I have to admit, I stole this idea from Jeff Risdon of DetroitLionsDraft.com. Many of you know Jeff from his NFL’s Future days but he’s now banging it out for DLD.com and doing a great job at it.
This mock is assuming that I was pulling the trigger for all 32 teams and gives readers some insight to how I value players and positions in correspondence with team needs. I won’t be including any trades as it creates a whole slew of issues that we don’t want to tackle, so we’ll stick with the current draft order.
Next week, will be our final mock draft. We will have one up on Monday morning and then again on Wednesday night at 11:59 p.m. Our Wednesday night mock will be our Huddle Report submission. The content will be sparse next week as we begin preparations for our top 100 and mock draft for our Huddle Report submission. That said, if news hits, we’ll have you covered. Join us all day Thursday as we live blog leading up to the draft.
One other housekeeping item, NFL’s Future is giving away a $500 Visa gift card, if we can reach 500 likes of our Facebook page before the draft. Like our Facebook page to enter your name in the hat for the gift card. Click here to like our page.
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Regardless of the Branden Albert situation, I’m not passing on the best player in the draft if I’m not certain that Albert is going to be with me long-term. I think Luke Joeckel is hands down the best player in the draft and I’ve had a solid offseason so I don’t hesitate running this card to the podium.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
I have been aboard this bus since Alex Smith was dealt to the Chiefs. I believe Geno Smith is a top ten prospect (currently sitting at No. 9 on our board) in the draft so I don’t hesitate to replace Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert hasn’t shown in two seasons that can adequately hold down the fort at the position which is concerning enough for me to pull the trigger on this one.
3. Oakland Raiders – Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Sharrif Floyd is a popular pick at this spot and probably winds up being taken in this spot. I’m a fan of Sheldon Richardson. He’s a disruptor in the middle that I think has a ton of upside. He’s just scratching the surface of his talent and is a little reminiscent of Warren Sapp in my mind.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Chip Kelly is my head coach, so I look to insulate him with as many offensive weapons as one can stand. DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, and Tavon Austin gives us the most athletic offensive skill positions in the league. Have fun Chip and you’re welcome.
5. Detroit Lions – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
This one is a no-brainer for me. Jeff Backus is retired and I have a statue behind center that just so happens to be my franchise QB. I do everything in my power to ensure that I land a stud LT at this spot. Fisher has franchise left tackle written all over him and very easily could challenge Luke Joeckel for the top spot.
6. Cleveland Browns – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
I love Dion Jordan. Let me preface that first. But I didn’t do anything in the offseason to address the giant hole I have opposite of Joe Haden. For that reason, I’m taking Dee Milliner everyday and twice on Thursday. Milliner is a perfect complement to Haden and enters my starting lineup from day one.
7. Arizona Cardinals – Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon
I’ll be crucified for not pulling the trigger on Lane Johnson at this point but I don’t value Johnson anywhere near this high. The Cardinals are in major need of a pass rushing linebacker and they don’t get more dynamic than Dion Jordan. Jordan can step in from day one and give them major production in all facets of the game. I don’t think Jordan is Aldon Smith in terms of pass rush but he may wind up the more complete player of the two and that’s high praise.
8. Buffalo Bills – Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU
Mark Anderson gave me very little in 2012 and I need to bookend Mario Williams with someone that can take some pressure off him. Ansah is a high risk, high reward pick that I think can be a game changer in time. Initially I tell him to go get the QB and stand him up at times. His versatility will give Mike Pettine so many options and could cause Tom Brady fits.
9. New York Jets – Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
The talent on my roster is subpar at best. I need someone that I can plug in from day one and he can be a difference maker. Most of the time we don’t think of guards as those types of player but Warmack is a special one. Willie Colon and Vladimir Ducasse are serviceable but I need better from the interior of my line. Warmack is a guy that I’m confident can be a Pro Bowl player in the near future and I can’t hang my hat on many on my roster that I can say the same about.
10. Tennessee Titans – Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
I did a very underrated job of filling my team’s holes in the offseason. Adding Andy Levitre was huge for my team but it was all the secondary moves that will make or break us. I have a couple of spots that I don’t feel great about and one of them is a DT. Star Lotulelei is the big man in the middle that I need, so I don’t waste time making this selection.
11. San Diego Chargers – Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
We are a mess up front and this is a little closer to where I value Lane Johnson at. Johnson is phenom of an athlete but I worry about his transition to the NFL power game a little. That said, I need a mover at tackle that can keep Phillip Rivers upright, so I can see whether or not I need to go QB in 2014.
NFL’s Future is giving away a $500 Visa gift card, if we can reach 500 likes of our Facebook page before the draft. Like our Facebook page to enter your name in the hat for the gift card. Click here to like our page.
12. Miami Dolphins – Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
I’m looking into the future and seeing that I am unlikely to have anything at DT in 2014 as I’ve shot my wad in free agency and set up my team for future troubles with the cap. I’m taking a great value and a guy that can allow me to watch Randy Starks and Paul Soliai walk after this season.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise St.
We aren’t pulling off the Darrelle Revis deal, so we have to lock in a corner that can come in and contribute immediately. Jamar Taylor is a guy that we fell in love with throughout the season and even more in the pre-draft process. My scouts are banging the table for this guy and we can’t avoid adding him.
14. Carolina Panthers – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
I’m not sold on my wide receiver crew in the slightest bit. Steve Smith isn’t going to be around much longer and I have little talent behind him. My main focus is to surround him with weapons and I add a guy that holds as much upside as any player in the draft. I take my chances on this one as it could pay big dividends for me down the road.
15. New Orleans Saints – Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
I’m not sold on my defensive line and Datone Jones gives me someone that can be an impact player at RE in my new three-man front. Jones may lack ideal girth for the position but brings plenty of power and should be nice option opposite Cameron Jordan.
16. St. Louis Rams – Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Shelley Smith doesn’t inspire too much confidence in me to hold down the fort at left guard. Cooper is an ideal fit on the left side and automatically upgrades my run game and pass protection. I need a safety and outside linebacker but I have to ensure that Sam Bradford and my running game give me more than last season.