2013 NFL Draft: First Mock

By Kevin Goodwin

Based on the current NFL standings and the needs from one of my previous blogs, I’ll unveil my first mock draft for the 2013 NFL Draft. A lot can between now and the end of the season and the draft. Some players may drop off the board, while others come out of nowhere after a stellar bowl game, senior game or combine. At the same time the needs of some teams may change depending on free agency. So without further ado here is the mock.

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith started off the season hot but couldn’t keep up the production the whole year.

Kansas City – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia – This pick is based solely on the Chiefs lack of offense. Personally, I think this pick should be traded so the Chiefs can stock up on picks and start the rebuilding process. They do need to address the quarterback position as Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn aren’t cutting it. But grabbing a signal caller later in the first round and gaining a few more picks would benefit this franchise more. If they hold on to it though, look for Smith to be the pick.

Jacksonville – Damontre Moore, DE/LB, Texas A&M – The Jaguars need some offensive line help, but at this stage of the game there isn’t a big guy up front that jumps out to be drafted this high. Jacksonville has had trouble drafting defensive linemen in the past as they never seem to pan out. Moore can be used as the outside linebacker and give the Jags a legit pass rusher. He led the nation with 12.5 sacks through Thanksgiving weekend.
Carolina – Star Lotulelie, DT, Utah – The Panthers have a ton of question marks and defense is one of them. Carolina has had trouble stopping the run this year and Lotulelie should help remedy that. The Panthers do someone to help Cam Newton in the run game, but there is no running back worth taking this high (at this time.)
Oakland – Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State – The Raiders don’t have a pass rush, plain and simple. Werner will give them a legit defensive end and will instantly upgrade the line. But they’ll need to get him help too. Plus his name just fits in Raider Nation.
Philadelphia – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M – Philly needs help in the trenches. They’ve made some changes on the defensive line, so that need will be addressed later in the draft. Joeckel is the best tackle available and the Eagles may have to trade up to get him to make sure they get the guy they want. He’s a big guy and will help shore up the o-line that is in shambles right now.
Cleveland – Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA – Cleveland needs a pass rusher and if Barr declares for the draft (he’s a junior), he’d be a good selection. He has 12 sacks on the year and would be an instant starter for the Browns.
Detroit – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama – The Lions could trade down and potentially get Milliner a few picks later, while grabbing a few more picks. For now though I see Detroit snagging the best corner in the draft. Milliner will give the Lions a cover corner, which they have lacked this season.
Arizona – Matt Barkley, QB, USC – Arizona has had awful luck in the quarterback position since Kurt Warner retired. Kevin Kolb and John Skeleton aren’t the answer, so the Cardinals will take a chance on Barkley. The franchise has been burned in the past by USC quarterbacks though, so they may be cautious with this pick. When it comes to need, the Cards need a quarterback and Barkley just makes sense.
San Diego – Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M – San Diego needs a big-time wide receiver, but I don’t believe there is a guy worth selecting at No. 9 at that position. That is why the Bolts decide to go with Matthews, who will bulk up that offensive line.
Tennessee – Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU – Tennessee will address the defense with the team’s first pick in the draft. Montgomery, if available, gives them a much needed pass rusher.

