2013 NFL Mock Draft: Comparing the Latest Mocks from Around the Web
With the 2012 NFL regular season in the books, fan bases now have one of two things to get excited about: playoff football and the NFL Draft.
The 2013 NFL Draft is still months away, but for many fans, this is the next real event that they can take part in with their favorite team.
As it currently stands, there is no consensus No. 1 prospect at this point. As we inch nearer to the NFL Combine and pro days, many questions will be solved and the top prospect will emerge.
In this first edition, we will take a look at a few up-to-date mock drafts currently available on the web. In March there will be plenty of mock drafts to choose from, but as 2013 approaches there are only so many available.
The three NFL gurus are as follows: CBSSports.com's Rob Rang and Dane Brugler and Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller.
Clicking on their names above will link you to their most current mock draft with analysis.
All three of these professionals know their stuff when it comes to the draft so it'll be interesting to compare their mocks and then also give my pick with analysis!
1. Kansas City Chiefs
1 of 32Rang - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Brugler - Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Miller - Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Talbot - Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
The Chiefs had an abysmal season. The team has plenty of talent on the roster, yet the Chiefs only managed to win two games.
Some of the blame has to go to Romeo Crennel and his play-calling, but the biggest flaw with the Chiefs is their lack of a quarterback.
While Geno Smith didn't do much to impress at the Pinstripe Bowl, he is still the top quarterback available in the 2013 draft. The Chiefs take him for his arm strength, athleticism and potential.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
2 of 32Rang - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Brugler - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Miller - Bjern Werner, DE, Florida State
Talbot - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
The Jaguars could go many routes here. Blaine Gabbert has done nothing to show that he is a franchise signal-caller, but there isn't a quarterback worth taking this high besides Smith.
Unless the Jaguars trade down, look for them to take Star Lotulelei out of Utah. Lotulelei is the top defensive player in the draft and will help the Jaguars in run defense, where they ranked 29th in 2012 as well as sacking the quarterback. The Jaguars finished last in the league with just 20 sacks on the season.
Jacksonville will draft a "Star" in the making.
3. Oakland Raiders
3 of 32Rang - Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Brugler - Bjern Werner, DE, Florida State
Miller - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Talbot - Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Oakland is a team that could go in plenty of directions.
They need a quarterback, but they are probably stuck with Carson Palmer for at one more season. They also have Terrelle Pryor, who will probably get an opportunity to win the job in training camp.
On defense, they need plenty of help on the defensive line and their linebacker core is a mess.
I have the Raiders going with Jarvis Jones, the best overall linebacker in the draft.
Jones has everything you look for in an OLB. In his junior season, he finished with 77 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and an interception. Of his 77 tackles, 22.5 of them were behind the line of scrimmage.
Oakland will still have plenty of holes to fill, but Jones is a step in the right direction.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
4 of 32Rang - Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Brugler - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Miller - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Talbot - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
The Eagles need a left tackle of the future. They have Jason Peters on their roster, but he is currently 30 years old but is coming off of a ruptured Achilles tendon for the second time. His backups, Demetress Bell and King Dunlap did nothing to show they are capable left tackles.
Enter Luke Joeckel. The top tackle in the country comes in and starts from day one protecting Nick Foles' blindside.
Offensive tackle is never a sexy pick, but it's the right move for the Eagles.
5. Detroit Lions
5 of 32Rang - Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
Brugler - Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
Miller - Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Talbot - Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
The Lions need help at defensive end. Kyle Vanden Bosch is 34 years old and had a forgettable season, compiling 36 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
On the other side of the defensive line, Cliff Avril is an impending free agent. Lawrence Jackson, a backup defensive end, is also entering free agency.
Simply put, defensive end makes too much sense here for the Lions. Bjoern Werner is the top defensive end in the country his 13 sacks and 18 tackles of loss will be a welcome addition in Detroit.
6. Cleveland Browns
6 of 32Rang - Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
Brugler - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Miller - Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
Talbot - Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
The Browns are also in the market for a defensive end and after Werner, Damontre Moore is the second best defensive end in the draft.
Moore finished his season at Texas A&M with 12.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. He will join Jabaal Sheard at defensive end for the Browns .
A year after addressing their offense early, the Browns will address the defensive side of the ball in 2013.
7. Arizona Cardinals
7 of 32Rang - Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Brugler - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Miller - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Talbot - Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
The Cardinals need help desperately at quarterback and offensive line. Maybe Kevin Kolb could be salvaged behind an offensive line, but I think the Cardinals go with the second best quarterback on the board, Tyler Wilson.
Wilson can make every NFL throw and has thrown 45 touchdowns to 19 interceptions in the last two seasons. He would be the best quarterback Larry Fitzgerald has worked with since Kurt Warner. To me, the Cardinals have to address quarterback first in the 2013 draft.
As for offensive line, there is plenty of talent hitting free agency this season. The Cardinals would be wise to target some of these players.
