrafted free agents who have solid college resumes.

Scott Solomon, Rice

Aside from Marshall's Vinny Curry, Scott Solomon was one of the more consistent pass-rushers in the Conference USA. He recorded 22.5 sacks and 205 tackles in four seasons with the Rice Owls.

After recording 4.5 sacks and 49 tackles as a freshman and 4.5 sacks and 40 tackles as sophomore, Solomon had his most productive season as a junior, recording 6.5 sacks and 63 tackles.

Then, after missing the 2010 season with an injury, Solomon rebounded as a senior with 8.5 sacks and 55 tackles, including four quarterback hurries.

With solid size at 6'3", 270 pounds, Solomon has the tenacity and quickness off the snap to get pressure inside and out. He also is a sure tackler.

In the NFL he's a good fit as a 4-3 defensive end and as a strict pass-rushing outside linebacker in a 3-4.

At the least, Solomon can provide talented depth to a defensive front and help in specific game situations, such as dropping underneath the slant route as a 1-5-5 linebacker.

Granted, that's a rare scenario, but it is one in which Solomon could be used.

Julian Miller, West Virginia

The most impressive thing about West Virginia's Julian Miller is his consistency.

As a sophomore in 2009, he recorded 53 tackles, eight sacks, broke up three passes and forced a fumble. In 2010, Miller upped the ante, recording 54 tackles with nine sacks, while also forcing another fumble and defending three passes.

Miller's senior campaign was not as statistically impressive. He had only six sacks, but did make 57 tackles and force two fumbles.

But he does know how to defend the run on the edge and can apply pressure even when offenses game-plan to isolate him. If he can't get consistent pressure, his 6'4" height allows him to deflect passes. He had 11 career passes-defensed.

Whoever provides him with an opportunity for the 2012 season, Miller fits a 4-3 system as a defensive end. He can defend the perimeter ground game well enough to assist the outside linebacker and get pressure on the quarterback to prevent running backs from assisting on the inside.

In turn, blitzing linebackers and interior lineman need not worry about be chip-blocked up the middle or double-teamed as often.

Justin Francis, Rutgers

The biggest concern with Rutgers' Justin Francis is that he had only only solid season in college.

However, Francis did improve each season. In 2011, he showed that he can perform when given the opportunity. He had 6.5 sacks and 64 tackles, but more impressively had10 quarterback hurries, five passes defended and three blocked kicks.

Blocking kicks isn't necessarily applying quarterback pressure, but it does relate to causing havoc in the backfield. For any pass-rusher to succeed, he needs to prove he can slip past blocks and/or knock down passes.

Provided that Francis is given time to develop in a 4-3 front, he can be an effective situation-specific rusher. Whether it's by down and distance, or paired with a blitzing outside linebacker to dip inside and draw a double-team, Francis has that capability.

After all, drawing two blockers while a teammate makes a sack is just as good as getting a sack for any defensive lineman.

Jamie Blatnick, Oklahoma State

Easily overlooked because of talented teammates like Justin Blackmon, Brandon Weeden and Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State's Jamie Blatnick won't get much recognition because of how statistically weak the Cowboys defense was in 2011.

That being said, inside Coach Mike Gundy's front seven, Blatnick was one of the few who stood out. In 2011, he recorded 50 tackles and eight sacks, in addition to recovering two fumbles and breaking up seven passes.

He didn't have as many opportunities from 2008-2010, but Blatnick made the best of his senior season. It's also hard to expect much from Blatnick because the Big 12 isn't known for dominant pass-rushers and defense in general, especially when compared to other BCS conferences like the SEC and Big Ten.

Still, his 6'3", 265-pound frame gives him a quickness and agility advantage over offensive tackles and run-blocking tight ends.

In the NFL, though, it wouldn't be surprising to see Blatnick play a hybrid DE/OLB position in a 3-4 front. With better-than-advertised awareness, sinking him into coverage on occasion to bait linemen and quarterbacks will pay dividends when he rushers the passer.

Unless he fully develops quicker than expected as a consistently dominant pass-rusher, Blatnick will have to mix it up to make the most of his chances.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (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: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
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 Browns (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: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
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: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

John Rozum on Twitter.