2012 NFL Draft: Ranking the Best Defensive Players

We love ranking NFL teams during the season, so why not rank the 2012 NFL draft prospects?

In this article, I give you the five best defensive players in this year's class.

1. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU 

With the added league-wide emphasis on throwing the football, the best cornerback in the class gets the top nod.

Morris Claiborne is an extremely safe prospect because everything you'd want in a defensive back checks out with him. He's got ideal size at 5'11" and 190 pounds. During his collegiate career at LSU he was a reliable ball-hawk and demonstrated fluid movement in zone or man coverage.

While he's not as physically imposing as last year's No. 5 overall pick Patrick Peterson and isn't a return stalwart, Claiborne's instincts, athleticism and vast experience make him the best defensive prospect.

2. Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

With many teams running a variety of defensive sets and front-seven alignments, Ingram's versatility makes him a hot commodity in this year's draft. 

He's a bit of a tweener at only 6'1" with short arms, but Ingram booms off the football and, pound-for-pound, is the best athlete in this class.

Ingram moves like a speedy linebacker.

If I'm a defensive coordinator, Ingram's a dream come true for me. I can play him in about four different positions and let him blitz, contain and drop into coverage without worrying about a decrease in play.

3. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College 

Kuechly is the premier inside linebacker in the 2012 class.

Although pass-rushers and cornerbacks are held in higher regard now, every team needs that leader in the middle of its defense.

None are better than this Boston College icon.

The 2011 consensus All-American is an absolute tackling machine. Critics point out that some of his tackles occurred down the field, but that's because he was around the football on nearly every play.

Kuechly is an instinctual, active and deceptively athletic franchise inside linebacker with a great work ethic and powerful motor.

4. Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

Cox is a prime example of what gets you on this list—productivity, experience and, most of all, versatility. He played across the entire Bulldogs defensive line last season and was a standout.

In 2011, Cox—another surprising athlete who is a tremendous mover for his 6'4", 298-pound frame—tallied 56 tackles, 14.5 for loss, along with five sacks.

Although he's ideal to play defensive end, Cox has enough power to man the interior positions as disruptive force.

Fletcher Cox is a prospect that's NFL-ready who can start from day one.

5. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

About a month ago, Gilmore was a bit of a first-round sleeper.

But after watching tape on the South Carolina cornerback, his aggression against the run, ball skills and rangy athleticism could make him the second defensive back off the board on April 26.

Gilmore is relatively safe in terms of how easy it'll be for him to transition to the NFL, and with some coaching on wrapping up better as a tackler, he'd possess everything you'd hope for in a first-round cornerback.

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