2012 NFL Mock Draft: Finding Destinations for First-Round Pass Rushers

With the NFL continuing to move more and more towards an all-out on-slaught of aerial offenses, let's take a look at where the pass-rushers tasked with slowing down these offenses may go in the 2012 NFL draft. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck will be the new face of a franchise that's replacing a future Hall of Famer. 

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)

Washington didn't trade up to No. 2 to draft an offensive tackle.  

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings need to keep Christian Ponder from taking the punishment he did during his rookie year. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Playmakers at running back and receiver will be hard to pass on, but Claiborne gives the Browns a top cornerback tandem and special teams ability. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

He'll make a strong push to be Rookie of the Year if he goes to Tampa Bay. 

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via trade with Washington Redskins)

Sam Bradford needs a physically dominant receiver like Blackmon in the worst way. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Jaguars smartly re-signed defensive end Jeremy Mincey, but the team still needs improvement in the pass rush. Ingram would provide the potential for 10 sacks right away in 2012. 

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

The Dolphins can't strike out again on landing a quarterback.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Defensive line is arguably the team's top need leading in to the draft.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Pass-rusher was once a need for Buffalo, but now the fit here looks like an offensive tackle. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, NT Memphis

Luke Kuechly is an option here, but Poe gives the Chiefs a top defensive line in their 3-4. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll recruited Perry to USC, and now he has the chance to take him in the first round here. Given Seattle's need for a defensive end opposite Chris Clemons, Perry makes a lot of sense.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Castro is arguably the top offensive lineman available, which is exactly what the Cardinals need up front.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB/S, Alabama

Kirkpatrick can play both safety and cornerback, two positions the Cowboys need to upgrade.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinton Coples, DL, North Carolina

The Eagles don't have a need on the defensive line, but I wouldn't be surprised if teams starting copying the Giants' way of building up front. Coples would give Philadelphia a versatile pass-rusher who can play inside and out and still get after the quarterback. 

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

The Jets got their splash acquisition on offense when they traded for Tim Tebow, but it's now time for Rex Ryan to find his shiny new pass-rushing toy to work with next season. Upshaw is the kind of scheme-verstile player that Ryan could really get creative with. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

A run-mauling interior lineman, Glenn will help pave the way for a new-look Bengals' rushing attack in 2012.

18. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Jared Gaither was a solid re-signing for the Chargers at left tackle, but the right side still needs help.

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Bears haven't been shy about their desire to get another pass-rusher in free agency. While they've struck out in that venture, the draft gives them a wonderful opportunity to finally find a player to plug in opposite Julius Peppers. Some fear that Mercilus is a one-year wonder after leading the NCAA in sacks during a breakout season in 2011, but he's an athletically dominant defensive end who could cause Aldon Smith-like problems in his rookie season.

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Titans have been actively looking for a center in free agency.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller gives the Bengals a top young offensive trio with quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver A.J. Green. 

22. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

I doubt Floyd falls this far, as there should be a team or two who moves up into the teens to grab the talented receiver.

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Cornerback depth is an issue in Detroit after Eric Wright bolted in free agency.

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

Willie Colon is the expected starter at right tackle, but he's aging and injury-prone.

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

The Broncos are a player or two away from taking the next step defensively, and interior defensive line is still one hole. 

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

Adding a play-making slot receiver like Wright to the Texans offense is a scary thought. 

27. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron should be an immediate starter in a secondary that needs help. 

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

Green Bay would love an outside linebacker here, but there's no value in reaching for one when so many talented defensive linemen remain on the board.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

I doubt Kuechly gets this far, but the Ravens will gladly take him to eventually replace Ray Lewis. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Thompson, DL, Clemson

After going offense-heavy in free agency, the 49ers can afford to go defense in the first round.

31. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

There are red flags galore, but the on-the-field talent is hard to ignore. 

32. New York Giants: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

One of the more versatile players in the draft, Hightower could solve a big need at linebacker for the Giants.