The 2013 NFL draft is finally here. All of the speculation can finally be put to sleep and gauging what teams might do in the first round is now an unnecessary process. But not before I unveil my final first-round mock draft.
This year’s draft may not be as “sexy,” as 2012’s but the unknown factor should be stirring plenty of interest. It’s possible that trades will be a key trend during the first round, but I’ve mocked only one here. Really though, you guys don’t need an introduction, you just want to know who is going to go where, so let’s just get to it!
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
I predicted this from the start even before incumbent KC left tackle Brandon Albert was an uncertainty going forward. Joeckel is the best player in this year’s draft and will be one of the top offensive linemen for many years to come. There isn’t a franchise quarterback for the Chiefs in this draft, but they’re going to ensure that whomever he may be will be kept off the turf for the foreseeable future.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
The Jaguars may be looking to trade out of this pick but for now, offensive tackle Eric Fisher is the easy pick here. You get a blindside protector who is really interchangeable with Joeckel according to most analysts. Jacksonville may not have complete faith in their current quarterback, but at least with Fisher they can be certain they’ll get all they want out of him.
3. Oakland Raiders – Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
This may be an Al Davis-esque pick, but I would not be shocked one bit. The Raiders need a pass rusher and there isn’t one with more potential and natural athleticism than Ziggy Ansah. He is a freak in the mold of Jason Pierre-Paul with the versatility to rush the passer and drop back in coverage. You don’t find that all too often.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon
The familiarity with head coach Chip Kelly helps, but Jordan really is a good fit for the Eagles. With a change to the 3-4 defense they’re in need of a prototypical pass-rushing outside linebacker. Dion Jordan is that guy.
5. Detroit Lions – Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
There is a possibility that they finally take a chance at bolstering their secondary by adding cornerback Dee Milliner here, but I think the Lions make the “safe” choice by adding a franchise left tackle to an embarrassing offensive line unit. Quarterback Matthew Stafford will welcome some protection; he has spent most of his pro career without it.
6. Cleveland Browns – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Imagine a cornerback duo of Dee Milliner and Joe Haden? The Browns need a pass rusher, but boasting two elite corners on the outside will alleviate some of the pressure that the current defensive front faces. Milliner is a dangerous, lockdown cover guy that could be the next best defensive back in the NFL.
7. Arizona Cardinals – Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
The three top tackles are off the board here, but the Cardinals say they’re happy with their current starting group anyhow. Even if that’s the case, they will require an upgrade at guard so that Carson Palmer’s not spending his season like former quarterbacks Kevin Kolb and John Skelton did — on his back.
8. Buffalo Bills – Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
The Bills have their eyes set on Ryan Nassib, but No. 8 is too early for the former Syracuse quarterback to go. With that in mind, improving the offensive line would be a smart move here. Jonathan Cooper is a perfect fit in Buffalo following the departure of guards Andy Levitre and backup Chad Rinehart.
9. New York Jets – Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
It seems like new GM John Idzik knows what he’s doing with the Jets. If that’s the case, he knows they desperately need a pass rusher. No need to avoid it any longer, Barkevious Mingo will give Gang Green their first legitimate threat to get after opposing quarterbacks since John Abraham back in 2005.
10. Tennessee Titans – D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston
Hayden is a very underrated prospect in this year’s draft. Though I don’t agree that he’s better than Xavier Rhodes or Desmond Trufant, I think he fits in better at Tennessee. His life story is amazing and inspiring. It will definitely add another element to one of this class’ most dynamic and well-rounded defensive backs.
11. San Diego Chargers – Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
The Chargers need to remedy their mess of an offensive line. Unfortunately, all the top guys will be gone by the time they are up. Star Lotulelei is not a terrible pick by any means, however. He shows an unbelievable combination of quickness and power that will improve the San Diego defense from day one.
12. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
The Dolphins’ defense is pretty good, but they need help at cornerback. Rhodes has great size and athleticism and a tendency to make some big plays when the football is thrown his way. Defense still wins championships and this kid will help them become a serious playoff contender.
13. New York Jets – Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
If they take anyone else, the Jets faithful in attendance will lose their minds — as they tend to do. The offense is desperate for a playmaker. There is no bigger one in this year’s draft than Tavon Austin. Austin’s small stature and explosiveness will evoke some life into a stale, underwhelming Jets offense.
14. Carolina Panthers – Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida
The Panthers get a top-5 talent in the middle of the draft. The jury is inconclusive on Shariff Floyd, but at this point, he is an absolute steal. He’s a big run stuffer and will be a key piece of the defense lined up at tackle and end in the 3-4.
15. New Orleans Saints – Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
I don’t see any way the Saints pass on landing such a premier pass rusher here. Incoming defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is going to want a top-flight player and New Orleans will find him in Jarvis Jones.
