2013 NFL Mock Draft

1. Cleveland Browns- Robert Woods WR USC

Trent Richardson was a great first step towards building a powerful offense in Cleveland, and the next step they need to take is acquiring a truly dominant receiver. Now, depending on how Josh Gordon turns out, the Browns may be able to use this pick on Kawann Short, Star Lotulelei, or Sam Montgomery, but for the time being scoring points is the Browns number one concern.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars- Matt Barkley QB USC

If you have seen Blaine Gabbert play, then you know that unless he makes serious strides in his accuracy, decision-making skills, and his pocket awareness; he will be in serious danger of losing his job.

3. Miami Dolphins- Luke Joeckel OT Texas A&M

The Dolphins are going have a tough decision deciding what to do next year with Jake Long. While he has been one of the best blindside protectors in the league, he continues to struggle with injury. While it may be tough for fans of the Dolphins to hear consistency is the key to a great offensive line, and it may be a good idea to cut their losses. Joeckel would be an instant starter at either right or left tackle and his former coach (now the offensive coordinator for the Dolphins) should have great things to say about him. It also helps that Ryan Tannehill will have an instant comfort level with Joeckel because of their time in college together.

4. St. Louis Rams- Jake Mathews OT Texas A&M

Mack Brown may have two of the most gifted defensive ends in the nation this year in Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor. So, when I say that Luke Joeckel and Jake Mathews beat that tandem for at least 90% of the 2011 Texas A&M/Texas game it is an understatement to say that I am impressed. While I slightly favor Joeckel, Jake Mathews is no slouch and I have no doubt that he could play very well at LT, which is a huge need for the St. Louis Rams.

5. Oakland Raiders- Tyler Wilson QB Arkansas

Tyler Wilson is a methodical quarterback with a stellar arm. Wilson had a 4:1 TD to interception ratio last year, and he never threw more than one interception in a single game. Precision like that combined with Darren McFadden in the backfield, just might be the beginning of a potent offense in Oakland.

6. Indianapolis Colts- Taylor Lewan OT Michigan

The Colts will need someone to protect Andrew Luck and I have absolutely no faith in the offensive line they have now. With Lewan at left tackle, the Colts can start worrying about finding more weapons on defense.

7. Minnesota Vikings- Justin Hunter WR Tennessee

If Hunter can play a full season then this may be as low as he goes. I have watched every game Hunter has played in and I see a lot of A.J. Green in him. He has the ability to beat defenders off the line, down the field, and with his hands. Without him there is no talk on Tyler Bray as a first round pick, if you need proof watch the Tennessee/Georgia game where Bray has to live in a Hunter-free world.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jarvis Jones DE Georgia

Jarvis Jones is a cat-quick edge rusher that plays with great leverage. He is relentless on the edge and can get to the quarterback better than anyone else in this draft. If the Buccaneers are lucky enough to grab him here then their pass rushing woes should be over.

9. New York Jets- Tyler Bray QB Tennessee

The Jets could go for a pass rusher here, but I think the addition of Demario Davis and Quinton Coples will do a lot to help that problem. The Jets could also go with David Amerson here, but I have slight concerns about Amerson’s level of competition as well as his speed. Bray gets the nod because he is a high profile QB that has put up great numbers at Tennessee, and because Mark Sanchez (and/or Tim Tebow) just can’t get the job done.

10. Arizona Cardinals- Logan Thomas QB Virginia Tech

The Cardinals have the receivers to be an offensive threat, but no quarterback or offensive line.  Logan Thomas is a dark-horse candidate to go number one overall, so getting him would be a steal. Thomas hasn’t had an offensive line in college that is overly impressive so he is used to moving around a good bit, which is always useful to rookie quarterbacks. All in all I think this is a good fit for both parties and this move could really help the Cards get back on track.

11. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins)-Keenan Allen WR Cal

The Rams need to be able to protect and arm Sam Bradford, with Mathews protecting his blindside one of those problems may be fixed, so this will be an attempt to address the other. Allen can do a lot of things very well, but I don’t ever see any particular thing that he does that just wows me. Having said that, I think he can be a very productive WR in a run first offense, which would be exactly what would happen in St. Louis.

12. Dallas Cowboys- Star Lotulelei NT Utah

If the Cowboys really like Dontari Poe as much as everyone thought they did going in to the 2012 NFL Draft, then they will definitely be on board with Star Lotulelei. Star is the perfect fit for Dallas, he is dominant, big, and he can help keep bodies of the MLBs. Not only that but his name is Star, you know, like that big thing they have painted at their 50-yard line?

13. Seattle Seahawks- Barkevious Mingo DE LSU

Mingo is on the verge of becoming a top ten pick to me. Not only does he have great quickness, but you can also see his understanding of pass rush techniques develop throughout the 2011 season. If he can put on some muscle then I think he becomes a no brainer in the top ten.

14. Buffalo Bills- Marquess Wilson WR Washington State

So you are telling me there is a 6-4 receiver that averages 68.5 catches, 1,197 yards, and 9 touchdowns an he will be available with the fourteenth pick? Yep.

Deal!

In all seriousness, Wilson is your classic small college stud. He puts up monstrous numbers, but on the other hand he plays against suspect competition. Most teams will sacrifice the stats for a player from the SEC, Big 10, etc. because they haven’t seen the type of defensive talent that they will see in the NFL. But after the top ten it will be hard to find a top tier talent like that, so why not take a chance here?

