2013 NFL Mock Draft: Post-NFL Combine Mock With Analysis
The 2013 NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone, and we’re getting dangerously close to the next big phase of the NFL off-season: the free agency period.
That not only means that a ton of team needs will be addressed in the coming month, but it also means things are quickly changing in terms of how the 2013 NFL Draft could shape up. First things first, however, is the immediate affect of the combine, and who might be rising or falling because they impressed or disappointed.
We’re keeping it at just the first round until at least free agency is through, so let’s dive right into it and analyze what the first 32 picks could be with what we know now:
1. Kansas City Chiefs - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
With all the rumors about KC being interested in Nick Foles and/or Alex Smith, I’m starting to think the future of the quarterback position might not be in the 2013 NFL Draft for them. Not with the first overall pick, at least. That could mean they let Brandon Albert walk, and bring in a cheaper option in Joeckel, who might even end up being a better tackle.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
The Jaguars need major help with their pass-rush. I’ve seen some sky-rocket Dion Jordan up here, but I’m not yet convinced he’s a better prospect than Jones. I read that one scout said Werner “isn’t special”. True, he’s not an elite freak, but he’s got a great motor and is extremely balanced. The Jaguars could use some balance and stability on their defensive line these days.
3. Oakland Raiders - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Lotulelei’s health issue (heart?) that kept him from the combine is a bit worrisome, but there are conflicting reports and he might be totally fine. But as long as it’s not really serious, it shouldn’t affect his draft stock. It might help keep him from being the top pick, but I don’t see how he gets past Oakland, who needs to get younger and faster on the defensive line.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon
The Eagles need pass-rush help. Jason Babin is gone and they’re lacking in that area. Jordan is a versatile talent who specializes at putting licks on the quarterback. He should be able to step in and make an immediate impact in Philly’s new aggressive 3-4 scheme.
5. Detroit Lions - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
We already knew Milliner could ball and had shutdown corner potential, but after the combine, now we’re positive he has elite speed, too. I don’t see how Detroit passes up value like this, especially when they’re still hurting in their secondary pretty badly.
6. Cleveland Browns - Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU
Ansah has immense potential is an athletic freak, so the Browns get their dream pick. Luckily there are a lot of quality pass-rushers in this draft class, so they’ll find their guy no matter what at six. Fortunately for them, Ansah is their guy, and he’s here.
7. Arizona Cardinals - Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
Arizona has a nasty defense that only gets nastier with the versatile and explosive Mingo. He’s perfect for the outside of a 3-4 scheme and will make an impact right away.
8. Buffalo Bills – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Smith isn’t a superstar, but he’s very solid and he could possibly be better than Ryan Fitzpatrick right away. The Bills could wait and get Ryan Nassib in round two, but they might just want the best overall passer, instead. Smith fits the bill, and could be a quality starter for the next 10+ years in Buffalo.
9. New York Jets - Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Trufant was so-so in 2012, but he’s been flying up boards all off-season and capped it off with a stellar showing at the combine. He has good size and blazing speed, with potential for days. With Darrelle Revis almost as good as gone, the Jets need reinforcements at corner.
10. Tennessee Titans - Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
Some are saying he’s the best overall talent in the entire draft and some are saying he’s a top-five pick. Let’s take both claims with a grain of salt and just admit he’s at least the best guard – by far. With that said, the Titans have a pretty weak o-line. Adding the draft’s best guard should help that a bit.
11. San Diego Chargers – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Fisher is the second best offensive tackle this year, and some might argue he’s actually better than Luke Joeckel. I don’t believe that, but he’s still damn good. San Diego still has a good quarterback, whether some think that or not. It’s time they started protecting him better.
12. Miami Dolphins - Sharriff Floyd, DT, Florida
I badly want to put Cordarrelle Patterson here, but Floyd is falling to far and has way too much upside to drop past Miami here. Randy Starks is a free agent, so the Dolphins get better while filling a need. Hopefully they add their WR talent in free agency.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
Banks had a pretty weak showing at the combine, but he’s still one of the top corners in this draft, and the case can still be made that he’s the second best. I think he falls below Trufant’s soaring stock, but I can’t see him sliding past the Bucs. They’re hurting at corner like you wouldn’t believe.
