2012 NFL Mock Draft: Defensive Playmakers Teams Can't Pass Up in Round 1

Whether it's the field position or turnover battle, landing that defensive playmaker really provides a team with a distinct advantage.

And in a pass-heavy league, having those game-changers on the dark side can be the difference of a winning season, making the postseason and bringing home the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)

There's really no reason for the Colts to look elsewhere. With a new head coach, Indianapolis needs the best QB in the draft to continue in its new direction. 

2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

There's no other justifiable selection here for the Redskins. That is, unless Washington wants another year of Rex Grossman.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)

Get Christian Ponder that blindside tackle and the Vikings passing game will have time to let plays develop.

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

With not a single receiver who can consistently beat single coverage, the Browns need to get Colt McCoy at least one target, such as Justin Blackmon, before he can be fairly judged.

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

LeGarrette Blount has potential, but was inconsistent. The addition of Trent Richardson creates a solid two-back tandem for Tampa in the NFC South.

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

Never in Tennessee did Cortland Finnegan have that consistently reliable No. 2 cornerback, so he gets that in St. Louis with LSU's Morris Claiborne.

Claiborne, if anything, knows how to change the field position after making plays. With 11 interceptions the past two seasons, Claiborne returned them for 274 yards. That's an average of almost 25 yards per return, which equates to 2.5 first downs and one-fourth of the entire field.

Considering how horrendous the Rams offense was in 2011, having 25 less yards to gain after every interception is quite the advantage. Claiborne also returned kickoffs for the Tigers in 2011 and had 552 yards on 25 attempts.

So, in two-thirds of the game (defense, special teams), Claiborne can put the St. Louis offense in a 25 percent more favorable position.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Last season the Jaguars allowed 44 quarterback sacks (ranked No. 7 for most allowed). Upgraded pass protection with Iowa's Riley Reiff couldn't hurt.

8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

Miami could go a receiver here or trade down, but Stanford's David DeCastro would significantly boost Reggie Bush in the ground game and Matt Moore's time in the pocket.

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

Arguably the most complete and versatile defender in the 2012 draft, South Carolina's Melvin Ingram can basically do it all.

He can play defensive end in a 4-3, 3-4, an outside linebacker in a 4-3 or 3-4 and in passing situations, move to defensive tackle.

Having recorded 19 sacks the past two seasons, Ingram also scored three touchdowns and intercepted two passes in 2011. The Panthers need a front seven complement to Charles Johnson and Jon Beason, and Ingram would also be a fan favorite.

Carolina ranked No. 24 against the rush and No. 25 against the pass, therefore, selecting a guy who can apply pressure from all over and track down any ball-carrier (whether playside or backside) is key. Ingram has a knack for finding the ball and his all out effort will simply benefit the Panthers defense.

In the pass-happy NFC South, having a guy who can get quarterback pressure from anywhere while also sinking into coverage is a major advantage. Lest we forget about Ingram's services on the hands team to prevent onside kicks and his 68-yard fake punt run for a touchdown.

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

The Bills have spruced up the front seven, now it's time to bring in a shutdown corner. Dre Kirkpatrick only makes Buffalo a more complete defense.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

With other solid front seven defenders in Tamba Hali, Glenn Dorsey, Derrick Johnson and Justin Houston, the Chiefs need a guy to control the interior. The rush defense cost K.C. in 2011 and Michael Brockers can take on double-teams to free up the second level.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

The Seahawks have a near complete defense, but need an interior defender who can control gaps, stop the run, apply inside pressure and draw double teams. Penn State's Devon Still will derive attention from Chris Clemons and the Seahawks become even better against the run.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Last season the Arizona Cardinals allowed 54 sacks, which was the second most of any franchise in the league. Larry Fitzgerald remains a threat and will become more dangerous as Jonathan Martin improves the pass protection.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Coples could fall here to Dallas and if so, the Cowboys need to make this happen. Opposite of DeMarcus Ware, Coples would dominate and Big D's defense won't cost them in 2012.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

Although the Eagles have acquired DeMeco Ryans to control the middle, Boston College's Luke Kuechly is still a good selection to play outside linebacker. The Eagles need a guy who can read the run and is aware when defending the intermediate passing game.

