2012 NFL Mock Draft: Luke Kuechly and Top LB's That Should Be Taken Early

The absurd offensive numbers that were put up across the NFL in 2011 will lead many teams to load up on defensive talent in the draft.

Luckily, the 2012 draft class is fairly loaded with defensive talent. Teams looking for secondary help will have options, as will teams looking for defensive line help.

Teams looking for linebackers will also find plenty of help. This year's class of linebackers is stacked, and there are quite a few who have earned the right to go in the first round on draft day.

In the form of a full first-round mock, here's a look at which linebackers very well could go in the first round in this year's draft.

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

You may have heard that Peyton Manning is officially done with the Colts. For all intents and purposes, that means Andrew Luck's time with the team has already arrived. He's a lock to go No. 1.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

ESPN's Adam Schefter has reported the Rams are going to trade the No. 2 pick. In the event they keep it, I have them going for Michael Brockers. The middle of their defensive line is in serious need of an upgrade.

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

Left tackle is arguably Minnesota's biggest need. Matt Kalil is billed as an elite left tackle prospect. This is a natural fit.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Browns have a shot to draft the franchise quarterback the team has been lacking for years. They'll likely have to trade up to draft Robert Griffin III, but they need to make sure they walk away from the draft with him in tow one way or another.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Buccaneers are a team that could use a linebacker, but they'd be fools to pass up a chance to draft Trent Richardson. He'll be the best player on the board at this spot, and the Bucs could use him.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

If the Redskins don't get Robert Griffin III, Justin Blackmon will be in play for them. The Redskins will have to bring a new quarterback at some point this offseason, but they're going to need to make sure whoever it is has a stud wide receiver to throw to.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Typically, I've been mocking LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne to the Jags in large part because I figured they wouldn't be re-signing Rashean Mathis.

Surprisingly, the Jags did re-sign Mathis. According to the Associated Press, Mathis has inked a one-year deal loaded with incentives to stay with the Jags.

In this case, there would be no wide receivers worth drafting No. 7, so the Jags will do the next best thing by taking a pass-rusher. Melvin Ingram is a guy who should be right up at the top of their wish list.

Ingram is something of a tweener, and he played both defensive end and outside linebacker at South Carolina. He could potentially play both positions on the Jags, but the team would be wise to play him back off the line, so as to take advantage of Ingram's freakish athleticism.

One thing that's for sure is that Ingram is a dynamic playmaker. The Jags could use somebody like him in their linebacking corps.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Cornerback is not a huge need in Miami, but at this point Morris Claiborne would practically come gift-wrapped. The Dolphins would be fools to pass up a chance to draft him.

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

The Panthers have a need for a versatile defensive lineman. He has motor issues, but Quinton Coples will be the best option available for them.

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

The Bills haven't had a pass rush in, well, years. It's time for them to change that.

Courtney Upshaw is a guy who has been up and down in my mocks. I've had him going to the Bills on several different occasions, however, and he'll be the best fit for them if the draft plays out how it plays out in this mock.

Upshaw is a one-dimensional player, but that one dimension is exactly what the Bills need. Upshaw is a pass-rusher. Plain and simple.

The Bills scored when they drafted Marcell Dareus last year. If they draft Upshaw, they'll score again.

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

Drafting combine star Dontari Poe will be very tempting for the Chiefs, but they shouldn't pass on Riley Reiff if he's there. He's the offensive line help the Chiefs have been looking for.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

This is a straight value pick. The Seahawks have bodies at guard, but it's a weakness. Drafting David DeCastro will make it a strength.

13. Arizona Cardinals (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals are a team that could use an outside linebacker. However, since the word from FOXSports.com is that the Cardinals are serious about signing Peyton Manning, it's in their interest to shore up their O-line. Even if they remain stuck with Kevin Kolb, Jonathan Martin is a smart pick.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

I like the idea of the Cowboys taking a linebacker in the draft, but not if it means passing up a cornerback. Janoris Jenkins is the second-best corner in the draft behind Claiborne.

