2012 NFL Mock Draft: Pass Rush Specialists Who Won't Get out of the First Round

If there's one thing that can slow down this pass-happy movement in the NFL, it's a pass rush that prevents plays from having time to develop or a quarterback from reading through his progressions.

So, here we look at the top pass rush specialists who won't get out of Round 1 in the 2012 NFL draft.

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

The Indianapolis Colts need a franchise quarterback. Peyton Manning gave them 14 years, and Andrew Luck has that potential as well.

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

Washington hasn't had a legit franchise quarterback since the days of Joe Theismann. Robert Griffin III has the promise to be that and more.

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

Minnesota allowed 49 sacks in 2011, tied with Chicago for the fifth-most. Surely Christian Ponder and the passing game would benefit from the addition of Matt Kalil.

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

Through 12 games in 2011, Colt McCoy had 14 touchdowns to just nine picks and over 2,500 yards. Considering he did that without any legit receivers, let's see what the man does with Justin Blackmon.

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

Carl Nicks is arguably the best and most complete guard in the NFL, and his specialty is run-blocking. Just imagine what LeGarrette Blount and Trent Richardson will accomplish in 2012 as Nicks paves way in the trenches.

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

The Rams need a lot of help and can improve basically with any selection. Getting a stud corner such as Morris Claiborne to play opposite Cortland Finnegan will significantly help the vulnerable front seven focus on defending the run.

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

Since Tony Boselli last played for Jacksonville in 2001, the Jaguars haven't been great at pass protection. Recent years have only been worse, and the addition of Riley Reiff can restore a new sense of hope for Jaguars quarterbacks and the passing game.

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

The Dolphins need a guy who can consistently pass protect on the interior. Well, David DeCastro was part of a Stanford offensive line that allowed just 11 sacks of Andrew Luck in 2011. Miami allowed 52 last season.

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

The Panthers recorded just 31 sacks in 2011 and allowed an average of almost 380 total yards per game. Melvin Ingram will improve those areas, as he can play anywhere in the front seven and is a master getting to the ball.

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

The Bills have an upgraded front seven that will get quarterback pressure and force bad throws. Well, Dre Kirkpatrick will improve the Bills' No. 19 ranked pass defense and give Buffalo a complete defense.

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

Ranking No. 26 against the run and not having an interior pass rush cost the Chiefs in 2011. Michael Brockers can draw double teams to free up the linebackers and leave Tamba Hali in one-on-one situations.

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

Despite having a sound defense, the Seahawks did allow 112.3 rush yards per game and need an interior presence to complement Chris Clemons. Devon Still can apply inside pressure and has the lateral quickness to be a two-gap controller.

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

Put him opposite Levi Brown, and the drafting of Jonathan Martin gives Arizona a comfortable pocket to sit in. After allowing 54 sacks in 2011 (second-most in the league), the Cardinals need to give Larry Fitzgerald a bit more time to get open.

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

Simply just a freakishly athletic defensive end, Quinton Coples has all the raw and natural talent in the world to dominate in the NFL. At his best, Coples can fire off the line and get into the backfield before the running back has a chance to help chip-block the offensive lineman.

With 22.5 sacks the past three seasons, as well as five forced fumbles and 136 tackles, Coples is just what the Cowboys need to help out DeMarcus Ware. Having upgraded the pass defense, Dallas can restore the Doomsday Defense with Coples playing opposite Ware.

Coples has good play recognition skills to defend against the run and defend the quick passes. Also, he'll be put in a lot of one-on-one situation as Ware will draw more attention.

Provided that Coples can become more consistent at keeping a low center of gravity and playing with more assignment discipline, the Cowboys will have the best pass rush in the game.

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

The Eagles got a boost to the front seven with the addition of DeMeco Ryans; however, they still need to upgrade at linebacker. Luke Kuechly has the preparedness, size and football IQ to move outside and remain a solid run and intermediate pass defender.

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

It's been a while since the New York Jets have had a young, standout No. 1 receiver. Michael Floyd has the size and speed to be reliable all over and is an effective run-blocker as well.

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

At the end of next season Nate Clements will be turning 33 years old. So, the Bengals will need to quickly replenish that No. 1 corner spot in a few years. Janoris Jenkins has that potential and will keep the Cincinnati defense among the elite.

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

A susceptible rush defense cost San Diego in 2011, as they allowed over 120 rush yards per game. With the rest of the AFC West still having threatening ground games, the Bolts need a guy like Dontari Poe who can manhandle centers and guards to make plays in the backfield.

