We are less than 24 hours away from the 2013 NFL Draft, so it’s time to unleash my final mock draft of the year.
I expect there to be a lot of movement in Thursday’s first round, so this draft could go haywire very quickly, but there’s a lot of talent to be had as team’s will attempt to solidify their future.
With that being said, let’s take a look at my final 2013 NFL Mock Draft of the season.
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 and be a cornerstone at left tackle in Kansas City for a long time.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Player Name: Eric Fisher
Position, School: OT, Central Michigan
The Jaguars need a legitimate pass rusher badly, but the chance to land a top flight tackle is too much to pass up here. Fisher could potentially go No. 1 overall, but shouldn’t make it past the Jags at No. 2.
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: Dion Jordan
Position, School: DE/OLB, Oregon
It’s tempting to take a shot on Geno Smith here, but they have the opportunity to land a potentially dominant pass rusher. If one of the top two tackles make it this far, I would expect Chip Kelly to go that route, but if they aren’t, Jordan has to opportunity to be a beast for the Eagles.
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: Geno Smith
Position, School: QB, West Virginia
The Browns would ideally target Jordan or Ansah here, but they also have to think about a quarterback or potentially a corner like Dee Milliner. Cleveland has had a different starter under the center the past six seasons. It may not be the conventional pick, but the Browns need a legitimate quarterback and Smith may be too good to pass up here.
7. Arizona Cardinals
Player Name: Lane Johnson
Position, School: OT, Oklahoma
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. They have been rumored to be inquiring on Kansas City’s Branden Albert, but if they don’t make a deal for him, Johnson is a safe pick.
8. Buffalo Bills
Player Name: Ryan Nassib
Position, School: QB, Syracuse
Here’s where things get a little crazy. The Bills need a quarterback and even though they could get Nassib in the second round, they could pull the trigger for him here. Buffalo has been rumored to be hot after both Nassib and USC’s Matt Barkley, but here’s thinking that new Bills coach Doug Marrone sticks with the guy he is familiar with.
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. New York could go Jarvis Jones here, but Mingo seems like a great fit for Rex Ryan.
10. Tennessee Titans
Player Name: Dee Milliner
Position, School: CB, Alabama
Milliner’s injury history could result in him sliding down some, but I can’t see him making it out of the Top 10. If he makes it this far it’s a gift for the Titans who were the 26th worst pass defense in the league a year ago. Milliner is the best corner on the board and could make an impact in Tennessee right away.
11. San Diego Chargers
Player Name: Jonathan Cooper
Position, School: OG, North Carolina
Philip Rivers has been getting slaughtered behind a terrible offensive line. Finding their left tackle for the future has to be a top priority, but with the top ones off the board already it doesn’t hurt to grab the best guard on the board. Cooper is as safe as a pick as there is in this draft and will help rebuild the Chargers offensive line.
12. Miami Dolphins
Player Name: Tyler Eifert
Position, School: TE, Notre Dame
I’m predicting the Dolphins to acquire Albert so that will solve their problem at tackle. They could still look at D.J. Fluker or a guard in Chance Warmack, but I like the addition of Eifert to this offense. The Dolphins will add just another weapon for young quarterback Ryan Tannehill and Eifert is the type of player who will create matchup nightmares for opposing defenses.
13. New York Jets (from Tampa Bay)
Player Name: Tavon Austin
Position, School: WR, West Virginia
It’s tempting for the Jets to look at a quarterback here, but it’s too early to pull the trigger on one here. Instead they take the best player on the board in Austin. Despite his size Austin could be the best playmaker in the draft and will give whoever is under center in New York a weapon that can do just about anything.
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. Lotulelei has the potential to become a dominant defensive tackle and fills an immediate need in Carolina.
15. New Orleans Saints
Player Name: Chance Warmack
Position, School: OG, Alabama
The Saints are moving to a 3-4 and need to find a top pass rusher. Georgia’s Alec Ogletree is an option but the Saints are going to go with the best player on the board and at this point that’s Warmack. It can’t hurt to add a potentially dominant lineman so the pick makes sense.
16. St. Louis Rams
Player Name: Kenny Vaccaro
Position, School: S, 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. The Rams have no depth at safety so Vaccaro is a guy who can come in and start right away.
