2012 NFL Mock Draft: Video Highlights of College Football's Top Defenders

Thanks to the offense-oriented movement in football at all levels, we've forgotten to appreciate excellent defensive play. Well, the 2012 NFL Draft has a lot of defenders who can start immediately—or at the very least—significantly contribute.

Morris Claiborne: CB, LSU

Here's a man who's been challenged all season, but is responding with shear dominance. Thanks to Tyrann Mathieu's presence, Morris Claiborne has needed to lock down coverage every game to keep the LSU defense from being susceptible to anything.

Needless to say, Claiborne has done well in getting five picks (six in 2010), recording 46 tackles and averaging almost 25 yards per interception return the past two seasons.

Luke Kuechly: LB, Boston College

He's going somewhat unknown because he plays for Boston College—not your typical college football powerhouse.

However, LB Luke Kuechly has been one of the best, if not thee best, LBs in all of college football the past three seasons. He's accounted for 191 tackles in 2011, 183 in 2010 and 142 as a true freshman in 2009.

On top of that, he's picked off six passes and forced two fumbles for his career. If you haven't heard of him, get to known him because this dude is a straight up beast.

Dre Kirkpatrick: CB, Alabama

Despite being rather well known because he plays for Alabama, Dre Kirkpatrick is going a little under the radar, thanks to guys like Morris Claiborne, Tyrann Mathieu and teammates Mark Barron, Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw.

Thing is: Thanks to his suffocating coverage as a sophomore, Kirkpatrick's barely been challenged as a junior. In 2010, he recorded three picks, one forced fumble and 53 tackles. This season he has: zero picks, two forced fumbles and only 25 tackles.

Stats may be down, but production is higher than ever. Anytime you have a CB who can take away one-half of the field in coverage while being great in run support, stats are irrelevant.

Melvin Ingram: DE, South Carolina

Every season with South Carolina, Melvin Ingram has improved. The past two years he has recorded 17.5 sacks and 71 tackles.

The 2011 season, however, is his best performance because the versatility is showing. The Gamecocks have dropped him into coverage (two picks), and he's also scored three TDs.

In short, the man goes all out every down and has a knack for finding the football. 

Vontaze Burfict: LB, Arizona State

Vontaze Burfict is really carrying the Arizona State Sun Devils by himself. Had Burfict not resided in the middle of the field, their defense would be a lot more susceptible to screens, draws, intermediate passing routes and ultimately teams who like to slam the rock between the tackles.

Well, Burfict has held his ground—as evidence by 40 solo tackles this season and 54 solo in 2010. A big difference though, is that he's recorded five sacks in 2011 and picked off one pass.

It's clear that Burfict has improved in coverage as well as reading/reacting to a developing play. His two forced fumbles from 2010 are evidence to his ability as a sure tackler and hitter, but becoming a complete LB has made him an appealing prospect.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	17. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisconsin)
2. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	18. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	20. Cincinnati Bengals: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
5. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	21. Dallas Cowboys: Chase Minnifield, CB (UVA)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)	22. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
7. Miami Dolphins: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	23. Denver Broncos: Jayron Hosley, CB (Virginia Tech)
8. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)	24. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	25. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	26. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
11. Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)	27. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)	28. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
13. San Diego Chargers: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
14. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	30. New England Patriots (From NO): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
15. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	31. New England Patriots: Cam Johnson, DE (UVA)
16. Cincinnati (From OAK): Cordy Glenn, OG (UGA)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

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