2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing the Best Defensive Undrafted Free Agent Prospects

Right now in the NFL, defenses are still a couple of steps back of the offense. Yes, the New York Giants still possessed one of the best defensive fronts in the game, but thanks to Eli Manning's passing tutelage, Big Blue was crowned champions.

That being said, defense basically need all the help it can get to shift the balance of power, so to speak, and therefore look at some potential undrafted free agents once May and June roll around.

And the following prospects are definitely worth a glance.

Ron Brooks: CB, LSU

Obviously when looking at LSU's defense, especially the Tigers' secondary, the contributions of Ron Brooks will go unnoticed more often than not.

And this comes as no surprise because of guys like Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne. However, Brooks was a solid playmaker in his own right and certainly deserves a shot in the NFL.

For his career, Brooks recorded 90 tackles (12.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, forced five fumbles and defended 13 passes. Certainly not sexy stats compared to Claiborne or Mathieu.

However, Brooks also intercepted three passes between 2010 and 2011 to which he returned all three for touchdowns. If that's not taking advantage and seizing your opportunities, then what is?

Now at 5'10", 190 pounds, Brooks is roughly your ideal size for a corner or nickel/dime back.

But, because of his playmaking skills, don't be surprised if he gets looked at for safety. In addition, the man has dabbled in the return game, so special teams dynamics will make him more appealing.

Scott Solomon: DE, Rice

Despite not getting much recognition coming out of Rice University, defensive end Scott Solomon has all the tools to be a great NFL pass-rusher.

For starters, he recorded career-highs with eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2011 after missing all of 2010 due to injury. As for Solomon's entire college career, he recorded 22.5 sacks, 205 tackles and three forced fumbles.

Now, he's not extremely fast, but his agility and lateral control is among the best in the nation. At the combine Solomon ran 4.25 seconds on the 20-yard shuttle, 7.17 seconds on the three-cone drill and hit 10'4" on the broad jump.

The man is 6'3", 260 pounds, so those numbers are indicative of a strong and explosive player who knows how to use his entire body to make plays.

Obviously Solomon does need to increase that top speed and use it to prevent from being double-teamed. The question here is whether a defense will try him as a 4-3 end or 3-4 outside linebacker.

Shawn Loiseau: LB, Merrimack

Here's a guy who simply knows how to find the football and make tackles on a consistent basis: Merrimack's Shawn Loiseau.

The past three seasons Loiseau has made 377 tackles, 11 sacks and 12 additional quarterback hits.

His size at 6'0", 244 pounds is more ideal to play outside linebacker as opposed to inside, however, Loiseau will benefit on the inside as part of a 3-4 front. His instincts, ability to quickly dissect plays and quickness will thrive anywhere at linebacker.

The only real downside is that Merrimack is an NCAA Division II school, so Loiseau obviously hasn't competed against top-notch competition such as anyone from the SEC, Big Ten or elsewhere in the BCS.

Still, with a great football IQ, no fear of filling holes and slamming into ball carries, Loiseau has the tough-man aura about him that suits the linebacker position. With proper development and the right system, he can make some noise sooner than later.

Winston Guy: S, Kentucky

A 6'1", 218-pound safety, Kentucky's Winston Guy is going under-the-radar because not only were the Wildcats not known for defense, but the rest of the SEC had a lot more talent across the board to dish out.

Let's face it, Kentucky's not the first school thought of when scouting defenders for pro football, so it's no surprise to see Guy considered to be an undrafted free agent. Still, Guy recorded 226 tackles the past two seasons along with eight passes defended, five of which were interceptions.

Mainly as a zone coverage/roll down safety, Guy wasn't put in many positions to knock down balls and be a game-changer. He was, however, a sound run defender and brings the pain every time. Guy is also versatile, having contributed at corner as well, so the football IQ will help add to his appeal.

In the NFL, Guy will simply need to learn by doing and that's more so at safety by reading in a Cover 2 or Cover 3. He will, though, see the field early as a monster back (safety/linebacker hybrid) in intermediate down and distances to stop the run as a backer and wall off smaller tight ends in man.

Just as long as he continues to improve his awareness and pass defense instincts, Guy has a future with solid potential.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
2. Cleveland Browns: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	18. San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
4. St. Louis Rams (From STL): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	20. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. Washington Redskins: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	22. St. Louis Rams (From CLE via ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	25. Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

John Rozum on Twitter.