Mock Draft: Round 1
Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Central Michigan offensive lineman Eric Fisher speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Here is my latest mock draft. I will try to do a new one every week because things will begin to shape up in the coming weeks. This week I had 11 picks change from the previous week.
Be sure to tell me what you think about my mock draft and give me some of your predictions for the draft in the comments below.
PICK NO.
1
LUKE JOECKEL
OT
TEXAS A&M
Same as Last Week: I don’t see any change in this selection any time soon because Joeckel will provide the Chiefs with a Pro Bowl caliber LT for at least 10 years. Also with the rumors that the Chiefs are willing to move Branden Albert, Joeckel makes even more sense.
PICK NO.
2
DION JORDAN
DE
OREGON
Same as Last Week: Gus Bradley wants to build his defense with speedy and talented players and Dion Jordan is the perfect fit.He would fix the Jaguars problem with their pass rush and he also has he ability to drop into coverage. Jordan is very versatile and gives Jacksonville and new coach Gus Bradley a weapon on defense.
PICK NO.
3
SHARRIF FLOYD
DT
FLORIDA
Same as last Week: The Raiders have no DT’s on their roster and the question “Will they take Geno?” is pretty much gone. Floyd is the best DT in the draft and the Raiders are desperately looking to fill that position because of the losses of Tommy Kelly, Desmond Bryant, and Richard Seymour. Floyd fits perfectly in Oakland.
PICK NO.
4
ERIC FISHER
OT
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Over the last week, I have changed my thought process on the Eagles pick. The Eagles have 4 good offensive linemen, but they have a need at RG and by taking Fisher, the Eagles can fill that need. Fisher would play LT next season for the Eagles next season, if he is selected here, and that leaves only one option for Jason Peters: RT. Peters plays a physical LT and is good in the run game and that”s why I believe he can make the transition. By moving Peters to RT, Coach Kelly can moved Herremans back inside to RG, filling the hole on the Eagles line.
Previous Pick: Dee Milliner
5
DEE MILLINER
CB
ALABAMA
Milliner is exactly what the Lions need. The Lions desperately need a cornerback and Milliner is their guy. Before I had the Eagles taking Milliner, so the Lions couldn’t select him, but if Milliner is available, it’s a no-brainer.
Previous Pick: Ziggy Ansah
PICK NO.
6
ZIGGY ANSAH
DE
BYU
Browns are looking for pass rushers of the edge and Ansah can provide them with a strong pass rush coupled with their prize free agent signing, Paul Kruger. This could also be a spot where the Browns look to move down and draft a corner.
Previous Pick: Barkevious Mingo
PICK NO.
7
LANE JOHNSON
OT
OKLAHOMA
The Cardinals offensive line was one of the worst units in the league last year and Johnson, though he is the 3rd best OT in the draft, he is still a Day 1, impact starter. Johnson can come in and help solidify the Cardinals pass protection. Carson Palmer throws interceptions when he has a clean pocket, behind the Cardinals line from a year ago…, lets just say the Cardinals line needs a lot of work.
Previous Pick: Eric Fisher
PICK NO.
8
GENO SMITH
QB
WEST VIRGINIA
Same as Last Week: Though the Bills acquired Kolb, they still need a starting quarterback and Geno could be their guy. It will be hard to sell Tavaris Jackson and Kevin Kolb to their fan base as the Bills opening day starter. Even though I have Geno going to the Bills here, don’t be surprised if the pass on Geno and draft Nassib in the 2nd or trade back up into the 1st to grab him.
PICK NO.
9
JARVIS JONES
OLB
GEORGIA
Same as Last Week:Jones will need to prove himself to the Jets in a private workout, but based on his in games performances, Jones has shown that he has the ability to be a top of the line OLB that has the ability to rush the passer and that’s exactly what the Jets need
PICK NO.
10
CHANCE WARMACK
OG
ALABAMA
Same as last Week: Warmack’s stock has slipped a bit because he isn’t very athletic but Warmack is still the best OG in the draft. The Titans need Chris Johnson to become CJ2K again and Warmack can come to Tennessee and open up huge holes for Chris Johnson to run through.
PICK NO.
11
BARKEVIOUS MINGO
DE
LSU
Mingo is still learning the game and that is a really good thing to hear because he’s already a top talent and producer. I think Mingo can come to San Diego and give them double digit sack totals from year 1 and be cornerstone in the Chargers defense for years to come.
Previous Pick: Lane Johnson
PICK NO.
12
XAVIER RHODES
CB
FLORIDA ST.
Same as Last Week: The Dolphins lost CB Sean Smith in a free agency and need to replace him in the draft. Even though the Dolphins signed Grimes, it is uncertain if he can come back healthy and even if he is, he is on a one-year deal. In a division with Tom Brady, you need a good pass defense and Rhodes gives the Dolphins depth at a very key position.
PICK NO.
13
STAR LOTULELEI
DT
UTAH
The Buccaneers have holes at CB and DT and Lotulelei is a perfect fit a DT.Lotulelei was considered a top 5 pick a few months ago, but due to a heart condition his stock has fallen. Lotulelei’s stock is back on the rise and he might squeak back into the top-10, but if he falls to 13, he is great value for the Buccaneers at 13.
Previous Pick: Sheldon Richardson
PICK NO.
14
SHELDON RICHARDSON
DT
MISSOURI
The Panthers have holes up and down their roster with most of them on defense. Sheldon Richardson can fill their hole at DT and will solidify their defensive line. The Panthers may also look to add another weapon on the outside for Cam Newton to thrown the ball to.
