2012 NFL Mock Draft: Defenders Guaranteed to Succeed in Rookie Season

NFL Free Agency is upon us, and that means the needs of certain teams are suddenly changing, which in turn changes the outlook of the NFL Draft.

Here's a quick look at updated first-round mock, with a closer look at defensive players who will have immediate success in the NFL. 

1. Indianapolis Colts Select Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck has clear No. 1 pick ability and it's looking more and more like Peyton Manning has left town. No-brainer. 

2. Washington Redskins Select Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins gave up a lot to move to this spot, and it's clear they're going after the quarterback of their dreams. RGIII would be the No. 1 pick in a lot of other drafts. 

3. Minnesota Vikings Select Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings need someone to replace Charlie Johnson at left tackle or franchise-quarterback Christian Ponder isn't going to survive. Kalil is that guy.

4. Cleveland Browns Select Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Peyton Hillis is likely on his way out as a free agent and Montario Hardesty can't stay healthy. Trent Richardson immediately becomes an important weapon on this offense.

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

The Bucs have already made a splash in free agency by signing a wide receiver and a guard, so defense is the next logical upgrade.

Claiborne is fantastic in coverage and according to draft guru Matt Miller, he grades pretty high, too.

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"In grading his cover skills, Claiborne grades out higher than 2011 No. 6 overall pick Patrick Peterson did at cornerback."

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With Ronde Barber on his way out via free agency or even possibly retirement, the Bucs have an opening in the secondary. Heck, Claiborne could even step in as the No. 1 over Aqib Talib, who is far from consistent.

But Claiborne, who led an LSU defense that pretty much resembled an NFL team, is ready to step in and have success from day one. 

6. St. Louis Rams Select Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams really need to find QB Sam Bradford another weapon, especially with Brandon Lloyd currently on the free-agent market.

Blackmon is the safest wide receiver in the draft, but he combines that with big-play ability.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars Select Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

With Matt Roth and Jeremy Mincey hitting free agency, the Jags could certainly use a defensive end. Wide receiver also makes sense but I don't see them reaching this high for one.

Instead, expect Jacksonville to go after the UNC pass-rusher. He wasn't as productive as many hoped he would be for the Tar Heels in 2011, but he reminded us all how incredibly gifted and talented he is at the Senior Bowl.

His motivation has often been questioned, and that may cause his stock to fall, but his elite pass-rushing ability makes him a top five talent. Once he puts on that NFL uniform and gets the right coaching, he's going to make a huge impact. 

8. Miami Dolphins Select Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins were worst in the league in sacks-allowed percentage and now they're trying to bring in Peyton Manning or another new quarterback. 

If they want to actually protect the new signal-caller, they need to grab a left tackle and Reiff is the second best one in the draft. 

9. Carolina Panthers Select Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers won't be elite right away, but the redshirt-sophomore has the run-stopping skills to immediately improve Carolina's biggest weakness.

10. Buffalo Bills Select Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Bills' first priority is going to be defensive end, but they are attempting to fill that hole with a little someone named Mario Williams.

If they are able to snag Williams, look for the Bills to snag the talented Floyd to lineup across from Stevie Johnson.

11. Kansas City Chiefs Select Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs need to replace free agent Barry Richardson and Martin, who protected Mr. Andrew Luck, is the right guy for the job.

12. Seattle Seahawks Select Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry, who is at linebacker/defensive end hybrid, has the size, speed and strength to be an absolute menace as a 4-3 end for Seattle.

He's a bit raw, but he showed at the combine that his physical tools should override that. 

13. Arizona Cardinals Select David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Cardinals offensive line is quite bad and there's a chance they'll have to protect Peyton Manning. DeCastro is the best guard in the draft and warrants a pick this high.

14. Dallas Cowboys Select Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The 'Boys could really go for help at any defensive position besides the line, but it appears they are going after cornerbacks hard in free agency.

That leaves linebacker, which means Kuechly, who has superb tackling ability and a true football IQ, is the pick for Dallas.

Kuechly may not have the athleticism or the great ability to get into the backfield, but he surprised during the combine with his above-average speed.

He's about as safe as it gets as far as No. 14 picks, yet he still will be an instant success in the NFL.

15. Philadelphia Eagles Select Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

The Eagles never take a linebacker in the first round, but they need one badly after struggling against the run all season. Hightower will be ready to go on day one after dominating in the middle of Alabama's defense.

16. New York Jets Select Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Plaxico Burress is hitting free agency, so Mark Sanchez could use a new, big red-zone target and Jeffery is just that. The talented wide receiver also has the ability to be a big-play guy in the middle of the field.

17. Cincinnati Bengals Select Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Janoris Jenkins' four kids might scare most teams off, but not the Bengals. If Jenkins gets rid of the character concerns, he'll be a top corner in the league. 

18. San Diego Chargers Select Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

The versatile Ingram is the perfect fit on the opposite side of Shaun Phillips in San Diego's 3-4 defense. Lock it up. 

19. Chicago Bears Select Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

After scooping up Brandon Marshall, the Bears' biggest need is now on the offensive line. Cordy Glenn is easily the best available lineman.

20. Tennessee Titans select Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Titans need some help with their pass rush, so I would say getting the NCAA sack leader makes sense.

21. Cincinnati Bengals Select Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cedric Benson is on the free-agency market, but Miller will serve as the anti-Benson in terms of speed.

22. Cleveland Browns Select Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Browns offense, at 13.6 points per game, was atrocious this year, so they will have no problem selecting two skill players in the first round.

Greg Little is a solid receiver, but he's more of an underneath guy. Wright is the prototypical downfield, speedy threat that Colt McCoy desperately needs.

23. Detroit Lions Select Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

Teams really took advantage of Detroit's secondary this year, as they threw against the Lions an amazing 60.7 percent of the time.

The Lions need to further bolster the secondary, and they can do that with Dre Kirkpatrick, quite possibly the second best corner in the draft.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers Select Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Steelers need help on both lines, but Adams is the best available player.

25. Denver Broncos Select Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Broncos could go a number of different ways here, which means they'll likely go for the highest value. That means they'll grab Cox, who is great talent and fills a need.

26. Houston Texans Select Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Chris Meyers apparently is on his way out of Houston, so the Texans need a center. Peter Konz isn't a reach in the first round, either, so this makes sense.

27. New England Patriots Select Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Patriots badly need either help in the secondary or on the outside. Upshaw is easily the best player here and Bill Belichick will like to get a player who is ready to play right away. 

28. Green Bay Packers Select Vinny Curry, DE/LB, Marshall

The Packers don't have a ton of needs, but they could use a right outside linebacker who has the ability to get to the quarterback.

Curry, who played defensive end at Marshall but has the speed to play in the 3-4, is the perfect fit.

 

29. Baltimore Ravens Select Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Ravens already have some nice threats on the outside in Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith, but Sanu provides the perfect underneath option for Joe Flacco. 

30. San Francisco 49ers Select Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa

The Niners signed Randy Moss and are now going after Brandon Lloyd, so it's obvious they aren't waiting until the draft to improve their wide receiving corps.

Instead, they should improve their size on the inside and Osemele, who is flying up draft boards, is the perfect man for the job. 

31. New England Patriots Select Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still has the versatility to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 and would immediately bolster a unit that gave up 4.5 yards per carry in 2011.

32. New York Giants Select Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

Charles is in that breed of receiving tight ends and would give Eli Manning yet another weapon.