2012 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Stock Watch for College Football's Top Defenders

We know some of college football's top defenders such as LSU's Morris Claiborne, Alabama Dre Kirkpatrick and Courtney Upshaw, as well as Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard.

However, there are other defenders not receiving as much attention because they're either overshadowed by teammates, on an average team or for other invariable reasons.

So, to give some props to other top defenders, here's a stock watch for perspective.

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

Stock: Up

It's not surprising if no one's heard of Boston College LB Luke Kuechly. The Golden Eagles, for one thing, aren't known as a dominant football program, were 4-8 this season and play in the ACC.

However, Kuechly is arguably the best LB in the draft and a team like San Diego could use him although they do have other needs as well.

That being said, the Chargers have five LBs aged 30-plus as well as four rookies. So, although it would seem that drafting another LB isn't a need, having the NFL's No. 20-ranked rush defense in a 3-4 scheme does.

For one, Kuechly would be great for depth to begin and if need be there's no reason why they couldn't try him as an OLB. His quickness and size will allow him to take on TEs in coverage, get off blocks from offensive tackles and set the edge point against the run.

The man has accumulated 516 tackles in three seasons on one of the worst BCS football teams. Despite their depth, Kuechly should be at least considered in Southern California.

Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)

Stock: Slightly Down

It's not so much that Quinton Coples' stock has slightly dropped because of his ability as it is the need for a stud pass-rusher inside the top 10 picks.

Although he would definitely be a boost for any of those franchises, the DE position isn't the biggest of issues. To that end, expect Coples to drop near the middle of Round 1 and end up with Seattle.

The Seahawks could go for a QB here if they don't trade up and then draft another one much higher than expected, or they could give DE Chris Clemons some help opposite of him. On the year Clemons has 11 sacks, five pass deflections and three forced fumbles.

Seattle ranks No. 13 against the rush and pass, but Coples would put them inside the top 10.

Last season he recorded 10.5 sacks, 59 tackles and one forced fumble. So, it's expected that offenses gear the blocking schemes toward isolating his production.

Well, Coples still did a solid job in accounting for 7.5 sacks, 51 tackles and forcing another fumble. With the bowl game yet to be played, these numbers will go up and so may his stock.

But, pair him with Chris Clemons and the Seahawks have one of the best pass-rushing duos in the NFL.

Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Stock: Down

If there's a weakness on the Houston Texans defense, it's defending the run between the tackles. On the edges they get great QB pressure and force a lot of running plays to go back against the grain.

In turn, that allows for a lot of gang tackles and any time a running back changes direction it is to the defense's advantage. So, Penn State's Devon Still is a good fit.

Stock is down because he's not as highly touted as Coples and although he's arguably the best DT in the draft, there's a lot of better talent at other positions needed for the top-picking teams.

So, it's likely Still falls to Houston where he can flourish in a 3-4 scheme. The past two seasons Still has recorded 8.5 sacks (4.5 in 2011) and 49 tackles this season (up 10 from 2010). He's a run-stuffer at first, and because of effort can apply an inside pass rush.

Additionally, he has solid gap control and causes pileups, forcing the back to bounce outside. This will also help the Texans because it prevents offenses from working in the middle to control the clock.

Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Stock: Up

Easily one of the more underrated CBs because of guys like Morris Claiborne, Dre Kirkpatrick and Alfonzo Dennard.

However, South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore has played a major role in making the Gamecocks defense one of the best in the country. Last season he recorded 71 tackles, three picks and three sacks.

As for 2011, he hasn't been challenged thanks to that lockdown coverage and yet, another three picks happened. And because of his ability in run support, the Denver Broncos will welcome him.

At some point Champ Bailey has to retire, so getting Gilmore acclimated as a nickel/dime back in zone schemes will suffice. Zone is his strength along with a football IQ that enhances his awareness.

Not to mention the Broncos need to vastly improve on coverage (rank No. 20), so more blanketed coverage will complement their improved pass rush. And by the time Champ Bailey does retire (whenever that is), Gilmore will have played enough to be their next solid cover corner.

New England Patriots: Cam Johnson, DE (Virginia)

Stock: Unchanged

Other than virtually any other DB in the 2012 NFL draft, the New England Patriots could use virtually any solid pass-rusher to help take pressure off their horrendous secondary.

That's Virginia DE Cam Johnson's cue to get drafted.

Through 12 games in 2011 Johnson has just four sacks and 27 tackles, however he's seeing a lot of blockers his way since the Cavaliers have no other stud pass-rusher.

A year ago he accounted for 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble, as well as 54 tackles, so production like that doesn't drop unless the opposing offenses make a significant effort in shutting you down. In New England though, he at least has some help.

For one, the Pats do allow a bunch of passing yards but are tough when backed up inside their own red zone. 

Being with veterans such as Vince Wilfork and Shaun Ellis, Johnson can be the next stud pass-rusher for coach Bill Belichick alongside Andre Carter and Mark Anderson. New England's LB corps is good with Jerod Mayo and Rob Ninkovich, so there is help elsewhere too.

Obviously the secondary needs to improve, but the reloading process must commence as Belichick has four defensive linemen aged 30-plus. And you don't want to replace those guys without having some first-round talent in the mix.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

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

Follow John Rozum on Twitter.