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

In 2011, the Bears ranked No. 28 against the pass and allowed 254 pass yards per game. Stephon Gilmore is a great add to complement Charles Tillman in the pass-heavy NFC North. Chicago's front seven now has a lot less pressure to defend the intermediate passing game.

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

Ranking No. 31 in rushing offense last year despite having Chris Johnson (who still went over 1,000 yards) is most certainly disappointing. Well, Cordy Glenn is a run-blocking machine who can chip to the second level and lengthen the rushing lane for Johnson and co.

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

Cincinnati needs some depth along the defensive line, and Fletcher Cox can also provide an interior pass rush. Already fielding a top-10 defense, the additions of Cox and Jenkins give Cincy elite status for years to come.

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

Cleveland is close to fielding a complete defense. D'Qwell Jackson needs help at linebacker on the outside, which is where Courtney Upshaw comes in. He can defend the run, get quarterback pressure and wall off the intermediate passing game to assist the secondary.

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

Zach Brown is a elite athlete who can fly all over the field and make plays. Detroit needs a linebacker like that, who can run with slot receivers, running backs and tight ends while also providing an outside pass rush opposite Cliff Avril.

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

With LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison on the outside, Dont'a Hightower would thrive in the middle of Pittsburgh's defense. A complete defender, Hightower helps the Steel Curtain reload instead of rebuild.

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

With sound linebackers in Von Miller, D.J. Williams and Wesley Woodyard, the Broncos need to get Elvis Dumervil some help along the defensive line. Jerel Worthy is an ideal fit for Jack Del Rio's 4-3 front and has the skill set to improve against the run and provide an interior pass rush.

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

Andre Johnson needs a threatening No. 2 receiver to complement his deep threat skill set, and tight end Owen Daniels need a guy who can derive attention over the middle. Well, Kendall Wright has the speed to stretch a defense and quickness to slip the zones across the field.

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

He may be a one-hit wonder, but Whitney Mercilus has the potential to really develop as a complete defensive end in pro football. With 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles and 57 tackles last season, Mercilus quickly emerged as a top pass-rusher.

The Patriots also need to fill the void left over from free agency and get a guy to help Rob Ninkovich on the outside. Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork will control the interior, so Mercilus will provide Bill Belichick the luxury of keeping his 1-5-5 scheme in play.

Mercilus will likely begin as a strict passing down defender because his burst at the snap will cause immediate pressure. Still needing to mature as a run defender, Mercilus must gain some strength and play recognition skills to wall off the backside when the play goes away.

Considering that New England is still vulnerable to the pass, if Mercilus gets himself out of position, the play-action pass only becomes that much harder to defend. However, Mercilus can develop quickly as he did in 2011. Therefore, expect him to see the field more and more as the season progresses.

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

Green Bay needs a true pass-rusher, but also a defender who can set the edge against the run. Well, Nick Perry will be responsible for complementing fellow USC Trojan Clay Matthews in the Packers 3-4 front.

A consistently reliable three-year contributor, Perry recorded 21.5 sacks, 104 tackles, five forced fumbles and 30.5 tackles for loss at USC. The man has good size to explode off the edge and impressive instincts to react against runs and quick passes.

For Titletown, Perry's complete ability is needed to improve the league's worst total and pass defense. Not to mention the Packers also only recorded 29 sacks in 2011, as well as allowing 4.7 yards per rush.

Now, Perry does need to get more acclimated to defending the pass, because Green Bay will need to sink him underneath the slants and pop-passes. Doing so will keep the offense off balance and take pressure off Matthews when blitzing opposite Perry.

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

Baltimore needs to reload the offensive line for Ray Rice to keep the ground game working. Kevin Zeitler was part of a pro-style offense that relied heavy on the rushing attack. Much like all linemen from the Badgers, Zeitler is a great add to control the trenches.

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

Randy Moss is 35 years old, and the 49ers need to keep their receiving corps strong for whenever he finally retires. Stephen Hill has been increasing his draft stock since the offseason began, and Alex Smith could use another reliable target.

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

With health concerns, it would be surprising to see Mark Barron go in the top 15. However, he's still a legit first-rounder, and the Patriots need a reliable, hard-hitting safety to play over the top of Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington.

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

The have run a two-back system for the what seems like the past decade. It's helped them win two Super Bowls under Tom Coughlin, so refilling the Brahma Bull role with Doug Martin will surely complement Ahmad Bradshaw. Not to mention Martin is a great pass-blocker and receiver when needed.

John Rozum on Twitter.