2013 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
By Danny Mulligan
It’s about that time to start thinking about next year in the NFL, as the Ravens’ Super Bowl buzz is wearing off and everyone else is itching to see their teams improve. The draft is often the first part of the healing process for many teams and their fan bases. Here’s my first take on who’s going where and why.
Because do you really want to listen to this guy?
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Geno Smith, QB West Virginia
Brady Quinn is clearly not the answer, and after a horrendous year offensively the chiefs need a signal caller who is versatile. Smith has been a stud for WV and, with the emergence of the ‘Pistol’, should become an immediate impact player in the NFL. In addition, the Chiefs hired Andy Reid who has dealt with a mobile, strong-armed quarterback in Michael Vick. Reid will get to groom his quarterback from day 1 and build around him, and Smith will benefit from playing with running back Jamaal Charles. I expect the Chiefs to win 6-8 games in 2013 if Geno Smith lives up to my expectations, as well as the hype that surrounds him.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jarvis Jones, OLB Georgia The Jaguars should go after a QB or a WR, but realistically there is no one at those positions worth taking this early. Jones is a phenomenal all-around player and an excellent pass rusher. He will fulfill a need and provide a good foundational defensive player, but defense is not the first need for the Jags. There is a possibility they trade down.
3. Oakland Raiders – Star Lotulelei, DT Utah
In my opinion, the player most ready to “star” for an NFL team in the draft this year is Lotulelei (bad pun fully intended). Tom Kelly is terrible on and off the field, Richard Seymour is aging and Star is the perfect start to rebuilding a defensive line. They have a young offense (Carson Palmer notwithstanding) and young linebackers; Star would be a steal at number 3 this year for their perpetual rebuilding.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Luke Joeckel, OT Texas A+M
The Eagles’ o-line is injury riddled and OK at best when healthy, and with Nick Foles most likely calling the plays next season they need a strong pocket he can step up into. Joeckel is a complete lineman with both run and pass blocking skills. He is an immediate starter and upgrade for the Eagles.
5. Detroit Lions – DeMarcus Milliner, CB Alabama
The Lions have no one resembling dominant in the defensive backfield; Miliner is that guy. He was a stud on a dominate college defense, a leader, and a playmaker. He should be an immediate impact player and become even better from covering Megatron in practice throughout camp.
6. Cleveland Browns – Damontre Moore, DE/OLB Texas A&M
The browns need a pass rusher to add to a good but aging defense. Moore is versatile and can line up on the tackle in a 4-3 or outside in a 3-4. Getting after the quarterback is a necessity in today’s NFL and with no QB to take here, Moore makes the most sense. Yes, Brandon Weeden is a bust. He is not good at all, nor will he ever be, no matter how many Norv Turners come to Cleveland. Look for them to take a QB in the second round or add a veteran in free agency under the new regime.
7. Arizona Cardinals – Bjoern Werner,DE/OLB Florida State
The Cardinals are yet another team who would benefit from a QB, but without a clear stud and a lot of money invested in Kevin Kolb I see them adding pieces to their already stout defense. Werner is another solid hybrid who can play both end and outside B. He does not fill an immediate need, but he is a solid pick and will be able to contribute immediately.
8. Buffalo Bills – Tyler Wilson, QB Arkansas
Bills GM Buddy Nix has already declared that Ryan Fitzpatrick is not the answer and a franchise QB will be taken this year. In comes Wilson, an extremely intelligent pocket passer. Despite a pretty rocky season for Arkansas, Wilson did well. He is a reach at 8, but he is the best QB available after Smith. At the very least, he should light a fire under Fitzpatrick at training camp.
9. The New York Jets – Manti Te’o, ILB Notre Dame
Oh, the Jets. Where to begin? While they need a ton of help on the offensive side of the ball, they still lack a pass rush and an inside presence to play alongside David Harris. Bart Scott is out, and Demario Davis is good, not great. Te’o is a leader and a locker room presence and, despite all the hoopla, is still a top ten talent. The Jets have dealt with the New York media with Sanchez and Tebow, why not test their mettle a little further with Te’o?
10. The Tennessee Titans – Barkevious Mingo,DE/OLB LSU
The Titans had an abysmal defense last year. Mingo can play OLB in their scheme and cover the field sideline to sideline as an every down linebacker or rush the passer on 3rd down. The Titans were one of the worst teams covering backs and tight ends last year, and Mingo can step in and help them improve right away.
11. San Diego Chargers – Eric Fisher, OT Central Michigan
I think Fisher is just as good as Loeckel, and Philip Rivers could certainly use the protection. A franchise left tackle is something the Chargers lack, and Fisher could be a bargain at number 11.
12. Miami Dolphins – Keenan Allen, WR California
Ryan Tannehill can play; he is athletic, intelligent, and strong armed. Last year, Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas were a solid running tandem, but outside of flashes from Brian Hartline there are no weapons on offense (and Bush may be gone this year). Allen is a big WR who plays physical, can catch the jump ball, and stretch the field (things Hartline cannot do consistently). No brainer here.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Xavier Rhodes, CB Florida State
Big and physical. That’s what Rhodes is at 6’2”, 215. He plays man coverage very well and will help a porous Bucs pass defense. Ronde Barber turns 100 this year and the Bucs DBs were burned time after time. Rhodes can be a lockdown corner and is a solid pick at 13 in this draft.
14. Carolina Panthers -Jonathan Hankins, NT Ohio State
The Panthers give up a ton of yards in the run game, and Luke Kuechly is going receive extra attention from o-lines around the league after a solid rookie outing. Hankins is a big strong DT who can fit in and stop the run, freeing up space for Kuechly to run free.
