ESPN's NFL Draft guru, Mel Kiper, released his first mock draft of the year on Wednesday and it certainly wasn't the orthodox draft that we've become accustomed to seeing on the Internet. Most notably, Kiper didn't have a single quarterback selected in the first round, which he explained in a conference call with the media.
He also explained in the conference call why he chose to go with Texas A&M defensive end Damontre Moore for the No. 2 overall selection of the Jacksonville Jaguars after the Kansas City Chiefs took Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel with the first pick:
Analysis: The Jaguars sacked opposing QBs on a league-low 3.6 percent of drop backs this season. I hear people question where Jacksonville will go at the QB position, but if they really want to make a change at QB in 2013 (and that's absolutely no guarantee), free agency is a better option than this spot in the draft. Meanwhile, I've had a pass-rusher as a top need for this franchise going on four years. Moore is an exceptionally productive defensive end prospect with very good quickness, long arms and elite closing burst as a rusher. The Jags should be a better team in 2013, but it's not just based on whether they get better at quarterback.
During his conference call, Kiper likened Moore to Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and raved about the defensive line crop that will make up "half the first round."
Many 2013 NFL Draft mocks, including my own, have West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith being selected by the Chiefs with the first overall selection; however, Kiper disagrees. "I don't just go by what I think, I go by what my friends in the NFL think and they don't have quarterback in the top 10," Kiper said.