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 1^st-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 1^st and 2^nd 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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By savvy, I may or may not have meant desperate, degraded, and disillusioned. Either way, here is what is going on down south.

Minor Injuries

Daniel Murphy, Ruben Tejada, Jenrry Mejia, and Pedro Feliciano have all faced minor hiccups during their preparations.  Murphy and Tejada haven’t drawn too much concern, and they’ll be ready for the season.  Mejia is still in New York looking at a potential thyroid issue, but as a long shot to make the roster, he has plenty of time to get straightened away.  Feliciano can’t get his fastball over 83 mph, and doesn’t know why. It couldn’t possibly be a heart condition and 266 appearances in a three-year span, could it?

OMG OMG…whew

Terry Collins unleashed a tirade to the baseball gods, according to Mets officials, when future ace Zach Wheeler was pulled from a start due to a pulled oblique from swinging a bat in batting practice. These injuries can be tricky, but he’s already throwing from flat ground again, which means TC can save his breath.

The Duda-bides

Lucas Duda has been working with Mets Hitting Coach Dave Hudgens to tweak his swing for the 2013 season. There was little success to start the spring, but after sitting for two games, Duda has been ripping the ball, going 3-6 with a double and a HR. Hopefully the change to approach with Duda and first baseman Ike Davis yields greater successes this coming season.

Santana’s Option

File this in the “ain’t gonna happen” category.  If Johan Santana pitches 215 innings and is on the roster with 30 days left in the season, his $25 million option for 2014 switches from a team option to a player option.  Most likely, if Santana is pitching well enough to warrant going 215 innings, he will be traded at the deadline.

You Hear the One about the Byrd and the Cow(gill)?

Smart money has Marlon Byrd and Colin Cowgill joining Lucas Duda in the outfield this season. Worst. Punchline. Ever. I have no faith in Marlon Byrd, but Cowgill will at least have a few hustle hits, and he can play a solid centerfield. Probably the 31^st worst outfield in baseball though.

WBC (Woah, Be Careful)

The World Baseball Classic was denied our Santana, and with Mark Teixeira falling to a forearm injury, the American team was looking to Ike Davis as the next lamb to slaughter replacement. The USA looked to Eric Hosmer of the Royals instead, and I finally exhaled.

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Matthew Wolfe has always loved the word disillusioned, but not anymore since his epiphany that it has applied to his fandom for years now. Tweet him @MattWolfe53

Mets fans, take a breath—a deep breath. Take the name off the front of the jersey. Look at this team through the lenses of a skeptic, not those with blue and orange tint. Shed your optimism or your pessimism, and relinquish your fandom into pure, unadulterated realism.

Michael Bourn signed with the Cleveland Indians for four years (five with a vesting option) at $12 million per year. That’s $60 million that the Wilpons, Sandy Alderson, and the Mets faithful don’t have to stomach for a player who won’t hit double digit home runs, won’t hit .300, and by the time the contract is over, probably won’t steal 30 bases in a season. Fans have been clamoring for a big free agent signing, and Bourn was all that was left, but his decision to head west was a blessing in disguise.

Before the Bourn nonsense, think about what this team had to offer for the 2013 season. The Mets traded their Cy Young, 20-game winning pitcher R.A. Dickey to the Blue Jays for a major league ready catching phenom in Travis D’Arnaud, an erratic fireballer in Noah Syndergaard, and catcher John Buck. On a 78-win team, none of those 20 games are coming back with any of these players. The lineup looks as follows:

1) Ruben Tejada, SS
2) Daniel Murphy, 2B
3) David Wright, 3B
4) Ike Davis, 1B
5) Lucas Duda, LF
6) Justin Turner, RF
7) John Buck, C
8) Kirk Neuwenheis, CF
9) Pitcher

As for that 9th spot, the slated five-man rotation at the moment is Johan Santana, Jonathon Niese, Matt Harvey, Shaun Marcum, and Dillon Gee. What do you see here? Three injuries, a hot-and-cold Niese, and a very young, though enticing, pitcher. Santana, Marcum, and Gee will be lucky if they get 50 starts between them, Niese will have an ERA of 3.85 with 17 quality starts, and while Harvey’s fastball/splitter combo is reminiscent of a young Roger Clemens, that is a lofty bar to set. We’ll see Zach Wheeler later in the season, but he’s still just a prospect. This rotation is full of ifs.

Now put those together. Can this team win 78 games again? Maybe. Can it make the playoffs? No. Not without Davis raising his average to .280 and hitting 35 home runs, Duda miraculously learning how to play the outfield, every pitcher hitting his 2013 ceiling, and the unmentioned bullpen being worth a damn.

Add Bourn to this mix. If he made Flushing his home, would the Mets really have been in contention this year? Does a .280 singles hitter who depends on his speed put this team over? As he ages, would he continue to be a contributor or would he end up an albatross? No, no, and the latter.

The Mets can now keep their 1st round draft pick (which would have been compensation for the deal unless the union successfully appealed the loss), use this $12 million for the 2014 free agent period (the Mets have just $40 million on the books after this year), find out precisely what they have in their farm system, and get another top-10 pick for next year. The Mets are building a contender organically, and though it’s taken a while, fruition is on the horizon.
Fans, put your blue and orange glasses back on. Don’t watch this team with expectation, but with anticipation. With Bourn in Cleveland, a trip to Citi Field isn’t a viewing of the present, it’s a look into the future.

Ya Gotta Believe.

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