2012 NFL Mock Draft: Defensive Prospects Who Will Flame Out

With more than a month remaining until the 2012 NFL draft kicks off, the Washington Redskins already stole the major headlines with their reported trade for the No. 2 overall pick.

The deal—reportedly worth three first-round picks and a second-round pick—will give them the opportunity to land one of the top two quarterbacks in the draft. The Rams, meanwhile, should still get an opportunity to land a player they desperately need (their fingers are crossed for Justin Blackmon).

The trade centers around offense, like much of this first round, but the depth in this draft comes on the defensive side of the ball.

Not only are there potential stars, but there is a ton of starting-caliber talent. 

Unfortunately, not everyone will pan out.

Here's a look at some defensive prospects that will fail to make the most of their NFL careers.

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

The Colts' recent gutting will give Luck an entirely clean slate to start with.

2. *Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Washington knew they had to land a quarterback this year.

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

Protecting Christian Ponder and opening up holes for Adrian Peterson are the Vikes' primary concerns.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

It is looking more and more like Colt McCoy will get another chance to start in Cleveland—adding more weapons around him is the best possible play for them.

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

Like most rookie corners, Claiborne will get picked on, but like his former teammate Patrick Peterson, he'll make an immediate impact on the return game.

6. *St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams can only hope that Blackmon falls to No. 6.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

How good does Coples want to be? The UNC star has the potential to be an elite player at the next level, but it all depends on how much he works to make it happen.

Coples' attitude is a bit of question mark, and although he's very versatile for his size, he doesn't nearly play up to his potential.

That won't cut it in the NFL.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

The Dolphins will be in desperation mode if they don't land a quarterback in free agency.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ron Rivera knows he has to get his defense on track, or his team will consistently be playing from behind. As the league continues to be pass-first, the need for pass-rushers is greater than ever.

Ingram is a bit of a tweener because of his height, but he knows how to get after the quarterback.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The time has come for the Bills to finally address their need at tackle.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Scott Pioli will continue searching for the next Vince Wilfork by taking a chance on Memphis' mammoth athlete.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Is Upshaw a better fit in the 3-4 or 4-3? It won't matter to Pete Carroll, who, like Ron Rivera, needs to find a way to get after the quarterback better in 2012. 

The Crimson Tide star is NFL-ready and will be a big boost wherever he goes.

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

Protecting their investment in the backfield (whether Peyton Manning or Kevin Kolb) has to be their No. 1 priority.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Balancing the offense in Dallas with a more powerful running game will make the Cowboys extremely dangerous.

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

The BC linebacker is too talented for the Eagles to pass up.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Jets have to get back to their ground-and-pound ways—especially after they extended Mark Sanchez's contract—and Glenn gives them the boost opportunity to do that right away.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick's size, speed and athleticism could turn him into an elite player.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

What is going to make Nick Perry better than just "another guy"? He has solid height and weight, and even possesses great athleticism, but will he put it all together?

Perry has to better himself in the NFL and will need to learn how to be great by means other than pure athleticism.

He has the chance to do it, but he could very easily flame out as well.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Jay Cutler is doing back flips in Chicago.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The super-versatile defensive lineman will be a star very quickly.

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

Replacing Cedric Benson with more athleticism is a must.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Helping Colt McCoy needs to be the theme of this draft class.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has too much talent to not succeed.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower's physical style of play will fit in perfectly with the Steelers defense.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Broncos need help shutting down the run, and Devon Still can do that. He has good size for the position and can dominate at times.

But there is a chance that Still becomes just another name and number rather than a star. He doesn't have elite potential, and he's not going to make many plays as a pass-rusher.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron may never be a superstar, but he'll be a solid starter his entire career.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The youngster has elite potential and fits a position of need.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Athletically gifted corner is a good fit for a team with secondary issues.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The draft's best center will bring stability to the Ravens' offensive front.

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

Jeffery isn't the ideal receiver they need, but he does have big-time potential.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Did I mention the Pats' need for front-seven help?

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

Draft's most complete tight end fills a need for Big Blue.

*Rams trade No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first round picks and 2012 second-round pick.