2012 NFL Mock Draft: 3 Teams That Need to Rebuild Defenses Through the Draft

Offenses rule today's NFL, which means teams have to put an onus on their defensive effort to stop guys like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Arian Foster. 

A multitude of teams have to reconstruct their defenses, and the best way to do that is through the draft. 

Rarely can they go from worst to first through free agency. 

It simply doesn't happen. 

These three organizations can drastically improve for the future by adding some top defensive prospects in the 2012 NFL draft. 

Philadelphia Eagles

So much for the Eagles having the best secondary in football this season. 

Like many teams, the Eagles were torched by Tom Brady on Sunday, and although they're ranked 15th in total defense, there are some definite voids in their defensive backfield and in their linebacking corp. 

I'd be surprised if Asante Samuel, who is due to make 8.4 million in 2012, will be back next year. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has been a major disappointment, and really, Nnamdi Asomugha has been far from dominant. 

They could certainly use some depth at cornerback (never thought I'd type that about the Eagles).

Morris Claiborne or Dre Kirkpatrick are possibilities. 

Philly fans have been calling for a first-round linebacker for years. 

Jamar Chaney and Brian Rolle aren't impactful enough, and Moise Fokou has a mere 22 tackles this season. 

They have the pass rush, but a stud in the middle of the defense would go a long way in becoming more consistent against the run. 

Look for Vontaze Burfict or Luke Kuechly. 

Buffalo Bills

The Bills look to have a respectable offense when Ryan Fitzpatrick gets time in the pocket. He and Chan Gailey are on the same page, and outside of a few lopsided defeats, Buffalo has been able to move the football on its opponents with a great deal of efficiency this season. 

The defense has been the team's real issue in 2011. 

If it isn't taking the ball away, it has been shredded through the air and is 22nd against the run, allowing 4.5 yards per carry. 

The Bills need more depth in their secondary and must add thumping linebacking in the middle of their hybrid defense. 

It's unlikely the 31-year-old Terrence McGee will be back next season after suffering another injury, and Leodis McKelvin was hardly on the field against the Jets this Sunday. (Looks like another first-round bust for the Bills.) 

Morris Claiborne would be an option, as well as Dre Kirkpatrick. With his off-field issues, I don't think Buffalo even thinks about Janoris Jenkins. 

Nick Barnett has played well at linebacker this season, and rookie Kelvin Sheppard has shown signs that he has potential, but they get gashed in the run game because those two can't consistently get into the backfield. 

New England Patriots

Could the Patriots make the Super Bowl with the league's worst defense?

With Tom Brady, you never know. 

Either way, you know Bill Belichick will continue to rebuild his defensive unit. 

The secondary is ravaged with injury, and outside of Kyle Arrington's seven interceptions (a few off tipped passes), it's shown very little consistency.

The Patriots love Jerod Mayo in the middle, but they could use more depth at linebacker.

Because it's had so many problems, help on the defensive line is needed as well. The Albert Haynesworth experiment failed miserably, and Vince Wilfork needs help on the interior.

I like guys like Jerel Worthy or Brandon Thompson as options in the late part of the first round for New England.

Donte Paige-Moss would be a great acquisition to rush the passer alongside Mark Anderson. 

Then again, Belichick will probably trade down about five times before he actually makes a selection.  

2012 NFL Mock Draft

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