14. Carolina Panthers - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
Steve Smith is still going strong, but will be 34 in 2013. He’s nearing the end eventually and there isn’t jack behind him in Carolina. In comes Patterson, who is a little raw and experienced, but has the size and skill-set to be an absolute freak at the next level.
15. New Orleans Saints - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
The Saints are switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme, so they need to make some major adjustments. Richardson has the size and athleticism needed to operate on a 3-4 line, and gets them headed in the right direction.
16. St. Louis Rams - Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
The Rams could use a lot of help in different spots, but why not start up front to help their run game and pass protection? Cooper is a beast and they need guard help badly. It just makes sense.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia
The slide ends here. James Harrison is always hurt and is getting too old. It’s time for the Steelers to get younger and nastier in their pass-rush.
18. Dallas Cowboys - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
Dallas covets the hometown Vaccaro, and he’d fill a major need. They really haven’t had a whole lot of consistency at safety since even before the days of Roy Williams. Vaccaro gives them a whole new look in the secondary,
19. New York Giants - Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
The Giants add to a strength here. Actually, their d-line could get ravaged due to free agency and some contracts, so adding an elite talent like Moore makes a ton of sense.
20. Chicago Bears - Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
Johnson showed off at the combine, and proved he’s a legit first round tackle prospect. Chicago needs to do a better job of protecting Jay Cutler, and it starts with the athletic Johnson.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Alec Ogletree, MLB, Georgia
Cincy is starting over at middle linebacker, and Ogletree is pretty athletic and probably the top inside ‘backer in this draft class. He makes a lot of sense in Cincinnati.
22. St. Louis Rams (via Redskins) - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
I’d like to put Austin much higher, but need and value doesn’t equate to that being a possibility just yet. That’s good news for the Rams, though, as they get one of the most explosive athletes in this year’s draft and fill what could be a big need (if Danny Amendola leaves).
23. Minnesota Vikings – Keenan Allen, WR, California
Right after Austin comes Allen, who was once (and to some still is) thought to be the top receiver in this draft class. Minnesota won’t have any qualms over adding him, as they still have an unresolved Percy Harvin issue and no real talent behind him.
24. Indianapolis Colts - Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
The Colts continue to transition to their 3-4 defensive scheme, so adding a legit man-eater in the middle would be a good move. Hanking fits perfectly.
25. Seattle Seahawks - Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
Seattle struggled to rush the quarterback in the playoffs without Chris Clemons, so they’ll look to add a solid talent to give them some help in that department. Jones is rising up boards and fits the bill.
26. Green Bay Packers – Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
Lacy is the best all-around back in this year’s class and Green Bay doesn’t have a legit starting running back on it’s roster. Unless they bring in Steven Jackson, this has to be the pick.
27. Houston Texans – Kevin Minter, MLB, LSU
The Texans got faced once Brian Cushing went down in 2012, so they need to protect themselves better. There is some buzz about them drafting a quarterback, but they’d be silly to do it this early.
28. Denver Broncos – Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Champ Bailey got burned in the playoffs and he’s old (and all they’ve got). It’s time to start thinking about the future of Denver’s secondary. Rhodes is a very nice talent with some nice versatility. A solid combine could get him into the back-end of the first round.
29. New England Patriots – Matt Elam, S, Florida
The Patriots are getting better on defense but they still have issues at safety. Elam is versatile and can come in and compete to start right away.
30. Atlanta Falcons – Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Tony Gonzalez is supposedly 50/50 on returning, but regardless what his decision is, the Falcons still need to prepare for the future. Eifert is easily the top TE this year, and he needs to be the pick here.
31. Baltimore Ravens - Manti Te’o, MLB, Notre Dame
The free fall for Te’o could end in Baltimore, where they seek a replacement for Ray Lewis. Te’o isn’t fast or overly athletic, but he has great instincts and is a leader. It’s not a crazy chance this late in the first round.
32. San Francisco 49ers - John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
Jesse Williams could also be a good pick here, but one way or another the 49ers need to get back to their “you can’t run on us. at all.” ways on defense. Jenkins could be a big part of that.
Love or hate these picks? Comment below or harass me on Twitter!
