MOST MOCK DRAFTS will undoubtedly be wrong. One trade, one surprise move by a team, and your carefully researched draft is in tatters.
That is especially true in 2013 when there is so little to separate the top five players at each position.
Instead, what I hope to achieve with this mock draft, is showing you what needs each team has and where they are likely to look.
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, offensive tackle, Texas A & M
Despite suggestions in the last couple of days that the Chiefs could look to trade out of this spot, I think Joeckel will be the pick here. The Chiefs will play him at left tackle and look to trade Branden Albert – who currently plays the position – during or after the draft.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, outside linebacker, Oregon
I’m not 100% convinced about this pick but it’s where I’d look if I were the Jaguars general manager. Jordan has the speed and athletic ability to get to the quarterback and makes their defence instantly more versatile. Don’t be surprised if they panic and select quarterback Geno Smith though.
The Raiders have more holes to fill than Kerry Co. Council. However, the most obvious one is a pass-rushing defensive tackle and Floyd is the best on the board. If the Raiders draft anyone else you’ll know that Al Davis is still running the organisation from beyond the grave.
4. New York Jets (from the Philadephia Eagles) – Dee Milliner, cornerback, Alabama Image: Dave Martin/AP/Press Association Images
With Jordan off the board, I can’t see the Eagles keeping the fourth overall pick. With two first round selections, the Jets will move up to pick the best corner in the draft in a effort to fill the hole filled by Darrelle Revis’ move to Tampa Bay.
5. Detroit Lions – Eric Fisher, offensive tackle, Central Michigan
With Milliner now gone, the Lions will instead look at giving Matthew Stafford even more time to find his receivers. Fisher is potentially an even better player than Luke Joeckel and to get him at number five represents great value.
6. San Diego Chargers (from the Cleveland Browns) – Lane Johnson, offensive tackle, Oklahoma
The two best offensive tackles are already gone so the Chargers can’t let the next best guy fall to the Arizona Cardinals and will trade up to help steady their faltering offensive line. Johnson has played quarterback before so he knows exactly what is required to protect them.
The last guard picked in the top ten was Chris Naeole in 1997 but, with their three preferred tackles off the board, the Cardinals will have very little choice here. That said, it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world if they were to try trade down from this spot.
8. Buffalo Bills – Ryan Nassib, quarterback, Syracuse Image: Michael Conroy/AP/Press Association Images
Geno Smith is the only quarterback worth a top ten pick but the Bills head coach Doug Marrone was Nassib’s coach in college and I fully expect him to resume that relationship in the professional ranks.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (from the New York Jets) - Star Lotulelei, defensive tackle, Utah
With the Eagles expected to run a 3-4 defence, Lotulelei makes great sense for new head coach Chip Kelly. The former Utah star is the most versatile player left in the draft so the Eagles just cannot pass him.
It looked for a long time like the Titans would draft a guard here but, after making a couple of moves in free agency, Vaccaro makes perfect sense. A safety who can play both the free and strong position is always welcome.
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11. Cleveland Browns (from the San Diego Chargers) – Ziggy Ansah, defensive end, BYU
Ansah, from Ghana, is the very definition of a raw talent. There might not be much game tape on the guy (he’s only started nine games), but he knows where the quarterback is and he knows what to do when he gets to him.
12. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Rhodes, corner back, Florida State Image: Phil Sears/AP/Press Association Images
With two second round picks and two third round picks to play with, the ‘Fins could well trade up for a left tackle. However, if they don’t, Rhodes fills a positional need and Miami have to take him.
13. New York Jets (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Barkevious Mingo, defensive end, LSU
The player with the best name in this year’s NFL Draft is perhaps the biggest risk too. Undoubtedly athletic, can Mingo turn his potential into ability?
The Panthers have a glaring hole at defensive tackle and, with no chance of Star Lotulelei falling this far, Richardson represents a more than adequate consolation prize.
15. New Orleans Saints – Jarvis Jones, outside linebacker, Georgia
With the Saints transition to a 3-4 defence almost complete, Jones will represent the final peice of the jigsaw as the best pass-rushing OLB on the board.
