2012 NFL Mock Draft: Top 3 Cornerbacks To Solidify Your Team's Pass Defense

The NFL is watching passing records fall faster than your credit rating after overdrawing for more Christmas presents.

Drew Brees is going to break the single-season yardage record and the Packers average 300 yards in the air every game and are fourth in the league in passing.

That means a strong corner is as valuable as ever and there are some spectacular one’s emerging from the collegiate ranks this season.

Here are the top three that will be battling Brees, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers for years.

5. Carolina Panthers - Morris Claiborne, LSU

His teammate “Honey Badger” may be getting all the credit, but Claiborne is just as effective in the Tigers secondary. The All-American has six interceptions this season including a pivotal one that was returned 33 yards against Alabama.  

The junior has incredibly quick feet, few receivers can beat him on a streak, and he has the length to bat away anything that’s in his vicinity.

The former receiver has great hands and will be intercepting any pass that he can get his hands on.

He would be a huge addition to a Panther secondary that has boatloads of holes to fill.

13. Seattle Seahawks - Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

Kirkpatrick has been the best cornerback on a defense that gave up less than a touchdown per game, which just so happened to be the best in the nation. At 6-3, he has the height to deal with the taller receivers in the NFL like Larry Fitzgerald, who he would have to face twice a year if the Seahawks decide to pick him. The defense leads the nation in pass defense (116 YPG) and Kirkpatrick contributed two forced fumbles in addition to 11 passes defensed.

He has long arm and is strong enough to win jump balls against opposing receivers.

20. Cincinnati Bengals - Janoris Jenkins

I think Jenkins will be a much better pro than Alfonzo Dennard, but personal conduct issues are going to make him drop to the Bengals.

Jenkins has incredible anticipation and can read routes exceptionally well. He holds terrific overall speed and is very quick to react on running plays.

He would fit in perfectly with a Bengals secondary that was exposed for a lack of depth once Leon Hall went down. He would start and be a productive member of the team right away.

* Draft order based on current record and projected finishes

No.	Team (Record)	Player, Pos.
1.	Indianapolis Colts (1-13)	Andrew Luck, QB
2.	St. Louis Rams (2-12)	Justin Blackmon, WR
3.	Minnesota Vikings (2-12)	Matt Kalil, OT
4.	Miami Dolphins (5-9)	Matt Barkley, QB
5.	Carolina Panthers (5-9)	Morris Claiborne, CB
6.	Buffalo Bills (5-9)	Robert Griffin III, QB
7.	Cleveland Browns (4-10)	Trent Richardson, RB
8.	Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10)	Michael Floyd, WR
9.	Washington Redskins (5-9)	Landry Jones, QB
10.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10)	Quinton Coples, DE
11.	Philadelphia Eagles (6-8)	Alshon Jeffery, WR
12.	Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)	Riley Reiff, OT
13.	Seattle Seahawks (7-7)	Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
14.	San Diego Chargers (7-7)	Alfonzo Dennard, CB
15.	Arizona Cardinals (7-7)	Jonathan Martin, OT
16.	Tennessee Titans (7-7)	Vontaze Burfict, LB
17.	Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK) (7-7)	Lamar Miller, RB
18.	Chicago Bears (7-7)	Peter Konz, C
19.	Dallas Cowboys (8-6)	Devon Still, DT
20.	Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)	Janoris Jenkins, CB
21.	Detroit Lions (9-5)	Luke Kuechly, LB
22.	New York Jets (8-6)	David DeCastro, OG
23.	Denver Broncos (8-6)	Brandon Thompson, DT
24.	Cleveland Browns (via ATL) (9-5)	Jarvis Jones, LB
25.	Houston Texans (10-4)	Mark Barron, S
26.	Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)	Dont'a Hightower, LB
27.	New York Giants (7-7)	Zach Brown, LB
28.	New England (via NO 11-3)	Chase Minnifield, CB
29.	Baltimore Ravens (10-4)	Courtney Upshaw, DE
30.	San Francisco 49ers (11-3)	Kendall Wright, WR
31.	New England Patriots (11-3)	Mohamed Sanu, WR
32.	Green Bay Packers (13-1)	Cordy Glenn, OG