2012 NFL Mock Draft: Who Are the Top Defensive Impact Players?

This year we saw elite prospects Von Miller, Marcell Dareus and Patrick Peterson drafted in the top five, as their college careers demonstrated to general managers and coaches that they had what it took to be instant impact players at the NFL level. 

Who are the top defensive prospects in the 2012 draft class?

Morris Claiborne

Claiborne has been the best cover corner on the best team in the country this season. Yes, Tyrann Mathieu has made the big plays, but in terms of transitioning to the next level, Claiborne projects better. 

He isn't the most physically intimidating corner yet he has shown the ability to play the run and stick with bigger wide receivers this season. 

I wouldn't put him on Patrick Peterson's level because he isn't as athletic and isn't necessarily a return-game maven. 

However, a team that needs a steady cornerback for the next decade will get that in Claiborne. 

Vontaze Burfict

A lot of scouts and analysts are calling him the next Patrick Willis and honestly, I don't see that. He's more of a pass-rusher than a more freelancing player.

He'll play middle linebacker at the next level but will wreak the most havoc making plays in the backfield and getting to the quarterback. 

There isn't a stronger or more aggressive linebacker in college football right now and Burfict has the deceptive speed needed to be taken in the top 10. 

Jerel Worthy

For some reason, Worthy is flying under the radar right now. 

Many teams are running the 3-4 alignment today, (or variations of it) and Worthy is the ideal, run-plugging, penetrating prospect for that defense. 

There's a chance he'll wait another year to enter the draft, but if the Spartans make a Rose Bowl run this season, Worthy could shoot up draft boards late. 

A tenacious player that'll transition well to any 3-4 defense. 

Manti Te'o

Notre Dame landed Te'o who was a top prospect coming out of high school, and the middle linebacker has vastly improved in each of his seasons in South Bend. 

He's a leader and will anchor the middle of any NFL team that drafts him next season. 

Te'o has the size (6'2'', 255) to play at the next level and is very instinctual with a very high football IQ. 

A solid middle linebacker prospect that will work hard to continue to improve as a professional. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck	17. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram
2. St. Louis Rams: Alshon Jeffery	18. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore
3. Miami Dolphins: Landry Jones	19. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn
4. Kansas City Chiefs: Robert Griffin III	20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick
5. Denver Broncos: Trent Richardson	21. New York Giants: Janoris Jenkins
6. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin	22. Washington Redskins: David DeCastro
7. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil	23. Oakland Raiders: Cliff Harris
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon	24. San Diego Chargers: Ronnell Lewis
9. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Barkley	25. Houston Texans: Alameda Ta'Amu
10. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne	26. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Toon
11. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict	27. Buffalo Bills: Donte Paige-Moss
12. Cleveland Browns: Riley Reiff	28. New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw
13. New York Jets: Jerel Worthy	29. New England Patriots: Quinton Coples
14. Cleveland Browns: Manti Te'o	30. Detroit Lions: Alphonzo Denard
15. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller	31. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly
16. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd	32. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Jenkins