2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Will Find Key Defensive Studs

The NFL had been becoming more and more of an offensive league for years, but things got a little out of hand in 2011.

Whether it was due to the lockout, new rules that favored the offense or the outstanding play for the league's quarterbacks, a lot of yards were gained and a lot of points were scored last season. The question many teams are facing now is how they can make sure their defenses don't get embarrassed again.

Some teams need more help on defense than others, and they will attempt to find that help in the draft. In the form of a full first-round mock, here's a look at teams that will be successful in their search for key defensive studs.

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

The Colts are a team that needs help on defense, but not as much as they need a new quarterback. Peyton Manning is out, and Andrew Luck will be in. Count on it.

2. Washington Redskins (5-11 after trade with St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins shocked the world by agreeing to send a package of first-rounders to the Rams for the No. 2 overall pick. There's only one player they should take, and that's Robert Griffin III. The Redskins are about to land the franchise quarterback they've been lacking for years.

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

I've been mocking Matt Kalil to the Vikings for months. The two are perfect fits for one another.

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

I would have loved to see the Browns trade up to draft RG3, but so much for that. They'll have to settle for the next best thing, and that's Alabama's Trent Richardson. The Browns will still be on the lookout for a franchise quarterback, but at least they will have landed a franchise running back.

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

The Tampa Bay Times has reported that the Bucs have told Ronde Barber they'd like to have him back, and Rick Stroud of the Times has reported that Greg Schiano expects Aqib Talib to return to the team.

Despite this, the Bucs are still in a position to draft Morris Claiborne in the first round on draft day. He likely wouldn't start right away if the Bucs bring back both Barber and Talib, but Claiborne is a guy the Bucs are going to want to have for the long term.

Claiborne projects as an elite cover corner. He's not quite the athlete that former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson is, but his instincts are unparalleled in this year's draft class, and he has more than enough athleticism to cut it in the pros.

Besides, the Bucs need as much defense as they can get.

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

The Rams are widely expected to pick a wide receiver or an offensive lineman in the draft.

I figure they're more likely to address the defensive side of the ball. They need tons of help on defense, particularly in the trenches. That's where a guy like Michael Brockers would come in handy.

Brockers is still raw as a player, but he's a physical brute who projects as a dominant difference maker at the next level. He's a guy who will blow up offensive lines and disrupt offenses before they even get started.

The Rams need a guy like this, particularly as it pertains to their rush defense. The Rams allowed the second-most rushing yards in the league last season, and it was way too common to see wide holes open up for opposing runners. That's a problem Brockers can fix.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Jags could use help on defense, but they're coming off a season in which they were surprisingly good on defense. With no great defensive fits available, expect the Jags to target a wide receiver. They won't pass on Justin Blackmon if he's available at No. 7.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins are likely to bring in a new quarterback this offseason, but they also need to shore up their offensive line. Drafting Riley Reiff would be helpful in that regard.

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

The Panthers are pretty set on offense with Cam Newton leading the way and Steve Smith catching deep balls, but they could use some help on defense.

More than anything, what the Panthers need is a versatile player they can install on their defensive line. They need depth at defensive end, and they're weak at defensive tackle. If they can kill two birds with one stone, they should do so.

Drafting Quinton Coples would do the trick. There are questions about his motor, but we're talking about a guy who has experience playing both defensive end and defensive tackle. He could potentially play both spots in the NFL.

If so, he's a natural fit for the Panthers.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Bills scored when they drafted Marcell Dareus in the 2011 draft, but the next level of their defense is sorely in need of a boost.

Enter Melvin Ingram. He's billed as a defensive end, but he has experience playing outside linebacker, and he has more than enough athleticism to handle linebacker duties in the NFL.

Ingram is just one of those guys who is always at the right place at the right time. He developed a reputation for being a game-changer at South Carolina, and that was largely because there was nothing he couldn't do.

The Bills could use a guy like that in their linebacking corps.

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

I wouldn't say the Chiefs are in desperate need of defense, but it sounds like they're going to need a new nose tackle. It has been reported by The Oklahoman that Kelly Gregg is leaning towards retirement. Drafting Dontari Poe will be too tempting after his dominant showing at the combine.

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

The Seahawks have options at guard, but no good ones. David DeCastro is an outstanding value pick for the Seahawks at this point, so they shouldn't hesitate to draft him if he's there.

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

According to The Arizona Republic, Levi Brown is a candidate to be released, with the extra cap space ideally going towards Peyton Manning. Regardless, this is an offensive line than needs another body, and Jonathan Martin will be the best player available by far.

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

As a whole, Dallas' defense is pretty solid. But if ever there was a team that needed help at cornerback, it's the Cowboys.

Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman did not have good years in 2011, and some injuries revealed some serious depth problems at the cornerback position. At the absolute very least, the Cowboys need another body at cornerback. 

