2012 NFL Mock Draft: Melvin Ingram and Defensive Players Destined for 1st Round

Much of the attention prior to the 2012 NFL draft has been dedicated to the quarterback prospects atop the board, but there are defensive studs who are just as worthy of the hype.

Selecting a lineman or a safety in the first round doesn't grab as many headlines as taking a quarterback, but those moves can often shape a team's success—or lack thereof—for years to come.

Here's a complete mock draft with an emphasis on the defensive stars who are first-round locks.

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

The Colts are starting to build their team for the future, and Luck—one of the best quarterback prospects in years—is the cornerstone of it.

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

Griffin is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks to hit the draft in years and will be the Redskins' long-term answer—if he can stay healthy.

3. Miami Dolphins (mock trade from Vikings) (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

We all know Tannehill lacks experience, but he has a high ceiling and the kind of intangibles that have scouts saying he could be the Dolphins' long-term solution for too many years of quarterback problems.

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

Richardson has been described as the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson, so if he can stay healthy, his upside is big enough to make the Browns run game formidable for years to come.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

This former wide receiver is the highest-rated defensive player on the board, and despite a questionable performance on the Wonderlic test, he is a player that can drastically improve Tampa Bay's secondary, which finished in the bottom half of the league in pass defense in 2011.

As Ronde Barber gets older, the Bucs have to start thinking about a long-term replacement, making it the perfect time to turn to the draft for a corner—especially when they stand to get one of Claiboren's caliber.

At LSU, he combined with Patrick Peterson to form one of the most dangerous cornerback tandems in college football history, and after snagging six interceptions last season, he received the 2011 Jim Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in the NCAA.

His speed and his character make him an impossible prospect to pass up.

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

The Rams passing game was their biggest weakness in 2011, and Blackmon, the best wideout in the draft, will immediately change that and could quickly become one of the best in the league.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Though the Jaguars finished last season with the sixth-best defense in the league, Ingram is a big-play defensive end that can make them even more explosive on the pass-rush. He fits perfectly into the Jaguars' scheme, and he's more proven and consistent than Quinton Coples, making him the best option at the position.

Ingram gives Jacksonville someone who can get after the passer as well as someone who has a high ceiling that could make him one of the premiere edge rushers in the league. He's versatile enough to fill a hole at defensive end or linebacker, and he has the work ethic and attitude that will drive him to be one of the best at either position.

8. Minnesota Vikings (mock trade from Miami) (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Alleged character issues aside, Kalil will anchor the Vikings line for years to come and is the best left tackle available this year. Soon, he'll be one of the best in the league.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox has made a rapid ascent up the draft board in recent weeks because of his playmaking ability and his high ceiling. In 2011, he registered 14.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks, establishing himself as one of the NCAA's premiere rushers. He also has the kind of motor that has experts calling him one of the best defensive prospects available.

ESPN.com draft analyst Todd McShay told The Columbus Dispatch's Matt Stevens: 

"

Fletcher Cox, the more tape I watch, the more he just grew on me, and I love his versatility. I think he plays the game hard. I think he can rush the passer both from the inside and the outside, different styles, more of a three technique. ... I think he's the best of the group, I really do, and I think he'll continue to get better. 

"

Those ringing endorsements have gone a long way, as Cox has shot up from the bottom half of the first round and into the top 10.

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

Here, the Bills get a chance to make up for the fact that they've passed up on too many talented linemen in the past. Reiff is just behind Kalil in terms of ability and will give Buffalo's line stability for years to come.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Despite popular belief, Kuechly is an athletic prospect with a keen ability to read offenses that will serve him well as he transitions into the next level.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Though he's not as NFL-ready as some of the other defensive ends on the board, his quickness and his size suggest he has the upside to easily get there.

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

The Cardinals offense needs another weapon in addition to Larry Fitzgerald, and Floyd, as one of the NCAA's top receivers in 2011, is a perfect fit, especially if he's still available at this stage.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe is agile for his monstrous size (6'4", 346 pounds) and yet he still has the agility and the burst of speed to be a top run-stopper.

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

Barron was the quarterback of the nation's best defense in 2011 and will strengthen one of the NFL's top-10 pass defenses.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

He still has some room to develop, but he has a lot of upside, long arms and the kind of flexibility that will make him a weapon in a 4-3 scheme.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Bengals badly need a guard, and DeCastro is the best one left. He's strong against the run and has already operated under a pro-style offense at Stanford.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn can play both guard positions and left tackle, which affords the Chargers some leeway as they figure out where he fits best.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Bears need a solid tackle in this draft, and Martin is durable, fast and boasts a high football IQ that will make him a staple on the line for years.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

He has the raw ability to be a top defensive back, but he still has some scouts concerned by alleged character issues, including an arrest last year.

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

The Bengals are likely to take him with one of their two first-round picks. He has blazing speed and will be utilized best in zone systems, and his unorthodox size doesn't hurt him.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) (4-12): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

He racked up 10 receiving records at Baylor and still has the scouts buzzing about his 40 time at his pro day, which was clocked somewhere between 4.41 and 4.46 seconds.  

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

Though he's not as strong or overpowering as some scouts would like to see, he's still solid against the run and will be a safe first-round selection somewhere between 15-25.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

He's a very safe pick for the Steelers' 3-4 scheme with his size and his ability to stop the run.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

He can collapse the pocket, uses his hands well and is very quick for his size at 6'6" and 322 pounds.

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

Hill isn't afraid to absorb a big hit, and as a result, he can be counted on to make the big play.            

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans) (13-3): Nick Perry, DE/LB, USC

He led the Pac-12 with 9.5 sacks in 2012, and the Patriots defense would get a serious upgrade with his pass-rushing abilities.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

His out-of-nowhere rise to dominance is still a concern, but at this stage of the draft, he's worth the slight risk because he's versatile and he's still the best lineman left.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

His field awareness and instincts are good enough to push him up into the first round.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Branch is a versatile, consistent pass-rusher but scouts are concerned about his questionable recognition skills.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Though he still needs some work in order to develop into a top-tier pass-rusher, he picks up schemes quickly and has the desire to learn.

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

His height (6'6") and his above-average athleticism will help the Giants aptly fill a hole they really need to address.