15. Kansas City Chiefs- Landry Jones QB Oklahoma

If the Chiefs end up drafting here, then it will have been a very disappointing year.  Kansas City is home to one of the youngest and most potent defenses in the NFL, but if you don’t have a quality QB you will always struggle to get wins. If you don’t believe me look at some of the teams that were in the top 10 in points allowed: Jacksonville, Seattle, and Cleveland. All of them have fairly potent defenses, but they only managed to average just over five wins each. QBs win championships and Landry Jones is the best QB on the board.

16. Carolina Panthers- Kawann Short DT Purdue

Short has the explosion, size, and strength to be a top 5 pick, the concerns with him aren’t physical, but mental. Can Short give 100% effort consistently; if so I think this would be an absolute steal.

17. New Orleans Saints- Sam Montgomery DE LSU

Montgomery is a great prospect with all the right tools. If he adds weight and improves his run defense he has a chance to be taken in the top 10.

18. Atlanta Falcons- Chance Warmack OG Alabama

Don’t sleep on the possibility that Chance Warmack will be the first offensive lineman off the board from the Crimson Tide this year. Warmack is nasty in the run game and can pass block with the best of them. He and Peter Konz could for a nasty tandem inside that can deal with any interior defenders in the league.

19. San Diego Chargers- Barrett Jones OT/G/C Alabama

The Chargers just lost their left tackle and with Rivers getting older every year he will need to be well protected. While I have some issues with some his lateral athleticism, I think he can be a great band-aid at LT until they have a chance to grab someone better.

20. Chicago Bears- D.J. Fluker OT Alabama

So hear me out. I know it seems like the Bears hate Jay Cutler and really don’t want him to stay healthy, but maybe in 2012 they will actually think about protecting their QB. I know Bears fans, wishful thinking.

21. Philadelphia Eagles-Manti Te’o LB Notre Dame

The Eagles missed out on Kuechly and they passed on Dont’a Hightower, so maybe they think Mychal Kendricks will be enough of an upgrade at the linebacker spot. If not, then Manti Te’o will be a very attractive option here.

22. Tennessee Titans- Jonathan Cooper OG UNC

Jonathan Cooper is in a heated battle between Chance Warmack and Barrett Jones to be the first interior lineman selected in this draft. Last year the Titans passed on David Decastro to pick Kendall Wright, and while it looked strange at the time Kenny Britt’s injury/character concerns have made the front office look almost psychic. With their starting center hurt, backup Fernando Velasco was moved from RG to C, and the less than average Leroy Harris won the RG position by default. Cooper may be the missing piece to that offense and is the BPA here so this is a no brainer.

23. New England Patriots- David Amerson CB North Carolina State

The Patriots are adding tight ends like they should be adding defensive backs. There will be a lot of pressure on New England’s defense to improve and if they don’t, then Amerson would be a steal here.

24. Denver Broncos- Jonathan Hankins DT Ohio State

Hankins is a massive defender that can help the Broncos in the run game. His quickness and strength may be the missing piece they need on that defense before they take the leap to the next level.

25. Cincinnati Bengals- Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina

The Bengals have stockpiled young talent and they could really do anything here. Lattimore has a ton of talent and I expect him to have a very good season in 2012. If he does, the Bengals could get a complete RB with size, speed, and good hands.

26. Baltimore Ravens- Monte Ball RB Wisconsin

The Ravens are getting a tough, between-the-tackles runner that has 55 career touchdowns heading into his senior season. With Ray Rice’s lack of progress on a long-term deal, I imagine that the Ravens will let him walk and focus their money on Joe Flacco.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers- Eric Reid S LSU

The Steelers have addressed their offensive line needs, now it is time to start preparing for a life after Troy Polamalu.

28. Houston Texans- Da’Rick Rogers Tennessee

Last year when both Justin Hunter and Tyler Bray missed extended time due to injury, Rogers was pulling overtime. Even though he had to face double teams, he managed to put up over 1,000 yards receiving on an offense with no other receiving threats in the SEC.

29. Detroit Lions- Devin Taylor DE South Carolina

Definitely an upside pick, but if Cliff Avril walks, the Lions will be one Vanden Bosch retirement away from being out of starting defensive ends. With his length and ability Taylor could see his stock shoot up if he can start getting JPP comparisons.

30. Green Bay Packers- Robert Lester FS Alabama

Green Bay needs more depth at defensive back, and Alabama defensive backs are known for their knowledge and leadership. Lester would be a very good get here addition could be an immediate impact player.

31. San Francisco 49ers- Khaled Holmes C USC

If you have doubts about the center from USC, just ask Star Lotulelei how good he is. During that game not only did he hold Lotulelei to only 3 tackles, but he also pretty much neutralized his disruptive ability. In fact, that is the only game where I didn’t see Star physically dominate the player assigned to block him. It may be hard to tell, but I am a big fan of Holmes.

32. New York Giants- Jeremiah Attaochu DE/LB Georgia Tech

Remember how the Giants use(d) Mathias Kiwanuka as a situational interior rush LB/DE? Well think of Attaochu as Kiwanuka+. Attaochu is a fierce defender that reminds me of James Harrison on stilts. He hits plays sideline-to-sideline and he doesn’t stop until the whistle blows. Keep an eye on this name as a player that will rise.