Manti Te’o could be a fast riser between now and the NFL Draft in April.
Buffalo – Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame – The Bills made a splash in free agency last year by signing Mario Williams. That didn’t pan out as well as they would like so they’ll add some youth to the defense. Te’o has helped the Irish get to the National title game because he always seems to be around the ball. Look for his stock to rise after the bowl games are over.
New York Jets – Barkevious Mingo, LB, LSU – The Jets are getting old on defense and need to fill in some holes. Grabbing a linebacker or corner back makes the most sense at this stage of the draft but there are too many quality linebackers to pass up. New York grabs Mingo solely based on his name.
Miami – Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama – Miami needs a receiver more, but getting another piece to the puzzle up front will benefit Ryan Tannehill. If any wide receivers perform well in the bowl season, senior game or at the combine the Dolphins would change their mind
New Orleans – Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State – The Saints would love to get a cover corner in this draft and probably have their eyes set on Dee Milliner or Johnthan Banks but will have to trade up or down to secure one of them. Hankins will bring some stability to the d-line which is also a big need for this team.
St. Louis (from Washington) – Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan – Lewan has cleared plenty of room for the Wolverines in his day and will help shore up an o-line that hasn’t protected Sam Bradford too well or given Steven Jackson many running lanes. The battles are won in the trenches and Lewan will help the Rams dramatically.
St. Louis – Keenan Allen, WR, California – The Dolphins may grab Allen earlier, but he’s coming off an injury so he may be a risky pick. When healthy, Allen is the real deal. He’s Cal’s all-time leader in receptions with 205 and will give Bradford a big target on the wings.
Minnesota – Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri – The Vikings need another wide receiver, especially with Percy Harvin’s health concerns. That being said there aren’t a ton of big name receivers in this draft. Richardson is a guy that could make the Vikings’ defense look like the days of old with the Williams’ brothers in the middle of the d-line.
Tamp Bay – Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State –The Bucs traded away a former first round corner this year and need to fill the void in the secondary. Banks is the next best thing in this draft behind Dee Milliner and getting him at No. 18 is a great selection.
Dallas – Eric Reid, FS, LSU -- There are a few ways the Cowboys could go with this pick but I think Reid is the best choice. He’ll be the enforcer in the secondary much like Roy Williams was for so many years.
Cincinnati – Alex Okafor, DE, Texas – With the lack of quality receivers the Bengals will add a pass rusher instead.
Seattle – Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina – The Seahawks addressed defense with most of its picks last season so they’ll try to add some talent to the offense this year. Cooper will give Seattle some beef on the o-line and help protect Russell Wilson.
Pittsburgh – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan – Fisher will give the Steelers another young guy on the offensive line. They continue to add bodies in the trenches but injuries continue to creep up into this group.
Chicago – Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia –Jones is one of the best linebackers in this draft, some experts projecting him to go in the top 10. But I think health concerns will make him drop right to the Bears and they will be ecstatic to take him. Chicago needs to get younger in the linebacker corps with Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher getting up there in age.
Indianapolis – John Jenkins, DT, Georgia – The Colts have shocked the NFL this year and will look to add a big man in the middle of the defensive line. Jenkins will attempt to be the answer to stop all the running backs in the AFC South.
Green Bay – Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma – Aaron Rodgers has been on his back a lot this year and Johnson will try to keep him upright next year. Johnson probably won’t be the only pick in this draft to address the o-line.
San Francisco – Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon – The 49ers have a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball and Jordan will take some pressure off the linebackers – Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith.
New York Giants – Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State – The G-Men need to add depth across the board and Rhodes fills the biggest need, in my opinion. Getting him late in the first round is a great selection.
Denver – David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State – The Broncos are looking good on both sides of the ball but are getting old in the secondary. Amerson probably won’t be the next Champ Bailey but he’ll do his best to fill the void whenever Bailey retires.
New England – Barrett Jones, OG, Alabama – The Patriots seem to place anyone into positions and they pan out. Jones will get New England younger up front and is just the smart pick for the franchise that doesn’t have any big needs.
Baltimore – Matt Elam, SS, Florida – Elam is more of a second-round talent but the Ravens will draft based on need. Don’t be surprised if they trade out of the first round and try to get Elam early in the second.
Atlanta –C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama – The SEC keeps pumping out quality linebackers and the Falcons are hoping Mosley is the next installment. Mosley should fit right in to coach Mike Smith’s defense.
Houston – Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia – The Texans don’t have anyone worth throwing the ball to not named Andre Johnson. Austin should complement Johnson well and make this offense more potent.

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