Every draft season we try to predict the unpredictable. It’s been a wild hit in the past and brought about as much controversy as an single item on the site. Remember trades are unpredictable and near impossible to take a stab at, hence why we only take on this task once a year. I try to limit this to one round of trades, so you won’t see a bunch of moves in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Here’s a breakdown of all the trades:
Philadelphia trades No. 4 (1800) to Arizona for No. 7 (1500) and No. 69 (245)
Detroit trades No. 5 (1700) to the Jets for No. 9 (1350) and No. 72 (230)
Cleveland trades No. 6 (1600) to San Diego for No. 11 (1250) and No. 45 (450)
Buffalo Bills trade No. 8 (1400) to St. Louis for No. 16 (1000) and No. 46 (440)
New York Jets trade Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay for No. 13 and a 2014 2nd round pick
San Francisco trades No. 31 (600) and No. 34 (560) to Pittsburgh for No. 17 (950)
New England trades No. 29 (640) to Philadelphia for No. 35 (550) and No. 101 (96)
Kansas City trades Branden Albert to Miami for No. 42
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1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
In our mock draft, we opted to deal Branden Albert to the Dolphins for the 42nd overall pick. This appears to be a deal that will work for both sides as KC can take Luke Joeckel at No. 1 and Miami gets their LT allowing them to move Jon Martin to his more natural right side. Rumors began swirling this week of Dion Jordan as a possibility at No. 1 but I don’t see them packing it on Tamba Hali at his point.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
I’m still aboard the Geno Smith to Jacksonville train. If it’s not Geno, it’s almost certain to be Dion Jordan. The new regime will be looking to make their mark on this team and it won’t be with Blaine Gabbert at the helm. If David Caldwell and Gus Bradley have the slightest feeling that Smith could wind up being a solid starter in the league, they have to pull the trigger.
3. Oakland Raiders – Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Oakland may attempt to deal this pick as they need to recoup picks and pick up some talent. This roster is abysmal (quite possibly worst in the league on paper). If they can’t deal No. 3, it’s looking like they will make Sharrif Floyd their pick. Floyd is a dynamic 3T that can provide the Raiders with an interior disruptor.
4. Arizona Cardinals – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Arizona seizes the opportunity to take a franchise LT, which has been a need for many years. They can’t afford to sit tight at No. 7 and allow teams to wheel and deal in front of them and be left without a tackle. The addition of Carson Palmer gives them some flexibility and giving Carson a franchise blindside protector should be a priority. Fisher would almost certainly be gone at No. 5, so Arizona doesn’t waste time and makes the move up.
VIDEO: Revenge of the Birds – What the Cardinals need and what they might do at the top of the draft
5. New York Jets – Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon
The Jets pick up extra picks in the Darrelle Revis deal and strike while the iron is hot. Detroit hedges their bets here with Fisher and Joeckel off the board. The Jets need pass rush help and they would be wise to move up for one of the most dynamic athletes in the draft. Jordan is a swiss army knife that will intrigue teams very highly, including at No. 1. The Jets know they can’t stand pat at No. 9 and take Jordan so they get aggressive.
6. San Diego Chargers – Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
Many expect the Dolphins to make this move up for Lane Johnson with Cleveland. San Diego is really bad off at tackle and really can’t afford to leave the draft without a stud LT. Sitting back and waiting at No. 11 is not going to bear fruit so the Chargers get aggressive on this one and make the move up at the cost of their 2nd round pick.
7. Philadelphia Eagles – Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
I think this is a great scenario for the Eagles. They are able to move back a couple of picks and can still target a guy they would have taken at No. 4. The Eagles pick up a high 3rd round pick for their efforts. Star has the flexibility to play the nose and 5T in Chip Kelly’s defense.
8. St. Louis Rams – Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
The Rams have extra picks from the Robert Griffin III trade and don’t waste time moving up for their guy. Tavon Austin adds a unilque element to their offense and could take some pressure off Sam Bradford and their young running backs. Austin’s versatility and game breaking ability will have team looking to take him higher than expected. Knowing that Jeff Fisher and Les Snead can’t wait on Austin to fall in their laps.
9. Detroit Lions – Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU
The Lions would have loved if Eric Fisher would have been there at No. 5 but teams will be looking to move up to snag the tackles before they make to Detroit. A nice consolation prize for the Lions would be moving down a couple of spots to get a guy that would have been in consideration at No. 5.
MORE: National Football Post – Pick your Poison: Ezekiel Ansah or Bjoern Werner
10. Tennessee Titans – Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
The Titans were able to add Andy Levitre in free agency but still need another interior lineman. The Titans could be intrigued by Jon Cooper’s versatility but I think they go with the overall better guard. Warmack is a stud on the interior that is ready to compete from day one.
11. Cleveland Browns – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
The Browns would jump for joy if this scenario played out. They are able to move down the board and still get the best corner in the draft while picking up the second round pick they lost in the supplemental draft. Dee Milliner is an ideal fit opposite of Joe Haden and will step into the starting lineup from day one.
MORE: SBN – Dee Milliner aspires to play for the Cleveland Browns
12. Miami Dolphins – Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
The Dolphins filled a ton of needs in free agency, leaving them to take the best available player on their board. The even better news is that Miami is going to really struggle to keep one or both of their starting DT’s next season with their cap situation. Richardson is a dynamic 3T that will add a different dimension to their front four.
13. New York Jets – Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
The Jets acquired this pick from the Bucs in a Darrelle Revis deal. The Jets need to add offensive weapons to their arsenal for whoever the quarterback is in 2013 and the future. Eifert is going to go higher than many expect and could be the target for the Jets. Kenny Vaccaro or a corner make a ton of sense here but with a deep corner and safety class, they hold off.
14. Carolina Panthers – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
The Panthers would have to feel good about sitting at No. 14 as teams deal all around them and pick up a dynamic outside threat for Cam Newton. Patterson is an intriguing athlete that has drawn criticism for rawness as an overall receiver and possible attitude issues that popped up in interviews with teams. That said, those things didn’t detract the Panthers from taking Cam Newton (luckily) and won’t from taking a weapon for their franchise QB.
15. New Orleans Saints – Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
The Saints picked up Victor Butler from the Cowboys, giving them some depth at OLB. This is probably a position that needs the least upgrading on defense with Butler, Wilson, and Galette manning the spot. That said, Rob Ryan loves to create pressure with multiple fronts and likes the flexibility to move guys around.
I loved the fit of Datone Jones here but this has to be Mingo’s floor. He’s a phenomenal athlete that gives a defense so much flexibility. While OLB isn’t a great need in New Orleans, I don’t see them letting Mingo slide by them.
VIDEO: NFL.com – Mike Mayock on the New Orleans Saints: ‘They need to draft a playmaker.’
16. Buffalo Bills – Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
Kevin Kolb was added but isn’t going to be the answer to the future of the quarterback position and may not be of the present. I am starting to strongly believe the Bills will target Ryan Nassib early in the draft. Moving down and securing him is best case scenario as they will be able to acquire an extra second round pick in the deal.