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 he 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: D.J. Hayden
Position, School: CB, Houston
Depth at cornerback has to be a priority for the Giants. Hayden 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 as he has risen quickly up draft boards.
20. Chicago Bears
Player Name: Alec Ogletree
Position, School: LB, Georgia
The Bears could go offensive line here but there is a need at linebacker as well. Ogletree can get after the quarterback, but can also attack the line of scrimmage and make plays in the backfield. He can help the Bears ease the loss of Brian Urlacher. Ogletree is a three-down linebacker in the NFL and is a guy that will turn into a big playmaker.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Player Name: D.J. Fluker
Position, School: OT, Alabama
The Bengals could go multiple directions with this pick. They could target a top wide receiver to play opposite A.J. Green or look for a linebacker. But if Fluker slides this far Cincinnati can’t really pass on him as he has the potential to be a dominant tackle for years.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)
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. He has the ability to turn into a big time playmaker in this Rams offense.
23. Minnesota Vikings
Player Name: Manti Te’o
Position, School: LB, Notre Dame
The Vikings need a middle linebacker and they go with Te’o over other talented backers like Kevin Minter and Arthur Brown. Despite the fake girlfriend controversy and the slow 40 time, Te’o is a guy who can make plays and will be a good fit in Minnesota.
24. Indianapolis Colts
Player Name: Xavier Rhodes
Position, School: CB, Florida State
The Colts could go many ways with this pick but the need is there and Rhodes could turn out to be a pretty good corner even though his stock has slipped a bit as of late.
25. Minnesota Vikings (from Seattle)
Player Name: Justin Hunter
Position, School: WR, Tennessee
The Vikings offense lacks a wide receiver that can make plays, especially after the Percy Harvin trade. Adding Greg Jennings helps, but Hunter gives Christian Ponder a good young weapon. He’s a guy with great size, reliable hands outstanding leaping ability and can make tough, contested catches. Hunter’s a good route-runner with enough quickness to get separation.
26. Green Bay Packers
Player Name: Eddie Lacy
Position, School: RB, Alabama
Lacy could probably go in the second round, but I have a hard time thinking that no running backs will go in the first round. Lacy is the top one on the board and Green Bay is a good fit as he adds a different dimension to their offense.
27. Houston Texans
Player Name: Sylvester Williams
Position, School: DT, North Carolina
The Texans could use a wide receiver here but there are plenty of good ones on the board to grab in the second round. Instead they have the luxury of taking the best player on the board and that’s Williams, who could turn out to be the most explosive defensive lineman in this draft.
28. Denver Broncos
Player Name: Desmond Trufant
Position, School: CB, Washington
Champ Bailey, while still effective, is getting up there in age. That being said, the Broncos need to add secondary depth. Trufant is in the conversation for one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. He’s explosive and has great instincts.
29. New England Patriots
Player Name: Bjoern Werner
Position, School: DE, Florida State
The Patriots go for the best player left by taking Werner, a strong defensive end with very good short-area quickness. Werner is a great pass rusher with outstanding closing speed. He’s more suited to be a 4-3 defensive end, but the Pats can find use for him somewhere. They don’t have much of an interior pass rush and could spend an early draft choice on a complement for Vince Wilfork or wide receiver, but a talent like Werner will help their defense long-term.
30. Atlanta Falcons
Player Name: Justin Pugh
Position, School: OT, Syracuse
Pugh can fill an immediate need on the Falcons offensive line. He’s a tackle long-term but could likely step in and fill a void at guard right away. He has the ability to get to the next level as a run blocker and he can handle physically talented pass-rushers due to his fundamentals and precise technique.
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. Hunt is an imposing physical specimen with incredible length and athleticism to go along with excellent closing speed. They could also consider UCLA’s Datone Jones here, but I like the pick of Hunt.
32. Baltimore Ravens
Player Name: Matt Elam
Position, School: S, Florida
The Super Bowl champs take a shot on filling the void left by Ed Reed’s departure. Elam is smart in coverage and a very good tackler. He isn’t a super athlete and doesn’t do anything exceptionally well, but Elam can play the game and could be one of the most versatile, well-rounded defensive backs in the draft. FIU’s Jonathan Cyprien is also an option if the Ravens look safety here.
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