16. St. Louis Rams – Tavon Austin, wide receiver, West Virginia Image: Michael Conroy/AP/Press Association Images
There are some who criticise Tavon Austin for being ‘just’ a slot receiver but that worked out okay for Wes Welker, so why not Austin?
After losing Mike Wallace to free agency, the Steelers will find a ready-made replacement, especially in terms of playmaking, in Patterson.
18. Dallas Cowboys – Jonathan Cooper, offensive guard, North Carolina
The Cowboys need help in a lot of positions but Cooper provides an instant improvement to their run game.
19. New York Giants -Tyler Eifert, tight end, Notre Dame
There is no doubt the Giants need to fill holes on the offensive line but Eifert offers New York so much upside, especially with the loss of Martellus Bennett.
20. Chicago Bears – Manti Te’o, inside linebacker, Notre Dame Image: Dave Martin/AP/Press Association Images
The Vikings would love for Te’o to drop to them at 23 or 25 but, with Brian Urlacher’s boots to fill, the Bears will swoop in here.
The Bengals hate this spot and may well look to trade but when you get a chance to draft a man known as ‘Tank’ you take it.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) – Eric Reid, free safety, LSU
With their wide receiver requirement filled earlier in the first round, the Rams pick up the second best safety in the draft.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Sylvester Williams, defensive tackle, North Carolina
A ball-hawk nose tackle? They don’t come around too often but Williams has a knack for locating the football. Despite missing out on Te’o the Vikings will be more than happy with this pick.
24. Indianapolis Colts – Bjoern Werner, defensive end, Florida State Image: Phil Sears/AP/Press Association Images
The Colts may look to strengthen the offensive line to protect Andrew Luck but Werner is a rare type of defensive end that can play left and right as well as linebacker.
DeAndre Hopkins isn’t Percy Harvin but he does offer the Vikings a solid number two receiver option and has more raw speed than Greg Jennings.
26. Green Bay Packers – Eddie Lacy, running back, Alabama
The Packers haven’t drafted a running back in the first round in nearly 25 years but Lacy makes a lot of sense given their struggles at this position.
27. Houston Texans – Keenan Allen, wide receiver, California
As good as Andre Johnson is, he can’t do it all on his own. Allen has all the talent needed to become the Texans’ number two receiver.
28. Denver Broncos – Damontre Moore, defensive end, Texas A&M Image: Tony Gutierrez/AP/Press Association Images
Moore’s draft stock has collapsed after some poor scouting reports but, as he’s able to play defensive line and linebacker, he offers a lot of value at relatively little risk.
29. New England Patriots – Jonathan Cyprien, safety, Florida International
With so few picks this year, the Patriots have to make every one count. Cyprien plays the run and pass equally well, that has to attract Belichick and company.
30. Atlanta Falcons – Desmond Trufant, corner back, Washington
The Falcons need a corner and will pick up the best one left on the board. Trufant’s brothers – Marcus and Isaiah – also play corner in the NFL so there’s pedigree there.
31. San Francisco 49ers – Margus Hunt, defensive end, SMU
With 13 picks this year, and very few needs, the 49ers could do almost anything with this pick. That said, I expect them to add to their defensive line’s depth chart.
With Ray Lewis gone, inside linebacker is a critical need for the Ravens. Ogletree is the best available.
Remaining rounds
As for the rest of the draft, there are so many players of equal talent it’s hard to see a potential Tom Brady or Arian Foster emerging.
However, I do quite like Duke quarterback Sean Renfree who will probably go in the 4th-6th round. At best, Renfree could be the next great sleeper pick, at worst, he offers teams a quality backup quarterback.
It’ll be interesting to see where he, and everyone else, lands.
The Redzone’s 2013 NFL Mock Draft
MOST MOCK DRAFTS will undoubtedly be wrong. One trade, one surprise move by a team, and your carefully researched draft is in tatters.
That is especially true in 2013 when there is so little to separate the top five players at each position.
Instead, what I hope to achieve with this mock draft, is showing you what needs each team has and where they are likely to look.
