2013 NFL Mock Draft: If I were the GM for all 32 teams

Posted by Brad On April – 18 – 2013
"Luke Joeckel"

Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

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 ChiefsLuke 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 BrownsDee 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.

"Jamar Taylor"

Andrew Weber-US Presswire

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.

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.

Click here to check out picks 17-32

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  • SHAWLJ

    Well, not that I am anybody, but this is the worst mock draft I have ever seen with only a week to go!

    Richardson top 5??!!

    Austin top 5??!!
    Jamar Taylor going before Xavier Rhodes and Trufant??!!!

    Scratching my head.

    • bradc11

      Have to read the beginning or maybe the title. It’s the “if I were GM” mock draft. This came with a disclaimer but I should have bolded it with a 32 font size.

  • a57se

    Glad you are not the GM of the Jets….a Guard at 9?

    • John Steppling

      whats wrong with that? The guy is a lock to the pro bowl for a decade

      • a57se

        Like David DeCastro last year, or even better, Justin Smith a few years ago…..? Guards are not that valuable to draft at 9.

        • bradc11

          I have a top ten grade on Warmack. DeCastro was injured most of last season but carried a top twenty grade for me. Assuming you mean Jason Smith, who is a tackle and busted. Warmack is surest of things in this draft outside of Joeckel and Fisher for me. The Jets need a sure thing as this roster is pretty void of talent. Locking in a Pro Bowler is never a bad thing, regardless of position. Warmack was one of the most dominant players on tape that I have graded in five years.

          • a57se

            Some have Warmack as the no. 1 prospect, I still wouldn’t take him at 9.
            The Jets roster is not devoid of talent so that just tells me you don’t know what you are talking about…….

          • John Steppling

            well, Id still be perfectly happy with Warmack. Those guys are actually pretty rare. They improve the entire line. Warmack is that kind of talent. Just brutally powerful. As for talent on the jets. Im taking the middle ground. Not devoid maybe, but really lacking………but a kenrick ellis might blow up, I sort of think he will……so its all fluid….right now the biggest worry is rex keeping the team.

    • Uptown Murf

      Well tell me this bro, when the Jets were at their best – what did they do? They ran the ball more than anybody in the league. Think Thomas Jones & Shonn Greene. This type of Nastiness allowed for Sanchez to play against mostly man coverage and take shots when the down in distance was in his favor. They manufactured explosive plays from Brad Smith and played some great defense. If you want a quick turnaround – basing your game on mauling people is the way. Warmack will be one of the nastiest run game contributors the day he steps onto the field. The Jet’s line is solid – he can make it spectacular…Not a bad pick at all. You have to take what’s in the best interest of the personnel before you go trashing something b/c it’s not what “The Experts” think should happen…

      • a57se

        The Jets are implementing a WCO this season, not a power running game and take an occasional deep shot like Sparano attempted to do. I am pretty sure they will draft a Guard somewhere in this draft but it is not such a priority that they would bypass the other positional talent available at #9……

        • Uptown Murf

          Schottenheimer runs a version of the WCO. That’s the reason Bradford bounced back like a ping pong ball and was able to do a lot of things he did as a rookie in the WCO. Schott was the OC when the Jets were good…

          And saying a team is running a WCO is way too general. There are teams running it that look totally different. Andy Reid’s version never looked like the Texans version. Which neither look like the Saints, who are known for always being strong at guard over tackle. Still a West Coast offense but one with a power run game. (i.e. Chris Ivory, Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas) When the Saints had Nicks and Evans at guard they won the SB and were 3rd in the league in rushing..You can have a Horizontal Pass attack and a Power run game…Ask Coach Sean Payton..I’m sure Rex Ryan would love to play that style of football again…

          I’m not saying you’re wrong in your assessment on the drafting of a guard – I’m just shocked you would question someone’s intelligence over something you can’t for sure say won’t happen…

          • a57se

            I don’t think I questioned the authors’ intelligence, I just stated I am glad he is not the GM of the Jets…….

          • Uptown Murf

            Fair….lol

  • John Steppling

    I think the Cards might well take Warmack. They need help across the line. RT might be ok with Massie improving. The interior is barely ok. Take the sure thing, a stud future all pro. I think patterson will drop. Maybe to the bottom of the first. But i think austin might too because of size. I agree though on cyprian, but I wonder if after jamar taylor, the best corner isnt Hayden. And then banks. I love banks even if he lacks elite deep speed….he’s plenty quick. And he plays great press man. Hankins Im not crazy about………and Werner i think is better than the 20s…but nobody else seems to.

  • John Steppling

    I think robert alford rates in top four or five corners…if you want a press man corner. I think he’s more of that than a Logan Ryan. I also think after cyprian and vacarro (and i agree about KV) Id take eric reid. I know he was inconsistent, but he’s got more upside than any safety in the draft. ELITE upside. I see no reason he wont find his game with the right coach. And Shamarko Thomas i have as a good second round value. But corners are interesting this year, love you to write more on this group Brad,. I have them Milliner, Rhodes, Taylor (for zone or slot) and Hayden and Banks about even, then Alford. And honestly, I love aford enough i might take him higher.

    • bradc11

      I’m an Alford fan as well but his age and Crohn’s disease scare me a little.

      • John Steppling

        age not a worry for me, but i hear you on Crohns. I dont know enough about his condition to say. The same with DJ Hayden…the guy is a first round talent….but it would sure worry me on the face of it to take him too high with that history.

  • joeisme

    Why in the world would the Packers take a very questionable NT in the first round when so many other players are available that fill immediate needs? Hankins gives up on plays and doesn’t go all out rushing the passer. He is a third round talent, not a first.

    • bradc11

      Find me a 320 pound DT that plays over 90% of his team’s plays and doesn’t wear down. Hankins has better than advertised movement skills for his size and makes an interesting 5T in Dom Capers scheme. Not close to a 3rd round talent…take to the tape on that one. For some perspective, Hankins played more snaps per game than any DT in the draft not named Sharrif Floyd and Star Lotulelei.

  • joeisme

    Kelce is no different than three other TEs the Packers have on the roster now. they need many other areas looooong before the need a seventh TE.

    • bradc11

      Need a good one. Bunch of average TE’s, including Jermichael. Kelce is a perfect blend of size, athleticism, and strength. Can block and get down the seam. Brings a unique skill set to this offense. Yo

    • bradc11

      Sorry. Hit submit before I finished. You are in need of watching some Ohio football. Drastically underestimating two very good players for your Pack.

  • Alex

    And that’s why you’re not a GM. Way too many 3rd rounders here.

  • matt

    Glad you are not the GM of the Lions. Woods by everybody’s opinion and I do mean everybody is a early third round at best possesion receiver. The Lions will go LT in the first and DE in the second and a WR who can blow the top of the secondary in the third. Just for your informatio the Lions run a Verticle passing scheme, so a great route runner is not as important as speed.

    • Reggie

      As a Lions fan I would disagree. Their are lots of reports on Woods being a early 2nd if not late 1st…I do not believe he is a 1st Round pick but he has a top 50 grade. Their might not be the talent at DE in Round 2. I might take Okafor over Woods but a 6’1, 190 pound receiver who runs good routes, has great hands and body control, is a perfect complement to Calvin Johnson. Give me him over smaller speed WR every day.

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