2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams in Dire Need of Impact Defenders

Defense wins championships, and the best way to improve that side of the ball is through the NFL draft. 

In the class of 2012, several elite defenders are sure to make an immediate impact, which is why so many teams will be coveting them. 

These teams have to get better on defense if they plan to win the Super Bowl someday, and since the talent level is so superb this year, most of these needy teams will fill big holes. 

With that said, here is my 2012 NFL mock draft with info on each pick and a more in-depth look at those teams in dire need of impact defenders. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford  

Luck is the top prospect in the draft. With Peyton Manning now released, the Colts find the future of their franchise right here. 

2. TRADE Washington Redskins from St. Louis Rams (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins do the right thing and trade up to get the Heisman Trophy winner to become the face of their franchise. 

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

With the big trade, it allows the Vikings to land the top offensive tackle, which is huge for them because Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson need more protection. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Browns could think about a running back here, but I think they're better off getting a playmaker to spread the field, allowing Colt McCoy to develop faster. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU 

The first defender taken in the draft is definitely going to make an impact. 

Claiborne will be an immediate contributor for the Bucs in the secondary, and don't be surprised if he does big things in the return game.

He was overshadowed in that area by Tyrann Mathieu this past season, but Claiborne has superb return skills. 

Tampa Bay needs a lock-down corner, and Claiborne will give them just that. Going up against Matt Ryan, Drew Brees and now Cam Newton twice a year is not going to be easy, which is why the Bucs have to get Claiborne to help against the pass. 

6. TRADE St. Louis Rams from Washington Redskins (5-11): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

This is a bit of a reach, but Brockers' big frame will excite Jeff Fisher, as he looks for the young defensive tackle to be the anchor of his line for many years to come. 

The Rams have a bigger need on the offensive line, but they also need defensive help as well. Brockers will transform into a star as he continues to learn and hone his skills. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina 

Another small reach here, but the Jaguars are desperate for playmakers. Jeffery gives them a big target to help Blaine Gabbert improve.  

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

The Dolphins do the unthinkable and draft the best player available to stack up on offensive firepower. 

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina 

The Panthers have to do a better job at getting after the opposing QB. While Coples had a down year this past season, he still has tremendous talent, which the Panthers will love. 

I don't think Coples will be a star right away, but he'll give solid production to a team that really has to get better on defense if it's ever going to survive its tough division. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Speaking of a team in a tough division, the Bills are another team that really needs that star player on defense. 

Buffalo is subpar at best on defense, which is something it has to get better at. The offense is getting stronger and stronger, but the Bills desperately need playmakers on the defensive side of the ball.

Drafting Upshaw would be perfect for this team because he plays all over the field. He can drop and cover, is great in pursuit and is a very skilled pass-rusher off the edge. 

Upshaw is one of the best defenders in the draft, and the Bills would be very wise to select him to better the team. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Chiefs have a number of options here, but boosting the offensive line to help protect Matt Cassel (or maybe Peyton Manning) is their best bet. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Seahawks would prefer a QB, but getting an explosive defender to bring down opposing QBs is still a great move. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals also have a number of options here, but since they're in play for Manning, they too should do the right thing and upgrade their offensive line. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys could consider a linebacker here, but with Kirkpatrick falling their way, they wisely draft him to be their star corner for many years to come. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Eagles put the franchise tag on DeSean Jackson, meaning they're going to focus on defense in the draft. 

They have star power in the secondary and the defensive line, but the group of linebackers is the weak spot in the team. 

Drafting Kuechly, a dynamic tackling machine who will be a force from day one, is the right thing to do for Philadelphia. The Eagles have an explosive offense, so now it's time to become a feared defensive team. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): ): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Plaxico Burress is likely gone, so the Jets should find their future wideout star here. If they land Manning, the Jets would be very wise to give him more talent at receiver to work with. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama 

Jenkins has character concerns, but the Bengals will look past that and gladly draft him because he's extremely talented in the secondary. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State  

The Chargers need to make sure Philip Rivers is protected at all times, so using this pick to get Adams would be really smart. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

The Bears need to find their playmaking WR through free agency and focus on upgrading the offensive line during the draft. DeCastro is the best interior lineman in the draft class, and he'll help right away. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina 

The Titans have a mediocre defense this past season but, by getting Ingram, their pass rush would greatly improve, which would help out the rest of the defense too. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cedric Benson isn't coming back to the Bengals, so they need to find his replacement. Miller's blazing speed will work out very well in Cincinnati. 

22. Clevleand Browns (via ATL 10-6): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Browns need help all over, but since they used their first pick on offense, they'll upgrade the defense with this pick. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia                              

The Lions could consider a cornerback here, but improving the offensive line to keep Matthew Stafford safe is what really needs to be done. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska 

The Steelers need better depth in the secondary, and while they have a need for an offensive lineman or maybe a linebacker, Dennard is too good to pass up on. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis  

The Broncos biggest need is at defensive tackle, and Poe is the perfect player for them.

He'll be able to contribute immediately, using his great burst of speed to make big plays for a team in dire need of help on the defensive line. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

With great speed and even better hands, Hill is a solid deep threat. He needs to improve in other areas, but he can learn from Andre Johnson all while helping the Texans offense become ever scarier. 

27. New England Patriots (via NOLA 13-3): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

The Patriots may trade this pick or use it on defense, but since Konz is still on the board, Belichick will draft another offensive lineman to ensure Tom Brady has the best protection possible. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): ): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina  

The Packers need to upgrade at the outside-linebacker spot, and Brown is the best one available. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

The Ravens would love for an offensive lineman to fall their way, and they may end up reaching on one here. However, Hightower would be a perfect replacement for the aging Ray Lewis. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

If the 49ers are going to reach the Super Bowl, they'll need to get more playmakers on offense.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Patriots are probably going to trade this pick because that's what Belichick does. However, improving the defense has to be done, and Gilmore is a solid talent at corner that will help right from the start. 

32. New York Giants (9-7):  Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

With their tight ends suffering terrible injuries in the Super Bowl, the Giants wisely select the best one in the draft with the final pick of the first round. Charles has superb hands and is very athletic, similar to Vernon Davis, which Eli Manning will love.