2013 NFL Mock Draft - Brendan Donahue
Updated: Wednesday, April 24, 2013
The 2013 NFL Draft will be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25th to 27th.
Below you will find the 2013 NFL mock draft from EDSFootball.com contributor Brendan Donahue.
1. Kansas City Chiefs - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
We have been able to pencil in a left tackle to the Chiefs for quite a while now, but now that the Chiefs are "95% confident" that Branden Albert will be traded, I think we can put this in pen now. The only question remains is which one do they prefer: Joeckel or Eric Fisher. They are both very similar in size and strength but the tape on Joeckel in college appears to be a bit cleaner making him the safer of the two picks, which is why I think coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs will make Joeckel the first pick overall in this year's draft.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon
The Jaguars are said to have narrowed their decision down to two players (which is what you would like to hear out of the team with the 2nd pick). Now is it between two pass rushers in Jordan and Mingo? Or is it between a pass rusher and possibly a tackle which is what we are hearing this week? I happen to think it is between the two pass rushers and still think they go with Jordan, who is just a physical freak and is getting comparisons to Jason Taylor. He has the size, speed and versatility to lineup at OLB, which is where I expect him to begin his career, but still have the frame to put on some more weight and evolve into that Jason Taylor role on the D-Line.
*** Projected Trade between Raiders and Cardinals ***
3. Arizona Cardinals - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Arizona is coming to the realization that if they want one of the top three tackles in this draft they are going to have to move up. Many scouts actually prefer Fisher to Jocekel this year so this is a great spot for the Cardinals to move up and get their franchise left tackle, which they desperately need. While their QB play last year was pathetic (and it truly was), their offensive line was nearly as bad. Fisher will help keep their newly acquired QB and investment in Carson Palmer upright and hopefully healthy for next season.
4. Philadelphia Eagles - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Now that Chip Kelly is at the helm, it is very hard to predict where the Eagles will go with this pick also given their many needs. First, it was they are definitely going to be offensive line, then it was they are definitely going with a defensive back, then it was well now they want to get the QB of the future that can fit Kelly's system, and now with just two days to go it is they are going to go for the best defensive tackle and lineman in the draft in Lotulelei. I am going to go with the latest rumor because I feel he is the best player available and also fits a need. He is not simply just a space-eating defensive tackle, he can shift on the line and get after the QB.
5. Detroit Lions - DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama
Detroit could possibly look to trade down here as people are starting to back off of Milliner due to medical concerns, but these were the same concerns he had at the beginning of the draft process and that was before he quieted some of his doubters at that combine showing his 4.37 speed to go along with his 200-pound frame. Milliner has the rare combination of size and speed that teams covet in a corner these days and I think it will be very hard for the Lions to pass on him here.
*** Projected Trade between Browns and Jets ***
6. New York Jets - Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
Rex Ryan has been rumored to be in love with Mingo, which is why he will probably force the hand of his new GM and make him trade up to ensure that he gets him. Now that Milliner is gone, Mingo would be a distinct possibility for the Browns here, but they are happy to move down to receive extra picks from the Jets and hope that Ansah falls to them. Even though Mingo had a disappointing season last year, he has really excelled in the offseason where he ran a 4.58 forty and has said to have done very well during the interview process.
*** Projected Trade between Raiders and Cardinals ***
7. Oakland Raiders - Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
In this scenario, the Raiders are able to get extra picks, which they desperately need, since they are in a rebuilding mode, and still get the guy they want which would probably be the most-heralded move the Raiders have made in a long time. The Raiders have let go Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour is a free agent so Floyd can come in right away and make an impact on the defensive line. He is a perfect fit in the Raiders scheme and has the size and quickness to slip through the line and get to the quarterback or running back as evidenced by his 13 tackles for loss last year with the Gators.
*** Projected Trade between Bills and Chargers ***
8. San Diego Chargers - Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
The Chargers will and should be the first team to call the Bills if Lane Johnson is still on the board here. He fills a glaring hole for them and if he does fall to Buffalo at 8, it will not compromise the rest of their draft to move up only 3 spots to get him. Johnson has been shooting up draft boards as this once quarterback and tight end is finally getting acclimated to playing offensive tackle and made huge strides last year at Oklahoma. He is widely considered as the last elite offensive tackle in the draft so look for the Chargers (or another team) to try and trade up to get him at some point.
*** Projected Trade between Browns and Jets ***
9. Cleveland Browns - Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
The Browns look to be willing trade partners this year with whomever wants to trade up whether its the Jets or like I said possibly the Chargers to get Lane Johnson. Ansah is another one of those 'tweeners that can line up at OLB or DE, but his role will be to get after the passer no matter where he lines up. Ansah is another player in this draft that came to not only his position but actually the sport of football late and is viewed to be very raw but has huge upside.