Janoris Jenkins is a guy who can fill that need and more. He mucked up his college career thanks to his own immaturity, but the skills are there, and the character concerns are not as bad as they once were. All that seems to matter now is that Jenkins is an outstanding talent.

The Cowboys are a team that could gamble on him. They tend to not be afraid of players with questionable character.

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

In assembling their defense last offseason, the Eagles overlooked one key ingredient: a middle linebacker who could actually tackle runners.

The Eagles didn't have one of those last season, and they suffered for it. The Eagles allowed a ton of rushing yards earlier in the season, a trend that helped contribute to their dismal start.

The Eagles need to fix this problem, and Luke Kuechly is the perfect guy for the job. He racked up hundreds of tackles at Boston College, and he proved at the combine that he's more athletic than he was getting credit for.

If he's there, the Eagles shouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Jets need a pass-rushing linebacker, and Courtney Upshaw is just that. Still, I wouldn't call the Jets a team in desperate need of defense. Upshaw will be another cog in a very strong machine.

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

The Bengals are improving defensively, but they could use a cornerback. Dre Kirkpatrick could be a permanent replacement for Johnathan Joseph, who departed for the Houston Texans in 2011.

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

The Chargers chose not to franchise Vincent Jackson, and it's my guess that he won't be back with them in 2012. If not, they'll need to find a new No. 1 wide receiver, and Michael Floyd has all the skills and physical attributes that we're used to seeing in Chargers wide receivers.

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

The Bears could go for a wide receiver here, but I'm assuming they'll go get one in free agency instead. If they do, expect them to use their first-rounder to add to their offensive line. Mike Adams will be the best fit for them if he's available.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Cortland Finnegan was not franchised by the Titans, and indications are that he's done with the team.

If Finnegan does end up leaving Tennessee, it goes without saying they'll need to find a new No. 1 corner. 

How about Stephon Gilmore? Not many people noticed, but he had a pretty good career at South Carolina, and he was particularly good in 2011. Since the season ended, he's been generating more and more positive buzz.

The Titans won't be able to do better than him if he's available.

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

The Bengals need a running back to fit alongside Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Lamar Miller is a player who would be a perfect fit.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta Falcons): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

I have my doubts about Alshon Jeffery, but I think he would fit well on the Browns. Whenever Colt McCoy finds himself in trouble, he could just chuck it up for grabs in Jeffery's direction. Say what you will about Jeffery, but the guy can go get a jump ball.

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

The Lions could go for a cornerback or a linebacker here. But with no great options available, expect them to go for a center. Peter Konz will be the best player on the board by far.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Steelers need offensive line help about as badly as any team in the NFL. Cordy Glenn is a guy who could step in and play several positions. He'd be a godsend.

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

There was a train of thought before last year's draft that the Broncos would take Marcell Dareus with the No. 2 pick in the draft.

They ended up taking Von Miller, who panned out pretty well. Still, the Broncos played the entire season with a defensive line that needed help at defensive tackle. They don't want to do that again.

Fletcher Cox is a fit for the Broncos simply because he's the best 4-3 defensive tackle on the board after Michael Brockers. He's got the skills that Denver's defensive line needs.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Texans don't need much, but a speedy wide receiver who could stretch the field for Andre Johnson would definitely come in handy. Kendall Wright is the right man for the job.

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans Saints): Devon Still, DL, Penn State

The Patriots defensive line played pretty well in the postseason, but it's a weak unit. Devon Still would be an immediate upgrade, and he would fit in any system Bill Belichick chooses to install.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Packers have plenty of talent on defense, but they need another linebacker to help take some pressure off of Clay Matthews. Fellow USC alum Nick Perry would be the best get at No. 28. The Packers wouldn't be filling a huge need, but Perry's presence would make a difference.

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

I would have had Vontaze Burfict going here in the past, but his showing at the combine was dreadful. The Ravens need an heir apparent for Ray Lewis, though, and Dont'a Hightower is a player who would make the most playing behind him for a year or two.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The 49ers desperately need more talent at wide receiver, and preferably more speed too. Stephen Hill was last seen lighting up the 40-yard dash at the combine. He'd fit well on the 49ers.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

If there's one thing the Patriots need more than anything else, it's secondary help. By the end of the season, they were pretty desperate to come up with guys they could use to defend the pass.

Drafting a corner should be a priority for the Pats in the draft. His draft stock has been headed in the wrong direction since the end of the 2011 college season, but Alfonzo Dennard is a guy who strikes me as a good fit for the Pats.

Dennard's biggest problem is that he's undersized, and it doesn't help that he's a mediocre athlete. But he's far more aggressive than his size suggests he is, and you get the sense he plays with a chip on his shoulder.

Sounds like a Patriot to me.

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

Orson Charles has had a rough couple of days, fighting through tough conditions at his pro day and then getting charged with a DUI. Nevertheless, he's the top tight end in the 2012 draft class, and it just so happens the Giants could use a tight end.