There are still some moves that could send the first round of this draft into a totally different direction, but until that happens, here’s my second take on the 2013 NFL Draft. Keep in mind this is a mock draft created mostly based on need.
1. Kansas City Chiefs- Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M
Nothing changing at the top for the moment. Branden Albert did sign his franchise tender but he has been mentioned in trade talks and could be moved during the draft. As of right now, Joeckel is still the most-likely person to end up in Kansas City.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars- Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Floyd was a monster at Florida and had a great Combine/Pro Day. He showed that he is a quick twitch athlete and gets off the ball very well. Having a monster in the middle will make their defensive ends job easier rushing the passer. The Jaguars have had discussions about Geno Smith and Dion Jordan, but I still see them looking for a new anchor in the middle of their defensive line.
3. Oakland Raiders- Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
As per usual, the Oakland Raiders are the wildcard team in the top of the first round that could send the draft into complete disarray. For the moment, I see them picking up Dion Jordan to add a much-needed pass rusher. Recently discussions have picked up about Carson Palmer. The word is that he won’t take a pay cut so they have to decide whether or not to cut him to free up cap space. If the Raiders do cut Palmer prior to the NFL Draft, bank on them drafting Geno Smith.
4. Philadelphia Eagles- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
The Philadelphia Eagles had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last year, and if they are going to protect Michael Vick and move the ball on offense, they need to fix that. That being said, I think they’re going to wait on an offensive lineman now that they let Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugah go. They have two solid safeties, but no cornerbacks and it’s time they get a #1 corner for their defense.
5. Detroit Lions- Eric Fisher, LT, Central Michigan
The Lions have plenty of needs at cornerback and defensive end, but with the recent retirement of Jeff Backus, they need to shore up their offensive line. They have lost a total of three starting offensive lineman this offseason and they do not have the talent to replace them all internally.
6. Cleveland Browns- Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU
They have too many needs to worry about quarterback at the moment, especially with this weak of a class. Ansah is a project and needs more experience, but so does the entire Browns team. The Browns are in serious rebuilding mode and they can give Ansah plenty of playing time while they reconstruct their roster.
7. Arizona Cardinals- Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
The Arizona Cardinals are in dire need of a quarterback and Geno is the best available QB this year. Their carousel of horrible quarterbacks has to stop and they need a guy that can get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd. Target an offensive lineman at the top of the second round, and the Cardinals can turn things around in no time.
8. Buffalo Bills- Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU
With Geno Smith gone, the Bills would target a quarterback in the 2nd round. They need to help out their defense and a solid pass rushing defensive end would be key. Pair him with Mario Williams and Marcel Dareus in the middle and you will have one of the best defensive lines in the league.
9. New York Jets- Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia
The Jets franchise is in shambles at the moment. They don’t have a quarterback and they have cut some key defensive players in the past few weeks. With the possibility of trading Darrelle Revis on the table, they’re practically blowing up the franchise. I wouldn’t be shocked to see them trade out of this pick, but like the Browns, they need to take the best player available. After taking Stephen Hill, a risky receiver in the first round last year, they can’t possibly do it again by selecting Tennessee WR Cordarrelle Patterson. Jarvis has some injury concerns with the spinal stenosis and it is possible for him to drop out of the first round all together. But he is a perfect fit in Rex Ryan’s 3-4 defense and would add some much needed pass rushing ability.
10. Tennessee Titans- Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
The Tennesee Titans have a ton of playmakers on offense, but they don’t have a solid offensive line to open the run game or give Jake Locker time to throw the ball. Warmack would provide immediate help at guard, and would be a perfect road grader to help Chris Johnson get back to being a 2,000 yard rusher.
11. San Diego Chargers- Lane Johnson, LT, Oklahoma
The Chargers are reportedly in love with Lane Johnson and they would sprint to turn in their draft card if he is there at #11. Johnson is a rare athlete for his size, 6’6” 302 pounds, and would be able to protect Philip Rivers blind side. He would immediately inject some life into a horrific offense and give Rivers confidence again passing the ball.
12. Miami Dolphins- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
After getting a clean bill of health and having a very solid workout back at his Pro Day, his stock is back on the rise. There will still be some questions as to how a virus could bring those readings on a test, but Lotulelei can play. The Dolphins got their quarterback a new toy in Mike Wallace and helped improve their linebacking core, but now they need to help the defensive line out. They would love for an offensive tackle to fall here to replace Jake Long, but there isn’t one that is worth taking this high.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
They did a good job last year revamping their defense, but they need a cornerback to replace the aging Ronde Barber, who doesn’t have many seasons left in the NFL. Xavier Rhodes is thought by many to be the 2nd best corner behind Milliner, and he would provide youth and athleticism in the secondary. Putting Rhodes with Dashon Goldson and Mark Barron would make for one of the best young secondaries in the league.
14. Carolina Panthers- Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
The Panthers need help on the defensive line and Richardson is the best defensive tackle on the board at this point. Richardson would be a beast in the middle that would help Charles Johnson rush the passer better and allow their secondary to not have as much pressure on them. They had a lot of defensive players injured last year (Jon Beason, Chris Gamble) and adding them back plus Richardson would help them out greatly.
15. New Orleans Saints- Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
The Saints need help on the defensive line and to snag a pass rusher. Werner has a high motor and while he isn’t the best pass rusher in the draft, he will be productive for many years to come.
