2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Where Deep Stable of Defensive Ends Will Land

For teams needing to improve the defense line, this is the year to do it. The first round is rife with talent on the line, especially for teams looking to bolster the interior with a solid defensive tackle.

So what teams will be looking to fill a need with a big body on defense? With whom will they fill that need?

It's mock draft time, baby—let's answer some questions.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck is the best player in this draft, now and for the next 15 years. Mark it down.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor *

The man who will now have to justify being valued at three first-round picks and a second-round pick. Between him and Luck (the man replacing Peyton Manning), have two first-round quarterbacks ever started a career under more pressure?

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

This could also be Justin Blackmon, but I think the Vikings would be better off giving Christian Ponder a shield rather than a weapon.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Could also be Justin Blackmon (or Ryan Tannehill, though this might be too high to take him), though I think Richardson is the perfect fit for Cleveland and has too much talent to pass up.

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

Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks improved the offense. Claiborne will pair with Eric Wright to improve the defense.

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

Blackmon falling to the Rams here is a dream scenario.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Even with the addition of Laurent Robinson in free agency, wide receiver is still a huge need to be filled. Floyd does the trick.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M 

No Peyton Manning plus no Matt Flynn equals drafting Ryan Tannehill.

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Julius Peppers Lite.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is the best offensive lineman still on the board and will fill a much-needed hole at offensive tackle.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

It's hard to say whether Poe is a mountain or simply a man, but one thing is for sure—for a team needing to fill the nose tackle position in a 3-4 defense, Poe looks like the man for the job.

Indications are that Poe is still a bit unpolished, but he wowed teams with his size, strength and athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Kansas City will be quite pleased to stuff the run (and blot out the sun) with Poe anchoring the defense.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

And just like that, the second-best defensive tackle is off the board.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

Martin might be Kevin Kolb's new best friend if he can keep the quarterback's jersey clean.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro fills a big need and could end up being one of the best players in this draft class.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

With the addition of DeMeco Ryans via a trade with the Houston Texans, the Eagles can focus on other needs via the draft.

I contend that in a deep defensive line draft, the Eagles will look for a difference-maker on the interior of their line to pair with Cullen Jenkins.

Brockers has the potential to be a legitimate playmaker from the defensive tackle position and should make an instant impact on an Eagles team with Super Bowl aspirations.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, USC

He isn't as exciting as Tim Tebow, but he'll make a bigger impact for the Jets rushing off the edge next year.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama **

A much-needed addition to the secondary, either as a cornerback or potentially even at safety, depending on how the Bengals grade him.

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, OLB, USC  

Perry will look very nice rushing the quarterback opposite Shaun Phillips in the 3-4.

19. Chicago Bears:  Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

With the top crop of pass-rushers off the board, the Bears look to pair the speedy Wright with the bigger Brandon Marshall and open up the offense for Jay Cutler.

20. Tennessee Titans: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

With Cortland Finnegan out, Janoris Jenkins steps in.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina    

A.J. Green will be the deep threat, Jeffery the possession receiver. How scary will this team be in the red zone with these two aerial artists?

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech 

Trent Richardson and Stephen Hill—the Browns just got a lot more fun to watch.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Yes, a center. He's a stud at a position of need.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson 

The Steelers need to find the nose tackle of the future.

Enter Thompson.

An excellent run-stuffer, Thompson could be utilized as either a defensive tackle in the 4-3 or, as would the case be in Pittsburgh, as a nose tackle in the 3-4. This pick is great value at a great need for the Steelers.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

Denver needs to improve the interior of their line, and the playmaking lineman from Penn State would be a nice addition.

Yes, Denver could also go wide receiver here, but I'm fairly sure Peyton Manning could turn me into a serviceable wide receiver at the NFL level, so they're better served improving the defense.

26. Houston Texans: Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College 

Out with the old (DeMeco Ryans), in with the new.

27. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois ***

Brandon Lloyd means the Patriots can focus on other needs, such as a rusher off the edge. Mercilus is the man for that job.

28. Green Bay Packers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State  

The Packers absolutely need to improve their defense, and they are in a position to do so in this draft with the best player left on the board.

I say that player is Cox, who would look nice as a 3-4 defensive end. His ability to rush the passer from the interior of the line would help to greatly boost a pass rush in need of more bite in 2012.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Another team that can afford to draft for talent rather than need, and a team that will land a very nice player in Crick.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Depth at corner is always a plus, especially in a passing league.

31. New England Patriots: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

See above.

32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

The Giants need an outside linebacker. They don't get much more athletic than Brown.

* The Redskins traded the sixth pick in the first round, along with their second-round pick this year and first-round picks in 2013 and 2014, to St. Louis for the second overall pick.

** From Oakland in the Carson Palmer trade.

*** From New Orleans in last year's Mark Ingram trade.

Hit me up on Twitter—I've tweeted from Lehigh's campus before. Seriously.