Mike White’s Pre-Combine Mock Draft 2013: Picks 1-16
Silly season is well and truly underway in the NFL with speculation about who will pick who flying around like wildfire, and while I know that it is impossible to predict picks so early on in the process, it is always interesting to see how the widespread thinking about the direction in which teams will go, changes over time and with the twists and turns in the draft process.
With that in mind, here is my first Mock Draft of the year:
(1st Round only – No unconfirmed trades)
1. Kansas City Chiefs
OT Luke Joeckel (Texas A&M)
I believe that Andy Reid and the Chiefs will be seriously looking at trading out of the no.1 spot here, as Geno Smith would be a gamble, but if they had to pick, they’d have to go for the safest prospect as a no.1 pick, and that’s Joeckel. They could save money by letting LT Branden Albert go then as well.
Here are 2 trade proposals to consider: Revis + 1st rounder from Jets/Foles + 1st rounder from Eagles. (Eagles would love Joeckel)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
DT Star Lotulelei (Utah)
The Jags desperately need to upgrade their defense, especially their line, and compared to Haloti Ngata, Loutulelei could bring a big strong spine for the Jags’ defense to build around, just how Gus Bradley likes it. Needs to make sure he plays every snap to reflect his name and be a Star.
3. Oakland Raiders
DT Sharrif Floyd (Florida)
This guy is a playmaker, and exactly the type of talent that Oakland have kept missing on in previous drafts. The front office cannot miss on talent again at no.3 this year and could ‘reach’ for Floyd. This pick needs to be a DT, they need two in the offseason.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
OT Eric Fisher (Central Michigan)
This may be a little high for Fisher, but from now on there may be some reaching going on, as the standard of players at the top of the draft isn’t outstanding. The Eagles need a mobile offensive tackle, and Fisher’s potential would be enticing for Chip Kelly’s fluid offensive system.
5. Detroit Lions
DE Damontre Moore (Texas A&M)
The Lions need a pass rusher with the departure of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril in free agency, and Moore’s non-stop motor and consistent production will appeal to the ‘best player available’ Detroit philosophy in the draft.
6. Cleveland Browns
DE/OLB Jarvis Jones (Georgia)
The Browns need to improve their pass rush from the edge and while Jarvis Jones carries some health concerns, his tape and his production just jumps out at you and someone will take the chance sooner or later. He never lets up and led college football last year with 14.5 sacks.
7. Arizona Cardinals
DE/OLB Dion Jordan (Oregon)
If both of the top offensive tackles are gone by this stage, the Cards will look at taking a rush linebacker. Jordan is one of the top prospects available at this juncture and would help the already strong Cardinals defense.
8. Buffalo Bills
QB Geno Smith (WVU)
Bills’ GM Buddy Nix has promised that he will take a quarterback in the draft to challenge Ryan Fitzpatrick to be the franchise man. Smith has first round talent in different areas but just needs to put it all together. This is a risky pick, but Nix’s job depends on it working and if Smith falls to them at 8, Buffalo will seriously consider it.
9. New York Jets
DE Bjoern Werner (Florida State)
The Jets simply need to take the best player available at every juncture, and Werner is that at 9. His consistent high level play is the kind of model Gang Green need to build around.
10. Tennessee Titans
CB DeMarcus Milliner Alabama
The Titans are delighted if Milliner falls to them here, as they are in desperate need of shoring up their secondary. Milliner’s imminent shoulder surgery could scare a few teams off, and his value at 10 could be too good to pass on.
11. San Diego Chargers
DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo (LSU)
While Mingo’s production may be a concern, the Chargers need a rush linebacker to replace Shaun Phillips. The depth of offensive tackles is good in this draft, so San Diego may wait until round 2, or trade back up into the end of the first round to get one.
12. Miami Dolphins
CB Johnathan Banks (Mississippi State)
The Dolphins have a lot of options, but I believe they’ll splash in free agency to keep OT Jake Long and get either Mike Wallace or Greg Jennings to fill a WR spot. The DT class is deep, so they can wait for the 4 picks they have on day 2 to address that. No.1 corner Sean Smith looks like he’s not going to be back in Miami, so the pick could be at corner. Banks is a long, rangey corner who excels in man coverage and would suit the Dolphins’ attacking defense.
13. Tampa Bay
CB Xavier Rhodes (Florida State)
Another highly coveted tall, rangey man corner, and someone who I have no doubt the Tampa scouts will have watched a lot. They will want to see some speed at the combine, and if they do, he will be of interest here as Tampa can’t afford to miss on one of the top corners.
14. Carolina Panthers
DT Sheldon Richardson (Missouri)
Gil Brandt says Richardson reminds him of Warren Sapp. That should be good enough for the DT needy Panthers.
15. New Orleans Saints
DE/OLB Ezekiel Ansah (BYU)
This all depends on the Saints’ draft board. If they have Ansah ranked over S Kenny Vaccaro and OT Lane Johnson, then they will take him as they are desperately needing a rush linebacker to complement Cam Jordan.
16. St Louis Rams
OT Lane Johnson (Oklahoma)
The physical potential of Johnson is huge, and he raised eyebrows at the Cotton Bowl when he handled Damontre Moore. The Rams will love such a good tackle prospect to fall to them, and protecting Sam Bradford is their priority.
Part two featuring picks 17-32 coming up…
