2013 NFL Mock Draft Round 1
Updated April 25, 2013
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel (OT, Texas A&M)
Kansas City appears to be set on taking an offensive tackle with the 1st overall pick. The question is, will it be Joeckel or Eric Fisher. It is reported that some teams have Fisher ranked higher than Joeckel, but the Chiefs do not appear to be one of those teams. Luke Joeckel can start at left tackle right away as it appears Brandon Albert is going to be traded.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Eric Fisher (OT, Central Michigan)
I've recently seen reports from Adam Schefter saying that the two elite tackle prospects will likely go number one and two overall. This is obviously Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher. Jacksonville does not have a right tackle, so this pick makes a lot of sense. Eric Fisher is more athletic than Joeckel and has been rated higher by some teams. Dion Jordan will be considered, but Eric Fisher is the safer pick.
3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd (DT, Florida)
Oakland's defensive line is a mess. Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly are gone. Oakland had the 2nd fewest sacks in the NFL next to Jacksonville and simply could not stop the run. Sharrif Floyd has risen to the top of a
loaded DT class. Sharrif is a high character guy who had a great combine. He
racked up 46 tackles with 13 of them for loss. He has even been receiving comparisons to Houston's JJ Watt.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Dion Jordan (DE/OLB, Oregon)
I simply cannot make up my mind on what the Eagles are going to do here. The draft can really go multiple directions depending on what Philadelphia does here. If they do not trade down (which is a possibility) I think Dion Jordan will be the pick. Chip Kelly said he wants to build his team on size and speed. Jordan definitely has that and played for Kelly at Oregon.
5. Detroit Lions: Ezekiel Ansah (DE/OLB, BYU)
Detroit would love for Eric Fisher to fall to them here, but I do not see that happening. I have even heard that Detroit could be looking at Lane Johnson here, but that may be a reach. Detroit can replace Cliff Avril and Kyle Van den Bosch with Ezekiel Ansah, an elite athlete who oozes raw potential. Dee Milliner may be targeted here also.
6. Cleveland Browns: DeMarcus Milliner (CB, Alabama)
Cleveland managed to upgrade their pass-rush this offseason by signing Paul Kruger. Now Cleveland can look to find a corner across from Joe Haden. I have made my case of Milliner being the top prospect in this draft and I stick by that. I believe this pick will ultimately be traded as the demand for Lane Johnson is extremely high and Cleveland wants their 2nd round pick back.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Star Lotulelei (DT, Utah)
Arizona traded for Carson Palmer, so QB is no longer a 1st round priority. Bruce Arians has said he will take the best player available over need. I am just assuming that a team will trade up for Lane Johnson before Arizona hits the clock, so Star Lotulelei to me would be the top player available. Either one of the elite guard prospects are a possibility as well.
8. Buffalo Bills: Geno Smith (QB, West Virginia)
The Bills have been one team that has publicly stated they will be looking for a franchise-quarterback in this draft. They clearly meant that by releasing Ryan Fitzpatrick. They did however sign Kevin Kolb, but a QB could still be in play. Nobody on the face of the Earth knows how the selection of quarterbacks is going to play out on Thursday. I just have a gut feeling that Geno Smith will be a Bill at pick 8 or via a trade back into the 1st round.
9. New York Jets: Barkevious Mingo (DE/OLB, LSU)
The Mark Sanchez "butt fumble" will ultimately be a play that infamously sums up the Jets' season. Quarterback is the biggest need here, but like I've said before, there just aren't any worthy QB's to be picked here. The Jets absolutely love Barkevious Mingo and it appears he will be the pick. I'm personally not a fan of this pick as Mingo has a lot of bust potential. If for some reason Dee Milliner is available, the Jets may take him to replace Darrelle Revis.
10. Tennessee Titans: Jonathan Cooper (OG, North Carolina)
Tennessee would love for Dee Milliner to fall to them at 10 and it is a possibility if a team trades up with Cleveland to grab Lane Johnson. If he is not available, Tennessee will go with either Cooper or Warmack. I think Warmack is the better prospect, but Tennessee appears to be one of the teams that has Cooper rated higher.
