2012 NFL Mock Draft Round 2: Defensive Studs Who Will Make an Immediate Impact

Several outstanding defensive players dropped out of the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and they should be steals during the draft's second round.

The following is my projection for the second round of the 2012 draft, highlighting defensive players that will be difference-makers immediately.

33. St. Louis Rams: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The Rams made some nice moves on day one to stockpile more draft picks. Now they need to stop messing around and finally get Sam Bradford someone to throw to.

34. Indianapolis Colts: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

It's a Palo Alto reunion in the Circle City. Andrew Luck will love having his buddy Fleener around. He is a big, athletic tight end who should make an immediate impact.

35. Baltimore Ravens (from Minnesota Vikings): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

I really can't believe Upshaw is still on the board here. While his measurables don't jump off the page, all he did at Alabama was perform at a high level. He is a tough, rugged guy off the edge who has outstanding instincts.

On top of that, Upshaw is a leader who will make an impact with his personality alone. The Ravens lost long-time stalwart run-stuffer Jarret Johnson to the San Diego Chargers in free agency and they need to add some muscle to the outside of their 3-4 attack.

Upshaw will move right in and replace Johnson, while also adding the ability to rush the passer off the edge. Baltimore's defense gets even better with this pick.

36. Denver Broncos (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

In my final mock I had the Broncos taking Worthy at No. 25. Denver was smart to trade out of that spot and stockpile extra picks because they can still get their man here. 

The Broncos have no one worth mentioning on their depth chart at defensive tackle. Worthy is a productive interior lineman who has a non-stop motor. It is really fun watching him play because of how hard he goes after it.

Worthy will immediately be the best defensive tackle on Denver's roster and he should make the team a lot better during his rookie year.

37. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The Browns got a running back (Trent Richardson) and a quarterback (Brandon Weeden); now they add a raw receiver with tremendous upside.

38. Jacksonville Jaguars: Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall

The Jaguars moved up to land Justin Blackmon in the first round, but they can't neglect their pass rush, which totaled just 31 sacks in 2011. I had Curry rated as the third-best pure pass rusher in this year's draft and while he isn't a well-rounded defensive end, he can sure get after the quarterback.

At 6'3" and 266 pounds, Curry has average size for an edge rusher, but he possesses outstanding quickness off the line and gets into the backfield in the blink of an eye. He is also a tremendously hard worker who was a team captain at Marshall. 

He isn't versatile and won't be great against the run, but Curry should be able to get sacks in the NFL.

39. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins): Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska

The Rams continue to stockpile talent, adding David here. All he did at Nebraska was make plays all over the field and while he doesn't have ideal measurables, he should be a solid linebacker in the NFL.

40. Carolina Panthers: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

I had Reyes as a late first-round pick, but the Panthers are lucky he fell to them here. The UConn product is a smart, versatile interior lineman who will make the Panthers better immediately.

He measures in at 6'4" and 299 pounds and has decent quickness to go along with his elite intangibles. Carolina's defense was incredibly weak up the middle last season and drafting Luke Kuechly in the first round and Reyes in the second will be a significant upgrade.

41. Buffalo Bills: Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss

The Bills have to address their offensive line at some point, specifically the tackle spot. Massie should fit perfectly on the right side of the line.

42. Miami Dolphins: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Dolphins took Ryan Tannehill at No. 8, and now they have to get him someone to throw to. Jeffery is a bulky possession receiver with a high ceiling if he can just stay in shape. 

43. Seattle Seahawks: Cordy Glenn, G/OT, Georgia

The Seahawks shocked everyone by grabbing West Virginia's Bruce Irvin at No. 15, but now they'll do the sensible thing and take Glenn here. The Georgia product is a versatile offensive lineman who could start at either guard spot or right tackle.

44. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeff Allen, G, Illinois

The interior of Kansas City's offensive line needs an upgrade and Allen is a solid guard who should start right away.

45. St. Louis Rams (from Dallas Cowboys): Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana

The Rams need to add a cornerback at some point and Johnson is the best guy available here.

46. Philadelphia Eagles: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

With Asante Samuel traded away, the Eagles could use a third cornerback. Jenkins may have a ton of red flags surrounding him but his talent is undeniable. 

47. New York Jets: Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State

Gang Green badly needs to add some talent to a woeful receiving corps. Quick is a well-rounded, athletic wideout with great size for the position.

48. New England Patriots (from Oakland Raiders): Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida

New England surrendered nearly 5,000 passing yards last season. After a year like that, it's time to upgrade the cover guys.

49. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Jeromey Clary is no better than an average right tackle and the Chargers had huge depth problems along the offensive line last season. Martin has a tremendously high ceiling, though it might take a few years for him to reach it.

50. Chicago Bears: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt

Chicago needs to add a cornerback and Hayward is yet another excellent cover guy who will come off the board in the second round.

51. Philadelphia Eagles (from Arizona Cardinals): Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State

The Eagles need an option behind Michael Vick, whose playing style has made him injury-prone. Cousins is the top quarterback on the board at this point.

52. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is the best center in the draft and the Titans have a need there. A great fit. 

53. Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma

Broyles appears to be recovering nicely from a knee injury that shortened his final year at Oklahoma. Before he was sidelined many saw him as a first-rounder.

54. Detroit Lions: Dwight Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette

The Lions need to upgrade their secondary and Bentley is the next in a long line of corners who will come off the board in the second round.

55. Atlanta Falcons: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Falcons have a really nice roster but they could use some extra punch along the defensive line. While Still doesn't necessarily test off the charts, his film is as good as any defensive tackle in this class.

56. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mychal Kendricks, ILB, California

With James Farrior gone, the Steelers need to add an inside linebacker. Kendricks is an incredibly fast, productive kid who should fit perfectly in Pittsburgh's 3-4 scheme.

57. Denver Broncos: Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State

The Broncos need to take out some Peyton Manning insurance; Osweiler gets that job.

58. Houston Texans: Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas

Houston desperately needs to add a legitimate No. 2 receiver. Adams' stock has dropped during the evaluation process, but on the field in the SEC he played well and should make a solid complement to Andre Johnson.

59. Green Bay Packers: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Green Bay must add a running back at some point in this draft and Miller will likely be on the board here. Other than Trent Richardson, the Miami product has more upside than any back in this draft.

60. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Baltimore's defense seems to be perpetually renewed with talent. While they may not have an ideal position fit for Branch, they'll find ways to get him on the field.

61: San Francisco 49ers: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State

Silatolu could go at the top of the second round, but he'll drop to here and the 49ers will snatch him up, filling a huge need.

62. New England Patriots: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

Thompson will fit in nicely at a number of spots along the defensive line in New England's 3-4/4-3 hybrid scheme.

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

The Giants badly need an upgrade at offensive tackle, and while Adams has plenty of red flags surrounding him, he has as much natural talent as anyone at the position in this draft.