2013 NFL Mock Draft - Collaborative Mock Based on Conference
Last year, Sean Beazley and I did a few collaborative mocks as we alternated picks in the first round. We are back with a collaborative mock for 2013.
Instead of picking for odd- or even-numbered picks, we changed it up a bit and will make our picks based on conference. Sean will pick for the AFC teams and I will pick for NFC teams.
Here is how the first few picks of our mock started out:
1. Kansas City Chiefs (draft history) - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
[Sean's pick] With the news that the Chiefs will trade for San Francisco QB Alex Smith, this pick is the easiest one of the draft. The one knock on Joeckel if you can call it a knock is he isn't as highly rated as some of the other LTs in recent drafts. I just can't see Kansas City going in a different direction.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (draft history) - Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida
[Sean's pick] Remember when the Jaguars defense was actually feared? I know it was a long time ago. The defense had one constant and that was the pair of DTs that they had in John Henderson and Marcus Stroud.
Adding an edge rusher who can put pressure on the QB would also be ideal, but there is more than one way to fix the Jaguars being last in the NFL in sacks last year. Floyd is my top-rated DT prospect now that Star Lotulelei has a heart condition.
3. Oakland Raiders (draft history) - Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon
[Sean's pick] I had the Raiders taking Geno Smith in my last mock, but I think they wait on QB as Smith really didn't separate him from the other QBs in this draft. Jordan impressed in Indy, and may be the best DE in this year's draft. This is a need for a team that finished 31st in the NFL in sacks last season.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (draft history) - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
[Kevin's pick] During Senior Bowl practices, no prospect was more impressive than Fisher regardless of position. At 6-8 and 305 pounds, Fisher is the top senior left tackle prospect in this year's draft class.
In addition, Fisher was more impressive than Joeckel at the combine and it's certainly possible that Fisher, the No. 2-ranked prospect on our big board, could potentially leapfrog Joeckel and even become the top overall pick in April.
With Nnamdi Asomugha due to earn $15 million next year and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie set to become a free agent in 2013, however, it's also possible the Eagles consider Alabama's Dee Milliner here as well.
5. Detroit Lions (draft history) - DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama
[Kevin's pick] The secondary is clearly the weakest unit of the Lions defense and three of their top four corners are due to become free agents in 2013: Chris Houston, Drayton Florence and Pat Lee.
Milliner, who was the top-ranked cornerback prospect out of high school, led the country in passes broken up (20) and was tied for first in passes defended (22). Collectively as a team, the Crimson Tide allowed a mere seven passing touchdowns while intercepting 19 passes last season.
When he ran a 4.37 forty at the combine, Milliner solidified himself as a top-five pick in the draft despite needing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.
If the Lions don't take Milliner, I would expect them to go with a defensive end like BYU's Ziggy Ansah. The Lions released Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
See rest of the mock: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32
