NFL Draft 2012: Analyzing Melvin Ingram and the Best Pass-Rushers

Now that we're past the NFL scouting combine, the next step in the process are pro days, and then finally the draft.

And in a pass-happy league, a defense's best friend is having a dominant pass-rush to disrupt the timing of an offense. We saw it once again with the New York Giants and their front four last season, so expect other franchise to follow suit this April.

Therefore, here is a look at the best, raw pass-rushers to hope for in the 2012 draft.

Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

Perhaps the most interesting aspect about Melvin Ingram's game is that he isn't known as a true pass-rusher.

Thanks to his versatility and playmaking skills (scored three touchdown in 2011), Ingram is more known as a complete player, which, although better, does not give enough credit to how great he can be at applying pressure.

In the past two seasons, Ingram recorded 19 sacks. However, he wasn't always playing defensive end or outside linebacker. On occasion, Ingram would line up at defensive tackle and see more double-teams than anything else. In turn, that limited his production inside, but allowed teammates to make plays.

On the outside, he was more effective, but still saw double-teams more than anyone on the Gamecocks. In the NFL, Ingram will likely be used as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but his explosion at the snap, lateral agility and great body control to immediately change directions will make him a strong presence off the edge.

Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

He may have been a one-hit wonder, but Illinois' Whitney Mercilus simply took advantage of every snap in 2011.

With 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles, Mercilus was a force in the Big Ten after not playing much in 2009 and 2010. An expected late first-rounder, Mercilus may not have the versatility of Melvin Ingram, but he has displayed improved play-recognition and instincts through his development.

Now, because Mercilus hasn't gained much experience defending the pass and his size is a bit small for a true 4-3 defensive end, he'll simply be used as a 3-4 pass-rushing outside linebacker.

To some extent, Mercilus' quickness off the snap and reliable hand techniques in getting off blocks will allow a defense to display a 3-4 Over/Under look. Here, the pass-rushing 'backer lines up just outside the 3-4 defensive end and, although it looks more like a 4-3, you have shifted linebackers over the middle.

In turn, the defense can shift to this just before the snap, which can force a quarterback to change his progressions while dropping back. Confusion, if anything, will provide Mercilus that little bit of extra time to apply pressure.

Vinny Curry, Marshall

Along the same lines as Whitney Mercilus, Marshall's Vinny Curry is a but undersized to be a true 4-3 defensive end in the NFL.

The difference, however, is that Curry dominated consistently for the Thundering Herd for three consecutive seasons from 2009-2011. Coming onto the scene in '09, Curry recorded 3.5 sacks, 59 tackles and eight quarterbacks hurries.

2010 saw incredible improvement, with 12 sacks, 94 tackles, 16 quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Yes, Marshall plays in the Conference USA, but there's no denying a high level of consistency in the FBS.

Then, in 2011, Curry continued his dominance by recording 11 sacks, 77 tackles, eight quarterback hurries, seven forced fumbles and three blocked kicks. The man has a knack for finding the football, knowing how to cause turnovers and is much stronger than given credit for.

Because of his elite agility, ball awareness and reliability as a sure tackler, Curry has potential to be a 4-3 defensive end. However, his football IQ will allow a defense to use him in a 1-5-5 or 3-4 look as well, so regardless of where he gets drafted, Curry will prove to be a menace in the NFL.

Bruce Irvin, West Virginia

West Virginia's Bruce Irvin is an interesting prospect, solely because his potential his very high, but his experience and proven ability to stop the run can be questioned.

Combined between 2010 and 2011, Irvin recorded 22 sacks, forced five fumbles and had four additional quarterback hurries. But, he only recorded a total of 61 tackles, which means that Irvin does need more development and experience in defending against the run.

As a pass-rusher, though, the man is great. With awesome athleticism and play recognition skills, Irvin can track down any quarterback, or read screens and draws to slow an offense down. He'll obviously be used almost exclusively in passing situations and as a 3-4 rushing linebacker.

Irvin is simply too small to play a 4-3 end, and lacks even more experience at defending the pass on a consistent basis. So, as long as he remains a strong presence off the edge and can develop even more against the run, Irvin makes for a solid late-second/early-third-round pick.

Provided that he develops quickly against the run, and learns how to control his body without getting himself out of position, Irvin will develop into a complete edge-rushing outside linebacker.

John Rozum on Twitter.