2013 NFL Mock Draft: Defensive front seven dominates round one

Posted by Brad On January - 25 - 2013

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

The Chiefs have said they will take the best player regardless of position. Geno Smith isn’t the top player in the draft but until they sign/trade for a veteran QB he will be my selection. I couldn’t blame the Chiefs for taking Luke Joeckel here but I will hold off on making that selection until free agency hits.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

Gus Bradley will be looking to construct his Seattle East defense in Jacksonville. Lotulelei becomes the Red Bryant of this defense, which is a scary thought. Lotulelei isn’t just a big body run defender as he can be explosive and disruptive in the backfield with the best of them.

3. Oakland Raiders – Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

The Raiders will turn the page Richard Seymour (free agent) and Tommy Kelly (cap casualty) and look to go younger and more athletic up front. These moves leave the cupboards bare inside, especially if they can’t re-sign Desmond Bryant. Richardson brings Warren Sapp like movement skills inside and will begin to blow up following the Combine. The reality is that he’s already this high on many draft boards.

4. Philadelphia Eagles – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

The Eagles need to focus on strengthening their offensive line. With Jason Peters back next year, the Joeckel selection allows them to move Todd Heremans inside and gives them a strong offensive line. This is the best option given Nick Foles lack of escapability and a promising running game.

5. Detroit Lions – Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

Cliff Avril just isn’t worth the money he will hope to command. Without Avril in the mix, the Lions are left without a starting caliber pass rusher in a division with Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler, and the ever so dangerous Christian Ponder.

6. Cleveland Browns – Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M

Ray Horton says the Browns will be running the 3-4. A hybrid is a golf club…classic. Moore played standing up in 2011 as a sophomore. The results were 8.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. He makes up for his flaws with an insatiable motor which will bode well for him under Horton.

7. Arizona Cardinals – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

Kevin Kolb has to restructure his ridiculous deal or the Cards will be taking a QB in this spot. The Cards would be wise to sign Brian Hoyer as a backup and turn the reigns over to Kolb during training camp. A full offseason as a No. 1 may be good for his development. Even if this is the case, they have to find a QB in rounds two or three to compete for the backup job.

Many are pointing to the Senior Bowl as the contributor for Eric Fisher blowing up. That’s just one example of his dominance. Turn the tape on and see him do it week in and week out. The guy is really good and deserves to be selected in the top 10 and could challenge for a spot in the top five.

8. Buffalo Bills – Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

Tyler Wilson isn’t a perfect prospect but his grittiness and smarts are evident week in and week out. Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t the answer in Buffalo and they will look to turn the page on his run in Buffalo this offseason. While, it’s debatable that any of the QB’s are worth a top 10 pick, the reality is that it’s a premium position in the league and without one, you are stuck drafting at the top of the draft each year.

9. New York Jets – Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU

The Jets are going to have to be creative to work this draft in their favor. With rumors abounding of a potential trade of Darrelle Revis, I think they are looking to load up on picks to make some moves to get a quarterback. The best option for them is to take an impact rusher here and trade back into the first for Mike Glennon. I don’t mock trades but I think this is a real possibility.

Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

10. Tennessee Titans – Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

The Titans struggles running the ball consistently begin on the interior of the offensive line. If they want to maximize the dollars they have invested in Chris Johnson, they will take Warmack in this spot. He’s as dominant a guard prospect that you will find.

11. San Diego Chargers – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

The Chargers offensive line is atrocious. They could take a shot on Lane Johnson or Jonathan Cooper at this spot and no one would blame them, except me. The defense faces an uphill battle, especially at cornerback. With Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer facing free agency, they will be losing two of their starter. Neither should be re-signed as Cason isn’t very good and Jammer has seen his better days. With Dee Milliner still on the board, this is a no-brainer.

12. Miami Dolphins – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

The Dolphins have some work to do this offseason. First and foremost is deciding on the future of Jake Long. Losing a LT, no matter how poorly he played this year, is not something that would make this franchise better. I’m not sure what I would pay Long, but I wouldn’t let him leave Miami without make a solid offer.

