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AFR Mock Draft part 2

AFR Mock Draft part 2

By: Matt Wolfe

It’s March, which means I’ve only been looking at NFL Draft information for about four months now. This draft is the most intriguing we’ve seen in a while, if only because there is no clear cut #1 prospect, and above that, there isn’t a clear cut 1st-round quality quarterback. When you factor in how any team in the top-10 has numerous holes, there’s going to be some massive shake up from week to week in these mocks.

This mock is taking place just before free agency, so as teams fill needs, draft necessities will change as well. Without further ado, the first edition of the Matt Wolfe “There’s No Way Anything Here Is Going To Be Remotely Correct Because I Have No Sources Or Contact With Any Of These Teams” 2013 NFL Mock Draft.

1)      Kansas City Chiefs- Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M: The Chiefs have already traded their second round pick to the 49ers for QB Alex Smith, cut RT Eric Winston, and franchised LT Brendan Albert. Drafting Joeckel allows KC to either grow him on the strong side, or move Albert to RT and throw the rookie into the fire. You could see Star Lotulelei taken first, but I think protecting Smith is the biggest challenge for 2013, and this team is closer than a lot of fans think.

2)      Jacksonville Jaguars- Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU: Ansah has been rapidly rising up the board in recent weeks, and rumors are the Jaguars love this guy’s motor. The Jaguars have consistently ranked near the bottom in regards to sacks and pressures, and after numerous draft failures, Ansah could be the answer.

3)      Oakland Raiders- Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan: Some teams have Fisher rated higher than Joeckel, so going at three isn’t out of the question. The Raiders have a ton of holes, and have been linked to Lotulelei as well, but they need to keep Carson Palmer upright if they keep him, or Terrelle Pryor a puncher’s chance if he gets the nod.

4)      Philadelphia Eagles- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah: New head coach Chip Kelly will be tempted to take his old pass-rusher Dion Jordan here, but the Eagles already have a plethora of pass rushers at their disposal. Cullen Jenkins was just released, as was Mike Patterson, leaving a glaring hole at a position that was already a weakness. Lotulelei can come in immediately and take the pressure off of the second tier of that dreadful defense.

5)      Detroit Lions- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama: This is a no-brainer. If you’re a Detroit fan, and you think Louis Delmas returning is the answer, you’re almost as desperate as the Jets fans who thought Sanchez could get them to a Super Bowl. Milliner is easily the best CB in the draft, and has the skills and agility to start Week 1.

6)      Cleveland Browns- Dion Jordan, OLB/DE, Oregon: If there were better wide receivers in this draft, I could see that being the pick, and I was really tempted to put Keenan Allen here, but he just doesn’t grade that high. Jordan is huge and fast, he can play with his hand in the dirt or standing up, and can either put you on the ground or run 20 yards downfield with you. He’s the most complete 3-4 prospect in this draft, which is Ray Horton’s MO.

7)      Arizona Cardinals- Chance Warmack, G, Alabama: This is the most pivotal pick in the draft. The Cardinals have a slew of options here, and I think this is the smartest. True, he raises a few red flags with his health condition, but he is an absolute mauler, and will help open holes for Beanie Wells, and keep Kevin Kolb’s jersey clean, provided he plays over whoever the Cardinals take in the second round.

8)      Buffalo Bills- Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma: The QBs still don’t rate this high, and not even the Bills will reach for one here. Johnson is the best OL available, and the Bills still need help there, even with Cordy Glenn having a solid rookie campaign.

9)      New York Jets- Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas: Geno Smith? Barkevious Mingo? No, new GM John Idzik is going to make the smart and unsexy pick of Vaccaro. Idzik saw in Seattle what Earl Thomas has done in the secondary, and will emulate the same thing in New York. Vaccaro can match up with slot TEs, and has great tackling technique.

10)   Tennessee Titans- Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida: Floyd has skyrocketed this week, and coming at 10 brings him back to earth a little bit. He’s versatile and explosive, and fits very well into Tennessee’s 4-3 scheme. He’ll take a lot of pressure off the linebackers in Memphis.

11)   San Diego Chargers- Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU: The Chargers are in no man’s land here at 11, with the top three tackles already gone. Mingo is a project, but he has tremendous natural gifts. If he can grow a little bit, he can also be used on 1st and 2nd downs and play the run. If he doesn’t, he might be the second coming of Vernon Gholston.

12)   Miami Dolphins- Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia: The Dolphins are completely re-energizing their offensive attack this season. They just re-signed Brian Hartline, and I would be surprised if they didn’t close free agency with Mike Wallace. Austin is a burner who can work the slot like Wes Welker, a player the Dolphins still kick themselves for trading away in division. Year two of QB Ryan Tannehill looks dangerous with those trips.

13)   Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia: Back-to-back Mountaineers here. I think the Bucs are on their last nerve with Josh Freeman. He has been a tease his whole career, but it doesn’t look like the Bucs will get where they want to go with him. Smith has a strong arm, and coach Greg Schiano might be buying into the read-option offense that is starting to sweep across the league.

