Now that free agency has slowed down a bit, it’s time for my latest 2013 NFL Mock Draft.
A lot has changed since my last mock, right before free agency began.
With that being said, let’s not waste any time as the Kansas City Chiefs are on the clock.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Player Name: Luke Joeckel
Position, School: OT, Texas A&M
After the Alex Smith trade, it is all but certain that the Chiefs get the tackle to help protect him. Joeckel is a guy that could come in and play either side for Andy Reid from day one.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Player Name: Dion Jordan
Position, School: DE/ OLB, Oregon
The Jaguars need a legitimate pass rusher and Jordan is a long, explosive pass-rusher with freakish athleticism. His stock has shot up and could be a great fit in Jacksonville.
3. Oakland Raiders
Player Name: Sharrif Floyd
Position, School: DT, Florida
The Raiders acquired Matt Flynn so they likely won’t go quarterback here. What they do need is quality young talent on the defensive front. Floyd has played inside and on the edge and is explosive with great leverage and power.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Player Name: Geno Smith
Position, School: QB, West Virginia
The Eagles take Smith here and can develop an athletic, talented thrower to succeed in Chip Kelly’s offense. Michael Vick isn’t a long-term solution, but he can man the offense for now as there will be no need for Smith to play right away.
5. Detroit Lions
Player Name: Ezekiel Ansah
Position, School: DE, BYU
The Lions can take the best player on the board, but in this case it fills a huge need. The Lions can address their woeful pass rush by grabbing one of the best pass rushers in this class. He will need to develop, but Ansah will make an impact in 2013. Jacksonville could take him at No. 2 and if they do, the Lions could target a corner here which will help fix their pass defense as well. But if Ansah is available, they can’t pass on him.
6. Cleveland Browns
Player Name: Dee Milliner
Position, School: CB, Alabama
The Browns would ideally target Jordan or Ansah here, but they also have a need in the secondary. Milliner is the best corner in the draft and is ready to start and succeed early.
7. Arizona Cardinals
Player Name: Eric Fisher
Position, School: OT, Central Michigan
Carson Palmer gives them some flexibility as Bruce Arians doesn’t have to reach for a quarterback here. They do have a need on the offensive line though and targeting a tackle or guard to help protect Palmer makes a lot of sense.
8. Buffalo Bills
Player Name: Jonathan Cooper
Position, School: G, North Carolina
The Bills lost left guard Andy Levitre to the Titans in free agency, which could really hurt what should be a strong run game. Cooper is a great guard and should not only start but make an impact right off the bat.
9. New York Jets
Player Name: Barkevious Mingo
Position, School: DE, LSU
Mingo has the potential to be an outstanding pass rusher, something the Jets need badly. He’s athletic and can be a difference maker on the edge.
10. Tennessee Titans
Player Name: Chance Warmack
Position, School: G, Alabama
The Titans did sign Levitre but their offensive line needs a major upgrade still. Warmack is an outstanding run blocker who should help get the Titans running game back on track.
11. San Diego Chargers
Player Name: Lane Johnson
Position, School: OT, Oklahoma
Philip Rivers has been getting slaughtered behind a terrible offensive line. Finding their left tackle for the future has to be a top priority.
12. Miami Dolphins
Player Name: D.J. Fluker
Position, School: OT, Alabama
Miami make upgrades in the passing game, but that won’t help if they can’t protect the quarterback. The loss of Jake Long means that second-year man Jonathan Martin shifts to left tackle, leaving a big hole at right tackle. Fluker is a guy who can step in and play right away.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Player Name: Xavier Rhodes
Position, School: CB, Florida State
Rhodes has great play-making abilities and is solid in coverage, which could help fix the NFL’s worst pass defense. Rhodes could turn into the best corner on the roster as a rookie. This pick makes sense unless the Bucs decide to make a move for Darelle Revis.
14. Carolina Panthers
Player Name: Star Lotulelei
Position, School: DT, Utah
The Panthers need to get better stopping the run and need to find a defensive tackle. It’s also nice that player happens to be the best player left on the board at this point. He has the potential to become a dominant defensive tackle.
15. New Orleans Saints
Player Name: Alec Ogletree
Position, School: LB, Georgia
The Saints are moving to a 3-4 and need to find a top pass rusher. Ogletree can get after the quarterback, but can also attack the line of scrimmage and make plays in the backfield.
16. St. Louis Rams
Player Name: Cordarrelle Patterson
Position, School: WR, Tennessee
The loss of Danny Amendola means Sam Bradford has no one to throw to. Patterson can play inside or outside and is more than just a speed threat. He can be explosive with the ball in his hands catching short routes.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Player Name: Jarvis Jones
Position, School: LB, Georgia
The Steelers have a ton of holes to fill but adding a young playmaking linebacker is certainly one of them. Jones will turn out to be a steal at No. 17, as Jones is relentless and provides a perfect pass-rushing fit at outside linebacker for a defense that needs more talent up front. He didn’t overwhelm at his pro day, but Jones is a player that led the nation in sacks and did so playing against the top competition in college football.
