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This is my first mock draft of 2013, as I typically like to wait a bit and let the free agent market settle before really diving into what teams are likely going to do in the NFL Draft. I'm only doing one round, plus the 33rd pick for the Jaguars.
So, here we go:
Pick | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
1. Kansas City Chiefs |
Star Lotulelei, Utah | DT | 6'2.5 | 311 | Sr. |
The pegged pick right now for the Kansas City Chiefs is Luke Joeckel, but I'm not sure he's going to be the guy. The Chiefs have an offensive lineman who's been in the wings in Donald Stephenson that they drafted in the third round last year to play right tackle. Brendan Albert was hit with the franchise tag, but drafting Joeckel just forces him out the door in 2014 and I think the Chiefs are better served re-signing Albert and going defensive line. Lotulelei can play all three positions on the Chiefs defensive line. |
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2. Jacksonville Jaguars |
Dion Jordan, Oregon | DE/LB | 6'6 | 248 | Sr. |
I'm sure me not picking Geno Smith here surprises a lot of people, but it's not because I don't think the Jaguars will pull the trigger. It's entirely possible they do, but for right now I'm going to say they go with the most versatile defender in the draft with Dion Jordan who really fits well into the hybrid fron. Jordan can start immediately at SAM linebacker in traditional 4-3 fronts and can also play as a LEO or a stand up rusher on other downs. He's a Swiss Army knife and would be a perfect fit in the scheme. |
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3. Oakland Raiders |
Sharrif Floyd, Florida |
DT | 6'2 5/8 |
297 | Jr. |
Having likely finished the trade for Matt Flynn by the time this is published, the Raiders have gutted their defensive line and have just a handful of "guys" right now at the defensive tackle position. Floyd would be an immediate starter at defensive tackle for the Raiders. |
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4. Philadelphia Eagles |
Eric Fisher, Central Michigan |
OT | 6'7 |
306 | Sr. |
While it's a surprise that Fisher is the first offensive lineman off the board, he would seem to click better in Chip Kelly's system than Luke Joeckel, at least in my opinion. Fisher also would lean more towards starting right away at the RT spot than Joeckel and could then move to the LT spot. The Eagles offensive line has been banged up and both Jason Peters and Todd Herremans are 30+ in age. |
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5. Detroit Lions |
Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M |
OT | 6'6 |
306 | Sr. |
Jeff Backus retired from the NFL, leaving the Lions with a hole at the left tackle position. Detroit did draft Riley Reiff last season who played right tackle, so with the pick of Joeckel the Lions can keep Reiff on the right side and slot Joeckel in as the starting left tackle. |
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6. Cleveland Browns |
Dee Milliner, Alabama | CB |
6'0 |
201 | Jr. |
The Browns added pass rushers in free agency but they still have a glaring hole at the cornerback position opposite Joe Haden. Milliner would be a day one starter opposite Haden and would be a perfect grab for the Browns in this spot. |
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7. Arizona Cardinals |
Barkevious Mingo, LSU | DE/OLB | 6'4 | 241 | Jr. |
The Cardinals have set themselves up for passing on a quarterback, at least early in the first round, so the next best move for them would be to add a pass rusher like Barkevious Mingo. Mingo is a candidate to stand up and rush the passer in the Cardinals 3-4 defense and certainly has the athleticism to make you think it will workout. |
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8. Buffalo Bills |
Geno Smith, West Virginia | QB | 6'3 | 218 | Sr. |
This pick doesn't need much explanation, as the Bills have just Tarvaris Jackson on their roster at quarterback. Buffalo would be the benefit of the Geno Smith slide and have the quarterback fall right in their lap. |
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9. New York Jets |
Xavier Rhodes, Florida State | CB | 6'1 | 210 | Jr. |
The Jets do not appear as if they'll be bringing back Darrelle Revis for the 2013 season, as a trade prior to the draft seems imminent. Antonio Cromartie has a big bonus coming prior to the 2014 season and is then a free agent at the end of the season. The team's other corner, Kyle Wilson, is also in the final year of his deal. Rhodes would make a lot of sense to add not only depth, but a young cost controlled player who can push for a starting job out of the gate. |
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10. Tennessee Titans |
Chance Warmack, Alabama | OG | 6'2 |
317 | Jr. |
The Titans spent some big money in free agency, partly on their offensive line with guard Andy Levitre. With the pick of Warmack the Titans could further strengthen their offensive line as the other guard spot is still an issue. |
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Team | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
11. San Diego Chargers |
Lane Johnson, Oklahoma | OT | 6'6 | 305 | Sr. |
Jared Gaither hasn't been able to stay healthy for San Diego and despite signing King Dunlap in free agency, the team still needs help on the offensive line. Johnson could come in Day 1 and challenge for a starting job on the left or right side of the line, both of which are areas the Chargers need help. |
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12. Miami Dolphins |
Desmond Trufant, Washington | CB | 5'11 |
190 | Sr. |
Prior to the free agency period it was almost a given the Dolphins would take a wide receiver in the first round, but the team decided to spend on the position with Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, and Brandon Gibson. The team could also use some offensive line help after losing Jake Long, but there isn't anyone really available. Trufant also fills a need for the Dolphins and should be able to start out of the gate. |
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13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Ezekiel Ansah, BYU | DE | 6'5 |
271 | Sr. |
While the Buccaneers need corners, it's likely they complete the trade with Darrelle Revis before the NFL Draft which means they still need help rushing the passer after losing Michael Bennett in free agency. Ansah can challenge for a starting role right away but if he loses out can be a guy to bring in off the bench. |
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14. Carolina Panthers |
Sheldon Richardson, Missouri | DT | 6'2 1/2 |
294 | Jr. |
