2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Jerel Worthy and the 1st-Round Interior DLs

Just as the offensive line is the most important unit of players to any offense, the defensive line is exactly that for the defense.

Regardless of how much talent a quarterback, running back or receiver possesses, nothing happens without the offensive line doing work in the trenches. As for the defensive line, no linebacker can consistently make plays without being free from blockers to do so.

Here, let's take a look at the first-round defensive tackles in the 2012 NFL draft.

Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, LSU

If there's one concern about LSU's Michael Brockers, it's that he's just a redshirt sophomore and has but one legit college season under his belt.

However, 2011 was a great year, as Brockers recorded 54 tackles, two sacks, four quarterback hurries and even one interception. Coming in at 6'6", 322 pounds, Brockers has the quick hands to split double-teams and strength to bullrush any blocker one-on-one.

He reads plays well at the snap and has the agility to remain balanced when fighting off blocks to make plays.

The Kansas City Chiefs may not seem like a good fit at first glance, as they do have some solid front-seven defenders in Glenn Dorsey, Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson.

But K.C. did allow 132 rushing yards per game in 2011, ranked No. 26, and had just 29 sacks. If it weren't for Hali's 12 sacks, the Chiefs didn't have a pass rush.

Brockers can provide that interior pass rush and also clog up the middle in Romeo's Crennel's 3-4 front. Provided that safety Eric Berry gets back to 100 percent, the selection of Brockers give Kansas City a complete defense.

Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, Penn State

Gradually contributing more from his sophomore season in 2009, Penn State's Devon Still worked his way up to a solid first-round prospect.

At 6'5", 303 pounds, Still has a knack for causing havoc in the backfield. With 113 tackles in three seasons, 32.5 were for loss and Still also recorded 10.5 sacks.

From the defensive tackle position, this is excellent production, and the Seattle Seahawks would approve.

Last season, Seattle had a sound defense that finished ranked No. 11 against the pass, No. 15 against the rush and No. 9 overall. But only defensive end Chris Clemons (11 sacks) was the Seahawks' pass-rush presence, and only 33 total sacks were collected.

Having Still in the middle of the trenches, Seattle will significantly improve its rush defense, which is needed to shut down Frank Gore in San Francisco; especially if the Seahawks want to win the NFC West.

In addition, Still's ability to apply quarterback pressure from within will free up Clemons on the outside. Now, if cornerback Brandon Browner (23 defended passes, six picks, 54 tackles) continues his dominance in coverage—just like Brockers in K.C.—Still gives Seattle a complete defense to rely on.

Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, Memphis

Arguably the strongest player in the draft, Memphis' Dontari Poe posted 44 reps on the bench press at the combine.

The man also has great size for a 3-4 or 1-5-5 nose guard or 4-3 defensive tackle at 6'4", 346 pounds, but that's a lot of reps nonetheless.

In the NFL, Poe's only going to have one responsibility, and that's controlling the A-gap on either side of the center. With his size, Poe's not going to be, nor should he ever get moved outside of either offensive guard.

Using brute strength, Poe does need to get quicker at the snap, because NFL offensive lines are going to be obviously faster than any school in the Conference USA. Nevertheless, the Tennessee Titans need to upgrade their run defense from its No. 24 ranking in 2011 (allowed 128 rush yards per game).

Poe is a guy who can get into the backfield, as 21.5 of his 101 tackles were for loss. And no, that's not a lot of plays made, but Poe was seeing double-teams on virtually every down.

As for the Titans, facing run-oriented offenses in Jacksonville and Houston twice a year, the interior line must improve. The addition of Poe will, in turn, help out guys like Akeem Ayers and Will Witherspoon.

Put it this way: Tennessee's two leading tacklers were cornerback Jason McCourty and safety Jordan Babineaux. Can't stop the run and expect to consistently defend the pass when two defensive backs are leading the team in tackles.

Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State

If there's one missing piece to the Denver Broncos defense, it's a stud defensive tackle.

And selecting a guy like Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox in Round 1 seems almost imperative at this juncture. According to ESPN, Brodrick Bunkley has signed with the New Orleans Saints.

Last season, Bunkley contributed well for Denver in collecting 43 tackles, while appearing in all 16 games. Needing to fill that void, Cox suits the Orange Crush well after having recorded 56 tackles, five sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 2011.

Cox also had three additional quarterback hurries, two blocked kicks and a solid sophomore season in 2010. A big reason why the Broncos appeared inconsistent at times was because the rush defense was not always shutting down opponents.

Denver ranked No. 22 against the run by allowing 126 rush yards per game, and had it not been for Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, the Broncos front seven would have been dominated all season. Now, the Orange Crush has an opportunity to spruce up the interior, because the outside defenders are solid.

Lest we forget about Wesley Woodyard, who led the team with 97 tackles and three forced fumbles. Fletcher has the ability to also apply inside pressure as he's laterally quick, explosive at the snap and is a sure tackler.

The Broncos also have a great new defensive coordinator in Jack Del Rio, who ran a 4-3 while in Jacksonville. Going against running teams like K.C. and Oakland, Denver must upgrade the interior defensive line.

New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

After how well the New England Patriots defense stepped up in the postseason, they don't need to address the pass defense right away in the draft.

What could help, though, is the selection of Michigan State's Jerel Worthy. He has quick play-recognition skills, is fast off the snap and has great strength to close lanes and make plays in the backfield.

A solid three-year contributor, Worthy accounted for 108 tackles, 12 sacks, 27.5 tackles for loss and six passes broken up. The Pats could use Worthy in many short-yard situations alongside Vince Wilfork, which will free up the linebackers even more.

Also, Wilfork will be turning 31 by mid-season, so Bill Belichick should be looking for his replacement sooner than later. Albeit a bit undersized compared to Wilfork, at 6'3", 310 pounds, Worthy can draw and fight off double-teams but will need to develop in that area more.

Regardless, New England has six picks in the first three rounds of the draft, so Belichick will undoubtedly enhance his 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.