2012 NFL Mock Draft: 10 Teams Who Will Score Pro Bowl-Caliber Defenders

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, we highlight 10 teams that will find Pro Bowl-caliber defensive players in the first round of the draft:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (trade w/ St. Louis)

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The draft's top cornerback could fall into an ideal spot in Tampa Bay. With Talib Aqib battling ongoing legal issues, Claiborne would likely be an instant starter. He'd also get a chance to pick the brain of veteran cornerback Ronde Barber, who returned to the Bucs for a final season. On-the-job experience and mentoring from one of this generation's most underrated cornerbacks could propel Claiborne into stardom early on in his NFL career. 

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (trade w/ Washington) 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Picked by Jacksonville, Ingram would become the replacement to oft-injured defensive end Aaron Kampman. He would also be the player plugged in opposite Jeremy Mincey, an emerging pass rusher who the Jaguars re-signed this offseason. With the most complete set of skills in this year's defensive end class, Ingram could push 10 or more sacks in his rookie season and later compete for a spot in Hawaii. 

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M 

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is the one defensive lineman that no one seems to talk about, but could have the biggest impact early on. He's well versed playing the run and can also be a disruptive force as an interior pass rusher. He'll need to get sacks to have a chance at playing in the Pro Bowl, but this is a kid that is still growing and maturing as a football player.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Perry, OLB/DE, USC 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The draft's unquestioned No. 1 safety, Barron has the kind of skill set that could one day put him in the Pro Bowl discussion. He's smart and instinctive at the back end, with ball skills and an ability to come up in the run game that completes his game. The NFC class of safeties isn't great, so Barron could become one of the conference's best as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis  

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

 The Jets are getting Upshaw here at a great value, and I just can't envision a scenario in which Rex Ryan lets such a complete defensive football player get by his pick. Upshaw would immediately become a three-down player in New York—one that plays the run well on early downs, but can also put his hand in the dirt and rush the passer in passing situations. A defensive mind like Ryan could turn Upshaw into a Terrell Suggs/Peter Bolaware type player early on in his NFL career. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore has a set of skills that may remind some of Charles Woodson. He has some length and explosiveness to his game and isn't afraid to set up and make plays against the run. Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer could plug Gilmore in as the slot corner and unleash him in a similar way Dom Capers does with Woodson in Green Bay. If he embraced the role, Gilmore could have a big impact.  

18. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame (trade w/ San Diego) 

19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

 Coples may fall in the draft because of motor and inconsistency issues. But if he falls this far, Coples couldn't ask for a better situation than the one he'd find in Chicago. Defensive line Rod Marinelli could certainly light a spark under the talented pass rusher, and playing opposite Julius Peppers would take most of the pressure off Coples to beat double teams early on. If he couldn't make it work with the Bears, I'm not sure Coples could find success anywhere.

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia 

22. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (trade w/ Cleveland) 

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

There are few first-round fits that work as well as Hightower in Pittsburgh. While the Steelers have Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons inside, Hightower would eventually take over for Foote to form one of the best interior linebackers situations in the NFL. Hightower's ability to rush the passer will make him an asset as an outside backer, too. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will love this former defensive captain. 

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

27. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, OLB/DE, Boise State 

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Packers may be a pass rusher or two away from competing for another Super Bowl title, so there will be pressure on Mercilus to perform from day one. However, he will have the benefit of Clay Matthews on the opposite side, and you can't double team everyone. If Mercilus can beat double teams and play the run well enough on first and second down, the Packers could have another Pro Bowl pass rusher on the roster. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is a raw player who wasn't overly productive at LSU, so I wouldn't expect him to be an instant impact guy at the NFL level. However, give him some time to get his feet wet as a part of a rotation, and you may have a Pro Bowl player down the road. The 49ers represent a perfect situation, and Brockers could be a natural replacement for Justin Smith as the All-Pro ages. 

31. Chicago Bears: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford (trade w/ New England) 

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State