NFL Draft 2012: Predicting Landing Spots for Top Defensive Prospects

Here they are. Now where are they going?

With 17 days left until the NFL draft, teams are finalizing their boards, making changes and preparing for the future.

And everything will start with defense.

Well, not exactly. I don't expect a defensive player to be taken off the board until the fifth overall selection (and it could be the sixth) but when they start flying off the boards across the NFL, you could see a run on pass rushers and defensive ends in the middle of the first round. The secondary players could also make a run as well.

When all is said and done and traded for, as many as 15 defensive players could hear their names called in the first round on April 26. Here is a look at where the best players may land.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, Defensive Back, LSU

Forget the Wonderlic test, this kid can play.

There are few defensive backs who have come along in the past few seasons who can be the dominate force that Claiborne can.

He can cover defenders foot for foot and can also help on special teams.

He could be a Rod Woodson-type of player.

Miami Dolphins: Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

The one draft pick that makes sense for the Dolphins but does not make sense for the rest of the NFL.

Miami needs a quarterback, a pass rusher and a receiver. Coples seems like the only logical fit as Ryan Tannehill is not, in my opinion, a top 10 talent. Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd appear to be poised to be selected before there slot and Melvin Ingram does not fit their scheme.

Again, Coples is the choice by default.

Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

I love this pick.

Poe wowed scouts at the combine and with his speed and ability to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Poe will help the Panthers defense improve and he gives the team another young defender to build around in Ron Rivera's system.

Another talented player to add to a young team on the rise.

Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, Defensive End/Linebacker, South Carolina

Originally, I thought the Jaguars would take him, but now, he is the Seahawks gain.

Ingram is 6'1" and 276 pounds of terror.

He can play linebacker, defensive end and can move inside in a 4-3 scheme. His instinct off the ball is impressive and I do believe he can be the next Terrell Suggs in this league.

Another piece to the Seahawks puzzle.

Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, Linebacker, Boston College

The Eagles signed DeMeco Ryans in free agency and now look to add more.

Wasn't this the team of destiny last season in free agency?

Kuechly is the best value in this draft and Philadelphia will either insert him immediately into the lineup or bring him along slowly and make him the centerpiece of their defense.

A real find and a perfect fit for an NFC East-built defense.

Dallas Cowboys: Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, LSU

Brockers looked to be a top 10 selection and then leveled off around the middle of the pack.

Brockers could certainly be used to help plug the middle of the Cowboys defensive line. His natural ability is a plus but he will need at least a season to further develop into the talent he can be.

I personally think that if he is rushed too soon, he will not fulfill his potential.

New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, Defensive End/Linebacker, Alabama

The Jets can use this pick in many ways.

They can seek another receiver or maybe trade up and try to land a passer rusher or defensive tackle.

I think they'll look to add to the defensive line.

Upshaw is the "hybrid" everyone is going to want and with the 16th selection, he is perfect for the Jets.

Whether he is on the edge in passing situations or plugging the middle on a running play, he adds youth and speed to this team.

Cincinnati Bengals: Mark Barron, Defensive Back, Alabama

The Bengals may be in the market for a defensive end as well, but I think they will use one of their picks on a receiver and then find secondary help.

Barron may be the most underrated first rounder of the Alabama bunch. And that may actually be a good thing.

Barron can play in the nickle as well and help with special teams and would be a steal for the upstart Bengals.

New England Patriots: Nick Perry, Defensive End, USC

He still has room to grown and learn.

Perry is a junior-eligible player who is leaving the Trojans for NFL riches.

He has Mike Vrabel size with better skills and could be used as a linebacker or a defensive end, depending on the opponent.

The only thing I worry about is it may take him a year to fully get used to the NFL and its overall speed.

Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, Defensive Back, Alabama

The Lions are still improving on both sides of the ball and need help in their secondary with the loss of Eric Wright.

Kirkpatrick automatically gives the Lions and head coach Jim Schwartz another fast young defensive player to mold.

Kirkpatrick is perfect for the Lions defensive scheme and can be a standout on special teams as well.

New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, Defensive Back, Florida

Some how this just makes sense.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick needs to add speed and youth on the defense while trying to find the right combination of players to get them another Super Bowl championship.

Jenkins is just the type of player Belichick and the Patriots bring in, after having off the field issues, who steps in and helps the team get better.

He did it with Randy Moss and Chad Ochocinco, and he could do the same thing here.

New York Giants: Vinny Curry, Defensive End, Marshall

Every year, it seems the Giants are missing a step, then they regroup and prove they still have some fight in them.

That translated into a Super Bowl win this past year. Now, it's time to continue stockpiling for the future.

Curry can play defensive end and could be a stand-up linebacker in Perry Fewell's scheme. He came from Marshall and impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl and his Pro Day.

He could sneak into the first round.