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, offensive tackle, Texas A & M
Despite suggestions in the last couple of days that the Chiefs could look to trade out of this spot, I think Joeckel will be the pick here. The Chiefs will play him at left tackle and look to trade Branden Albert – who currently plays the position – during or after the draft.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, outside linebacker, Oregon
I’m not 100% convinced about this pick but it’s where I’d look if I were the Jaguars general manager. Jordan has the speed and athletic ability to get to the quarterback and makes their defence instantly more versatile. Don’t be surprised if they panic and select quarterback Geno Smith though.
3. Oakland Raiders - Sharrif Floyd, defensive tackle, Florida
The Raiders have more holes to fill than Kerry Co. Council. However, the most obvious one is a pass-rushing defensive tackle and Floyd is the best on the board. If the Raiders draft anyone else you’ll know that Al Davis is still running the organisation from beyond the grave.
4. New York Jets (from the Philadephia Eagles) – Dee Milliner, cornerback, Alabama
Image: Dave Martin/AP/Press Association Images
With Jordan off the board, I can’t see the Eagles keeping the fourth overall pick. With two first round selections, the Jets will move up to pick the best corner in the draft in a effort to fill the hole filled by Darrelle Revis’ move to Tampa Bay.
5. Detroit Lions – Eric Fisher, offensive tackle, Central Michigan
With Milliner now gone, the Lions will instead look at giving Matthew Stafford even more time to find his receivers. Fisher is potentially an even better player than Luke Joeckel and to get him at number five represents great value.
6. San Diego Chargers (from the Cleveland Browns) – Lane Johnson, offensive tackle, Oklahoma
The two best offensive tackles are already gone so the Chargers can’t let the next best guy fall to the Arizona Cardinals and will trade up to help steady their faltering offensive line. Johnson has played quarterback before so he knows exactly what is required to protect them.
7. Arizona Cardinals – Chance Warmack, offensive guard, Alabama
The last guard picked in the top ten was Chris Naeole in 1997 but, with their three preferred tackles off the board, the Cardinals will have very little choice here. That said, it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world if they were to try trade down from this spot.
8. Buffalo Bills – Ryan Nassib, quarterback, Syracuse
Image: Michael Conroy/AP/Press Association Images
Geno Smith is the only quarterback worth a top ten pick but the Bills head coach Doug Marrone was Nassib’s coach in college and I fully expect him to resume that relationship in the professional ranks.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (from the New York Jets) - Star Lotulelei, defensive tackle, Utah
With the Eagles expected to run a 3-4 defence, Lotulelei makes great sense for new head coach Chip Kelly. The former Utah star is the most versatile player left in the draft so the Eagles just cannot pass him.
10. Tennessee Titans – Kenny Vaccaro, free safety, Texas
It looked for a long time like the Titans would draft a guard here but, after making a couple of moves in free agency, Vaccaro makes perfect sense. A safety who can play both the free and strong position is always welcome.
11. Cleveland Browns (from the San Diego Chargers) – Ziggy Ansah, defensive end, BYU
Ansah, from Ghana, is the very definition of a raw talent. There might not be much game tape on the guy (he’s only started nine games), but he knows where the quarterback is and he knows what to do when he gets to him.
12. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Rhodes, corner back, Florida State
Image: Phil Sears/AP/Press Association Images
With two second round picks and two third round picks to play with, the ‘Fins could well trade up for a left tackle. However, if they don’t, Rhodes fills a positional need and Miami have to take him.
13. New York Jets (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Barkevious Mingo, defensive end, LSU
The player with the best name in this year’s NFL Draft is perhaps the biggest risk too. Undoubtedly athletic, can Mingo turn his potential into ability?
14. Carolina Panthers – Sheldon Richardson, defensive tackle, Missouri
The Panthers have a glaring hole at defensive tackle and, with no chance of Star Lotulelei falling this far, Richardson represents a more than adequate consolation prize.
15. New Orleans Saints – Jarvis Jones, outside linebacker, Georgia
With the Saints transition to a 3-4 defence almost complete, Jones will represent the final peice of the jigsaw as the best pass-rushing OLB on the board.
