NFL Mock Draft 2013: Mocking the Draft Update

SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn updated Mocking the Draft's projection of the first round for the 2013 NFL Draft. In their most recent mock, Fairburn has made several changes at the top of the draft, as well as the Miami Dolphins' selection with their 12th overall choice.

Starting at the top, there seems to be a swing lately for the Kansas City Chiefs to skip selecting offensive tackle Luke Joeckel from Texas A&M. Rather, several mock drafts, including Fairburn's, have the Chiefs turning their attention to West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith. Of the selection, Fairburn writes:

"Geno Smith is far from a slam dunk to be the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, but this pick still makes the most sense. The Chiefs have a desperate need at quarterback, and Smith is the draft's highest-ranked player at that position. This pick could change between now and April, but when a team doesn't have a quarterback, that's the biggest need. This will be a fun pick to debate over the next few months."

I think describing Smith as "far from a slam dunk to be the first overall pick" is an understatement. I'm not sure he's going to be the first quarterback selected. Currently, Mel Kiper on ESPN still has Matt Barkley from USC as the top rated quarterback, with Smith second. The player who could jump up to the top spot at the position is Mike Glennon from North Carolina State, who, despite a poor performance at the Senior Bowl, could use the NFL Combine and his Pro Day to vault himself over Smith and Barkley.

Despite the Chiefs' obvious need at the position, I'm not sure that any of the quarterbacks will rate the first overall selection this season. But, like Fairburn said, that's why we have two months to debate it.

The top five continues with the Jacksonville Jaguars selecting LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo, the Oakland Raiders taking Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, the Philadelphia Eagles landing Joeckel, and the Detroit Lions selecting BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah.

Unfortunately, a player that seems to be gaining traction as a possibility to the Dolphins at the 12th pick goes off the board, according to Fairburn, at the tenth pick to the Tennessee Titans. Texas safety Kenny Vacarro fits well with the Titans, but imagine a Reshad Jones and Kenny Vacarro tandem in the back of the Dolphins' defense, and hope that he falls to Miami should start to grow.

With their 12th pick, Fairburn predicts the Dolphins selection to be Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones. Of the selection, Fairburn writes:

"With only Cameron Wake to get after the passer, the Dolphins need to find another weapon. Jarvis Jones slips a bit because of his past spinal injury and lack of a counter move once he's initially stopped on the pass rush. Still, the upside warrants a top-15 pick."

Jones is a good pick for the Dolphins, and does give them a pass rushing threat, which is obviously a need. I was a little surprised that he did not have the Dolphins selecting Bjoern Werner (15th to the New Orleans Saints) who was still available, but Jones' talent is worthy of the position, assuming doctors clear his back.

And, then there is my favorite pick, Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, who falls to 13th, one pick after the Dolphins, heading to the west side of the peninsula and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

As for the other Dolphins' other major need, wide receiver, Fairburn has a late first round run on the position, starting with Keenan Allen from California heading to the St. Louis Rams at 22, immediately followed by the Minnesota Vikings selecting Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins at 23. The Seattle Seahawks use the 25th pick on West Virginia wide out Tavon Austin, the Houston Texans take Cordarrelle Patterson from Tennessee with the 27th selection, and the New England Patriots add Louisiana Tech receiver Quinton Patton with the 29th pick.

What do you think of the Dolphins taking Jones? Should they try to beat the wide receiver run, selecting someone all the way up at 12? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and make sure you check out Fairburn's full 2013 Mock Draft on Mocking the Draft.