2012 NFL Draft Projections: Defensive Upgrades for Super Bowl Caliber Teams

The old cliche' "defense wins championships' will be on full display in the late-first round of the 2012 NFL draft.

There is more than one defensive stud that will slip to some very deserving teams. These are teams that happen to be one or two pieces away and could really use the defensive upgrade.

If a team like the Green Bay Packers or New England Patriots can add one more key defender to their squads—I can see a Super Bowl in their respective futures.

Here are two late-round defenders that could make a super difference if drafted by these respective teams:

Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Mercilus played defensive end at Illinois, but I project the Packers are going to take him in the late-first round with plans to move him to outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme.

The Packers biggest need is to find a pass rusher they can put across from superstar Clay Matthews.

Matthews is an exceptional talent, but if he doesn't get any support from the weak side, offenses are able to focus on using a lot of their man-power to exclusively block him.

Mercilus will be just the guy for the job, and at 6'4'', 265 pounds he projects nicely as a weak side rush linebacker. He's quick, very agile and has a knack for getting to the quarterback. He finished the year with 16 sacks.

Putting a pass rusher with his abilities on the Packers defense would make them Super Bowl caliber yet again.

New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Janoris Jenkins is a top 15 cornerback in this draft, but he's going to fall very far down lots of teams draft boards because of character concerns.

He's had multiple arrests due to marijuana possession, and he was dismissed from his original team, the Florida Gators.

All that being said, he plays great at the line of scrimmage, is physical, has good hips, hands and first round speed.

The Patriots are a team that's known for taking risks and being unconventional with their picks. In the right system Jenkins can really thrive.

Bill Belichick will trust his system and his coaching staff here and take a risk that will be well worth the reward

The Patriots have a desperate need in their secondary and they won't pas up on the opportunity to fill it with Jenkin's talent.