18. Dallas Cowboys
Player Name: Sheldon Richardson
Position, School: DT, Missouri
The Cowboys will need to go defensive tackle to fill a need in Monte Kiffin’s 4-3 defense. There are also other needs, including safety, which makes Kenny Vaccaro a possibility, but if the Cowboys don’t upgrade their front, the switch to a 4-3 will be a rough transition. Either way they have the opportunity to fill a big hole on their defense.
19. New York Giants
Player Name: Desmond Trufant
Position, School: CB, Washington
Depth at cornerback has to be a priority for the Giants. Trufant is a guy that can line up on the inside or outside and is effective playing man or zone. He has tons of talent and will be an instant upgrade for the G-Men.
20. Chicago Bears
Player Name: Tyler Eifert
Position, School: TE, Notre Dame
The Bears get no production from their tight ends. It’s time to get Jay Cutler another weapon. Eifert has the speed to stretch the seam and also develop routes to the edges, and can’t be effectively covered by anybody. He’s too tall for corners and safeties, too fast for linebackers. He is in the mold of the new age tight end that will catch balls at the rate most top receivers do. He is a guy I also think the Steelers should consider at No. 17.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Player Name: Manti Te’o
Position, School: LB, Notre Dame
Rey Maualuga is arguably one of the worst defensive starters in the NFL. Te’o could be the top available player here and would be a big boost to the Bengals’ linebacking corps. This could ultimately end up being a steal at No. 21 as all the drama aside, Te’o is a great talent. He’s instinctive, makes tackles and is extremely great when the defensive line provides coverage and allows him to roam free.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)
Player Name: Kenny Vaccaro
Position, School: FS, Texas
The Rams could go multiple directions with this pick, but I like them to target a safety here. Vaccaro is a steal this late as he is as good in coverage as he is a physical presence.
23. Minnesota Vikings
Player Name: Tavon Austin
Position, School: WR, West Virginia
The Vikings offense lacks a big wide receiver that can make plays, especially after the Percy Harvin trade. Adding Greg Jennings helps, but Austin would fill the Harvin role great. Austin is one of the true home run threats in this draft, and while he’s perfect to work in the slot, he is a player who the Vikings can get creative with; similar to the way they used Harvin.
24. Indianapolis Colts
Player Name: Sylvester Williams
Position, School: DT, North Carolina
The Colts need an upgrade at defensive tackle and Williams is a nice fit. They can go multiple directions with this pick, but Williams is an active, powerful, interior presence who can occupy blocks. He fills a need in Indy.
25. Minnesota Vikings (from Seattle)
Player Name: Kevin Minter
Position, School: LB, LSU
The Vikings need a middle linebacker that can step in and play right away. Getting Minter this late is a gift as he is a guy makes good reads and is a steady tackler.
26. Green Bay Packers
Player Name: Keenan Allen
Position, School: WR, California
Donald Driver retired and Greg Jennings left as a free agent so Aaron Rodgers needs more weapons. The Packers have other needs but it would be hard to pass on the talents of Allen here.
27. Houston Texans
Player Name: DeAndre Hopkins
Position, School: WR, Clemson
Hopkins is a beast and the Texans can add some explosiveness to their already solid passing attack, although they could elect to target a linebacker here.
28. Denver Broncos
Player Name: D.J. Hayden
Position, School: CB, Houston
Champ Bailey, while still effective, is getting up there in age. That being said, the Broncos need to add secondary depth. Hayden, if it weren’t for injuries, would be in the conversation for the best corner in the draft. He has a very high ceiling and helps fill a need for the Broncos.
29. New England Patriots
Player Name: John Jenkins
Position, School: DT, Georgia
The Patriots go for the best player left by taking Jenkins, a strong defensive tackle with very good short-area quickness. They don’t have much of an interior pass rush and could spend an early draft choice on a complement for Vince Wilfork.
30. Atlanta Falcons
Player Name: Bjoern Werner
Position, School: DE, Florida State
Werner keeps on slipping as it was once thought that he would be a certain top five pick. But he’s a guy who can still get after the quarterback, which is a need for the Falcons. He is quick off the ball and is a speed-to-power rusher who does a very good job of getting under the offensive tackles’ pads. he can finish plays and closes on the ball very well.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Player Name: Margus Hunt
Position, School: DE, SMU
Justin Smith is 34 and it would make some sense to add depth up front. Hunt is strong and very athletic and is a good pass rushing 3-4 defensive end.
32. Baltimore Ravens
Player Name: Jonathan Cyprien
Position, School: S, Florida International
The Super Bowl champs take a shot on filling the void left by Ed Reed’s departure. Cyprien is smart in coverage and a very good tackler. The Ravens could go multiple directions with this pick, but Cyprien is a guy that can help immediately.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
