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Like I said before my first mock draft two weeks ago, I don't typically publish these. However, I'm enjoying doing it this year, so why not go ahead and update this one? Here's my latest prediction of the 2013 NFL Draft's first round.
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Pick |
Player |
Pos. |
Ht |
Wt |
School |
|
OT |
6'6" |
306 |
Texas A&M |
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|
Sharrif Floyd seems to be popping up in more and more places as a possible pick for the Chiefs, and I can see it making sense. However, Joeckel is the safest, and best, pick that can be made in the top spot this year. Even if the team works him for a year at right tackle before moving him to left tackle in 2014, the team needs to protect Alex Smith, and Joeckel will do that. Previous Pick: No Change
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DE |
6'6" |
248 |
Oregon |
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A lot of people see the Jaguars selecting quarterback Geno Smith in this spot, and I would not be overly surprised by the move. But, I think there is too much talk about Smith to Jacksonville, and I'm not sure the Jaguars are really as in love with him as it seems. They can either hope Blaine Gabbert or Chad Henne develop into something for them this year or pick someone in the second round rather than reach for Smith. As for Jordan, the new regime in Jacksonville, led by head coach Gus Bradley, is a defensive minded staff, and Jordan gives the team versatility. Previous Pick: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia |
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DT |
6'3" |
303 |
Florida |
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It's not every year a prospect like Floyd is available at a position like defensive tackle. If the Raiders want to rebuild their defense, grabbing Floyd here would be a big step in the right direction for Oakland. Previous Pick: No Change. |
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||||
|
Eric Fisher |
OT |
6'7" |
306 |
Central Michigan |
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|
Last mock, I said the right pick for the Eagles here is Geno Smith, but he was off the board already. Now he's on the board, and I still don't see the Eagles taking him. Michael Vick had to run for his life last year, and drafting Smith does not help that problem at all. Grabbing Fisher, who some people are starting to project ahead of Joeckel, does help that problem. Previous Pick: No Change. |
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|
DE |
6'5" |
271 |
BYU |
||
|
Ansah to the Lions is a popular pick right now, and it's that way because it makes a lot of sense. After picking two defensive tackles in the first rounds in 2010 (Suh) and 2011 (Fairley), the team comes back to the defensive line in 2013 to grab a pass rusher with an amazing ceiling. Previous Pick: Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon |
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||||
|
CB |
6'0" |
201 |
Alabama |
||
|
I thought long and hard about giving the Browns Geno Smith in this spot, letting a new coaching regime get their franchise quarterback, especially when they currently have a second year quarterback who turns 30 in season this year (Brandon Weeden). However, I think the Browns need for a cornerback, and the special talent people think Milliner will be, means the Alabama corner head north to Cleveland. Previous Pick: No Change. |
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|
T |
6'6" |
303 |
Oklahoma |
||
|
The Cardinals could still be a landing place for Geno Smith, but the addition of Carson Palmer also means Arizona could wait until they find a quarterback they like more than Smith. Having a 33 year old quarterback ups the need to protect him, and adding Johnson will do that. Previous Pick: No Change |
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|
Geno Smith |
QB |
6'3" |
218 |
West Virginia |
|
|
Let's see, the team has added Kevin Kolb as their starting quarterback this year. Is there any doubt they are in the "quarterback of the future" market. Smith will be that guy for the Bills, for better or for worse. Previous Pick: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia |
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|
DE |
6'3" |
266 |
FSU |
||
|
The Jets need to fix their offense and find a way to protect their (somehow still) franchise quarterback Mark Sanchez. With (somehow still) head coach Rex Ryan knowing that, he looks to do the exact opposite of the move. Ryan's love of defense leads to a pick of Werner over W-armack - which makes sense looking at the position value in the draft, but really is not what the Jets need here. Previous Pick: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama |
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10. Tennessee Titans |
G |
6'2" |
317 |
Alabama |
