2012 NFL Mock Draft: Stock Watch for College Football's Top DBs

Although from an all-encompassed perspective the 2011 NFL Draft was more defensive-heavy, the 2012 NFL Draft is loaded with quite of bit of talent in the secondary.

However, outside of the DBs it's mainly offense-oriented. That being said, drafting a solid DB will be very beneficial to those in need.

Which brings us to the following five players who should go in round one this spring.

9. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

If the Minnesota Vikings had any pass defense right now they'd be 6-3 instead of 2-7. Luckily for them, the 2012 NFL Draft has a diverse array of DBs to select from in terms of versatility and strengths to improve their secondary.

Thing the Vikings can't really miss because they're pass defense needs so much work that anyone will help improve. Which is where LSU's Morris Claiborne comes in.

He's quick and arguably better in man-coverage than zone, which will give Minnesota a big boost. The Vikings can use Claiborne's versatility as a corner in man and move him to safety in zone, since zone isn't his strength but having the luxury of seeing the field will get him acclimated.

And if Minny wants any shot at slowing down divisional opponents like Green Bay or Detroit in the passing game, taking the best cover corner available will most definitely suffice.

14. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

The Nebraska Cornhuskers in the past few seasons have lost some really solid defensive lineman and DBs to injury or the NFL Draft and yet, the pass defense continue to lock it down.

And much of that can be attributed to CB Alfonzo Dennard who has that Nebraska attitude of being physically tough on opposing WRs. This is something that the Denver Broncos need on defense.

With Rahim Moore at safety and Von Miller eating QBs as a pass-rusher, drafting a shutdown corner to eventually replace Champ Bailey is needed. Perhaps his best asset though, is Dennard's tackling.

Being that he's left on an island most of the time, he doesn't get nearly as many opportunities to come up with run support. Nonetheless, every time he does come up for run support, he never fails to produce.

That is something a defense can really begin to make strides in, because if there's a pass rush like Von Miller coming from on side and a lock-corner on the other, where else can a QB or RB go to be productive? If the Broncos take Dennard, look out for the Orange Crush next season, especially with the progress they've made in 2011.

15. Kansas City Chiefs: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

If there's CB Brandon Flowers on one side, safety Eric Berry patrolling the middle, and Dre Kirkpatrick opposite of Flowers, not many offenses are going to have success throwing the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kirkpatrick is more of a man-coverage corner which needs to remain as his role once in the NFL as a rookie. Throughout time he must obviously develop the zone coverage as well, but the his most notable weakness is putting himself out of position.

This goes for zone-coverage, tackling and awareness. However, his quickness, speed, and size gives him the advantage more often than not. To that end, the Chiefs may use him in nickel/dime situations at first when going zone to test the waters.

And since he's rather solid in run support, don't be surprised if Dre gets sent on a blitz as the Chiefs allow over 130 rushing yards per game.

17. Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)

Despite some of his off the field issues, former Florida Gator now Northern Alabama Lion CB Janoris Jenkins is as good as any DB in the 2012 NFL Draft.

He was a first team (media) All-SEC selection a year ago and although Northern Alabama is just NCAA Division II, competition level doesn't mean much as we've seen many players from the FCS (I-AA) and below make a name for themselves in the pros.

That being said, Jenkins has excellent awareness and is arguably even better at anticipating where and when the QB is going to throw. Hence, his football IQ is very good which only makes him that much more appealing to a team like the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo's defense thrives off forcing turnovers but if they don't get an interception then there's no stopping the opposing offense. With great speed and awareness, Jenkins can provide not just forcing turnovers but more punts as well.

And although he gets out of position due to being overly aggressive on occasion, any coach will tell you that they want an aggressive mistake that's tangibly fixable, as opposed to a mental error that can really damage one's confidence.

26. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, SS (Alabama)

New England ranks dead last in pass defense so pretty much drafting anyone in the secondary will improve on what Bill Belichick has now.

So, why not go for a DB such as Mark Barron from Alabama, which is arguably the nation's best defense? Hence, the best safety from the best defense.

Now, Barron may not possess the exact specifications like Belichick would want, mainly technique in coverage and how he breaks down when making a tackle. However, Barron loves to bring the pain with every hit, and has great awareness back deep as his instincts are quite intelligible.

Not to mention he has an attitude of style that the Patriots are desperately lacking defensively. No one brings that swagger which is perhaps just one reason why they rank so poorly on the dark-side.

Coming from Alabama and being a part of Nick Saban's defense you know a hard-hitting safety like Barron will significantly improve Belichick's defense. And one major reason is that all of Barron's weakness are easy fixes for a coach like Belichick.

So if the Pats' want another Rodney Harrison-esque safety around, Barron is that guy. 

2012 NFL First Round Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stan.)	17. Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins, CB (N. Ala.)
2. Miami Dolphins: Landry Jones, QB (Okla.)	18. New York Jets: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
3. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	19. Cleveland (From ATL): Jeff Fuller, WR (Tex. A&M)
4. Arizona Cardinals: Trent Richardson, RB (Ala.)	20. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G (Stan.)
5. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	21. Detroit Lions: Kevin Reddick, LB (UNC)
6. Cleveland Browns: Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)	22. Cincinnati (From Oak): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stan.)
7. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Okla. St.)	23. Dallas Cowboys: Jarvis Jones, LB (Georgia)
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (N.D.)	24. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisc.)
9. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, DB, (LSU)	25. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio St.)
10. Washington Redskins: Brandon Weeden, QB (Okla. St.)	26. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Ala.)
11 .Philadelphia Eagles: Manti Te'o, LB (N.D.)	27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cliff Harris, S (Oregon)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brandon Thompson, DT (Clem)	28. N.E. (From N.O): Cam Johnson, DE (Virginia)
13. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Ala.)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly, LB (B.C.)
14. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Neb.)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Boykin, CB (Georgia)
15. Kansas City Chiefs: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Ala.)	31. Houston Texans: Jeff Fuller, WR (Tex. A&M)
16. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (So. Car.)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (S. Car.)

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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