If Long bolts they could look for a LT or move Jon Martin over to the left side. Either way, finding a receiver early in the draft will be a priority. The Dolphins receivers combined for three touchdowns this season. That’s right, three. Patterson brings elite size and athleticism to the position. A couple of weeks ago, I took to the film to show you why he may be the top receiver in the draft. I don’t think I’m alone on that assessment.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kenny Vaccaro, SS/FS, Texas

If I were Tampa I would do what was needed to trade up to get Dee Milliner. Milliner fits the prototype of Greg Schiano’s defense. Without mocking trades, they will look to add to the defensive secondary with this pick. While corner is a bigger need, Ronde Barber is done and Ahmad Black is a bit of an unknown. Teaming Mark Barron and Kenny Vaccaro gives the Bucs one of the better young safety duos in the league.

14. Carolina Panthers – Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

Ron and Dwan Edwards make up the completely inept Edwards Wall in Carolina. With any luck neither will be back next season.

News starting filtering out of the Senior Bowl that Floyd was being talked about as a fast riser and top ten pick. I don’t doubt that one bit. He’s explosive and versatile. Recipe for success in today’s NFL. His speed, burst, and ability to turn speed to power will have teams salivating after him. He’s a great fit in Carolina as they could use someone to pressure from the inside and disrupt the backfield.

15. New Orleans Saints – Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon

It sounds like Jordan will be working out at the Combine as he chose to forgo surgery on a torn labrum to show off his athleticism in Indy. With the prospect of New Orleans going to the 3-4 defense, they need a pass rusher to play opposite Martez Wilson. Junior Galette has the skills to play the spot but I’m not sure I would be willing to pass on Jordan for the proposition of Galette trying to fit into the defense.

16. St. Louis Rams – Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

Its hard not to be impressed with Lane Johnson. The guy is three years removed from playing quarterback at junior college. His development is impressive to say the least as he has unreal athleticism at 305 pounds. He still has some work to do on technical issues but that will come. He has a ton of upside as a natural LT.

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2013 NFL Mock Draft, Blog

Zach

I would love the cowboys picks especially if we can get a safety and a running back in the next two rounds, maybe the kid from USC since Kiffin is already familiar with his skill set and then Barmer from Oregon and that would meet most of the teams needs. This would probably make too much sense for jerry Jones to carry this out, knowing him smh
- bradc11
  
  There’s a ton of depth and quality left at RB and S. I made an omission in the draft leaving Joseph Randle out of this mock. He will be in the 2-3 range. Outside of him there’s plenty of backs left including Barner. As for safeties there’s quality to be had through round 5. A guy like J.J. Wilcox, Shamarko Thomas, McDonald, or Shawn Williams would be solid 4th rd. guys.
Thomas

I like the Texans addressing LB with the first pick; however, their second need is WR, over OT….
- bradc11
  
  Texans are in a great position to let the board come to them. I see addressing the OL, especially on the right side as a major need area for them. Kyle Long is a great value pick and could play RT or inside at LG/RG if needed. With Butler and Harris free agents to be, you are left with Newton at RT. At the very least (even if Butler is re-signed) they need some depth. He fits a need, is a great value at 59, and most importantly fits your scheme. The only receiver left there for the taking is Patton. I would be tempted but I don’t pass on a swing T/G in this deep of a WR class.
Reggie

Incredible value picks for the Lions. DE, C, and S. In later Rounds they can hit RB and WR depth. Love it.
- bradc11
  
  Lions fans would have to be jumping up and down. We’ve talked about how I’ve soured a bit on Elam but think he’s a great value in the 3rd. Just a lot of good safeties in this class. Guys like Elam and Jefferson would be solid 2nd rounders in most years. I’m going to say this until the draft…but the strength of this draft lies in rounds 2,3,4. I would look to acquire as many picks in those rounds as I could.
  - Reggie
    
    Where do you see the trades comming? Luke Jouchel or Erik Fischer? DeMarcus Millner? Where would you peg the first trade?
  - John Steppling
    
    why the souring on elam? im really curious.
fotball guru

glad to see you mock a WR to the panthers.they are one injury away from being really bad at that spot, not to mention the #1 WR is 34 years of age,and 5’9.
- bradc11
  