15. New Orleans Saints – C.J. Mosley, OLB Alabama
Other than Jonathan Vilma, the Saints’ front 7 can’t stop anyone and can’t run sideline to sideline. CJ Mosely is a good fit for an outside B in a 4-3 and can cover as well as tackle well. Let’s see what Rob Ryan can do with him.
16. St. Louis Rams – Lane Johnson, OT Oklahoma
Sam Bradford has yet to become an elite QB, and now that he has a young group of WRs and RBs surrounding him, his time is now. The best way for that to happen is for Jeff Fisher to make sure he stays upright more often. Johnson can play either tackle and would become a leader on a struggling o-line.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB LSU
The Steelers were not themselves defensively last year. James Harrison is injury prone and the rest of the defense is aging. Montgomery can play DE in a 3-4, as well as the OLB position. He can help bring youth and speed to an experienced but slowing front 7.
18. Dallas Cowboys – Dion Jordan, DE/OLB Oregon
With Anthony Spencer most likely being lost to free agency (John Idzik, pay attention), Jordan is an immediate replacement. He can rush the passer in a 4-3 scheme. The Cowboys need someone to keep attention away from DeMarcus Ware, and Jordan can do that on the opposite side.
19, New York Giants – Jonathan Banks, CB Mississippi State
The Giants have no one in secondary other than Antre Rolle that scares anyone. Prince Amukamara wasn’t too princely as their number one corner (bad pun still intended) and has had a tendency to join the rest of the Giants secondary on the PUP list. Banks can help a defense who gives up a ton of yards through the air. The Giants need someone who can play man well and allow the Giants to stack the box against run first teams.
20. Chicago Bears – Alec Ogletree, ILB Georgia
Brian Urlacher is old, he’s oft injured, and it’s a shame because he is one of the best to ever do it. Ogletree will be able to add youth and speed to the middle of the Bears D who is already loaded with playmakers.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Shayne Skov, ILB/OLB Stanford
This pick may seem odd to a lot of people because Skov is considered more of a second round talent, but he fits here. The Bengals lost Keith Rivers last year, and Manny Lawson and Rey Maualga are both free agents. Skov can play all over in a 4-3 scheme and is FAST. He is a physical specimen and a tackling machine.
22. Louis Rams – Tyler Eifert, TE Notre Dame
The rams have the opportunity to add a big, tall, tight end that will help them in the red zone. By far the best TE in this draft, Eifert is 6’6” and can be a safety blanket for Sam Bradford. The Rams have nothing to lose and all to gain taking a TE with their second 1st round pick.
23. Minnesota Vikings: DeAndre Hopkins, WR Clemson
Minnesota has arguably the best offensive player in football in AP. Imagine how good he would be if teams didn’t put 9 in the box every play? Hopkins is a solid all-around receiver, who has a good frame to go along with 4.4 speed. He will be an improvement over a generally-useless-outside-of-front-flips Jerome Simpson and either help replace or take pressure off Percy Harvin.
24. Indianapolis Colts – Alex Okafor, DE Texas
Dwight Freeney is reportedly gone and Robert Mathis may be too. After a monster offensive draft in 2012, Indianapolis will look to get young on defense and add a versatile pass rusher in Okafor, who can play both OLB and DE.
25. Seattle Seahawks – Terrance Williams, WR Baylor
Sidney Rice is only above average and Golden Tate is more of a slot receiver than a stable number 2. Williams is a big bodied, strong handed possession guy. He does not have the blazing speed, but his solid route running abilities will provide a weapon for Russell Wilson.
26. Greenbay Packers – Barrett Jones, C/G/T Alabama
Aaron Rodgers got harassed all year (as he is every year) and this is a clear cut pick to me. Jones can play all over the offensive line and add depth or start where needed, which is everywhere.
27. Houston Texans – Kevin Minter, ILB LSU
Brian Cushing is coming off an injury and we can’t assume everyone is going to do what AP did. Bradie James is a free agent, and Minter can step in right away. He was a standout player for a good LSU defense as a consistent tackler. This pick may possibly swap with Skov after we see how the draft process goes.
28. Denver Broncos – Kawann Short, DT Purdue
Denver will sign veterans on offense in free agency and bolster their stout defense in the draft. They need a young every down player on the line and Short can provide that. He is also a good interior pass rusher, which is something Denver lacks. He’ll fit in with Von Miller and Elvis Dumervill terrorizing the outside.
29. New England Patriots – Tavon Austin, WR West Virginia
Wes Welker will not be a patriot and other then their famous TE duo and Brandon Lloyd there is no one I trust to catch passes in New England. Austin is a small, speedy receiver who will fit perfectly in the Patriots’ scheme by replacing Welker.
30. Atlanta Falcons – Bennie Logan, DT LSU
What a disappointing performance by the d-line considering how well the rest of the team played. Logan is a solid player and will start immediately. Let’s be realistic, John Abraham is the only quality defensive linemen on that team, and they need to improve up front if they want that elusive ring.
31. San Francisco 49ers – Sheldon Richardson, DT Missouri
Justin Smith is aging and set to be a free agent soon. Adding depth in the trenches never hurt anyone. They are stacked on offense, so Richardson is a steal here.
32. Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Poyer, CB Oregon State
Ray Lewis has ridden off on his chariot into football glory and left Terrel Suggs behind to lead a defense. With Ed Reed a question mark, Poyer is a solid pick to bolster the secondary. Jimmy Smith hasn’t been too impressive and Ledarius Webb is coming off a major injury. Do the Ravens trust Cary Williams (if he returns) and Corey Graham?
We’ll update this later on when all of the completely overblown and ultimately meaningless combine results are in.
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