14)   Carolina Panthers- Keenan Allen, WR, California: Give QB Cam Newton the tools to succeed. WR Steve Smith doesn’t have much time left, and we’re still not sure what Brandon LaFell call do over 16 games. Allen is a solid route-runner with good hands, and would give Newton a reliable target over the middle.

15)   New Orleans Saints- Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia: Two months ago, Jones was the top pick in the draft. Now, he’s barely top-half. Don’t be discouraged by Jones. He may end up being the best pass rusher in this draft when it’s all said and done, and lord knows the Saints defense needs some help.

16)   St. Louis Rams- Jonathan Cooper, G, UNC: Cooper slips in my draft based on position and need, but he’ll find a home under the arch. He’s a top-ten talent, and the Rams need to help QB Sam Bradford stay on his feet so he can get back to growing and throwing as opposed to battered and shattered.

17)   Pittsburgh Steelers- DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama: The Pittsburgh line has been inconsistent at best, so it’s time to add some youth alongside Pouncey, their center. Fluker was on that NFL level OL in Alabama, so I have no doubts he’ll contribute right away.

18)   Dallas Cowboys- Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri: The Jay Ratliff DUI puts the Cowboys in a bind. They could really use some interior line help, but with the top three guards gone, Richardson will help anchor the interior of the defense, allowing DeMarcus Ware to continue to wreak havoc.

19)   New York Giants- Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia: Tyler Eifert is a possibility here, but the Giants are looking to lock up Martellus Bennett before free agency hits. Ogletree replaces the released Michael Boley, and contributes a tremendous potential to the lacking coverage for Big Blue.

20)   Chicago Bears- Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame: What’s that? Did Jay Cutler actually smile? Eifert has outrageous playmaking ability out of the TE spot, and gives Cutler a true second option besides Brandon Marshall.

21)   Cincinnati Bengals- Corradelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: Similar to Jarvis Jones, Patterson may end up being the best WR in this draft. He needs time to develop, but the Bengals are young and can afford that. AJ Green and Patterson are going to be a terrible twosome.

22)   St. Louis Rams (from WAS)- Menelik Watson, OT, FSU: The Rams are taking a page out of their rival’s book, the 49ers, and doubling up the OL in the draft. Watson has great footwork and size, but his instincts are a bit slow. He’ll improve through a rough rookie campaign, but there will be dividends.

23)   Minnesota Vikings- Matt Barkley, QB, USC: QB Christian Ponder started off 2012 smoking hot, and then flamed out by Week 5. The Adrian Petersons Vikings still have some good pieces and are coming off a playoff run, but if Ponder falters again, the Vikes need to rebuild fast, and Barkley has the tools to tread water.

24)   Indianapolis Colts- Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee: Hunter fits tremendously in the Indy attack. They could really use some help on defense, but Reggie Wayne isn’t getting younger, and Hunter provides a big, fast target to help spread the field for Andrew Luck.

25)   Seattle Seahawks- Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford: The Seahawks are on a heavy uptick, and adding a target like Ertz is already an improvement over Zach Miller. From Stanford, we know he’s smart, and he’s shown good routes and hands.

26)   Green Bay Packers- Bjorn Werner, DE, FSU: As much as the secondary needs help, Werner falling this far is a gift that the Packers will pounce on immediately. Werner is a top-15 talent who can benefit from all the attention paid to Clay Matthews.

27)   Houston Texans- Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC: Sufferin Succotash! (Sorry) The Texans have an unbelievable front-seven, but as the Giants have proven twice in the past six years, it never hurts to have real depth on the line. Williams could be a nice complement to JJ Watt in a season or two.

28)   Denver Broncos- Xavier Rhodes, CB, FSU: You think the Broncos are doing anything besides shoring up their secondary after the playoff debacle? Xavier Rhodes is the second best CB in this draft, and he’d better get ready for high altitudes.

29)   New England Patriots- Justin Pugh, G, Syracuse: Only if the Pats don’t trade it away first. Pugh is a Belicheckian; smart, hard worker, and quickly picks up blocking schemes. This youth movement on the OL for the Pats continues with Pugh.

30)   Atlanta Falcons- Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, UConn: With good CB size, he’ll learn a lot going against Roddy White and Julio Jones in practice. Asante Samuel isn’t getting younger, and Dunta Robinson is gone, so Wreh-Wilson will get a lot of reps on the first team defense.

31)   San Francisco 49ers- Jonathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia:  Losing Justin Smith inside hurt the 49ers defense a little in 2012, and they haven’t had a true replacement for Aubrayo Franklin since he left two years ago. Jenkins is a massive NT, and could make Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman even nastier.

32)   Baltimore Ravens- Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington: With Cary Williams most likely leaving in free agency and Ed Reed’s status in the air, the Ravens have to replenish the secondary and fast. Trufant is decently sized and has good top-end speed. And if it’s worth anything, his older brother is Marcus Trufant, so there’s some pedigree there.

 

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