10. Tennessee Titans - D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
Today's dumb tweet aside, Fluker has been moving up many draft boards as teams are interested in his versatility to play tackle or guard. The Titans need help along the line at both spots so Fluker makes sense here because he has the ceiling of a starting tackle in the NFL and the floor of an excellent guard. While both Cooper and Warmack may be better guards at this point in their careers, they do not project at any point to play tackle in the NFL, which as we know is much more coveted, so look for the Titans to go with Fluker in this spot.
*** Projected Trade between Bills and Chargers ***
11. Buffalo Bills - Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
The Bills are able to land their franchise QB in Nassib and still pick up extra picks along the way so that has to be viewed by a win in their book. Even if many people feel that this is way too high for Nassib to go, the Bills (particularly new head coach Doug Marrone) feel that he is a franchise QB in this league and if they are correct this certainly isn't too high for him. Nassib will be looked to come in early since he is already very comfortable and familiar with the playbook and newly acquired Kevin Kolb doesn't exactly make you confident the Bills are winning the Super Bowl any time soon (even if Kolb believes it).
*** Projected Trade between Dolphins and Rams ***
12. New York Jets - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
There are strong indications the Dolphins have been very active in making phone calls to teams to gauge the interest in moving out of this pick and moving down in the draft to acquire extra picks. If this is indeed the case, the Rams should gladly answer their call to move up and take the best playmaker in this draft. Although Austin is undersized, he showed he does have strength benching 225 lbs 14 times at the combine and then following that up with 4.34 forty time which solidified that he has the chance to be a game-breaker at the next level. The Rams have sorely lacked playmakers to pair with Sam Bradford and this is their chance to finally add one to the roster.
13. (Via TB) New York Jets - D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston
Hayden held a workout this week and the only head coach to attend was Rex Ryan. Now that the Jets have departed ways with Revis, cornerback all of a sudden becomes a need on this team to go along with the many others that they already have. Hayden is considered a supremely talented player and has the traits you look for in a cover corner, but he had a freak accident in college that nearly killed him, which is why there is some hesitancy here. But again, if Rex Ryan is still calling the shots (and I think he is), he is enamored with the talent of Hayden and will make him the replacement for Revis.
14. Carolina Panthers - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
This is a spot where value meets need. The Panthers are desperate for a disruptive defensive tackle and Richardson more than fits the bill here. He not only had 75 tackles from the defensive tackle spot, which is impressive, but also had over 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, and three forced fumbles.
15. New Orleans Saints - Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Many are surprised to see Rhodes as the third corner off the board, but the Saints will be very happy if he does indeed fall to them here. The one thing we know the Saints will do with their first pick is go after defense, which set an NFL record for yardage allowed last season. Now that the Bucs have added Darrelle Revis, the Saints will hope to add a shutdown corner of their own in the pass-happy NFC South. Rhodes is one of the biggest corners in the draft but also showed he has the speed running a 4.47 at the combine; the only knock on him is that he may be too physical with receivers at times and could be flagged more often in the NFL than he was in college.
*** Projected Trade between Dolphins and Rams ***
16. Miami Dolphins - Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
Warmack only falls this far because guard is no longer considered a high priority on draft boards, otherwise he could very well be a top-5 pick. Warmack is an absolute stud and dominated in the BCS game on a national stage. The Dolphins need help on the offensive line and are able to pick up a possible Pro-Bowl guard who can come in and start on day 1.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Once thought to be a top-5 pick, if not the top pick of the draft, Jones has dropped due to medical concerns. In fact, if he doesn't get drafted by the Steelers here, he could continue to slip out of the first round altogether. However, I think this is where his fall ends as he is a perfect fit in the Steelers system and is a younger version of the departed James Harrison.
18. Dallas Cowboys - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
While Jerry Jones won't be happy he can't make more of a splash with this pick, he will be happy with the best safety available who also happens to have played his college ball in Texas. The Cowboys were rumored to be in love with Mark Barron last year so this year they actually do get the best safety in the draft and finally address their need at safety that they've had for a few years now.
19. New York Giants - Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State
Carradine is exactly the type of player the Giants have drafted in the past few years. He would have been a top-10 pick, but he is going to fall in the draft because of an ACL injury. He may not be ready on day 1, but that is fine with the Giants as they already have talent on the line but have just lost Osi in free agency and could lose Tuck next year. He is a perfect risk/reward pick here for the Giants and if he is even close to what JPP is for them, then their pass rush will be one of the best in the league once again.
