2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Quinton Coples and Nation's Top Defenders Will Land
Offensive players like Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley and Justin Blackmon will dominate the headlines leading up to April's NFL draft. However, there are also some very talented defensive players in the class that will be able to make immediate contributions.
Here are three high-impact defensive players and their likely landing spots as it stands now. A full mock draft table is also below.
DE Quinton Coples
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Coples has tremendous size at 6'6'', 285 pounds and has used it to his advantage against smaller offensive lineman. He's racked up 51 tackles, 13 of which were for a loss, and could reach double-digit sacks for the second year in a row in North Carolina's bowl game.
After selecting Cam Newton with the first overall pick in last season's draft, the Panthers offense has taken significant strides in the right direction. Coples could be the beginning of a similar rejuvenation for a defense that ranks 31st in points allowed.
With Charles Johnson and Coples serving as bookends on the defensive line, Carolina would be well on its way to an elite pass rush.
Projection: No. 3 to the Carolina Panthers
CB Dre Kirkpatrick
Kirkpatrick hasn't been tested much by wise offensive coordinators, which is why his statistics are a bit underwhelming. Alabama's top corner has totaled 26 tackles in 12 games and has yet to record an interception, but that doesn't tell the whole story.
He's a punishing hitter, which is rare even for cornerbacks at the NFL level. What's more, he is rock solid in coverage. It's a battle between Kirkpatrick and LSU's Morris Claiborne to be the first CB selected and their performances in the projected national title game will go a long way in deciding that.
Seattle would be a good fit since the Seahawks are currently using Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman at corner with Marcus Trufant out for the season.
Projection: No. 10 to the Seattle Seahawks
CB Morris Claiborne
The aforementioned Claiborne is the next defensive player off the board. He's often overshadowed by fellow LSU corner Tyrann Mathieu, who is on track to be an early pick in the coming year or two, but Claiborne is equally dynamic.
He's recorded 43 tackles and five interceptions, which leads the team. Claiborne is also valuable on special teams, having already scored two return touchdowns. That type of versatility has allowed his stock to steadily improve over the past two seasons.
The Kansas City Chiefs have no shortage of needs, so it will just depend on what area the front office decides to attack first. If it's defense, Claiborne would be a solid building block.
Projection: No. 13 to the Kansas City Chiefs
*Draft order based on current place in standings and projections.
| 1. | Indianapolis Colts (0-11) | Andrew Luck, QB |
| 2. | St. Louis Rams (2-9) | Justin Blackmon, WR |
| 3. | Carolina Panthers (3-8) | Quinton Coples, DE |
| 4. | Miami Dolphins (3-8) | Matt Barkley, QB |
| 5. | Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8) | Michael Floyd, WR |
| 6. | Arizona Cardinals (4-7) | Matt Kalil, OT |
| 7. | Minnesota Vikings (2-9) | Jonathan Martin, OT |
| 8. | Cleveland Browns (4-7) | Landry Jones, QB |
| 9. | Washington Redskins (4-7) | Trent Richardson, RB |
| 10. | Seattle Seahawks (4-7) | Dre Kirkpatrick, CB |
| 11. | Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) | Alshon Jeffery, WR |
| 12. | San Diego Chargers (4-7) | Riley Reiff, OT |
| 13. | Kansas City Chiefs (4-7) | Morris Claiborne, CB |
| 14. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) | Zach Brown, LB |
| 15. | Tennessee Titans (6-5) | Vontaze Burfict, LB |
| 16. | Buffalo Bills (5-6) | Courtney Upshaw, LB |
| 17. | Denver Broncos (6-5) | Robert Griffin, QB |
| 18. | Chicago Bears (7-4) | Alfonzo Dennard, CB |
| 19. | Dallas Cowboys (7-4) | Devon Still, DE |
| 20. | New York Jets (6-5) | Montee Ball, RB |
| 21. | Cleveland Browns (via ATL) (7-4) | Dwight Jones, WR |
| 22. | Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK) (7-4) | David DeCastro, OG |
| 23. | Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) | Lamar Miller, RB |
| 24. | Detroit Lions (7-4) | Luke Kuechly, LB |
| 25. | Houston Texans (8-3) | Juron Criner, WR |
| 26. | Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) | Barrett Jones, OT |
| 27. | New York Giants (6-5) | Dont'a Hightower, LB |
| 28. | New England Patriots (via NO) (8-3) | Brandon Jenkins, LB |
| 29. | Baltimore Ravens (8-3) | Manti Te'o, LB |
| 30. | San Francisco 49ers (9-2) | Mohamed Sanu, WR |
| 31. | New England Patriots (8-3) | Stephon Gilmore, CB |
| 32. | Green Bay Packers (11-0) | Ronnell Lewis, LB |
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