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

The Eagles absolutely have to find a capable middle linebacker in the draft.

Eagles, meet Luke Kuechly.

Kuechly racked up some pretty gaudy tackle totals at Boston College, but he was viewed in some circles (including mine) as a guy who simply wasn't athletic enough for the NFL.

Kuechly proved otherwise at the combine. He proved he's not just a good athlete, but a well-above-average athlete. He can play in the NFL, and he's a perfect fit for the Eagles. They need somebody who can tackle all the runners who make it through their pass-rushing defensive line.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

I'm of mind that the Jets will be very, very tempted to take a running back here, but you obviously can't rule out Rex Ryan pushing for an addition piece for his defense.

One thing Ryan's defense could use is an outside linebacker, preferably one who can rush the passer.

Nick Perry is an intriguing option. He's a defensive end by trade, but he has the size and athleticism to handle linebacker duties in a 3-4 defense. 

Perry could be plugged in right away, and you just know that Ryan would look forward to sending him after Tom Brady.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland Raiders): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals could use a cornerback to complete their on-the-rise defense. Dre Kirkpatrick's stock is not as high as it once was, but the Bengals won't be reaching for him if they draft him at No. 17.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Vincent Jackson was not franchised, meaning he will test the free-agent waters. Instead of committing a huge amount of dollars to Jackson, the Chargers may as well draft a replacement. Michael Floyd will be the best option.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Bears are already being mentioned as a potential suitor for Jackson, so I don't think they'll be drafting a wide receiver. Instead, they'll grab offensive line help in the form of Mike Adams.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

I'll say right off the bat that the Titans could very well go for a cornerback in the first round. Cortland Finnegan was not franchised, and indications are that he's not coming back.

If the Titans do pass up a corner in the draft, it will be to draft an outside linebacker. Zach Brown is an absolutely perfect fit.

Brown underperformed at the combine, but that doesn't change the fact he's a freakish athlete. His speed on the field is nearly unmatched, and he came a long way as a player in 2011.

Brown would fit in alongside Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers, giving the Titans an outstanding young core of linebackers.

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

I've mocked Lamar Miller to the Bengals about a million times. It just feels right.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta Falcons): Kendall Wright, WR, Georgia Tech

Kendall Wright was a big part of RG3's success in 2011, and the Browns can make sure he's a big part of RG3's success in the NFL. It just so happens they need a speedy, field-stretching wide receiver.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Center is an area of need for the Lions, a team that really doesn't have too many needs to begin with. Peter Konz will be an easy pick if the Lions feel like drafting a center.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Steelers could go for offensive line help here, but Dontari Poe is too good for them to pass up if he lasts this far.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Broncos need an upgrade at defensive tackle. Fletcher Cox is the best 4-3 DT on the board, so he would do nicely.

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

The Texans are a team that really doesn't need much, but a speedy wide receiver would definitely help. Stephen Hill revealed himself to be one of the speediest receivers in the draft at the combine.

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans Saints): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Patriots desperately need secondary help. Getting Stephon Gilmore at No. 27 would be a steal.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Packers need to balance their offense by upgrading their rushing attack. Chris Polk is a natural fit for their offense.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

If the Steelers pass on Cordy Glenn to take Poe, the Ravens will gladly take him. They, too, need offensive line help.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery's draft stock is trending in the wrong direction, but my gut tells me the 49ers wouldn't pass on him if they get the chance to draft him. Wide receiver is an area of need, and they can afford to take a chance on Jeffery.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Devon Still, DL, Penn State

The Patriots' defensive line needs an upgrade, and Devon Still is a guy who could play several different roles for Bill Belichick.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The Giants are as solid as can be on their defensive line, but they could stand to add a solid middle linebacker.

Dont'a Hightower will stand out at this point in the draft if he's still available. He had a productive career at Alabama and was a team leader. If he were to go from Alabama to the Giants, he'd be going from a champion to a champion. Lucky him.

Hightower has his shortcomings, but they'd be hard to notice on the Giants. All he would have to do is clean up after their outstanding D-line.