NFL Draft Positional Rankings 2012: This Year's Top Options at Defensive End

The NFL has a variety of teams that desperately need help at the defensive end position. Luckily for those teams, defensive end happens to be one of the deepest positions in the 2012 NFL draft.

To say the position is deep in this year’s draft is an understatement. There are prospects projected to go well into the sixth round that will find a gig in the NFL as a rotational player and potentially be a major contributor.

The depth is impressive, but the elite talent at the top is even more so. There are 10 elite defensive end prospects this year who will find a home on an NFL team early thanks to their abilities.

An elite pass-rusher is one of the most valuable players to find in the NFL draft now as the league transitions to a pass-happy league. Not only are all of these prospects very good at applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks, but they’re well-rounded enough to play the run effectively as well.

Here are the top options at defensive end in the 2012 NFL draft:

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10. Cam Johnson, Virginia

Cam Johnson is a prototypical NFL defensive end. He has a ridiculous amount of power and speed combined to make him a viable option for teams in need of an all-around defensive end.

Johnson stands at 6’4” and 270lbs and uses his frame and strength to get to the quarterback or gain leverage to stuff the running game. The only knock on his game is his quickness off the snap, but that’s something that can be addressed through proper coaching.

Johnson will likely be an early third-round pick in the draft. He’ll be an immediate contributor in a defensive line rotation. He has the potential to eventually be an every down starter in the NFL.

9. Jared Crick, Nebraska

Jared Crick is an exceptional all-around defensive end that can rush the passer and clog up running lanes with regularity.

Crick is a vocal leader with an endless motor, and those are two traits that will allow him to excel as a defensive end at the next level. His 6’4”, 280 lb frame is ideal for him to stay on the field in any situation.

Crick is a second-round talent that could find himself pushed further down because of the quality talent at his position entering the draft. A team that lands Crick will get a leader vocally and through example.

8. Andre Branch, Clemson

Andre Branch is a quality defensive end prospect who stood out in college during his time as Clemson.

Branch has an NFL frame at 6’4” and 260lbs that he uses effectively to get to opposing quarterbacks in a hurry. His career at Clemson was peppered with 10-plus tackle games, as he was effective not only rushing the passer but defending the run as well.

Branch is going to slip into the second round of the draft, and that’s a great thing for teams that missed out on the elite prospects in the first. They’ll be acquiring an underrated player that will contribute from Day 1.

7. Chandler Jones, Syracuse

Chandler Jones is an intriguing prospect from Syracuse. He could have stayed in school and been drafted high next year, but he’s NFL-ready now.

Jones missed five games last year but still managed to stand out as one of the best defensive line prospects entering the draft. He’s got an NFL body at 6’5” and 265lbs and possesses an explosive first-step that allowed him to get around offensive linemen.

Jones has seen his stock rise astronomically high as of late, but he’s worthy of a second-round selection at the most. He has to develop some more moves when rushing the passer, but his upside is unlimited.

6. Vinny Curry, Marshall

Vinny Curry is a small-school star that has managed to make his name known this offseason on his way to being an early pick this year.

Curry is an elite 4-3 defensive end prospect that ruined opposing teams with ease. Last season at Marshall he recorded 11 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three blocked kicks. Curry is also one of the better ends against the run entering the draft this year. He has an NFL frame at 6’3” and 265lbs.

Curry is an explosive prospect that will find himself taken in the second round. A lot of other years Curry would be a sure-fire first-round pick, so any team hoping an elite defensive lineman will fall to the second round will have to look no further than Curry.

5. Nick Perry, USC

Nick Perry is an athletic freak that is quickly moving up draft boards. Perry was a force while at USC, and it’s hard to imagine he will have trouble making the transition to the NFL.

Perry is likely not human. He stands at 6’3” and 270lbs, but somehow managed to run a 4.6 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. So Perry’s pretty fast. He’s pretty strong too. He repped 225 lbs on the bench press drill 35 times.

Perry is a freak that will be drafted in the top 20 come draft day. His incredible combination of strength and size will allow him to be an immediate contributor to an NFL team.

4. Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

Whitney Mercilus is another can’t-miss prospect at the position this year. He’s an absolute beast that looked like a man among boys during his collegiate days at Illinois.

To say Mercilus dominated the collegiate game last year would be disrespectful. He led the nation in forced fumbles and sacks with nine and 16, respectively. Mercilus is a versatile prospect that can rush the passer from any position.

Mercilus is without a doubt a first-round selection come draft day. If he lands somewhere that utilizes him at the defensive end position, he’ll quickly begin to stand out among this rookie class.

3. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

NFL teams are having trouble figuring out exactly where Courtney Upshaw will play on an NFL defense, but as a 4-3 defensive end he’ll be a force in the league.

The concern with Upshaw is his size. He only stands at 6’2” and 270lbs, so some believe he’ll be better as an outside linebacker. At Alabama, Upshaw rushed the passer from defensive end and was explosive to say the least. His speed and power around the edge is something that is hard to find in the NFL.

Upshaw is ridiculously muscular for his height, but he uses it to his advantage. Throughout the offseason, he’s shown teams why he deserves to be a top 25 pick, and there’s no doubt he won't fall any further than that.

2. Quinton Coples, North Carolina

Quinton Coples is yet another freak athlete entering the draft this year at the position. Coples is an outstanding talent that will find himself with an NFL home within the first 15 picks of the draft.

Coples is a physical specimen built to dominate the league standing at 6’6” and 285 lbs. He uses his natural athleticism and superb instincts to beat his competition with regularity. There wasn’t a down in college when Coples didn’t see a double-team, and he still embarrassed those who tried to block him.

There are questions about Coples’ motor and desire, but that won’t outweigh his abilities when teams look at the film. If the team that selects him can get the most out of him, Coples will be in the league terrorizing quarterbacks for a long time.

1. Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

Melvin Ingram is the best all-around defensive end in the draft. He can play outside linebacker as well, but as it stands he’s the best defensive end prospect as well. He’s got a shot to go in the top 10 because of his elite skills.

Ingram stands at 6’1" and 260 lbs and runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. He’s a freak athlete that rushed the passers from all positions at the collegiate level, including the defensive tackle position. His combination of elite speed and strength will give NFL offensive linemen fits for years.

Ingram is a prospect that doesn’t come along very often. He dominates anyone he encounters through a combination of his skills, and he’s got a great personality to boot. One lucky team is going to land a franchise player in Ingram.