Previous Pick: Star Lotulelei
PICK NO.
15
BJOERN WERNER
DE
FLORIDA ST.
Same as Last Week: The Saints need some one who can rush the passer. Werner loves to rush the passer. Its a perfect fit. Werner is a bit like Jason Babin in the sense that he only rushes the passer and doesn’t play the run well. Werner can come in and give the Saints their much needed pass rush. The Saints might also look to trade up to draft Jarvis Jones.
PICK NO.
16
KENNY VACCARO
SS
TEXAS
Vaccaro is the best safety in the draft and the Rams are looking for a safety after they cut Quintin Mikell. Vaccaro will come to St. Louis and solidify their talented secondary and give them a physical presence.
Previous Pick: Cordarrelle Patterson
PICK NO.
17
TAVON AUSTIN
WR
WEST VIRGINIA
Same as Last Week: The Steelers need to replace what Mike Wallace gave to their offense. Austin comes in and gives the Steelers an electric slot receiver. Plus the Steelers have an offensive coordinator who likes to throw quick, short passes to move up the field instead of running the ball, Austin fits into their scheme perfectly.
PICK NO.
18
JONATHAN COOPER
OG
UNC
Same as Last Week: The Cowboys need to address their poor offensive line during the draft, and Cooper is their best option to do so. Cooper is the 2nd best OG in the draft and his athleticism will be much wanted in Dallas.
PICK NO.
19
ALEC OGLETREE
ILB
GEORGIA
Same as last Week: The Giants linebacking corp needs a lot of help. Ogletree is the best ILB in the draft and fills a huge need for the Giants.
PICK NO.
20
DJ FLUKER
OT
ALABAMA
Same as Last Week: Fluker is a hard nose tackle who is very good in the run game. For the Bears to get over the hump and into the playoffs this year they will need a Pro Bowl performance form Matt Forte and Fluker can open open holes in the running game to help out their running back.
PICK NO.
21
MENELIK WATSON
OT
FLORIDA ST.
Same as last Week: Watson has the talent to be a starting tackle in the NFL but will need some good coaching to get their. The Bengals have one of, if not, the best offensive line coach in the league and under his coaching, Watson can become a solid starting tackle for the Bengals in a very short period of time.
PICK NO.
22
CORDARRELLE PATTERSON
WR
TENNESSEE
The Rams, like the Browns, haven’t given their young QB a weapon on the outside. This offseason the Rams added Jared Cook to help out Sam Bradford and by drafting Patterson, the Rams offense looks so much better.
Previous Pick: Kenny Vaccaro
PICK NO.
23
KEENAN ALLEN
WR
CALIFORNIA
The Vikings already helped out their under achieving QB this off season by signing Greg Jennings. The Vikings have two first rounders this year and by drafting Allen, the Vikings will have all the pieces of a great offense minus the QB and with Allen and Jennings opposing defenses wont be able to stack the box against the Vikings to stop Adrian Peterson.
PICK NO.
24
KAWANN SHORT
DT
PURDUE
The Cols are trying to help out their defense this off season and have done so, but more help is coming with this selection. Kawann Short will fill the hole in the middle of the Colts defense as the Colts continue to try and bolster their defense.
PICK NO.
25
MANTI TE’O
ILB
NOTRE DAME
Last week I was informed by a comment, and there was an article on PFT, saying that the Vikings do indeed need a ILB. So I have changed my pick to Te’o he is arguably the best ILB left on the board. For me, it’s a toss up between Te’o and Arthur Brown, but for now, I will put Te’o here.
Previous Pick: Johnathan Banks
PICK NO.
26
MATT ELAM
FS
FLORIDA
Same as Last Week: The Packers cut Charles Woodson this off season and are looking for a young safety to fill a hole in their secondary. Elam is a hard hitting safety who can come in and fill a huge hole in the Packers secondary.
PICK NO.
27
DEANDRE HOPKINS
WR
CLEMSON
Same as Last Week: The Texans need a second receiver to play along side Andre Johnson. The Texans cut Kevin Walter and are need another plat maker on the outside. Hopkins can come in and fill a hole in the Texans offense.
PICK NO.
28
DAMONTRE MOORE
DE
TEXAS A&M
Same as Last Week: Moore was once considered a top 5 pick until an absolutely terrible combine performance and rumored off the field issues saw his draft stock slip a lot. Moore showed he has the ability to play extremely well and is a nice value for the Broncos with the 28th pick.
PICK NO.
29
MARGUS HUNT
DE
SMU
Same as Last Week: Hunt is a freak of nature, measuring in at 6-8 and he is strong and fast. He gives the Patriots another body who can rush the passer, which hurt them a lot in their loss to the Ravens.
PICK NO.
30
TYLER EIFERT
TE
NOTRE DAME
Same as Last Week: Even though Tony Gonzalez is coming back next year, the Falcons need to find a young TE who can replace the future Hall of Famer and this is the perfect draft to do it. Eifert is the best TE in the draft and a perfect replacement once Gonzalez retires and another weapon for Matt Ryan next year.
PICK NO.
31
JESSE WILLIAMS
DT
ALABAMA
Same as Last Week: The 49ers lost Sopoaga this off season and signed Glen Dorsey. Dorsey has been very inconsistent during his career and Williams will give them depth at the NT position.
PICK NO.
32
JOHNATHAN BANKS
CB
MISSISSIPPI ST.
The Ravens lost corner Cary Williams this off season and can replace him with Banks. Previously I had them taking a ILB or a S, but the Ravens filled those holes through free agency. The Ravens can continue to bolster their defense by selecting Banks.