16. St. Louis Rams – Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas
The Rams have more pressing needs, but Kenny Vaccaro is the best player available at a position of need on their roster. They lost both their starting safeties so Vaccaro is an instant improvement with a ton of upside to be successful for a long time.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
The Steelers could use some help at receiver, but the talent isn’t there in this draft. Tyler Eifert is the next best thing. He’s an able blocker but a star receiver with spectacular hands. With Heath Miller coming off knee surgery and getting up there in age, Eifert gives them security at the tight end position for years to come.
18. Dallas Cowboys – Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
If Sheldon Richardson falls this far, the Cowboys will have their selection sprinted out to the podium. Dallas needs help in the middle and Richardson would be a major upgrade. Richardson is a fierce athlete who could thrive in new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin’s system.
19. New York Giants – Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
The Giants can go a variety of ways here, but addressing their disappointing secondary unit should be top priority. Desmond Trufant provides an instant facelift to their cornerback group with great athleticism and the versatility to play in any role asked of him. Not highly productive in college, but a stellar talent with No. 1 potential in the NFL.
20. Chicago Bears – Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame
The Bears need a player at middle linebacker after letting longtime veteran Brian Urlacher go. They respond by adding Manti Te’o, the popular linebacker from nearby Notre Dame. His athleticism may be suspect, but Te’o is one of the safest picks in the first round.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
The Bengals need a left tackle and that’s why they choose Watson over right tackle D.J. Fluker here. Watson is an elite athlete at the tackle position who is still learning the game of football. He shows great technique and is a quick learner.
22. St. Louis Rams – DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
The Rams need a receiver and Clemson’s DeAndre Hopkins can be that guy. He has great hands and runs solid routes, which makes up for the fact that he’s not especially big or fast. With Danny Amendola gone, Sam Bradford is going to need a capable No.1 target. Hopkins has the potential to be a perennial 1,000-yard receiver.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
Percy Harvin is out and Greg Jennings is only a short-term option. Cordarrelle Patterson shores up a suspect receiving corps with amazing physical tools. He’s still a very raw player, but his playmaking ability should make him a commodity in Minnesota.
24. Indianapolis Colts – Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
Damontre Moore can be the pass rusher the Colts so desire with the ability to put his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end or as a stand-up pass rusher from the outside linebacker spot in the 3-4. Moore’s explosiveness off the line of scrimmage would help ease the pain of losing Dwight Freeney.
25. Buffalo Bills (FROM MINNESOTA) – Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
Trade alert! The Bills trade up with the Minnesota Vikings to get their guy in quarterback Ryan Nassib. The Chiefs, Jaguars, Raiders, Eagles, Browns and Cardinals could all be looking to take a quarterback and the Bills are not willing to risk waiting until the second round.
26. Green Bay Packers – Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
The Packers have ignored the need for a running back for quite some time. I don’t think they pass on first-round prospect Eddie Lacy here. Green Bay really wanted Steven Jackson during free agency… they’ll get a younger player with similar traits by drafting the Alabama standout.
27. Houston Texans – Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
The Texans add another talented receiver to line up opposite Andre Johnson in what I believe to be the better of the two Tennessee receivers in this class, Justin Hunter. Hunter compares well to the Bengals’ A.J. Green who has already developed into one of the league’s top pass catchers.
28. Denver Broncos – Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
This seems to be a consensus pick, but it’s the right one. The Broncos need someone along the defensive line and the German-born end from Florida State is a brutal force up front.
29. New England Patriots – Jonathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
Jonathan Banks is a special cover corner with great size. More importantly, he’s a football magnet with a school-record 16 interceptions at Mississippi State. He’ll do wonders for a Patriots pass defense that surrendered 271.4 yards per game last season.
30. Atlanta Falcons – Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State
Word was that the Falcons wanted Dee Milliner but, unless they’re able to trade a boatload of picks to move into the top five, that’s not happening. They “settle” for a player with similar size and great natural instincts in coverage.
31. San Francisco 49ers – Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
Williams is a powerful force at the nose tackle position and, with Isaac Sopoaga gone, he can add quality depth for the 49ers. He will not start immediately, but he could if they needed him to.
32. Baltimore Ravens – D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
The Ravens are stunned to see D.J. Fluker here but jump on the big boy from Alabama. They have weaknesses at both tackle positions and Fluker will remedy one on the right side from opening day. He’s a huge, powerful blocker that could hold down the fort on the right side for quite some time in Baltimore.
So, there it is. Make sure you tune in tonight to see just how many picks I get right (or wrong!). Feel free to leave comments and let me know how you feel about your team’s pick(s).
Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.