|
|
The Titans would probably prefer an offensive tackle over a guard at this position, but former offensive lineman turned head coach Mike Munchak will likely love the upside of Warmack, who on some big boards is graded in the top two available players this year. Previous Pick: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah |
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|
Pick |
Player |
Pos. |
Ht |
Wt |
School |
|
G |
6'2" |
311 |
UNC |
||
|
San Diego is hoping a tackle will fall to them in this spot, but they don't get that lucky. They either reach for D.J. Fluker here, or they turn their attention to the interior of the offensive line. I have them doing the latter. Previous Pick: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama |
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12. Miami Dolphins |
CB |
6'2" |
210 |
FSU |
|
|
The Brent Grimes signing by the Dolphins has me reconsidering my idea of the team preferring De-smond Trufant over Rhodes in this spot. Rhodes adds a couple of inches over Trufant, and 20 pounds. Despite the team going to a zone scheme this year, Rhodes' size and coverage capabilities in a man-on-man scenario cannot be ignored. In the end, I think that could get Rhodes the nod. Previous Pick: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU |
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||||
|
DT |
6'3" |
294 |
Utah |
||
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The Buccaneers could look to jump ahead of Miami to grab Rhodes, and they could still look to take Trufant here as well. However, the team could use help up the middle of the defense, and Richardson is the right pick to upgrade the defensive tackle position. Previous Pick: Xavier Rhodes, CB, FSU |
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|
WR |
5'9" |
174 |
West Virginia |
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|
The Panthers have a 5'9", 185 pound wide receiver on their roster, and Steve Smith seems to have made it work all these years. With Smith getting older (entering his 13th season), the Panthers could look to grab his eventual replacement in the dynamic Austin. It doesn't answer an immediate need, but it does add a weapon around Cam Newton. Previous Pick: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri |
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|
DE |
6'4" |
241 |
LSU |
||
|
Rob Ryan is the new defensive coordinator in New Orleans, and he's going to be begging to add weapons to his defense. Mingo is one of the weapons Ryan would love to have. He's still raw, and Ryan could mold him as the Saints look to shake off the misery of 2012/ Previous Pick: No Change. |
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16. St. Louis Rams |
WR |
6'2" |
216 |
Tennessee |
|
|
The Rams wanted Austin, but saw him go two picks earlier. With that option off the table, the Rams will still likely look to add a weapon on offense, even if that's a raw prospect who still needs time to develop. Previous Pick: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia |
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||||
|
CB |
6'0" |
190 |
Washington |
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The Steelers are likely looking to add someone opposite Ike Taylor in the secondary this year, and with Trufant still sitting on the boards at this point, he makes a lot of sense. The team likely wants to get Austin or Patterson at this spot, but they aren't available. Previous Pick: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee |
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18. Dallas Cowboys |
OT |
6'5" |
339 |
Alabama |
|
|
Both offensive and defensive line have needs for the Cowboys this year, and they would not be wrong in picking on either side of the fall here. However, the team just signed Tony Romo to a contract extension. If you are going to pay the man $55 million in guaranteed money, you probably want to keep him healthy. Adding Fluker will help with that goal. Previous Pick: S-ylvester Williams, DT, UNC |
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19. New York Giants |
Jarvis Jones |
OLB |
6'3" |
245 |
Georgia |
|
The Giants are the definition of "you can never have too many pass rushers." They seem to collect them. Adding Jones to Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck would make opposing quarterbacks that much more in danger. Previous Pick: Bjoern Werner, DE, FSU |
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20. Chicago Bears |
LB |
6'0" |
246 |
LSU |
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The Bears need to replace Brian Urlacher, and a first round linebacker could go a long way toward doing that. A good tackler, with good instinct, Minter could be the middle linebacker for the Bears, a position with a lot of tradition and heritage behind it. Previous Pick: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia |
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Pick |
