2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Where Notable, Mid-Round BCS Conference DBs Land

It's a defensive back-loaded NFL Draft this year, so every franchise will have more than one opportunity to select a prospect suitable to addressing those needs.

That being said, drafting the correct player is vehemently more important than the position itself. With so many players providing different strengths and carrying different weaknesses, fitting the philosophy is crucial.

Therefore, let's take a look at some mid-round prospects and where they'll end up.

(Round 3) Chicago Bears: Jayron Hosley, CB (Virginia Tech)

Last season the Chicago Bears finished ranked No. 28 against the pass and allowed over 250 passing yards per game. So, it's clear that improving against the pass is needed immediately, especially since division rival like Green Bay and Detroit are pass-oriented offenses.

Well, luckily it's a steep draft for defensive backs and Virginia Tech's Jayron Hosley is a solid addition. As a sophomore, Hosley picked off nine passes and returned them for 110 yards while also defending a total of 17.

In 2011, Hosley recorded three more picks (wasn't challenged as much) and defended a total of 15. Not to mention he forced two fumbles and made 59 tackles. Here's a guy who can play opposite of Charles Tillman, take on the nickel/dime back role in strict passing situations or transition to safety alongside Chris Conte.

The Bears basically need all the help they can get at defending the pass, so utilizing Hosley's ball awareness and reaction skills will pay dividends in 2012.

(Round 3) Buffalo Bills: Markelle Martin, Safety (Oklahoma State)

Provided that the Buffalo Bills draft Oklahoma State's Markelle Martin, the defense can adopt two different fronts. They can use their 3-4 defense from 2011—which would appear unlikely as they allowed almost 140 rushing yards per game (ranked No. 28)—and a 4-3 defense as well.

Here's where Martin comes in. He's a 6'1", 200-pound safety who can tackle effectively, hit hard and consistently break-up passes. A 3-4 front could be used in most intermediate down-and-distances to roll down Martin for a blitzing linebacker—therefore, utilizing his size on slot receivers and run support.

In the 4-3 front, let Martin sit back and react to the developing play in Cover 1, 2 or 3. After all, the man did record 175 tackles between 2009 and 2011 with 35 defended passes.

Buffalo needs to make significant improvements on defense as it allowed over 370 total yards per game. With the Patriots still rolling and the Dolphins improving, the Bills need to add talent quickly.

(Round 4) Tennessee Titans: Aaron Henry, Safety (Wisconsin)

Although the Tennessee Titans were adequate against the pass in 2011 by allowing 227 passing yards per game (ranked No. 14), they were worse against the run with a No. 24 ranking (allowed almost 130 rush yards per game).

Fortunately for the Titans, Wisconsin safety Aaron Henry was part of a defense that stuffed the run quite well. Then again, it's not like Henry and the Badgers had much of a choice considering the Big Ten is primarily a run-first conference.

That said, Henry recorded 181 tackles in his career while only defending 24 passes. So, not only was he more of a run defender but he played more zone than man coverage as a 6'0", 205-pound safety. He did, however, pick off six passes the last two seasons and return them for 137 yards.

Tennessee's defense needs this kind of production against the run from the secondary, as well as the ability to force turnovers and change the field position. Worst-case scenario from the start is Henry coming in as a nickel/dime back to add rush defense instincts and intermediate pass defense awareness.

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.