2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing the Most Intriguing Dynamic Defensive Players

It most certainly helps a defense when it has players who can give an offense problems at multiple positions.

Whether it's a defensive end who can sink underneath the intermediate passing game, a safety than can roll down as an outside linebacker or cornerback who can blitz off the edge, being able to use a player numerous ways is a significant advantage.

That said, here are some of the more interesting dynamic defensive players who are not limited to their respective position.

Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

Mostly known as a defensive end, South Carolina was able to utilize Melvin Ingram's knack for finding the football a bunch of ways.

On occasion he would line up as a defensive tackle while also providing the ability to sink into coverage.

Obviously being more of a defensive end than anything, getting sacks and applying pressure is his specialty. However, considering that Ingram scored three touchdowns—two on recovered fumbles—as well as picking off two passes, the man can basically do everything.

Ingram's size, at 6'2", 275 pounds, allows him to easily switch between a 4-3 defensive end and outside linebacker. In addition, Ingram suits a defense well as a 3-4 end or outside 'backer while lining up as a defensive tackle in obvious passing situations.

After all, getting inside pressure on second and/or third and long doesn't happen from a nose tackle unless the coverage is consistently blanketing. So, to assist the pass defense, putting Ingram in the trenches where he can slice through double-teams or loop outside to read the screen pass will work.

He knows how to find the ball arguably better than anyone in the draft, so allowing Ingram to simply make plays can really derail an offense.

George Iloka, Boise State

He's a 6'4", 220-pound safety that has blazing speed for his size and excellent agility.

Boise State's George Iloka remained a defensive back through his college years and was more known for causing turnovers than anything else.

In three years he recorded seven picks (four as a freshman in 2008) and defended 23 passes. Subsequently, Iloka wasn't challenged as much, so tackling and delivering strong hits became the norm.

For his career, Iloka recorded 231 tackles and forced two fumbles. Of course, he wasn't part of an overly dominant defense, plus he was paired with Jeron Johnson for three years who stole the spotlight.

Still, because of his size and athleticism, Iloka can play anywhere from safety to outside linebacker to a hybrid monster-back (which is basically what Steve Atwater played).

In other words, Iloka will be utilized as a safety who rolls down over the slot tight end/receiver and plays mostly against the run. He's not going to get a lot of interceptions and bringing the pain to any receivers over the middle will be his forte.

When he does drop back though, it will likely be in cover-1 or cover-3 situations.

Iloka's instincts and awareness will pay dividends when reading routes and trying to time up big hits. 

Bretty Roy, Nevada

Along the same lines as South Carolina's Melvin Ingram but not nearly to the extent, Nevada's Brett Roy is quite dynamic for being considered a defensive tackle.

With size at 6'3", 275 pounds, Roy played mostly defensive tackle and end for the Wolfpack but was productive nonetheless.

He recorded 17 sacks and 114 tackles between 2010 and 2011, while also breaking up nine passes and getting 31 tackles for loss. In other words, Roy knows how to get in the backfield from anywhere on the line and in the NFL, putting him as a 3-4 pass rushing linebacker work as well.

Roy's ability to track the ball down from the backside is what will pay the most benefits, because that walls off the cutback lane for a running back. And like Ingram, putting Roy at defensive tackle for specific passing situations will provide a quicker interior rush.

The concern is whether to consistently use Roy as a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive end. His quick hands and feet to get in the backfield is impressive but overrunning a draw play or getting himself out of position is possible.

Nevertheless, it's better to be aggressive between the whistles than anything else. And with Roy's instincts along the line as well as a potential 3-4 pass rushing 'backer, he'll provide any defense with multiple ways to attack an offense up front.

Trumaine Johnson, Montana

Montana's Trumaine Johnson is a 6'2", 205-pound cornerback with excellent footwork and anticipatory skills.

Johnson's size allows him to dominate most No. 1 receivers and when needed, to shutdown the bigger receiving tight ends while in zone coverage.

He's great against the run and because of that attribute, making him a hybrid corner-safety will provide a defense with the luxury of blitzing from all over the field. Put Johnson at corner and let him get physical while reading the run, drop back into a cover-3 zone, lockdown in man coverage or blitz from the edge.

Also, letting him contribute at safety to roll down and blitz, or fill for a blitzing linebacker will suffice. Plus if the situation is right, he can move to play outside linebacker in a nickel package.

Because of Trumaine's size, a defensive coordinator can then use a smaller but dynamic player as the actual nickel or dime back to compensate for Johnson at linebacker. Then again, a lot of this scheming comes down to the opponent, the situation and Johnson's development.

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.