Player |
Pos. |
Ht |
Wt |
School |
|
S |
6'0" |
214 |
Texas |
||
|
Vaccaro still has some development needed at the NFL level, particularly as a true deep safety, but he's got all the skills and potential needed for this pick. He spent most of his time at Texas as as a slot/man-coverage player, or up near the line of scrimmage. Previous Pick: No Change. |
 |
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22. St. Louis Rams |
RB |
5'11" |
231 |
Alabama |
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|
Steven Jackson is gone, and the team could use a lead runner. After adding a wide receiver with their first, first round pick, they could turn around and grab Alabama running back Lacy here, and suddenly have a complete offense surrounding Sam Bradford. Previous Pick: Matt Elam, S, Florida |
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|
DE |
6'4" |
283 |
UCLA |
||
|
The Vikings have two selections in three picks near the end of the first round. This pick is the team realizing they have another pick coming up, where they can address need, and simply picking best player available at this point. Datone Jones will provide some relief for Jared Allen and upgrade the Minnesota pass rush. Previous Pick: Keenan Allen, WR, California |
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||||
|
DT |
6'3" |
311 |
Utah |
||
|
The Colts gave up ridiculous run number, averaging over 5 yards per carry allowed last year. They have to fix that. Lotulelei up the middle can do exactly that. Previous Pick: Jonathan Cooper, G, UNC |
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25. Minnesota Vikings |
WR |
6'2" |
206 |
California |
|
|
After passing on Allen two picks ago, the Vikings still land him here, looking to replace Percy Harvin and team him with Greg Jennings. Allen has not been able to work out this offseason due to a knee injury, and his stock has been hurt because of it. Originally projected to be a top 12 pick, and the first wide out off the board, the Vikings get great value with the addition of Allen here. Previous Pick: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA |
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||||
|
DE |
6'5" |
250 |
Texas A&M |
||
|
The Packers could look to grab T-yler Eifert or M-ontee Ball at this spot, but the addition of Moore here still makes the most sense. The team does not necessarily need a pass rusher, but the speed and talent Moore brings can't be ignored. He is a hybrid between a pass rusher and a coverage guy, which the Packers could love. Previous Pick: No Change |
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27. Houston Texans |
WR |
6'1" |
214 |
Clemson |
|
|
The Texans grab the top wide receiver on the board here, looking to add someone opposite Andre Johnson. The team has needs along the defensive line as well, but adding a talent like Hopkins here makes sense. Previous Pick: No Change. |
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28. Denver Broncos |
DE |
6'4" |
264 |
Texas |
|
|
Okafor is not a complete prospect yet, and will need some time to develop his pass rushing moves and build strength, but he makes a lot of sense heading to Denver after Elvis Dumervil faxed his way out of town. Previous Pick: No Change |
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||||
|
TE |
6'6" |
250 |
Notre Dame |
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There's a talented tight end sitting on the board, and he probably should have been taken earlier in the round, so of course he winds up in New England. Yesterday, word came out that Rob Gronkowski may have to miss more time due to a infection in his broken arm. Why not grab Eifert and just go crazy with the tight end position. Previous Pick: R-obert Woods, WR, USC |
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30. Atlanta Falcons |
DE |
6'3" |
262 |
LSU |
|
|
John Abraham is out, but Osi Umenyiora is in. However, Osi is not an every down defensive end anymore, so adding Montgomery here makes sense and gives the team the option of using Osi to apss rush while developing Montgomery for the future. Previous Pick: Demond Trufant, CB, Washington |
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||||
|
Jesse Williams |
DT |
6'4" |
323 |
Alabama |
|
|
Jim Harbuagh has the 49ers offense clicking, but needs to spend this year building their defense, specifically the defensive line. Adding Williams in the middle of the line is the right move here. Previous Pick: Jonathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia |
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32. Baltimore Ravens |
S |
5'10" |
208 |
Florida |
|
|
The Ravens have two future Hall of Famers to replace on defense this year. Ed Reed left for the Houston Texans while Ray Lewis retired. At the end of the first round, the Ravens address the safety position. Previous Pick: Kevin Minter, LB, LSU |
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