  With Steve Smith’s age, I would be shocked if they didn’t find someone early in the draft.
neighborhooddrunkpart2

Thank you Brad, best mock draft ever!
- bradc11
  
  I have to say that scares me a bit. I normally judge how good my mocks are by how many negative comments I get, since most actual drafts have fans scratching their heads. I figure the accuracy comes with how many I leave with a bad impression of the mock. I’ll take it as a complement.
Bex_R1986

Unfortunately your regret from last week’s mock was my Bucs picking Rhodes, something which I backed up. However I still stand by my comments. I think Rhodes is of 1st round value as I’ve mentioned a few times, so we disagree there and I’ll be happy to take him at 13 should Milliner be gone and trade options not pan out.

I did state that if Milliner fell into the 9-11 range that we should explore trading up and definitely think we should, but I don’t agree we should “do whatever it takes”. There’s value in the 2nd and 3rd round and Milliner has great potential but is no Patrick Peterson.

I like the Vacarro pick though, if trading is too pricey, he’d be an excellent addition. If we ended up with him and then a CB in the 2nd or 3rd I’d be pleased with that outcome.
- bradc11
  
  I really struggled with the Bucs pick. I like Vaccaro a lot but I like him in the 15-20 range. I’m just not a fan of Rhodes that high. I think he’s a good in man when he can get his hands on you but he is going to need some time to transition to the NFL game. He is ‘handsy’ way down the field and will draw a ton of penalties if he can’t stop that bad habit…much like Claiborne this season. If I had a shot at getting Milliner I would take it. We won’t see any RGIII value trades this season, so it should be fairly reasonable price if he makes it past Cleveland. He fits your scheme to a tee.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000037597632 Don Hamilton

Hey! if everyone on the planet made a first round mock draft,no one would get it right…Still though.Jarvis Jones at 17 ?
- Reggie
  
  Jones will be a difficult mocked player. Brad does state that if he checks out he will be long gone.
- bradc11
  
  Jones is probably the toughest projection because no one knows about his medical uncertainty. I worry that if USC doctors wouldn’t clear him to play that NFL teams are going to have a hard time as well given that there is a ton of money at stake. If the NFL medical teams clear him, the sky is the limit as he could be in consideration for a pick in the top 5. I would caution that he isn’t a perfect prospect in terms of his game. His long speed and overall athleticism are a little concerning when you are talking about a top 5 OLB. No doubt he can get after the QB.
VEGASKING

Eagles would not pass on Xavier Rhodes we need DB help bad!
- Reggie
  
  If they switch to a 3-4 then a NT is very important. Jenkins and Cox are a nice start to the DL
  - bradc11
    
    VegasKing,
    
    I agree as I’ve consistently had the Eagles taking a CB and/or S in the first three rounds. But lacking a true NT will stifle the defense and those guys don’t grow on trees. There’s plenty of options in F.A. to grab a corner or safety. Restructure Nnamdi, let DRC walk, and pick up a F.A. CB. There’s plenty of good safeties deep into the draft and a ton of F.A. options. The Eagles will have plenty of cap room after they trim the fat off the roster.
HardcoreBillsfan37

I like the Bills draft. Wilson, by far, was the best QB at the senior bowl practices and if the Bills pick him up I will be ecstatic. Wheaton is an ok pick but if Terrance Williams is still available look for the Bills to select him. Brandon Jenkins in the third would be awesome, if he could return to his first round form then that would be a huge pick up for Buffalo.
- bradc11
  
  Wilson was the most consistent QB of the week. I think he’s a solid pick for the Bills. Have to love his toughness and carries some upside to his game at the next level. I’m a huge Wheaton fan (as you’ll see in my film study out tomorrow). And Jenkins gives you someone that has produced at an elite level…we’ll see how he responds from his injury. He could wind up a major steal.
John Steppling

Im surprised matt elam lasts until round three. I know the size question is part of it, but right now I’ll take him over Cyprian. Tony Jefferson is undervalued, too, in my opinion. I love jefferson. Five technique guys are always a big question. Shariff Floyd seems one, so goes higher…..hankins? At times anyway. Who else? Sly Williams I think.

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