Mock Draft 10.0: Final Mock Draft, Draft Day Edition (4/25/2013)
1. Kansas City Chiefs Eric Fisher - OT - Central Michigan
The Chiefs have a trade done for Alex Smith, bringing him to Kansas City as their next QB. I'm not so sure they made the right choice, because this sounds very familiar to the Matt Cassel trade. But now, instead of drafting Geno Smith with the first overall pick, the Chiefs have traded for what they hope is the QB of their future, so they will begin to go ahead and look at other needs that will improve their team as well. Brandon Albert may quite possibly leave the team for free agency, so the Chiefs will need to look for someone new to protect whoever their new QB's blindside. Reports say that not Luke Joeckel, but Eric Fisher will be the number one choice by the Chiefs if they keep their pick here at #1. One of the best players in this draft, Eric Fisher, would fit this position perfectly. Fisher brings more talent to a KC team that already had six pro bowlers this past season, and could lead them to a playoff berth too with the help of new coach Andy Reid, who should get the job done as the Chiefs' head coach.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars Luke Joeckel - OT - Texas A&M
I am having a really tough time with this pick. One side is telling me this will be the pick. The other side is yelling Smokescreen! Smokescreen! I think this pick comes down to three very different players, those players being Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher, Geno Smith, and Dion Jordan. Multiple reports say Jacksonville will pick the OT Kansas City doesn't pick, and in this mock it is Luke Joeckel. Either way, Jacksonville gets a great RT to pair up with Eugene Monroe, which neither Luke Joeckel nor Eric Fisher really fit position wise, but both would come in and give the Jaguars the best pair of OTs in the NFL.
3. Oakland Raiders Sharif Floyd - DT - Florida
Although I do not see Sharif Floyd as a top three talent, he lands here at pick number three for the Raiders. Floyd has risen up several draft boards since the Combine, and should produce talent for the team who picks him up in the draft. Oakland gets a big playmaker up front on defense in Floyd, and fills a void because their big man from last year, Richard Seymour, won't be coming back next season for the Raiders. This pick comes down to Sharif Floyd and Star Lotulelei, but Floyd is the better fit for this Raiders' Defense.
4. Philadelphia Eagles Dion Jordan - DE - Oregon
Dion Jordan lands on a team coached by his college coach, Chip Kelly. This pick makes so much sense in many ways. Philly definitely needs an athletic difference-maker, and Dion Jordan brings that presence to the team. Fletcher Cox was drafted for help inside on the D-Line, and now the Eagles add yet another play-maker on the outside, which will hopefully revive Philadelphia's worn out defense.
5. Detroit Lions Ezekiel Ansah - DE - BYU
Sources say that Ezekiel Ansah will be the pick if both Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher are gone by pick 5. While you always have to watch out for smokescreens pre-draft, I have always believed that Ansah would be the pick if the top two Tackles were off the board. Ansah has the raw talent for a team in need of a DE, after the Lions lost Cliff Avirl and Kyle Vanden Bosh was let go by the team.
6. Cleveland Browns Dee Milliner - CB - Alabama
Dee Milliner will be a Cleveland Brown if not off the draft board here at pick 6. Many sources say the Browns may trade back, but for now I'm sticking with them going with Milliner. Milliner is a top notch CB prospect who should be successful in the NFL. With this dude paired up with Joe Haden, the two could make a very dangerous combo for years together in the league.
7. Arizona Cardinals Lane Johnson - OT - Oklahoma
Although this may be a slight reach, I believe Arizona goes with the best OT available here in the draft. In this case, the best OT left is Lane Johnson, the OT from Oklahoma. If Arizona is going to have any type of success on offense this year, it's going to have to start up front, and that's the role Lane Johnson will have to fill the next season if indeed he does become a Cardinal.
8. Buffalo Bills Matt Barkely - QB - USC
People might be saying, "What? Matt Barkely before Geno Smith? This guy is crazy.." Truth is, however, Matt Barkely will be the Buffalo Bills' first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. While I don't believe he will be selected here with the 8th overall pick, I do think he will be a first round draft choice by the Bills. But who knows, the Bills could still take a major risk by reaching for Matt Barkely here with this pick as well. Many reports say the Bills are not interested in former Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone's former QB Ryan Nassib nor Geno Smith, but are instead more into west coast style QB Matt Barkley.
9. New York Jets Geno Smith - QB - West Virginia
Geno Smith falls all the way to pick #9 here in this mock draft. My prediction is that the Jets ditch Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow and start a new franchise with Smith. Trading Darrelle Revis signalized a rebuilding mode from New York, and it starts here with Geno Smith on offense. If Rex Ryan keeps Mark Sanchez as starter for yet another year, he should and will be fired, so it's now or never here in New York for the Jets.
