The 2012 NFL Draft had an abundance of potentially impactful players on both sides of the ball. Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are sure to make an impact (whether positive or negative) simply because they will touch the ball on nearly every play while their teams possess the ball. However, we feel that there is potential for some of the defensive picks to have an even greater presence on the field due to their abilities and the needs their teams obviously possessed last year.
More than half of the first-round selections were on the defensive side of the ball with five secondary players and 12 front seven guys all being selected in hopes of playing on day one. The following list represents the order in which each of these players will be making an impact on their team according to importance, improving, and solidifying their teams overall ranking and execution on the defensive side of the ball.
1. Luke Kuechly, ILB, Carolina Panthers (more…)

















