2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will Defensive Studs End Up?

I still believe defense wins championships, and the best way to build a strong unit is through the draft.

It starts with playmakers that have special abilities to rush the passer, stuff the run, cover tough receivers one-on-one or linebackers and safeties that cover huge areas. These are the players that make great defensive units possible.

In this draft, there are a few players that project as defensive forces with that type of impact. Here is a full first-round mock draft, with a spotlight on the defensive studs and where they will land.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts will make Luck the man at the top of the draft. How about some prop bets for how long it'll take for the commissioner to officially announce it?

2. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis)

I think everyone knows RG3 will be selected here, but by whom is the question.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil clinched his Minnesota destination with a beastly combine performance.

4. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Will Blackmon be another receiver that proves you don't have to have 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash to be effective?

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Morris Claiborne is the best overall cornerback in the 2012 draft. He hurt himself a bit with less-than-stellar combine numbers, but it wasn't enough to make teams forget about his awesome collegiate performance.

Claiborne ran a 4.5 in Indianapolis, and that was only the 10th-highest at the combine. His 34.5" vertical leap was only 15th, but Claiborne's abilities go beyond these numbers.

He has outstanding instincts and a nose for the ball. These skills are vital, but they don't show up at the combine.

He had six INTs and one defensive TD for one of the nation's best defenses. Claiborne is a playmaker on the field, and he will bolster the Bucs' horrible defense.

6. Washington Redskins: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd made himself a richer man with his performance at the combine.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina

Ingram is an athletic freak, and he projects as a great pass rusher off the edge. I have had my eye on Ingram since I saw this play during the season:

Ingram has an opportunity to be an instant impact in the Jaguars defense. He has the versatility to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme because of his athleticism. 

He has tremendous bust/star possibilities, but the talent is too much for Jacksonville to ignore.

8. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

I believe in Coples, but his demeanor and performance at the combine wasn't encouraging.

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins should jump on the chance to place Reiff on the opposite side of Jake Long on the offensive line.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw was perhaps the best player on the nation's best defense. Bills need a pass rusher badly, and Upshaw can do that.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is the most NFL-ready prospect in the draft.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Despite the 40 time, I believe smart teams like Seattle will see the Greg Jennings in Wright.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

A must for a team that surrendered 52 sacks in 2011.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins could be the best CB in the draft, but his off-the-field concerns could scare teams away. The Cowboys have had some success with players with rough pasts before—they will hope this will be another success story.

Jenkins has great cover skills, and he displayed those at tiny North Alabama. He was so feared, he was rarely challenged, but he still picked off two passes with limited opportunities.

Jenkins could really solidify the Cowboys' need for a shutdown corner if he performs to his high potential.

It's a good but risky pick for the Cowboys.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT Memphia

When you look up "combine freak" in the dictionary, Poe should be standing right there. Nobody 356 pounds should be running a sub-five-second 40-yard dash, yet that is exactly what Poe did at the combine.

He also showed off gamma ray-like strength as he bench pressed 225 pounds 45 times. He went from a low first-round selection to a player that could go as high as seventh overall.

I think he still falls here to the Eagles, who need help against the run. Poe projects as a run stuffer because of his size and strength, but also a possible pass-rushing threat with that speed.

16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers DE/DT LSU

Brockers' versatility will be an asset on the Jets' less-than-imposing defensive line.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller makes replacing Cedric Benson much easier.

18. San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

When Vincent Jackson walks, Jeffery is an obvious replacement because of skill set and body type.  

19. Chicago Bears: Stephen Hill, WR, Wisconsin

After the Bears throw dough at Jackson or Marques Colston, Hill will solidify the new-look Bears receiving corps.

20. Tennessee Titans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

He's no Poe on paper and in workouts, but he is a solid tackle prospect.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

Hosley was also a combine star, and he fills a need for the Bengals.

22. St. Louis Rams: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

DeCastro and Blackmon would make for a successful first round after trading the second pick.

23. Detroit Lions: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

Minnifield is an awesome athlete that immediately upgrades the Lions secondary.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

Lewis could be a nice replacement for James Harrison once he retires or is banished from the league.

25. Denver Broncos: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin

Toon doesn't have spectacular speed, but he has the good hands and route running to become another weapon for Tim Tebow.

26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Randle made a good account of himself at the combine and could possibly be insurance for Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Pats need a solid corner that allows Devin McCourty to move to safety for good.

28. Green Bay Packers: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz can be a solid replacement for free agent Scott Wells.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Is there a better situation for a young MLB than learning from Ray Lewis?

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Insurance is needed in the 49ers secondary, as they could lose both Dashon Goldson and Carlos Rogers. 

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, OLB/DE, Illinois

Mercilus will be a steal for the Patriots this late, as they bolster their defense.

32. New York Giants: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Polk will take some of Ahmad Bradshaw's or Brandon Jacob's carries. The Giants need new blood in the backfield.