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

The Jets need a young receiver who can stretch the field and make plays underneath. Tight end Dustin Keller is reliable all over, but helping him out with Notre Dame's Michael Floyd in the medium passing attack is crucial.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from OAK): Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)

Cincinnati may have ranked No. 9 against the pass, but it recorded just 10 picks and defended only 72 passes as a unit. Janoris Jenkins adds youth and depth to an experienced secondary that needs a potential No. 1 corner as Nate Clements will be 33 by the end of next season.

18. San Diego Chargers: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

One area that cost San Diego in 2011 was its rush defense (ranked No. 20, allowed 122.2 rush yards per game). Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe can plug gaps and free up the linebackers.

19. Chicago Bears: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Ranking No. 28 against the pass last season, the Chicago Bears need to upgrade the secondary in a pass-happy division. South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore is a solid pick to play opposite Charles Tillman and with safety Chris Conte.

20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)

Even with running back Chris Johnson the Titans ranked No. 31 in rushing offense last year. Therefore, adding a run-blocking specialist in Georgia's Cordy Glenn will pave way to more open lanes.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)

If the Bengals want to remain as one of the best and most complete defenses in football, Fletcher Cox will be greatly welcomed. He can apply inside pressure and has better lateral agility than advertised.

22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

Cleveland has a solid defense, but is missing an outside presence at linebacker. Courtney Upshaw can blitz, defend the run and sink into coverage when needed. With D'Qwell Jackson in the middle, Upshaw will control the perimeter.

23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)

If there's one thing the Detroit Lions are missing on defense, it's a linebacker that can quickly cover a lot of ground.

North Carolina's Zach Brown recorded six interceptions the past two seasons, defended 10 passes and made 177 tackles. An aware defender against the pass, Brown amassed 137 interception return yards and added 5.5 sacks with three forced fumbles in 2011.

He's quick off the edge, can blanket slot receivers, tight ends and running backs in man coverage and disguise zone coverage to make plays. For the Lions, Brown is their ideal 4-3 outside linebacker who can benefit off Cliff Avril and Ndamukong Suh getting quarterback pressure.

And having to play pass-oriented offenses in the NFC North, Brown will have increased opportunities to cause turnovers. He's also and instinctive player that will read screens, draws and play-action to jump crossing routes or when blitzing, cause fumbles.

In short, getting Matthew Stafford and the offense more possessions is the result.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

The Steelers have two outside defenders in James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley to control the perimeter and Troy Polamalu, who's basically everywhere. Adding Dont'a Hightower to the middle of the front seven, though, gives Dick LeBeau a complete defender to reload the Steel Curtain's defense.

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

The Broncos need a man in the middle who can get quarterback pressure and beat one-on-one blocking situations. Jerel Worthy has the initial acceleration to do so and reap benefits from Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil on the outside.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

For quite some time the Houston Texans have needed a legit No. 2 receiver for Andre Johnson. Well, Baylor's Kendall Wright has the speed, reliability over the middle and fluid route-running skills to take away a lot of pressure.

27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

Bill Belichick needs an outside pass-rush presence to complement Rob Ninkovich and get Vince Wilfork in some one-on-one situations. Whitney Mercilus may have been a one-hit wonder, but 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles is damn impressive.

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

With only 29 recorded sacks and allowing almost five rush yards per carry in 2011, the Packers would love to get USC's Nick Perry. A consistent defender, Perry would thrive in Green Bay's 3-4 front.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Kevin Zeitler, OG (Wisconsin)

The Ravens have all the tools around Joe Flacco to win. The offensive line, however, needs to add depth, and what better way than to add Kevin Zeitler from Wisconsin? When you think about great offensive linemen and running the rock with Ray Rice, Baltimore can't go wrong with Zeitler.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)

San Francisco could go a few ways here, but Randy Moss is 35 years old. So, planning for the post-Moss era is needed and Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill has No. 1 receiver potential.

31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, SS (Alabama)

New England has two underrated corners in Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington. What Belichick needs is that hard-hitting safety whose presence forces bad passes. Mark Barron could go higher, but with durability issues, it wouldn't be surprising to see him fall.

32. New York Giants: Doug Martin, RB (Boise State)

The Giants have a couple of holes to fill on offense, but retaining that two-back system is a must. Boise's Doug Martin is a solid dual-threat and has the ball-carrier vision to win short-yard situations and be a great No. 2 back to Ahmad Bradshaw.

John Rozum on Twitter.