10. Tennessee Titans Chance Warmack - G - Alabama
Chance Warmack, in many people's eyes, is the best prospect in this year's draft. While I don't like mocking Guards in the top ten, Warmack has a chance to be that special player that does go early in the draft at that position. The Titans' biggest need isn't necessarily Guard, they may be drafting value over need here with their first pick. Part of the reason the Titans haven't had much success on offense is because there isn't a true quality interior lineman on their team to pave the way for Chris Johnson or protect Jake Locker. Warmack gives them much more possibility to have an effective offense and can thrive at Guard for many years in the league.
11. San Diego Chargers Barkevious Mingo - DE - LSU
There are two reasons to why San Diego will choose Barkevious Mingo as their selection in the 2013 NFL Draft. Reason number one is that Mingo is the best player available and is atop many teams' draft boards late in the draft season. Reason number 2 is that Barkevious Mingo also fills a need, since Shaun Phillips left the team in free agency. Both seem to point towards Mingo being a dominant force for the Chargers come 2013.
12. Miami Dolphins DJ Fluker - OT - Alabama
The Dolphins need an OT. They need an OT so badly that they will take a slight reach for one here with the 12th pick, and the man selected will be DJ Fluker. Jake Long, the Dolphins' former #1 overall, left for St. Louis. Miami already had a need on the O-line, before Long left, but now, O-line is the must pick here in the first round. If not Fluker here at this exact pick, expect the Dolphins to trade up early in the first round.
13. New York Jets Tavon Austin - WR - West Virginia
The best way to make a new Quarterback coming to your team feel comfortable would be adding a weapon on the outside at Wide Receiver. Better yet, the Jets add Geno Smith's top target in college, Tavon Austin, also from West Virginia. Austin is a huge threat to other teams and would add a Percy Harvin type effect on this offense. I think Austin has a better chance of becoming a Jet than his college teammate Geno Smith, if the Jets want to stick with Sanchez next year. Either way, Austin adds something new to this offense.
14. Carolina Panthers Star Lotulelei - DT - Utah
The Carolina Panthers have been linked to Star Lotulelei, and they certainly have lots of interest in the DT out of Utah. The Panthers should probably go defense for the first couple of rounds here in the 2013 Draft, because of the many holes they have on it. Lotulelei is top notch talent, who has dropped because of a "heart condition" in February, that is coming into Carolina, and should help a struggling defense who didn't help Carolina's 7-9 record last season.
15. New Orleans Saints Jarvis Jones - OLB - Georgia
The Saints defense is the worst in the NFL, no doubt about it. The biggest thing holding them back is their pass rush, which will be filled here in this year's draft. Jarvis Jones, however, can bring New Orleans' defense to a whole new level, by pressuring this QB on each and every play. The Saints need to just focus on defense in the draft this year, as they have a great offense, but they need to even up the talent defensively, too.
16. St. Louis Rams Kenny Vaccaro - S - Texas
The Rams should draft the most talented Safety in the draft, Kenny Vaccaro. St. Louis needs a Safety that can both tackle well and play back in coverage, too, and Kenny Vaccaro fits both of those needs. Vaccaro can pair up with Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson, two rookies from last season, to make a young, high flying secondary group in St. Louis.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers Cordarrelle Patterson - WR - Tennessee
Lost Mike Wallace? No problem. Cordarrelle Patterson is the perfect replacement for the Steelers after loosing their biggest playmaker, Mike Wallace in free agency. Patterson rises here in my latest mock, and also adds a whole new weapon to Pittsburgh's offense, and will pick up right where Mike Wallace was before he left for this Pittsburgh Steelers' offense.
18. Dallas Cowboys Jonathan Cooper - G - North Carolina
My gut feeling is that both Guards may drop in the draft. In this mock, Chance Warmack goes high, going in the top 10, but Jonathan Cooper drops here in my last mock. I just can't put two Guards in the top 11, but if Cooper falls here to #18, Dallas will be the one to pick him off the board, with no doubt about it.
19. New York Giants Xavier Rhodes - CB - Florida St.
Xavier Rhodes is the top player available right now here at #19. He also fills a huge need for the Giants, as Corey Webster can't be trusted anymore as a starting DB for New York anymore. Rhodes has always been in the top 15 in my mock, but he falls here in my last mock draft, and goes to the Giants here in the first round.
20. Chicago Bears Tyler Eifert - TE - Notre Dame
Adding Tyler Eifert to an already dangerous Bears' offense with Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, and Brandon Marshall makes it even more scary. Eifert has created lots of buzz in this last week before the draft, and I believe he goes in the first round. Eifert may be the best player available here for Chicago in the first round, and he should be a monster in this already dangerous Bears' offense.
21. Cincinnati Bengals Menelik Watson - OT - Florida St.
Cincinnati is in a sticky situation with Andre Smith. He could decide not to resign with the Bengals and flee somewhere else. If indeed that does happen, Menelik Watson is their answer. Watson is getting a ton of looks at being a first round pick, and could go as high as 21 if none other offensive lineman are available in this draft.
22. St. Louis Rams Alec Ogletree - ILB - Georgia
The Rams went ahead and fixed up their offensive line with their last pick here in the first round. This time, I say they go defense. The NFC West seems to be a defensive dominated division, and the Rams need a leader on their D. Alec Ogletree would bring in a great deal of leadership into this defense, and also fills a need as well. Ogletree could play either LB position if needed to and would bring great presence to the teams' coverage on defense.