The Panthers have needed help at the defensive tackle position since like forever and Richardson falling into their lap would be a great sign. He can start right away and offer a pass rushing presence from the inside as well as bring some attitude upfront. |
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15. New Orleans Saints |
Arthur Brown | LB | 6'1 |
231 | Sr. |
The Saints are moving to a 3-4 defense going forward and have some guys like Martez Wilson and Junior Gallette on the roster. Brown can be a Day 1 starter at inside linebacker for the Saints and play all three downs. |
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16. St. Louis Rams |
Tavon Austin, West Virginia |
WR | 5'9 | 174 | Sr. |
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17. Pittsburgh Steelers |
Jarvis Jones, Georgia |
OLB | 6'2 | 245 | Sr. |
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18. Dallas Cowboys |
Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina | G/C | 6'2 |
311 | Sr. |
The Cowboys desperately need cost-controlled help on their offensive line and Cooper can come in and start right away. He can challenge for a starting guard spot or kick over to center if Dallas deems it necessary. |
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19. New York Giants |
Cornellius Carradine, FSU | DE | 6'4 |
276 | Sr. |
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20. Chicago Bears |
Kevin Minter, LSU | LB | 5'11 |
246 | Jr. |
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Team | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
21. Cincinnati Bengals |
Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International |
S | 6'0 1/4 |
217 | Sr. |
The Bengals need some help at the linebacker position, but also at the safety position. Cyprien is a guy who can come in and start right away at either safety spot for the Bengals. |
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22. St. Louis Rams |
Kenny Vaccaro, Texas | S | 6'1 | 215 | Sr. |
The Rams have a couple of holes on their defense and one of them is the safety position. Vaccaro should be able to come in right away and compete for one of the starting positions in the secondary.
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23. Minnesota Vikings |
Bjoern Werner, FSU |
DE | 6'3 | 266 | Jr. |
The Vikings could go a lot of different ways in the draft, but one area they could address is their depth at the defensive end position. Jared Allen is still a pass rushing force, but there isn't much opposite him and he's getting a bit long in the tooth. Werner could challenge early for a starting role or be a rotational guy his rookie year before taking over. |
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24. Indianapolis Colts |
Jesse Williams, Alabama |
NT | 6'3 |
323 | Sr. |
The Colts have a big need on their defensive line at the nose tackle position, despite picking up Abrayo Franklin in free agency and drafting Josh Chapman last year. Williams can come in right away and start at nosetackle and even play some 5-technique defensive end on some downs. |
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25. Minnesota Vikings |
Sylvester Williams, North Carolina | DT | 6'3 |
313 | Sr. |
The Vikings continue to inject youth into their defensive line by adding Williams with their second first round pick. Wide receiver would make sense here as well, but the team needs to start finding future replacements at the defensive tackle position sooner than later. |
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26. Green Bay Packers |
Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame | TE | 6'5 |
250 | Jr. |
Even though the Packers brought back Jermichael Finley, they lost Tom Crabtree in free agency and will likely lose Finley after the season when he hits free agency. Eifert can come in right away and work as the second tight end in formations, then eventually take over for Finley in 2014. |
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27. Houston Texans |
DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson | WR | 6'1 |
214 | Jr. |
The Texans could add some defense here, but they could also address the wide receiver position in preparation for when Andre Johnson begins slowing down. Hopkins can challenge right away for an outside starting role or simply be a rotational player and kick returner. |
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28. Denver Broncos |
D.J. Fluker, Alabama |
OT | 6'5 |
339 | Sr. |
Even though the Broncos signed Louis Vasquez in free agency, they could still use upgrades on their offensive line to protect the massive investment they have in Peyton Manning. If Fluker can't win the starting right tackle job he should be able to kick inside to play guard. |
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29. New England Patriots |
Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee |
WR | 6'1 7/8 |
216 | Jr. |
The Patriots still have a hole at wide receiver despite signing Danny Amendola and someone like Patterson can threaten down the football field, which is something New England needs since dumping Brandon Lloyd. |
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30. Atlanta Falcons |
Jamar Taylor, Boise State | CB |
5'11 |
192 | Sr. |
After losing Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson, the Falcons are in need of someone at the corner position. Taylor is kind of flying under the radar but would be a great fit in the Falcons secondary and an instant starter. |
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31. San Francisco 49ers |
Margus Hunt, SMU |
DE |
6'8 |
277 | Sr. |
The 49ers need to add some depth to their defensive line and Hunt is sort of a luxury pick here. He's a superb athlete with amazing size, but he still is very raw and needs to be refined. |
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32. Baltimore Ravens |
Keenan Allen, California |
WR | 6'2 | 206 | Jr. |
Losing Anquan Boldin leaves a big hole for the Ravens at the wide receiver position outside of Torrey Smith. Jacoby Jones is a solid third option, but not really fit for the outside role. Allen is in the same mold as Boldin and could be a great fit as a possession receiver fore the Super Bowl champs. |
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33. Jacksonville Jaguars |
Zac Dysert, Miami (OH) | QB | 6'3 | 231 | Sr. |
I have a hard time seeing the Jaguars not picking a quarterback within the first three rounds and it's likely there is a run on them in the top-mid of the second round. Dysert would seem to fit offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch's style, with the ability to throw down field and posses some mobility. He is also a player I feel can adequately challenge to be the Day 1 starter for the Jaguars, which is exactly what Caldwell and Bradley want. |
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