2013 NFL Mock Draft: Preseason Edition

Preseason games have started, so of course it's time for the next installment of what round one might look like in the spring once the dust is settled on the football seasons. Some changes were made in two months, and I’m sure many more to follow. If the draft where held today here is my take on round one.

Breaking from tradition I did project a few trades just for fun and discussion.

1. Arizona (from Minnesota)*: Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech

Thomas is a beast of a man who could have a Cam Newton-like year and spring board to the top of all draft boards. Everyone will know the name Logan Thomas after the season.  Logan has the size, arm strength and athletic ability to become the top QB in the 2013 draft.  Would fit in Coach Wiz's offense similar to Big Ben did in Pittsburgh but hopefully they would get a long a lot better.  

2. Miami: Robert Woods, WR, USC

What do you buy a team with no real weapons at wide receiver? How about the best wide receiver in college. Woods is clearly the number wide receiver going into the season and should only improve on his status playing in the closest thing to an NFL offense allowed in college.   Woods has great hands, understanding of the position and the desire to get better.   Perfect addition to a Miami team struggling for skilled wide receivers.

3. Cleveland: Star Lotuleli, DT, Utah

This will be the first pick of the new ownership and it will finally address the need to upgrade the talent on defense.  With no true standouts at defensive tackle the team waits no time adding a beast like Lotuleli to the fold.   Instant force up the middle.

4. Jacksonville: Eric Reid, FS, LSU

The Jaguars still have some spots to fill, the biggest being the need to address the center of the field and a top-flight free safety will help all facets of defense. Added some stop gap players this year but Reid is a long term answer for the defense.   Instant starter and difference maker.

5. Indianapolis: Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU

Indy went mainly all offense in 2012 but will need to flip it in 2013 and upgrade linebacker depth, and Mingo will be heir apparent to Dwight Freeney, who will be a free agent at the end of the season.   With a Ravens style of defense on the horizon Mingo makes perfect sense to take over for Dwight and lead the defense.

Minnesota (from Arizona)*: David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State

The Vikings considered Morris Claiborne last year, but finally make the move and get the big physical corner in Amerson this year.  This pick makes a lot of sense as Antoine Winfield is a free agent of 2013 and Chris Carr was signed only to a one year deal.  Amerson has potential to a day 1 starter in a need position for the Vikings.

7. St. Louis: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

St. Louis has James Laurinaitis in the middle but could use a guy like Jones at strong side.   He is an instant upgrade as Jeff Fisher tries to rebuild the Rams defense in the mold of his top tier Titans defense. Jones would fill the roll similar to what Keith Bulluck did for many years with the Titans. 

8. Seattle: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Barkley falls in the lap of his old coach and is too tempting to pass up, especially with the less than stellar play of Matt Flynn, height limitation of Russell Wilson and pending departure of Tavaris Jackson.  According to reports Wilson has played well but taking Barkley will be too tempting for Pete Carroll as he final gets the man under center to run the offense.   With some questions on height Barkley stock could slide every so bit but landing with his former college coach is a nice spot to fall.

9. Buffalo (from St. Louis Via Washington)*: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

Chan Gailey keeps saying Vince Young looks great. Enough said; franchise QB finally for Buffalo.  Wilson is battle test who potential could challenge for the top QB in the draft.  Hurt some by the departure of Bobby Petrino but it should give Wilson the opportunity to show he can handle coaching change without it changing his game.  Has very nice touch, good size and very smart.   Arm is certainly strong enough for the Buffalo weather.

10. Tampa Bay: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas

Jeffcoat is a talented player who has a great pedigree and will fill the role that Da'Quan Bowers was taken for in 2011 as Bowers can’t seem to stay healthy.   Let's remember Michael Bennett signed a only a one year deal so that along with Bowers heath makes this clearly a need selection. 

Rest of the First Round

11. Tennessee: Chris Faulk, OT, LSU—Talented player who gets taught by two Hall of Famers…pretty good.  Both tackles are turning 30 this year so developing someone behind them is not a bad idea especially someone as talented as Faulk and with both current starters hitting the free agency market in the same year 2015.