11. San Diego Chargers: Lane Johnson (OT, Oklahoma)
San Diego's offensive line needs big-time upgrades this offseason. Jared Gaither and Jeromey Clary are not very good. A lack of an offensive line has really seem to wear down Phillip Rivers. San Diego is a contender to trade up to grab Lane Johnson. If they do not, Chance Warmack would be the pick at this juncture.
12. Miami Dolphins: Chance Warmack (OG, Alabama)
Miami has really had a stellar offseason thus far. They brought in Mike Wallace and have filled several other needs through free agency. They could go a few different directions with this pick. Xavier Rhodes and Sheldon Richardson could very well be the pick, but I've heard Miami wants to improve their O-Line. Chance Warmack could give Miami a rock solid interior of the O-Line.
13. New York Jets: Tavon Austin (WR, West Virginia)
The Jets receive this pick from Tampa Bay from the Darrelle Revis trade. New York has a lot of issues, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The Jets have been rumored to Tavon Austin. He would bring dynamic playmaking ability that they so desperately need.
14. Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson (DT, Missouri)
If Tavon Austin is off the board, this pick will likely come down to Sheldon Richardson and Kenny Vaccaro as the DT and safety positions are of great need. I feel like Sheldon Richardson is the better prospect. He is big, explosive, and very productive. One of his best games came against the National Champion Alabama.
15. New Orleans Saints: Xavier Rhodes (CB, Florida State)
New Orleans needs help all over on defense. They recently hired Rob Ryan as their new defensive coordinator and will switch to a 3-4. The Saints' secondary was one of the worst last season. Xavier Rhodes is a big, physical corner who excels in man coverage. Barkevious Mingo or Jarvis Jones may be looked at as New Orleans needs pass-rushers.
16. St. Louis Rams: Kenny Vaccaro (S, Texas)
Safety is a big issue for St. Louis. They could take DJ Fluker, but with the signing of Jake Long, I do not think that will happen. Kenny Vaccaro makes sense here as he fills a need and may be the top player available. In a strong class of safeties, Vaccaro is the cream of the crop. Dallas may look to trade up for him.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordarrelle Patterson (WR, Tennessee)
Pittsburgh may look pass-rusher here to replace James Harrison and bring more youth. However, losing Mike Wallace through free agency creates a need for a deep threat receiver. Cordarrelle Patterson is long and athletic, but raw. Some scouts see him slipping a bit come Thursday night, but I still believe he is the 2nd best receiver in this draft.
18. Dallas Cowboys: DJ Fluker (OT/OG, Alabama)
Dallas really likes Kenny Vaccaro. If he makes it to 18, I think he will be the pick. If not, there is even a possibility of them trading up for him. If they do not land him, DJ Fluker will likely be the pick. He could play either guard or tackle. Mel Kiper recently said on ESPN 1st Take that Fluker is the best run blocker he's graded in the last 35 years.
19. New York Giants: Tank Carradine (DE, Florida State)
The Giants have been linked to Tank Carradine, who is generating tons of buzz and will likely be selected higher than most will believe. I think that will be at pick 19. Carradine is coming off of an ACL injury, but before the injury was believed to be one of the best pass-rushers in the draft.
20. Chicago Bears: Alec Ogletree (ILB, Georgia)
The Brian Urlacher era in Chicago is over as the two sides could not reach an agreement on a deal. Chicago could look to find his replacement through the draft. Alec Ogletree has his character red flags, but is too talented to pass up. He led Georgia in tackles despite missing the first four games of the season. Tyler Eifert may receive looks here as well.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jonathan Cyprien (S, Florida International)
I've mocked Cincinnati to a linebacker fairly often. However, Cincinnati recently signed James Harrison so they may wait for later rounds to address the position. Safety is the next glaring hole for the Bengals. Jonathan Cyprien is very high on the Bengals' priority list and most believe he will be the pick.
