2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Where the Top Run-Stuffers Will Land

According to Brian Hamilton of The Chicago Tribune, Notre Dame ILB Manti Te'O is returning for his senior year:

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Te'o announced Sunday he will return to Notre Dame for 2012, instantly equipping the Irish to handle a buzz saw of a schedule next fall in the most impactful moment of the offseason.

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So with that said, the mock draft has slightly changed.

Back to the task at hand. Despite the NFL being so heavily reliant on the passing game, having a solid ground game to count on is crucial. It keeps a team balanced in vital situations, can act as a safety net if the passing game struggles and ultimately keeps a defense off balance and honest.

Well, because of how important the running game is, studs in the middle of the trenches and front seven must continually make plays.

So, here are five tough run-stuffers and who they can help in the 2012 NFL draft.

San Diego Chargers: Luke Kuechly, ILB (Boston College)

In addition to the uncharacteristic play of QB Philip Rivers, one major area to improve for San Diego is in rush defense. On the year, the Chargers have allowed almost 130 rush yards per game and rank No. 23 in the NFL.

It's hurt them in close games and against inferior opponents, because their offense was limited in possessions. Add in Rivers' down year and it's no surprise the Bolts are just 6-7.

That said, however, Boston College's Luke Kuechly is one of the best LBs in the draft and is a man in the middle, straight-up. Kuechly has compiled over 500 tackles in three collegiate years and over 180 each of the past two seasons.

And although the Bolts have some solid veterans in Travis Laboy, Takeo Spikes, Shaun Phillips and Na'il Diggs, they still need another stud inside. That's where Kuechly comes in, who has the potential to start right away while learning from some knowledgeable players.

He has a knack for getting to the ball and is great at anticipating between the tackles. The upside of Kuechly will provide a great foundation for the Chargers to build around in the immediate future.

Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, ILB (Arizona State)

If there's one thing the Browns need on defense and more specifically in the trenches, it's attitude. D'Qwell Jackson may be a sure tackler, however he needs a lot of help.

That's where Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict comes in who has excellent reactionary skills and delivers punishment every time he hits a ball-carrier. His acceleration and quickness allow for him to beat RBs to the hole and if he reacts late, it allows him to catch up faster than most.

In Cleveland, the Browns needs all the help they can get on run defense. Currently the Brownies rank No. 31 in rush defense and allow over 150 yards per game. Now, their 4-3 front is something that Burfict can transition to if they want him to play OLB.

However, it wouldn't be a bad idea to switch to a 3-4 front so both Burfict and Jackson can remain in the middle. Both would complement each other very well because of their physicality and lateral agility.

And if the Browns want to match the attitude, physical play and intimidating presence of opponents like Pittsburgh and Baltimore (both who have multiple stud LBs), starting with Burfict is a great idea.

Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Despite the Houston Texans' insanely great defense, if there's one area where they are vulnerable, it's against the run between the tackles.

Their pass rush and run defense are excellent, just like their pass coverage all over the field. However, everyone has a weakness and this is one area that could take them from the top five against the run to the absolute best.

Penn State's Devon Still isn't much of a pass-rushing DT, which is also something Houston doesn't need. However, he is a beast at drawing double-teams, causing pileups and plugging gaps.

Now, because he sometimes is slow getting off the ball and/or lacking with using his hands, short-yardage/goal-line situations will be the best way to acclimate him into the NFL. There, all Still will have to do is stay low and bowl through the O-line.

Then as he begins to develop, use him in more critical situations.

Anyway you slice it though, Still would be a great addition to Wade Phillips' defense and at the very least, provide some excellent talented depth to rely on.

St. Louis Rams: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

Being that the St. Louis Rams are lacking in virtually every aspect of football, we might as well start in the trenches. Now, obviously with a first-round pick they should take a stud WR like Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon to improve the offense.

But on defense, between the tackles is their worst aspect. Through 14 weeks St. Louis ranks dead last against the run and allows almost 160 rush yards per game. So, a guy like Michigan State's Jerel Worthy early in the second round would be an excellent choice.

For one, he's good at controlling one or two gaps and knows how to use his hands rather well. Getting off blocks when one-on-one is key for DTs against the run, because that allows them to get into position and make plays.

Worthy not only does that well, but is quick off the snap. As long as he improves at not getting himself out of position (which can be fixed), St. Louis will vehemently improve against the run. Then again, anyone can help the Rams run defense improve; it's simply been that bad.

Arizona Cardinals: Emmanuel Acho, ILB (Texas)

When we get rather deep into the draft, there'll be an underrated ILB in Texas' Emmanuel Acho available for a team like the Arizona Cardinals.

He is the younger brother of current Cardinals OLB Sam Acho, who's helped improve their defense along with CB Patrick Peterson. That said, Emmanuel is a great addition as he plays inside backer and Arizona ranks No. 19 against the run (allows almost 120 rush yards per game).

Now, yes, Arizona has improved in this area throughout the course of the 2011 season, but the Cardinals have three LBs who are 34 years old (Joey Porter, Paris Lenon, Clark Haggans). So adding some more talented depth and youth is needed.

Perhaps the best part about Acho is his athleticism. For an ILB it's rare, as he can match most RBs with speed and agility while at the same time getting off or avoiding blocks. Not to mention he can hit the hole and force the play to the rest of the defense rather quickly.

This past season Emmanuel recorded 102 tackles and three sacks, so Arizona will gladly take a player like him in the middle of Round 4.

2012 First Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stan.)	17. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisc.)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Okla. St.)	18. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Dallas Cowboys: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Neb.)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR (S. Car.)	20. Cincinnati Bengals: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Ala.)	21. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin (OT Stan.)
6. Miami Dolphins: Matt Barkley, QB (USC)	22. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clem.)
7. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Denver Broncos: Chase Minnifield, CB (UVA)
8. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)	24. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
9. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	25. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Ala.)	26. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Ala.)
11. Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins, CB (N. Ala.)	27. New England Patriots: Cam Johnson, DE (UVA)
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Ala.)	28. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
13. San Diego Chargers: Luke Kuechly, LB (BC)	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio St.)
14. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G (Stan.)	30. N.E. (From N.O.): Jayron Hosley, CB (Va-Tech)
15. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	31. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Ala.)
16. Cincinnati (From OAK): Cordy Glenn, OG (UGA)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (S. Car.)

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