12. Cincinnati: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas—They address upgrading defensive tackle in 2012 and now get a premiere defensive end; the Bengals will bring the heat.  Mike Zimmer is building quite a nice young defensive line.

13. Carolina: Keenan Allen, WR, California— Future No. 1 target of Cam Newton, but until then he is Steve Smith’s running mate.   His size is certainly something that will be an additional feature for the Panthers to exploit in the passing game.

14. Oakland: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State— Betting that there was a reason Spencer was allowed to leave San Fran and Bartell allowed to leave St. Louis; just a hunch corner may be a need.

15. St. Louis (from Buffalo)*: Barrett Jones, OG, Alabama— Similar to DeCastro in the 2012 draft, Jones is a leader of a super talented 'Bama line and now will open holes and protect the quarterback for the Rams.

16. Chicago: Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame— As Urlacher battles to stay healthy at the end of his career, the Bears need to have his replacement being groomed as Brian turns 35 in May.

17. Kansas City: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee— Finally KC invests a pick on a franchise QB. Bray gives them that power arm to go into battle against the big boys in the NFL.

18. New Orleans: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU— Moves in behind Will Smith and pushes for playing time early as the Saints hope to revamp and change the culture of their defense.  Remember Smith will have a price tag of 9 million and be 32 going into the 2013 season possibly the last year on his contract.  

19. NY Jets: Sean Porter, OLB, Texas A&M— Jets linebackers have gotten old and an influx of talent is needed. Porter is a nice player who should take a starting spot immediately.

20. Atlanta: Margus Hunt, DE, SMU—One of these years John Abraham is going to call it a career. It will be nice to have a freak like Hunt on the roster to have learn from and eventually replace "Big John."

21. Denver: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State— Like Abraham in Atlanta, Champ Bailey can’t play forever and Rhodes gives them a player to groom as his replacement.

22. San Francisco: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State— The team has talent on defense but can always look to get younger, especially in the middle of the defensive line. Hankins goes to play for "Mr. Michigan."

23. Dallas: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee— Unlikely to find a true number three this year, taking Hunter gives them that and the insurance in case things continue down the wrong path with Dez Bryant or Miles Austin continues to struggle to stay healthy.

24. Houston: T.J. McDonald, FS, USC— The Texans can use that ball hawking safety in the mold of former Cardinals great Tim McDonald, so why not his son.  McDonald would be perfect for a Wade Phillips defense.

25. Detroit: William Gholston, DE, Michigan State— Many believe Kyle Vanden Bosch has no more than another year maybe two left in the tank. Time to get his replacement ready. Gholston is a a hoemtown boy who will be a big target to throw over at 6-7/

26. Philadelphia: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M— Jason Peters may never get to 100% so the Eagles might as well grab Joeckel who could start either tackle spots until the dust settles with Peters.  Joeckel will contend for the top tackle spot next spring.

27. San Diego: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M— A talented team, but they realize you can never have enough young offensive linemen  Matthews will create some nice protection for Rivers and open up some holes for the Chargers running attack.

28. New England: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina— The Pats finally break down and take a real starting running back. Lattimore will allow a more balanced offense when needed.  He just needs to stay healthy in 2012.

29. Pittsburgh: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina— Another team that kind of got caught short handed when it came to offense linemen a few year ago (Flozell anyone), and I’m sure that won’t happen again.

30. NY Giants: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame— The Giants will learn why most Cowboys fans celebrated the departure of Martellus Bennett.    Eifert is a Tom Coughlin kind of player and with his all around game should start day 1.

31. Baltimore: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan— The Ravens can finally end the Bryant McKinnie experiment and get a talent and young tackle in Lewan.    Lewan is the big boy the Ravens love and becomes Ray Rice and Joe Flacco's favorite linemen.

32. Green Bay: Michael Buchanan, DE, Illinois— Ryan Pickett is getting older and a replacement will be needed soon. Buchanan is a big boy who can push to start day one and team with Jerel Worthy as the future ends of the Packers.

Projecting trade *

Remember so much will change but it's a well thought out mock; as always I appreciate any feedback and suggestion on what else your team might need. Shoot me an email at [e-mail] with any thoughts.