22. St. Louis Rams: DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Clemson)
St. Louis will likely look to find another weapon for Sam Bradford this draft. Reports have said that St. Louis has met with DeAndre Hopkins twice now. They did that last year with Brian Quick, so history may repeat itself. Hopkins is a big-time threat in the red zone.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Manti Te'o (ILB, Notre Dame)
Middle linebacker is the biggest hole on the Vikings defense as Jasper Brinkley left in free agency, but wasn't very good anyways. Reports have said that Manti Te'o will go in the 1st round and Minnesota appears to have the most interest. Aside from the media circus that Te'o has created, we forget that he was the Heisman runner up this past season.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Jarvis Jones (DE/OLB, Georgia)
The Colts were one of the best stories this past season by making it to the playoffs with rookie QB Andrew Luck after going 2-14 the previous year. The team rallied around their coach Chuck Pagano, who was battling cancer. Indianapolis can look to build off of this past season and make even bigger strides in 2013 with a solid offseason. The Colts need to find a replacement for Dwight Freeney. Jarvis Jones can fill that hybrid DE role that Freeney left void.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Jamar Taylor (CB, Boise State)
The middle linebacker position has been addressed, now most would say WR or DT would be the Vikings' next pick. Reports have said that Minnesota is really looking to find a corner to replace Antoine Winfield who was cut. Jamar Taylor like Winfield, is a very aggressive corner. Scouts say he might be the safest pick of all the corners in this draft. Sylvester Williams is a possibility, but Minnesota can address the position in later rounds.
26. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Eifert (TE, Notre Dame)
Green Bay could go several directions at 26. They could look safety, running back, offensive line, or wide receiver. I think they should take Tyler Eifert out of Notre Dame. Eifert is a legit 1st TE as he possesses great height and athleticism. Jermichael Finley's future in Green Bay is in question, so Eifert could possibly fill a need at some point. Eifert could likely be gone much earlier than this as he is getting mid-1st round looks.
27. Houston Texans: Justin Hunter (WR, Tennessee)
Andre Johnson has proved that he is still an elite receiver in the NFL. However, he is getting older and Matt Schaub does not have much of a second option. Justin Hunter is a long and athletic receiver who has appeared to move himself into the 1st round.
28. Denver Broncos: Bjoern Werner (DE/OLB, Florida State)
Defensive end is now a position of need as Denver could not restructure Elvis Dumervil's contract in time, so they were forced to cut him. He has recently signed with Baltimore. If Denver does not sign Dwight Freeney, look for the Broncos to find a pass-rusher. Bjoern Werner has slid a bit, but none can argue the production he brought to the Seminoles.
29. New England Patriots: Desmond Trufant (CB, Washington)
New England needs some help at corner as Aquib Talib and Alfonso Dennard are constantly in trouble. Desmond Trufant had a great Senior Bowl and Combine. He could potentially go higher based on how certain things pan out in the middle of the 1st round.
30. Atlanta Falcons: Datone Jones (DE, UCLA)
Atlanta would love for Desmond Trufant to fall to them. It is possible, but they may need to trade up for that. The Falcons need multiple pass-rushers in this draft. Datone Jones can play multiple fronts and has generated a lot of 1st round buzz.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Sylvester Williams (DT, North Carolina)
San Francisco’s defense is elite not doubt about it. They have the luxury to select the best players available as they have multiple picks in this draft. Sylvester Williams is the best player available at this point. It is possible for San Francisco to do some wheeling and dealing as they likely won't want to keep all of their picks.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Arthur Brown (ILB, Kansas State)
Baltimore finished up the 2012 season with a story book ending by winning the Super Bowl. They will have some needs heading into the offseason with the retirement of Ray Lewis at the ILB position, Safety and WR with Ed Reed signing with Houston and Anquan Boldin getting traded to San Francisco. Arthur Brown could go as high as mid-1st round or mid-2nd round. He has the potential to be the best middle linebacker in this class.