2012 NFL Mock Draft: Skilled Defensive Studs Ready to Shine on Sundays

Ever since the NFL Draft started to shift more toward offensive skill position stars a handful of years ago, highly-rated defensive players have been providing a lot more bang for the buck. Instead of having to reach for them, big names on defense will fall into teams' laps.

Here's a complete mock draft of the opening round, featuring defensive studs who will immediately be able to step into their new team's starting lineup. Not only will they play right away, but they'll make a major impact as well.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts would be making a mistake of epic proportions if they were to choose anybody other than Luck with the first overall pick. He's going to become a special player.

2. Washington Redskins (via STL 2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

After making a massive trade to secure the second spot, the Redskins will finally be able to fill their quarterback void. Griffin won't be the next Ryan Leaf.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

It will be interesting to see if another team in need of a quarterback attempts to trade up to this spot for Ryan Tannehill. If not, Kalil is an awesome fit for the Vikings.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Cleveland will likely decide between Richardson and Justin Blackmon. Since the Browns have two picks in the first round, they are better off going with the running back first.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Buccaneers are coming off a disappointing season after looking like one of the league's best young squads in 2010. One of the biggest reasons for their struggles was pass defense. They allowed 30 touchdowns through the air, the third most in the NFL.

Claiborne has separated himself from a very talented group of corners during the draft process thanks to his dynamic all-around abilities. He can play in any type of coverage scheme and will become the playmaker Tampa Bay needs after intercepting just 14 passes last season.

He's also a solid kick returner. He averaged 25 yards per return for the Tigers and took one 99 yards to the house in his final year at LSU. That truly makes Claiborne the complete package and the ideal selection for the Bucs in Round 1.

6. St. Louis Rams (via WAS 5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Sam Bradford must be given a true No. 1 receiver to reach his potential. Blackmon certainly fits the bill and will help the Rams finally turn things around.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jaguars understand there are some concerns about Coples not always giving 100 percent, but his sky-high potential will cause them to select the pass-rusher anyway.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Owner Stephen Ross can't be happy after swinging and missing on both Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn. Now he'll have to hope Tannehill develops into a franchise quarterback.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Panthers are still a couple seasons away from becoming a legitimate threat in the NFC, so they can afford to take a high-upside player like Brockers and wait for him to develop.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Signing Mario Williams to a gigantic contract proved the Bills are serious about making a run toward the playoffs next season. Reiff will fill the vital left tackle spot.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Tamba Hali was Kansas City's only reliable pass-rusher last season. When he struggled, the defense was exposed. Upshaw should give him the support he needs.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Seahawks' offensive line allowed 50 sacks last season. After giving Matt Flynn a big contract, they need to protect him and Martin is the man for the job.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Other than the spectacular Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals lack receiving weapons for Kevin Kolb, which was a big reason for his struggles. Floyd helps provide balance.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick has top-10 talent, but teams are more interested in adding offensive players or pass-rushers early on, which means he'll likely slide to the middle of Round 1. That would make him a terrific value selection for the Cowboys.

He's a physical corner who will never shy away from sticking his nose in the pile on running plays. More importantly, he has the size to guard any receiver aggressively and continued to improve during his time at Alabama. That should signal further development once he gains NFL experience.

The Cowboys are a team that always seems to underachieve based on the amount of talent on their roster. A major reason has been a lack of physicality in the defensive backfield. Kirkpatrick will make sure that's no longer an issue the front office needs to worry about.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

If the Eagles had a consistent linebacker like Kuechly last season, they'd probably make the playoffs. He'll put them on the right track in 2012.

16. New York Jets (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Upgrading the offensive line has become a must for the Jets now that they plan to use Tim Tebow. DeCastro has the most value of any lineman at this point.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Every NFL fan knows about Jenkins' off-field issues by now, but he has the potential to become a truly elite corner if he stays out of trouble. That message should be clear to him by now.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

The Chargers have struggled to get constant pressure off the edge ever since Shawne Merriman—who has since joined the Bills—stopped producing elite numbers five years ago. Ingram has the potential to make that weakness disappear right away.

After a couple middling seasons for the Gamecocks, he really started to shine over the past two seasons with a combined total of 19 sacks. The other areas of his game still need to develop, but in the NFL an explosive pass-rusher doesn't need to be a complete player to make a significant impact.

Ingram is one of those rare prospects who can turn an entire defense around simply by filling a hole. He won't fit in every system—that's why he's still available at this spot—but he's a ideal match for the Chargers and should have no problem making a bunch of key plays in his rookie season.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz should be fully recovered from a nagging ankle injury by the time training camp rolls around. He's the interior lineman the Bears need for the offense to reach its potential.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

There will be a longer transition period for Poe than most players because he played against lower-level competition at Memphis. That said, he has all the physical tools a team could want.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Bengals offense made some really nice strides last season, which allows the team to focus on defense in Round 1 by adding Jenkins and Still.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

A raw talent like Hill needs to get drafted by a team that will allow him to play right away because he'll never figure things out sitting on the bench. The Browns would give him that opportunity.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Detroit's offensive line took a step in the wrong direction last season, allowing 36 sacks of the injury-prone Matthew Stafford. That's why the Lions need Adams.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Steelers are another playoff contender that allows their franchise quarterback to get hit far too often, which gives them plenty of reason to target the underrated Glenn.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Peyton Manning will give them a potent passing game to go along with an already solid rushing attack. If Worthy can help stop the run—which he should—the Broncos become an extremely scary opponent.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

After making a huge impact on defense last season (second in yards allowed), the Texans can focus on getting Matt Schaub another target or two like Wright in the draft.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Bill Belichick has plenty of flexibility since he has two picks late in the first round, but he's probably best off standing pat and taking two defensive backs.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Packers cruised through the regular season without any issues, but learned the playoffs are a completely different game. They need to bulk up on defense in the draft.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Sadly for Ravens fans, Ray Lewis won't be around forever. Drafting Hightower now gives him time to learn from the legend so he's ready to take over whenever Lewis calls it quits.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The 49ers were smart to add Mario Manningham and Randy Moss in free agency, which will allow them to snag a solid cornerback like Gilmore in Round 1.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

If the Patriots can walk away from the draft room after day one with Dennard and Barron, they should be thrilled. The secondary desperately needs those upgrades.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

New York can go any number of directions since the Giants don't have a single glaring weakness, so they'll take the best player available—that's Fleener.