2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Must Focus Heavily on Defense

As much as teams like to stay true to their draft boards regardless of position, sometimes things are so dire on a certain side of the ball, that it is necessary to hone in on either offense or defense.

There are several teams who would be well served to do that this year, particularly on defense, as a solid defensive unit can cure a lot of ills.

Luckily, while there may not be a lot of top-flight talent defensively in the first round, there is plenty of depth, so even teams picking late in the round can pick up a quality player. Unless an elite offensive player really slips through the cracks and slides to a certain team, there are a few that must focus on defense no matter what.

Along with a full, first-round mock draft, here are some teams that must draft defense in the first round.

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

It's no secret that the Colts need a new face of the franchise to replace Peyton Manning, and Luck is the guy who is expected to be just that.

2. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via STL)

He may not be the classic quarterback like Luck, but Griffin is the type of player who can carry an organization, so he's a great fit for the Redskins.

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

The Vikings have thrown out some feelers in terms of trading out of this spot, but left tackle is a big need, so Kalil should be the pick.

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

Taking a running back this early is a dying art form, but Richardson is one of the surest things in the draft, and the Browns really need a back.

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

Not only is Ronde Barber on his last legs, but the Bucs are shopping Aqib Talib as well, so Claiborne seems like a very likely selection at this point.

6. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via WAS)

The Rams could have stayed at No. 2 and taken Blackmon, but instead they traded down, picked up a couple of future firsts and get him anyway.

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

Jacksonville has quite a few holes on both sides of the ball, and there isn't a foolproof pick here, but Coples has more potential than any defensive lineman.

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

This pick is as risky as they come, but with the Dolphins desperate to land a quarterback after failing to do so during the offseason, Tannehill looks like the pick.

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

The Panthers need a defensive tackle, and they have quite a few options, but the explosive Brockers certainly fits their system better than anyone else.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Buffalo still has some holes to fill following a strong free-agency period, and taking Floyd to pair with Stevie Johnson would be a major upgrade at wide receiver.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Chiefs are pretty much stacked at every position but quarterback, and since there isn't one worth taking here, they might as well better protect their current one with Reiff.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Chris Clemons is a solid pass-rusher, but he desperately needs some help, so the Seahawks would be smart to nab Ingram at this juncture.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

The Cardinals have been searching for an answer at middle linebacker since Karlos Dansby left, and they'll find it if they take Kuechly.

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

Dallas released veteran corner Terence Newman, so there's a major need at that position, and Kirkpatrick just happens to be a big-time talent.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Philadelphia Eagles entered last season with huge expectations, as they dominated in free agency and looked to have one of the most explosive offenses in recent memory on paper with Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

While the offense was largely solid, save for the time Vick missed due to injury, the defense really struggled for much of the season and needs to be upgraded immediately.

Philly's pass rush is fine with Trent Cole and Jason Babin on the ends, but the back seven leaves a lot to be desired. The linebacker corps has a ton of holes and may be the worst in the league, while the secondary had some issues despite the signing of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

Since there isn't really a linebacker worth taking at this spot, the Eagles would be best off taking the top safety in the draft in Alabama's Mark Barron.

The Eagles secondary hasn't been the same since spiritual leader Brian Dawkins left for the Denver Broncos, and while Barron won't be able to replace that leadership right away, he has the mentality to do it eventually.

On top of that, Barron is such a punishing hitter that he will constrict the middle of the field and allow Philly's excellent corners to work along the perimeter.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Most point to the Jets' offense as their biggest problem, but the defense took big steps backward last season and could use a strong pass-rusher like Upshaw.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Having two first-rounders gives the Bengals the luxury to take whoever they value highest at this spot, and I believe that will be Wright, who will be a fine complement to A.J. Green.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Chargers offensive line has been hit hard by injuries and poor play over the past couple years, so a steadying presence like DeCastro is a must.

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

Chicago's offensive line was a mess last season without Olin Kreutz in the middle, making Konz a smart selection, as he can anchor the line for years to come.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Titans narrowly missed the playoffs last season and have a ton of depth, but they need a top-level pass-rusher, and Mercilus could develop into one.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Although the Bengals signed Terence Newman, Leon Hall is injured, so they need another cornerback such as Gilmore to step in right away.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

It wouldn't be the most exciting selection, but Martin should be a solid right tackle in the NFL and will help shore up the troublesome right side of Cleveland's line.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

While most would probably say that there isn't a cornerback worth taking here, the Lions need one desperately, so they'll roll the dice on Jenkins at No. 23.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

It may seem strange to say, since defense has been their hallmark for pretty much their entire existence, but the Pittsburgh Steelers need an infusion of young talent on that side of the ball.

It was quite apparent in their playoff loss last season to the Denver Broncos that the defense was aging, and the top players were having a difficult time staying healthy.

The Steelers could afford to add to their linebacker corps and their secondary, but the focus at this juncture should be on nose tackle. Casey Hampton tore his ACL, and it is unknown how long it will take him to recover.

Even if he does return in the upcoming season, though, he doesn't have much time left, so Pittsburgh should start grooming a replacement.

Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe is an extremely intriguing option. Not only does he have massive size like Hampton, but he showed rare athleticism for a man his size at the combine, as he ran the 40-yard dash in under five seconds.

I expect a lack of need at the nose tackle position to push Poe this far down the board, and if he's there, the Steelers have to grab him.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia

It seems as though the Broncos have all of their weapons in place for Peyton Manning, so this pick should be about protecting him, making Glenn a logical choice.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Andre Johnson has been a lone wolf for too long at wide receiver for the Texans, so it's about time they get him a wingman in the form of Hill.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State

The New England Patriots have two picks in the first round, and as long as a top offensive player doesn't slip, they should spend both of them on defensive players.

The Pats offense was as good as ever last season, as Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez ran opposing defenses ragged, but New England's own defense was a major albatross.

Although the Pats defense was steady enough to get the team into the Super Bowl, it was clearly the weaker of the two units. The pass defense in particular had a tough time all season long, as pretty much every team was able to move the ball through the air.

While one solution to that could be upgrading the secondary, the better one would be to get to the quarterback more often.

The Pats did have two players with double digits in sacks last season, but Andre Carter is injured and Mark Anderson is now with the Buffalo Bills, so they badly need a pass-rusher. Most of the top ones are off the board at this point, but they seem to have taken a liking to Boise State's Shea McClellin.

He is versatile enough to play defensive end or outside linebacker, so that makes him a great fit for New England's hybrid defense and the likely selection.

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

Green Bay's defense was incredibly bad last season, but one way to turn that around is by drafting a space-eating 3-4 defensive end like Cox.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Ravens are good pretty much everywhere, so they can afford to take the best player available in Hightower and have him learn behind Ray Lewis.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

San Francisco's only true weakness may be the right side of its offensive line, so the Niners will be happy to swipe Adams here.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Devon Still, DL, Penn State

The Patriots seem to roll through defensive linemen like they're nothing, but grabbing a versatile guy like Still would be a major help.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The defending Super Bowl champions can do whatever they please, and with Mario Manningham leaving via free agency, they'll take another outside threat in Randle.