Stuart Dick’s NFL Mock Draft 2013 picks

Stuart Dick gives UKAmericanSportsFans.com his version of events ahead of the NFL Draft later this year. 

1 – Kansas City Chiefs – QB Geno Smith

I wanted to give the Chiefs someone else, and draft a QB in the early second, but the draft for QB’s is extremely poor, so Andy Reid gets his QB with Geno Smith. Smith is similar to Donovan McNabb, the QB Andy Reid took in his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles. His best qualities are accuracy and mobility, something Coach Reid has always cherished is a QB. Plus Reid’s system is QB friendly, making the likes of Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick very good.

Add to the fact the Chiefs have an good defence when healthy, a good o-line and a fantastic running back, Quarterback is the only thing missing for the Chiefs to be a contender in my eyes, well, if Peyton lets them.

2 – Jacksonville Jaguars – DT Star Lotulelei

New Head Coach Gus Bradley will look to strengthen the defence, a defence that was 29th in Scoring defence and 30th in Rushing defence. First thing they have to do is sure up the middle of the Defensive Line, and they take possibly the best player in the draft. Start has huge upside and is as strong enough to take on the double teams that will come his way.

After signing Jason Babin late in the 2012 season, HVC Bradley will look to build from the trenches. Luke Joeckel is another option, to sure up the offensive line, but I believe the HC will build the defence first.

3 – Oakland Raiders – OT Luke Joeckel

Oakland are a mess, having the 26th Scoring offence and the 28th Scoring defence in the NFL, they could go either way on this pick. What sways me towards offence is the fact they are middle of the road in Yards, but just can’t convert their drives into points. Adding an Offensive tackle of Joeckel’s quality should allow Palmer more time in the pocket, and open up lanes for Darren McFadden, who is a top 5 calibre back when given help.

4 – Philadelphia Eagles – OT Jake Matthews

Being an Eagles fan myself, I would have loved to take Joeckel or Star here if they’d fallen; unfortunately neither of them fell, so I had to look hard for options for the Eagles.
With Chip Kelly coming in, QB is an option, but I rate none highly enough to take here. Having the joint 29th scoring defence, I was tempted to go defence, specifically secondary, but again, pressing needs in other places.

So I went with the other offensive tackle from Texas A&M, Jake Matthews. The right tackle is more of a run blocker, and with Chip Kelly’s high octane offence, and the capabilities of LeSean McCoy and Bryce Brown, a run blocker is a high priority.

(Update as of 19th February – Jake Matthews is now staying on at college)

5 – Detroit Lions – CB Dee Milliner

Detroit desperately needed one of the offensive tackles, but neither of them fell. Detroit have to go to plan B, which is secondary help. Dee is the best CB in the draft, and will instantly upgrade the pass defence.
The secondary is vital, with Chicago and Green Bay having passing orientated offences; he’ll go up against the likes of Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Brandon Marshall.

6 – Cleveland Browns – LB Jarvis Jones

Again, personally I’d look at QB for them, as Brandon Weeden just doesn’t do it for me, they will give him another year at the helm. Jarvis Jones is an obvious choice on defence, as the Browns are very soft in the middle of the field.

He’s a 3-4 pass rusher, and this league is all about getting to the Quarterback, and there are three good once in the NFC North in Big Ben, Dalton and Flacco.

7 – Arizona Cardinals – QB Tyler Wilson

New era in the desert, so a new Quarterback must be high on the list of priorities. The defence is one of the best in the league, they just spend too much time on the field and go warn down, giving up lots of points in the second half of the season.

Having started John Skelton, Kevin Kolb, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer last year with little minimal success, the new HC will want his own guy. Tyler Wilson should be nowhere near this high in the draft, but Arizona is desperate.

8 – Buffalo Bills – QB Matt Barkley

Another QB in a not so good QB draft, but Quarterbacks will always fly off the shelves way too early, and this is the last projected 1st rounder. I wouldn’t go near a USC QB in all my years, but Buffalo has a brilliant running game, which will give Barkley time to settle into the NFL, kind of like the way Christian Ponder has done in the twin cities.

Going against the leaky pass defences of the Jets, Patriots, and to a lesser extent the Dolphins, Buffalo is a good destination for Barkley.

9 – New York Jets – LB Manti T’eo

You know it is going to happen; Rex Ryan’s ego is big enough to take T’eo this early, despite the rumours that have surfaced in recent days. The problem is, will T’eo like the bright lights of New York and it’s media, unlikely.
No one can deny the man is talented, but is his mind right at the moment; can he make it through long winded pre-draft schedule? One thing that will help him in New York is the Rex Ryan, Ryan will take all the media spotlight off him.

10 – Tennessee Titans – OG Chance Wormack

Lewin is the obvious pick here; the Titans struggled to keep the Quarterback upright, allowing 39 sacks, enough to tie for 8th in the NFL. Add to that Chris Johnson’s struggles and the obvious answer is to go Offensive line.
The Alabama guard is a mean, violent guard who will help the run game immediately. Aggressive and powerful is the ideal combination for a lineman. He will fit in immediately into the Titans line.

11 – San Diego Chargers – OT Eric Wilson

San Diego need Offensive line help and the get the No.2 rated tackle in the draft. San Diego are a strange team, they have the talent to compete, but struggled to put it together last season. Phillip Rivers needs protecting or he will go turnover crazy like he did in 2012.
Wilson will also strengthen their running game, with Ryan Matthews finally being full fit after the offseason.

12 – Miami Dolphins – WR Keenan Allen

Miami have a very good defence, and now is the time to take the next step and compete in the AFC East. Allen is big target for Tannehill and will add a receiving threat on offence. A trio of Allen, Brian Hartline and Davone Bess is solid, with Anthony Fasano at Tight End and Reggie Bush coming out of the backfield.

I still have question marks about Tannehill as Quarterback, but you don’t bench a QB after their first year.

13 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Xavier Rhodes

Tampa Bay is set on offense, a cohesive offensive line, a young Quarterback, star running back and good wide-outs. What they did do last year is concede a lot of yards and points through the air. So they draft 6”1 corner Xavier Rhodes.

Tall corners are becoming essential in the NFL as Wide Receivers get bigger and bigger. Rhodes is a natural talent at the corner back position, and has great leaping ability. He doesn’t have top end speed, so quicker receivers may cause him problems.

14 – Carolina Panthers – WR Tavon Austin

The Carolina offence suites a fast paced type of receiver, thus I have given them the 5”9 speedster Tavon Austin. He creates separation with his quickness and Cam Newton has the arm to hit him deep.

He can also be used in the running game on end arounds and reverses, will also be an immediate threat on kick returns.

15 – New Orleans Saints – OLB Barkevious Mingo

Mingo is an interesting prospect, he has all the skills to be a pass rusher at the next level, but he does not possess the size to play defensive end, thus a he will have to make the transition to Outside Linebacker. With New Orleans switching to a 3-4, they need outside pass rushers.

Mingo has never played the linebacker position, but his talents are too much to pass up on at this point for New Orleans.

16 – St Louis Rams – WR Corrdarrelle Patterson

Sam Bradford needs Receivers, and getting the 6”3 Patterson is start. Patterson has the speed, size and hands to become a very good NFL #1 Receiver. With Bradford’s receiving core consisting of Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson, two former Philadelphia rejects, they need some start power in their passing game.

This addition will see them compete with San Francisco and Seattle in the division.