16. St. Louis Rams- Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
After signing Jake Long they shored up most of their offensive line, but there is talk that Roger Saffold could ask for a trade because he doesn’t want to move to right tackle. Since that hasn’t happened yet, it is time to get their quarterback Sam Bradford some toys to use and Tavon Austin would be a nice replacement for Danny Amendola who they lost to the Patriots.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
Moore has struggled through the draft process, but with an aging linebacker core, the Steelers will take the best pass rusher left on the board and be happy for his poor Combine performance (4.95 40–yard dash & 12 reps on bench). Moore doesn’t have elite speed or strength, but pair him with Lamarr Woodley and that shouldn’t be an issue.
18. Dallas Cowboys- Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
The Cowboys are in dire need of a safety to help out their solid group of corners and Vaccaro is by far the best safety in this draft. Put Vaccaro in with Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr and their secondary is looking very good and quite young.
19. New York Giants- Tank Carradine, DE/OLB, Florida State
The Giants have some needs at linebacker/defensive end and Tank Carradine can help with that. The only reason Carradine hasn’t been considered a first rounder by most is because he’s coming off a torn ACL. At the combine he showed off his athleticism and that he is back on track with his development. He’s a polished pass rusher that would greatly help out the Giants defense.
20. Chicago Bears- Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State
This may be a bit of a reach for Brown at this point in the draft, but with Brian Urlacher walking and the signing of Jermon Bushrod, the Bears needs have changed. Brown would be a solid replacement to put next to Lance Briggs and would get some much needed guidance from Briggs.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- DJ Fluker, RT, Alabama
The Bears signing of Jermon Bushrod comes up huge for the Bengals here and now they get to draft a right tackle to pair with Andre Smith (if they decide to move Smith to LT) to protect their franchise quarterback. With a stabilized offensive line, the Bengals offense gets even scarier. Another scenario is they let Smith walk altogether because he is asking for too much money and Fluker becomes his replacement at RT. Either way, I don’t see Fluker falling past the Bengals.
22. St. Louis Rams- Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
After picking up Tavon Austin in the early first round, they should target the offensive line here. They could have one of the best offensive lines in the league if they pick up Cooper and their offense could be on the rise if they pick up a runningback later in the draft.
23. Minnesota Vikings- Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
After trading Percy Harvin, the Vikings are in dire need of a wide receiver and Patterson is the best available receiver at this point. This should be a virtual no-brainer for Minnesota. Patterson can return kicks and punts and would be a solid replacement for Harvin, though he needs to develop more.
24. Indianapolis Colts- Datone Jones, DE/OLB, UCLA
The Colts releasing Dwight Freeney means they are in the market for some pass rushing help. Jones had a superb Senior Bowl and a solid week at the Combine and would be a good fit for the Colts. The Colts have shored up a lot of need positions through free agency but still need help on the defensive side of the ball.
25. Minnesota Vikings (via Seattle Seahawks)- Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
The Vikings could consider drafting DeAndre Hopkins here to get another wide receiver, but it’s tough to justify drafting two wide receivers in the first round. That’s not to say that it couldn’t happen, it’s just highly unlikely. Minter would be a great addition to their linebacking core and would be able to play immediately.
26. Green Bay Packers- Jonathan Cyprien, S, FIU
The Packers are in need of a lot of help in the secondary and with the release of Charles Woodson, they need a safety to replace him. Cyprien is a reliable tackler and very good in coverage and could help alleviate any concerns about the secondary.
27. Houston Texans- DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
The Texans would be ecstatic if Hopkins fell to them at No.27. They are in dire need of a solid #2 wide receiver to pair with Andre Johnson and Hopkins might have the most reliable hands in the draft. He’s not gonna be a speed demon, but a reliable #2 option he will be.
28. Denver Broncos- Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
Alec Ogletree was great during the Combine, he just needs to get his off the field issues under control. I’m guessing that with Peyton Manning and Champ Bailey in the locker room that this would not be an issue. After the Elvis Dumervil fiasco and releasing D.J. Williams, the Broncos are in dire need of linebackers and Ogletree could replace Williams in the middle.
29. New England Patriots- Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
The 29th ranked pass defense is in huge need of help and Trufant will bring some elite speed to the back end. It’s not a certainty that the Patriots will re-sign Aqib Talib, and so Trufant makes sense here.
30. Atlanta Falcons- Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
Eddie Lacy was thought to go right here, but the Falcons went out and signed Steven Jackson, shoring up their need for a #1 runningback. By adding Osi Umenyiora to replace John Abraham, the Falcons need to add some beef in the middle to help out their run defense and pass rush. Sylvester Williams would be a great pick at this position, especially if all the top cornerbacks are gone. Though, don’t rule out on them trading down or reaching on a cornerback with their first pick to replace Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes.
31. San Francisco 49ers- Margus Hunt, DE/DT, SMU
With 15 picks in the draft and an already very solid young team, the San Francisco have the luxury of reaching on a player that is raw, but a physical freak. Hunt blew the doors of the Combine and would be an absolute force on the 49ers front seven. With the amount of talent they have, Hunt can take his time developing, and won’t be exposed.
32. Baltimore Ravens- Matt Elam, S, Florida
The Ravens have had a lot of turnover this off season but they were able to replace Paul Kruger with Elvis Dumervil, and downgraded at free safety by replacing Ed Reed with Michael Huff. They still need a strong safety and Matt Elam would be a solid pick here. Huff and Elam are a down grade from Reed and Bernard Pollard, but it could be much worse. Plus these safeties are young enough that they can still develop.