23. Minnesota Vikings Bjoern Werner - DE - Florida St.
The Vikings made it to the playoffs this past season, but have lost some talent and are definitely aging on defense. Bjoern Werner, by far the best player on the board, would help an aging Vikings Defensive Line and pass rush. Minnesota should focus more inside, but with the value Werner provides here at #23, you can't pass it up. Plus, Werner fits perfectly into the Vikings 4-3 defense, making him perfect for Minnesota with their first out of two first round draft choices this April.
24. Indianapolis Colts Sheldon Richardson - DT - Missouri
Most mock drafts don't have Sheldon Richardson dropping all the way down this far in the draft. But the way my mock draft pans out, he falls right into the hands of the Colts, who would love to take in the DT from Missouri. Indianapolis doesn't have too much talent on their D-Line, and adding a young Sheldon Richardson could fix things here for 2013 and the future for this Colts' defense.
25. Minnesota Vikings Justin Hunter - WR - Tennessee
Minnesota has nobody reliable to start a full season at WR, and will need to pick a few up soon here in this year's draft. With the Vikings' second out of two selections in the first round, I believe they reach for one here. Justin Hunter, who in my mock is the second WR drafted from Tennessee this year, may be a slight reach but would be productive for a Minnesota Vikings' offense looking for some more talent here this offseason.
26. Green Bay Packers Sylvester Williams - DT - North Carolina
The Packers are always interested in DT when it comes early in the NFL Draft. BJ Raji is a free agent next year, and if he decides to leave, Green Bay will need a replacement. Sylvester Williams would be the perfect man for this role. This kid has great potential to be one of the more dominating big guys up front on the defensive side of the ball, and could even start at some point in the season.
27. Houston Texans Keenan Allen - WR - California
Houston has always needed a 2nd WR along side Andre Johnson. With the release of Kevin Walter, the Texans seem to more interested in grabbing a WR early in this years' draft. Although he may be a slight reach, Keenan Allen, who has slipped because of a failed drug test, is the physical threat that Houston needs along side Johnson to get this talented offense going even more, and also to get a Super Bowl coming soon.
28. Denver Broncos Demontre Moore - DE - Texas A&M
The Broncos lost Elvis Dumervil due to a fax machine. They have explored the DE position through Free Agency, but everyone out now is too old and expensive. The safest option for Denver is to sit and wait in the draft for somebody like Demontre Moore to fall to them, someone who I've had go as high as number 2 before. Although he hasn't had the best workouts this offseson, he would be a huge force along Von Miller, also a Texas A&M Alumni, to create that scary pass rush in Denver again as they make a Super Bowl push.
29. New England Patriots Desmond Trufant - CB - Washington
If indeed Aqib Talib leaves next season, the Patriots will have a huge hole in what was a terrible secondary before Talib came. The one to fill in for Talib will be Desmond Trufant from Washington. Trufant falls just a bit in this mock, but he has great potential for a Patriots team that may need help at Cornerback later in the off season.
30. Atlanta Falcons Tank Carridine - DE - Florida St.
John Abraham is getting old, and he may be leaving via free agency this offseason. Even if he is resigned, Abraham can't do all of the work for the Falcon's pass rush. Defensive End suddenly becomes a huge need now for the Atlanta Falcons. Although people may question his health, Tank Carridine is the top DE on the board, and he will bring his talents to Atlanta and help a needy pass rush into become a disruptive force for next year and also many season to come.
31. San Francisco 49ers Matt Elam - S - Florida
Donta Whitner just isn't good enough to be a starting safety for the Niners, and nobody is sure if DaShon Goldson will be back with San Fran next season. Matt Elam is the top safety available at this point, and I say the 49ers take a chance on him to start right away on what is already a great defense.
32. Baltimore Ravens Kevin Minter - ILB - LSU
Ray Lewis retired. Ed Reed left, as well as Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe. The Ravens have lots of holes to fill, most importantly at LB. The best LB available at pick 32 is Kevin Minter, and I believe he will be the pick. Minter has the potential to become a top 10 ILB in the league, and could replace Ray Lewis just a well as anyone else could.
Shout out to my partners at DCProSportsReport, Walter Football, Hail Redskins, FFToolbox, EatDrinkandSleepFootball. Click on the links below to view their mocks as well as other mocks on their databases.
http://www.dcprosportsreport.com/MockDraft.htm, http://walterfootball.com/, http://www.hailredskins.com/MockDraft.htm http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/2013/nfl-mock-draft-database.cfm http://eatdrinkandsleepfootball.com/draft/mock-draft-database/nfl.html.
http://www.dcprosportsreport.com/MockDraft.htm, http://walterfootball.com/, http://www.hailredskins.com/MockDraft.htm http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/2013/nfl-mock-draft-database.cfm http://eatdrinkandsleepfootball.com/draft/mock-draft-database/nfl.html.
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