20. Chicago Bears - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Eifert is considered one of the safest players in the draft as evidenced by the fact that he had zero pre-draft visits, meaning teams know exactly the type of person they are getting off the field and have absolutely no concerns in that area. As the clear cut top TE in the draft, and in my opinion the best pass-catching tight end prospect in the past few drafts, the Bears would love to add him here and give Jay Cutler another weapon outside of Brandon Marshall and an improvement over their recent signing in Martellus Bennett.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Johnathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
A fast-rising player on many draft boards, Cyprien is a physical specimen who can separate the man from ball if necessary. He has the ability to play in the box but also range as a center fielder over the top, which is exactly the type of player the Bengals need in the AFC North.
22. (Via WAS) St. Louis Rams - Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina
The Rams would have to be thrilled if they are able to still address two of their biggest needs if the draft falls this way. Cooper much like Warmack is a much more talented player than where he is being drafted, but that is the value of the guard in today's NFL. Cooper is actually considered to be a better run blocker than Warmack and is another guy that can be plugged in right away and immediately upgrade their offensive line.
23. Minnesota Vikings - Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas State
Brown has the same knock on him that Lavonte David did coming out of Nebraska last year that they are undersized even though they made all the plays in college and always seemed to be around the ball. Brown is a super athletic linebacker who can play inside or outside and more importantly has the speed to cover backs and tight ends in the open field.
24. Indianapolis Colts - Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Trufant was a four-year starter at Washington and has two older players who have already played in the NFL so you shouldn't have to worry about adjusting to the next level with Trufant. He is a fluid corner that has the speed to stay with receivers but would like to see some better ball skills with only one interception in his senior year.
25. (Via SEA) Minnesota Vikings - Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
Williams has really impressed both during the season but also after it by first dominating during the Senior Bowl and then shedding weight for the combine. He has now established himself as another athletic defensive tackle in this draft which is why he has passed the likes of Hankins and Jenkins on many people's boards. The Vikings had a pair of stud defensive tackles with the last name Williams so they will be thrilled to add another one here.
26. Green Bay Packers - Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
The Packers could certainly use some help in a lot of places on defense and Jones can help them address a few areas because of his flexibility. He has the size to play along the interior if need be but also the speed to play on the outside (where he is better suited). Wherever you put him, he will help you get pressure on the quarterback having 6.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss last year at UCLA.
27. Houston Texans - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
I just read something recently that was quite shocking - Andre Johnson will be 32 and heading into his 11th season the NFL. Not only did it surprise me, but it also made me feel old. It is time for the Texans to not only give him some support finally but also start thinking about who his replacement is going to be. Patterson could possibly be the biggest boom or bust in this entire draft. No one can question his talent and his physical tools but mentally he seems to not be on the same page a lot and you wonder how he will grasp an NFL playbook.
28. Denver Broncos - Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
The Broncos need more speed and range from their linebackers and Ogletree can certainly fill that need here. There are some character concerns here which is why he drops a bit farther than his talent suggests, but Denver is the type of organization that will get someone in line fast.
*** Projected trade between Patriots and Eagles ***
29. Philadelphia Eagles - Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Well the tradition continues with the Pats and Eagles making draft-day trades even though it is now Chip Kelly pulling off the trade, but he too has a long relationship with Belichick. Kelly is ready to get his franchise QB now and will jump on the chance to get the best QB in this draft this late. I also think the Patriots will be willing trade partners to anyone who wants to jump back in to the first round since they do not have 4th-, 5th- or 6th-round picks this year.
30. Atlanta Falcons - Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
The Falcons need to address the loss of Brent Grimes in the offseason, especially in the NFC South, and they are able to do that here with Taylor. Taylor out of Boise St. has steadily risen up many draft boards with a very impressive Senior Bowl week, combine, and interviews to quell some of the fears that he played against inferior competition in college.
31. San Francisco 49ers - Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
It was nice to see Michael Crabtree finally develop into the player that most of us thought he could be coming out of college, but the Niners still need some help on the opposite side of him. Hunter is another player that is all over a lot of people's boards. He has the size and speed to at least give you what Moss did last year with the potential to be a lot more and a better red zone target which could make this offense scary.
32. Baltimore Ravens - Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame
Well with the recent arrest (again) of Rolando McClain, the Ravens appear to still have a need at inside linebacker and Te'o is the best one left in the draft. Does he lack the ideal speed you look for - yes. But he does seem to have a knack for being around the ball and making plays as evidenced by his 111 tackles last year and 437 career tackles, which ranks third all-time in Notre Dame history. I think he is over the off the field stuff and there is no question, he is a leader on the field.
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