2012 NFL Mock Draft: Dominant Defenders Around Whom Weak Defenses Will Build

Several lucky teams will find the perfect answers to their defensive blues in this draft. 

The 2012 Draft is not as top loaded with defensive talent as last year's, but there are still plenty of prospects ready to come in and make impacts in Week 1.

The first-round mock below will highlight those players.

Richard Langford's Mock Draft

*Draft order determined by combination of current record and projected finish.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-13): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

It's Andrew Luck—enough said.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-13): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is lacks elite size and speed, but he does bring solids hops, great hands and an amazing ability to go up and get the ball at its highest point.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil has all the tools: He has excellent footwork and is technically sound and strong in the run and pass.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Jaguars' Need for a CB

Jacksonville did an excellent job of slowing down opposing No. 1 WRs, but they failed on the other side. Football Outsiders ranks them fourth against No. 1s and 27th against No. 2s.  

They have the makings of a strong defense in Jacksonville, and adding a competent second corner will boost the entire unit.

Why Claiborne

Claiborne is a physical corner that has shutdown potential. He will also be able to contribute as a kick returner.

He is not as explosive as his former teammate Patrick Peterson, but he is more technically sound and amazingly quick. He is also a physical corner that isn't afraid to mix it up in the run game.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

This is an accomplished and polished tackle that will be able to start right away.

6. Cleveland Browns (4-11): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is an amazingly well-rounded back. He excels in all areas and is as sure of a pick as there is in this draft.

7. Washington Redskins (5-10): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor 

Griffin as as high of a ceiling as any player in this draft. There are some injury concerns, but his positives far outweigh his negatives.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-10): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

This is a definite reach, but the Dolphins are desperate for a QB, and Jones has all the tools to be great.

9. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bills need help on the outside. Kirkpatrick is a bit of a reach; however, he is fundamentally sound and will be able to start right away.

10. Carolina Panthers (6-9): Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

Panthers' Need for a DT

Carolina needs defensive help across the board. They should start in the middle and up front, to help prevent teams from running over them. 

They are 21st in rushing yards allowed and 24th in yards allowed per rush. 

Why Still

Devon Still is a monster interior player. He is a perfect fit for a tackle in a 4-3 system. He is stout against the run and has the explosion to be able to rush the passer.

Still has proven that he can consistently penetrate the backfield to disrupt the run game, and he is strong enough that he will be able to hold his gap when he doesn't penetrate.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs need to beef up their offensive line, and Martin will do just that. Martin is a steady, fundamentally sound blocker and has all the tools.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Eagles' Need for a DE

Philadelphia needs help in the trenches. This team's rush defense has been exploited all year. They are 18th in yards per rush, and they were continually beat at the point of attack. 

Teams had it far too easy sealing the edge on the Eagles.

Why Coples

Coples is strong as an ox. He provides a good bull rush, but even more importantly for the Eagles, he will not be able to be sealed off on runs.

Coples has the strength to maintain gap control. This will provide a piece that the Eagles sorely missed this season.

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-8):  Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Burfict is the kind of athlete that Pete Carroll loves. While he suffers from mental lapses, he has all the tools to succeed.

14. San Diego Chargers (7-8): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Denard's athleticism makes up for the fact that he is raw. With a little added bulk, he has Pro Bowl potential.

15. Chicago Bears (7-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears are desperate for offensive line help, and Konz is the best center in the draft.

16. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

The Cardinals will look to bolster their offensive line. DeCastro is a polished blocker and the top guard in this draft.

17. Tennessee Titans (8-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Titans' Need for a S

Tennessee needs a safety that they can bring up in the box who is still capable of providing pass coverage.

The Titans are 21st in yards allowed per rush. They also struggle to stop opposing tight ends. Football Outsiders ranks them 28th defending that position.

Why Barron

Barron has all the tools you look for in a safety.

He is the perfect size and has good speed and quickness. He is not afraid to make big hits on ball carriers, and he has the footwork to run with tight ends in coverage.

18. Cincinnati Bengals via OAK (8-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller is an explosive back that will add big-play ability to the Bengals backfield.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has some serious maturity questions, but this has never stopped the Bengals from picking up a player.

20. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kueckly is an intelligent and instinctive player that will be an ideal fit for Rob Ryan's complex schemes.

21. New York Jets (8-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Jets need to add athleticism to their defense. Ingram is a big, fast player that is versatile along the defensive line.

22. Denver Broncos (8-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Broncos need interior line help. Cox will help them stuff the inside running gaps and fill out the Broncos defensive front.

23. Detroit Lions (10-5): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn is a massive (6'5", 338 pounds) interior blocker. He will be able to step right in and help the Lions find a running game.

24. New York Giants (8-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown is an amazing athlete that would be an instant upgrade for the Giants at weak-side linebacker.

25. Houston Texans (10-5): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd has the size and hands NFL teams are looking for. He lacks elite speed and has a checkered history with off-the-field issues.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

It is time for the Steelers finally to upgrade their offensive line. Adams has all the tools NFL scouts look for in a tackle. 

27. Cleveland Browns via ATL (9-5): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright is a deep-play threat that could also thrive in the slot.

28. New England Patriots via NO (11-3): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Patriots' Need for an OLB

The Patriots defense has been awful—especially their pass defense. They need help at CB and the pass-rushing positions.

They will take the best available player between those two positions here.

New England is just 21st in sack percentage this season, and that is despite that fact that they know opponents are going to spend most of the game passing on them.

They need someone who can beat linemen on the outside and get the QB to the ground.

Why Upshaw

There are serious and legitimate concerns about Upshaw's ability to play coverage. He also doesn't seem to be a good every-down DE in a 4-3.

However, there are no concerns about his ability to rush the passer.

The Patriots will be able to use him as a pass-rush specialist and hide his deficiencies as he grows into the pro game.

29. Baltimore Ravens (10-5): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Hightower is an amazing athlete that will be able to flourish as an inside or outside linebacker.

30. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery will give the 49ers someone that can stretch the field.

31. New England Patriots (12-3): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry will be another player for the Patriots to add athleticism to their front seven.

32. Green Bay Packers (14-1): Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Crick is a strong end. He will be able to fill gaps and hold the edge to help solidify the Packers rush defense.