2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Top Defensive Rookie of the Year Candidates

The Defensive Rookie of the Year Award is a prestigious one that many elite players have earned on their way to excellent careers.

Jack Lambert, Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas, Charles Woodson, Jevon Kearse, Julius Peppers, Terrell Suggs and Patrick Willis are just a few of the greats who have been given the distinction.

Let's take a look at the latest first-round mock, with an eye on players who have a chance to bring home the DROY hardware.

*Asterisked picks indicate traded picks.

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

No surprise here. The Colts have already informed this young man that he will be the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft.

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

The 'Skins wisely traded up to secure their biggest need: a franchise QB.

They'll certainly take RGIII here.

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

The Vikes are interested in trading down here, but adding a franchise LT to build their line around would be just fine assuming they couldn't find a suitable offer.

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

Richardson will instantly add a new dimension to the Browns offense. They can address their need for a QB next year if Colt McCoy doesn't improve.

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

Claiborne is a great defensive player, but it's tough for cornerbacks to win this award. There have only been six winners at the position since the DROY was first handed out in 1967 and none since Charles Woodson captured it in 1998.

Unless he has an absolutely brilliant outing, it will be hard for the LSU product to earn this.

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

St. Louis should definitely target an elite receiver like Blackmon or Michael Floyd with this selection to rejuvenate its offense. The Rams may be shopping Steven Jackson as well, meaning they found a trading partner and would love to take Richardson if he fell here.

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

Ingram is perhaps the most solid pass-rusher in the class and a prospect who has low risk of actually busting. If he can secure an every down job with the Jags line and record a gaudy sack total, Ingram could definitely win the DROY.

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

This is a bit of a risky pick for the 'Fins, but they have had an absolutely atrocious offseason. They couldn't land a QB in free agency and will now have to roll the dice on Tannehill.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

Kuechly might be the favorite for the 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Linebackers have absolutely dominated since 2000, winning all but two times in the past 12 years.

If this BC blue-chip product is as instinctive in the pros as he was in college and can continue playing the pass while recording solid tackling numbers, he's going to win.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

The Gamecocks CB is a solid prospect who has steadily risen up the big board, but he's no threat to be the best rookie defender. It takes a while for CBs to adjust to the NFL game, and it will not come easily for Gilmore.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

This is the best interior lineman prospect since Steve Hutchinson came into the league back in 2001. DeCastro is going to make an instant impact for the Chiefs or whichever team elects to take him.

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

Coples is a project. He has a lot of upside, but he has a lot to learn about the NFL game.

Coples could eventually be an elite pass-rusher in this league, but it's going to take time, and he's no DROY threat.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Reiff is the second-best tackle prospect in the class and someone who could immediately step in and start along the Cardinals line.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

Barron might not deserve to go this early, but the Cowboys will not regret taking him here in the future. He's got great athleticism, speed and ball skills. 

Barron is a dark horse to win the DROY award if he earns the starting job.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

Brockers is another raw prospect who could be one of the best players in this class in a few years. He's extremely young, with limited skills right now, but eventually, this kid will be a monster.

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

The Jets need a pass-rusher and a winner. Upshaw fills both of these needs.

It's unlikely he sees the field enough and records enough sacks to win the award, however.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)*

Cincinnati would love to add an elite weapon like Floyd this late in the draft. He'd instantly make Andy Dalton's life a lot easier.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Chandler Jones, DE (Syracuse)

Jones is a freakish athlete who has vaulted into the first round late in the game. He fills a huge hole for San Diego at OLB.

If he gets some huge sacks on Peyton Manning this year, Jones will be noticed and will possibly garner a few DROY votes.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Nick Perry, DE (USC)

Perry is another athletic pass-rusher the Bears may be reaching for here. It's not filling a huge position of need, but they are gambling on upside.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)

Cox isn't the most dominant player, but he may be the most versatile. He can play a number of positions in a number of schemes.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

This is an absolute steal for one of the best corners in the draft. Kirkpatrick's stock was mildly hurt by a marijuana-related arrest earlier this offseason, but he's still a Top 10 talent.

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

Wright is a speed freak who can run crisp routes. He'd instantly become one of the Browns' best receivers (which isn't saying much).

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)

Glenn is a huge lineman who could protect Matthew Stafford and Jahvid Best from future injuries.

That's the most important thing for the Lions going forward.

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

Pittsburgh has a history of developing fearsome and hard-hitting linebackers. Hightower fits that mold.

He could easily become the DROY if he earns a starting gig and crushes ball-carriers for 16 games.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)

Hill wowed everyone at the combine with his huge frame, insane speed and even flashed some playmaking abilities with a diving catch. He'd be a great target for Peyton Manning.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Poe's stock has cooled off since his incredible combine performance. He is still one of the fastest, strongest and biggest nose tackles in the class, though.

27. New England Patriots (13-3): Shea McClellin, DE/OLB (Boise State)*

The Pats love moving players all over their defense. McClellin can play multiple positions and can rush the passer—something New England direly needs.

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

Mercilus is a boom or bust product who only had one really good year of collegiate production. If he can carry that momentum into the pros, he'll be a nice addition to the Pack.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

The Ravens offensive line is aging, so adding a youthful product in Martin, whose stock dipped but still has upside, would be wise.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kevin Zeitler, OG (Wisconsin)

Zeitler fills a position of need for this squad. He will help give Alex Smith time to throw and will make room for Frank Gore to run.

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

Reyes is a versatile lineman who can get to the passer—exactly what NE covets.

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

Fleener runs a sub-4.5 40-yard dash and has great hands. What more could the defending champs ask for?