NFL Mock Draft 2013: First Round
Feb 23, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A
Round 1
1. Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M: It doesn’t make sense to draft a QB and invest your top two picks in one position, so I think KC goes conventional to help protect Alex Smith.
2. Jaguars – Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida: The Jags need to add talent everywhere, but the trenches are where the game is won and lost. Jacksonville adds a DT to help protect one of their strengths, the linebacking core.
3. Raiders – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia: The Raiders did trade for Matt Flynn, but has that stopped anyone from replacing him? Smith would be able to learn and take over when he is ready.
4. Eagles – Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon: This pick really has nothing to do with the Oregon connection; it is more of what Chip Kelly believes Jordan can do in the NFL. He’s a unique talent, and Kelly has an idea how to disguise his weaknesses.
5. Lions – Eric Fisher, T, Central Michigan: The Lions have already lost Gosder Cherilus in free agency, so the ability to fill a huge hole on the offensive line cannot be ignored.
6. Browns – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama: The Browns hosted a slew of corners in free agency, but nothing came to fruition. A defense that got a shot in the pass rushing arm will see another corner added to try and improve the pass defense for the constantly rebuilding Browns.
7. Cardinals – Lane Johnson, T, Oklahoma: With the addition of Carson Palmer and an already awful offensive line to begin with, this is a good time to start the offensive line rebuild. Adding the 6’7 tackle will help.
8. Bills – Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU: Yes, they added Mark Anderson and Mario Williams last year, but how did that work out? Ansah is a great young piece that the Bills need, and they will overcome the temptation to reach for a quarterback
9. Jets- Chance Warmack, G, Alabama: The Jets swung and missed with Ducasse, and they have had protection issues for two years. One way to improve your quarterback is to keep him upright. Warmack is a mauler, just what the Jets like.
10. Titans- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah: Heart scares leading up to the combine now appear to be nothing more than a virus, and the Titans get the guy who could be the closest thing to Haloti Ngata in this year’s draft.
11. Chargers- Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia: After watching film on the Chargers, it is quite clear that they need an infusion of talent not only on the linebacking core, but the defense as a whole. Jones fills that need and starts Week 1.
12. Dolphins – Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina: The revamped Dolphins continue to add to their strong offseason and draft arguably the best guard in the draft. Protecting Tannehill is crucial, and Miami believes Cooper can fill that role for a decade.
13. Buccaneers – Traded to NYJ for the rights to Darrelle Revis; Jets select Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU: The Jets lose a piece in the secondary, but add to the pass rush with the talented but raw LSU outside linebacker.
14. Panthers – Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri: The Panthers are weak up front on defense, so Richardson fills a need and will most likely start right away.
15. Saints – Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State: The Saints find a surprise with Rhodes on the board and can’t pass up on the defensive back. New Orleans gave up many big plays in 2012 and addressing the pass defense can’t be ignored.
16. Rams – Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia: Losing Danny Amendola off a team with a major lack of playmakers forces the Rams to look for offensive playmakers, and Austin may be the best one in the draft.
17. Steelers – Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State: A changing of the guard is occurring on the Pittsburgh defense. Although the O-line needs help, it is hard to pass up on a talent like Werner.
18. Cowboys – Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina: The Cowboys re-signed Jay Ratliff, but they are still thin up front on defense. With the move to the 4-3, the Cowboys will need to add bodies up front on defense to run Kiffin’ system.
19. Giants – Datone Jones, DE, UCLA: The Giants are beginning to see the signs of age up on defense, and with Osi Umenyiora headed to Atlanta; Jones is a great fit to replace him and continue the Giants tradition of strong pass rushers.
20. Bears – DJ Fluker, T, Alabama: I’ve said it for two years and I’ve been right twice; the Bears need help on the offensive line, and Fluker fills that need. The Bears should have won 12 games last year. Fluker may push them to that level in 2013.
21. Bengals – Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas: The Bengals have had a decent secondary the last few seasons, but safety is the biggest hole in the defense, so adding the safety out of Texas should add some athleticism and talent to the back end.
22. Rams (from Redskins) – Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia: The talented linebacker who has been in the news for the wrong reasons doesn’t slip past the Rams, who proved last year with Janoris Jenkins that they value talent and aren’t afraid to gamble. I’m not sold on Ogletree due to struggles defending the run.
23. Vikings – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: After shipping migraine headache Percy Harvin up to Seattle and missing out on the Mike Wallace sweepstakes, the Vikings are happy to find Patterson still available on the board.
24. Colts – Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU: The Colts have spent big money everywhere on the roster, but inside linebacker is still very thin. Minter is the only ILB worthy of a 1st round pick, and the Colts don’t let him pass by.
25. Vikings (from Seahawks) – Jonathan Cyprien, SS, Florida International: After the Vikes filled a major hole at WR with the 23 pick, they turn to another weak area- safety, and nab the rising prospect that originally looked like a second day pick but has become one of the annual “risers”.
26. Packers – Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama: Another member of Saban’ crew getting picked in the first round. I know the Packers need help up front on defense and offense, but they are badly in need of a running back to take some pressure off Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers in play action is scary.
27. Texans – Keenan Allen, WR, California: The Texans have had a glaring hole at the second WR position and they find a player that will push to start right away. Allen might be a bit overrated, but if he stays on the field, he is talented and should produce.
28. Broncos – Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State: The Broncos defense failed them at the worst moment last year, and within the euphoria of signing Wes Welker, Denver lost one of their top three defensive players. This is one of those “take the best available defensive player” picks.
29. Patriots – Traded to Arizona for 2013 2nd & 5th Rd Picks; Cardinals select Matt Barkley, QB, USC: The Cards trade for two Trojan quarterbacks in three weeks, and it makes sense. Palmer is a two year stop gap to help prepare Barkley to take over when the Cardinals have a stronger overall roster.
30. Falcons – Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame: Preparing for the retirement of Tony Gonzalez and grabbing the best tight end in the draft in one pick. Eifert also has a season to adjust to NFL speed before becoming the main guy.
31. 49ers – Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington: The Niners find a strong man to man corner in Trufant and add him to an already strong defense. Although safety is a need, it is impossible to pass on Trufant.
32. Ravens- Matt Elam, SS, Florida: Ozzie Newsome has a way of replacing starters with draft picks, and Elam is one of those prospects that could start right away, assuming he can outplay James Ihedigbo.
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