2012 NFL Mock Draft: Melvin Ingram and Top Defenders Who Have the Biggest Impact

When a first-round selection in the NFL draft has a major impact as a rookie, it can really make the rebuilding process a lot easier.

After all, when a franchises invests so much into one player, that immediate contribution is crucial.

Here, we look at some projected first-round defenders who will make the best impression next season. 

St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

The St. Louis Rams need help virtually across the spectrum, however, part of it was addressed when cornerback Cortland Finnegan was reunited with coach Jeff Fisher.

Now, the Rams have the opportunity to select Morris Claiborne from LSU—considered the best defensive back in the draft. Playing opposite of Finnegan, St. Louis would have arguably the best cornerback tandem in the league.

Claiborne has excellent instincts and positions himself consistently well to make plays.

With 11 interceptions between 2010 and 2011, Claiborne returned them for 274 yards. That's roughly 25 yards of changing the field position, which helps immensely in football.

Plus, the Rams offense still needs to improve, so essentially having 2.5 less first downs to gain after getting a turnover is huge.

Claiborne can also help on special teams as he returned 22 kickoffs for 552 yards in 2011.

Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram, LB/DE (South Carolina)

Arguably the most versatile player in the draft, South Carolina's Melvin Ingram is the perfect fit for the Carolina Panthers.

For one, the Panthers defense ranked No. 24 against the pass, No. 25 against the run and allowed an average of 377 total yards per game (ranked No. 28).

Ingram helps in multiple ways: He can pass rush off the edge and inside, drop into coverage in an underneath zone shell and provide all this from lining up anywhere in the front seven.

After recording 19 sacks and 76 tackles between the last two years, Ingram's tenacity and shear willingness to find the rock is his best attribute. Lest we forget, but the man scored three touchdowns in 2011, two on recovered fumbles.

Ingram will make a great complement to Charles Johnson and a healthy Jon Beason in the front seven, taking pressure off the pass defense. When playing teams like New Orleans and Atlanta in the NFC South, getting to the quarterback gives a defense the best chance for success.

Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DE/DT (Mississippi State)

For as great as the Denver Broncos defense played last season, there were also some tough stretches. When the season ended, the Orange Crush ranked No. 20 in total defense by allowing an average of 357 yards per game.

Against the run the Broncos were even worse, allowing 126 rush yards per game which ranked No. 22. There's no doubt that guys like Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil provide a pass rush and can stop the perimeter ground game, but the interior needs upgraded.

Enter Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox, who recorded 56 tackles and five sacks in 2011.

Those are damn impressive numbers when you consider that Cox had to play in the SEC West against some high-powered offenses like Arkansas and Auburn. Not to mention other tough opponents like Georgia, LSU and South Carolina.

At 6'4" 295 pounds, Cox provides Denver with the ability to run a 4-3, 3-4 and 1-5-5 front.

Against run-heavy teams like Oakland and Kansas City in the AFC West, having that guy who can control the interior line on defense is imperative.

New England Patriots (From New Orleans): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

The New England Patriots simply need some youth in the trenches and in 2011, Illinois' Whitney Mercilus was arguably the single most dominant defensive end.

Although that season was also his only legitimate season, recording 16 sacks, 57 tackles and forcing nine fumbles definitely earns him some recognition.

In 2011, the Patriots did manage to record 40 sacks, however, only 10 fumbles were forced. The late season loss of veteran Andre Carter hurt, and his spot needs to be replaced immediately with a younger pass-rusher.

Mercilus has the size to be a solid starter or at the very least, a significant contributor as a rookie.

In Belichick's 3-4/1-5-5 look, Mercilus' presence alone will create one-on-one opportunities for linebacker Rob Ninkovich and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork.

You can certainly expect Mercilus to be present on third-downs and any other long down-and-distance situations, because his knack for applying pressure will extensively assist the Pats No. 31 ranked pass defense.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)
2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	18. San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram, LB/DE (South Carolina)	25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE (USC)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	32. New York Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)

John Rozum on Twitter.