16. St. Louis Rams – Tavon Austin, wide receiver, West Virginia
Image: Michael Conroy/AP/Press Association Images
There are some who criticise Tavon Austin for being ‘just’ a slot receiver but that worked out okay for Wes Welker, so why not Austin?
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordarrelle Patterson, wide receiver, Tennessee
After losing Mike Wallace to free agency, the Steelers will find a ready-made replacement, especially in terms of playmaking, in Patterson.
18. Dallas Cowboys – Jonathan Cooper, offensive guard, North Carolina
The Cowboys need help in a lot of positions but Cooper provides an instant improvement to their run game.
19. New York Giants -Tyler Eifert, tight end, Notre Dame
There is no doubt the Giants need to fill holes on the offensive line but Eifert offers New York so much upside, especially with the loss of Martellus Bennett.
20. Chicago Bears – Manti Te’o, inside linebacker, Notre Dame
Image: Dave Martin/AP/Press Association Images
The Vikings would love for Te’o to drop to them at 23 or 25 but, with Brian Urlacher’s boots to fill, the Bears will swoop in here.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Cornellius Carradine, defensive end, FSU
The Bengals hate this spot and may well look to trade but when you get a chance to draft a man known as ‘Tank’ you take it.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) – Eric Reid, free safety, LSU
With their wide receiver requirement filled earlier in the first round, the Rams pick up the second best safety in the draft.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Sylvester Williams, defensive tackle, North Carolina
A ball-hawk nose tackle? They don’t come around too often but Williams has a knack for locating the football. Despite missing out on Te’o the Vikings will be more than happy with this pick.
24. Indianapolis Colts – Bjoern Werner, defensive end, Florida State
Image: Phil Sears/AP/Press Association Images
The Colts may look to strengthen the offensive line to protect Andrew Luck but Werner is a rare type of defensive end that can play left and right as well as linebacker.
25. Minnesota Vikings (from Seattle Seahawks) – DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver, Clemson
DeAndre Hopkins isn’t Percy Harvin but he does offer the Vikings a solid number two receiver option and has more raw speed than Greg Jennings.
26. Green Bay Packers – Eddie Lacy, running back, Alabama
The Packers haven’t drafted a running back in the first round in nearly 25 years but Lacy makes a lot of sense given their struggles at this position.
27. Houston Texans – Keenan Allen, wide receiver, California
As good as Andre Johnson is, he can’t do it all on his own. Allen has all the talent needed to become the Texans’ number two receiver.
28. Denver Broncos – Damontre Moore, defensive end, Texas A&M
Image: Tony Gutierrez/AP/Press Association Images
Moore’s draft stock has collapsed after some poor scouting reports but, as he’s able to play defensive line and linebacker, he offers a lot of value at relatively little risk.
29. New England Patriots – Jonathan Cyprien, safety, Florida International
With so few picks this year, the Patriots have to make every one count. Cyprien plays the run and pass equally well, that has to attract Belichick and company.
30. Atlanta Falcons – Desmond Trufant, corner back, Washington
The Falcons need a corner and will pick up the best one left on the board. Trufant’s brothers – Marcus and Isaiah – also play corner in the NFL so there’s pedigree there.
31. San Francisco 49ers – Margus Hunt, defensive end, SMU
With 13 picks this year, and very few needs, the 49ers could do almost anything with this pick. That said, I expect them to add to their defensive line’s depth chart.
32. Baltimore Ravens – Alec Ogletree, inside linebacker, Georgia
With Ray Lewis gone, inside linebacker is a critical need for the Ravens. Ogletree is the best available.
Remaining rounds
As for the rest of the draft, there are so many players of equal talent it’s hard to see a potential Tom Brady or Arian Foster emerging.
However, I do quite like Duke quarterback Sean Renfree who will probably go in the 4th-6th round. At best, Renfree could be the next great sleeper pick, at worst, he offers teams a quality backup quarterback.
It’ll be interesting to see where he, and everyone else, lands.
The Paul Kimmage film about his Lance crusade, doping and the UCI that you should see
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