8. Buffalo Bills
8 of 32Rang - Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
Brugler - Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State
Miller - Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
Talbot - Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
I'm going against the grain. Buffalo does need a quarterback but after Geno Smith and Tyler Wilson, I'm not blown away with any of the prospects available in round one. Buffalo can wait until round two and see who is available in a pool that could include Tyler Bray, Mike Glennon, Aaron Murray, Ryan Nassib and various others.
The Bills defensive gave up 435 points this season, which is utterly pathetic. I'm not arguing that quarterback isn't a bigger need, but based on talent alone, Manti Te'o is a better choice than any quarterback available in my mock draft.
Te'o is a natural leader and playmaker defensively. He'd join a Buffalo team with plenty of talent on its defensive line and a promising young OLB in Nigel Bradham. In the secondary, Stephon Gilmore had a promising rookie season and if the Bills lock-up Jairus Byrd to a long-term deal then there will be multiple pieces in place defensively.
9. New York Jets
9 of 32Rang - Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
Brugler - Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Miller - Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State
Talbot - Keenan Allen, WR, California
The Jets could address their aging linebacker core or abysmal offense in round one. I leaned towards offense and the Jets taking the top wide receiver available.
At the end of the season, the Jets wide receiver core was a mess. The team needs talent and depth, so Keenan Allen is a welcome addition for the Jets.
By adding Allen, the Jets starting wide receiver corps in 2013 would be Santonio Holmes, Stephen Hill and Keenan Allen. Since Mark Sanchez's contract makes him virtually impossible to trade or release, he'll get one more shot to show that many of his struggles in 2012 were due to the talent, or lack-thereof, around him.
10. Tennessee Titans
10 of 32Rang - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Brugler - Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
Miller - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Talbot - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Tennessee needs plenty of help on its defensive line so Richardson is the choice.
Richardson would help the Titans against the pass and run. In 2012, the former Missouri Tiger, finished the season with 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He added seven QB pressures and finished the season with 75 tackles.
Overall, Richardson would be a solid choice for the Titans.
11. San Diego Chargers
11 of 32Rang - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Brugler - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Miller - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Talbot - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
San Diego has talent offensively, but their offensive line hasn't really helped the team much. For that reason, the Chargers would be wise to take an offensive tackle.
Jake Matthews out of Texas A&M is a mauler. He is freakishly strong and very physical. His best fit would be at right tackle, but I do believe that Matthews could play on the left side as well.
By adding Matthews, Philip Rivers will have more time to make passes and there should be more holes for Ryan Mathews in the run game.
12. Miami Dolphins
12 of 32Rang - Keenan Allen, WR, California
Brugler - Keenan Allen, WR, California
Miller - Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
Talbot - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
The Dolphins taking an OT from Michigan with their first pick? Sounds familiar.
Jake Long is likely out the door for the Dolphins. His level of play has dropped significantly and he will not be worth the money that he'll be asking for.
Lewan obviously is not as highly rated as Long was coming out of college, but he is still a very good offensive tackle. The Dolphins had a nice season under Joe Philbin and will help Ryan Tannehill by adding protection to his blindside.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13 of 32Rang - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Brugler - Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
Miller - Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi St.
Talbot - Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
Tampa Bay had its struggles getting to the quarterback in 2012.
The Buccaneers ended 2012 with just 25 quarterback sacks. Barkevious Mingo, a raw athlete, would be a nice fit for Tampa Bay. His junior season was a bit of a let-down as compared to his sophomore season, but Mingo is a disruptive force who would help improve the Buccaneers defense.
14. Carolina Panthers
14 of 32Rang - Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
Brugler - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Miller - Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
Talbot - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Dee Milliner, the top cornerback in the draft, slides a bit in my mock draft. It's not that he couldn't go higher than 14, but currently this is where I have Milliner landing.
The Panthers will be thrilled if Milliner falls to them as he'd be a major upgrade to Captain Munnerlyn and further improve a Panthers defense that finished 10th in total defense in 2012.
Also, it never hurts adding a player like Milliner when you have Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Josh Freeman in your division.
15. New Orleans Saints
15 of 32Rang - Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
Brugler - Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
Miller - Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
Talbot - Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
The Saints had plenty of distractions in 2012 and I believe that's one of the reasons they didn't make the playoffs this year. In 2013, Sean Payton will be back as head coach and I have no doubt that the offense will run smoothly. Defense however is another issue, especially defensive line.
The Saints have talented ends in Cameron Jordan and Will Smith, but leave plenty to be desired at defensive tackle. Brodrick Bunkley and Sedrick Ellis have been pretty underwhelming for the Saints, so Johnathan Hankins gets the nod.
Hankins is an extremely talented defensive tackle who is very strong and has extremely quick feet for his size. He finished his junior season with 55 tackles, four of which went for a loss.
16. St. Louis Rams
16 of 32Rang - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Brugler - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Miller - Keenan Allen, WR, California
Talbot - Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
The Rams need plenty of help on their offensive line and while there are still plenty of talented tackles available, I see them taking the top guard off of the board.
Chance Warmack is one of the top 15 players entering the draft in 2013, but guards aren't as coveted as tackles. That said, the Rams would be wise to take him with their first pick of the 2013 draft.
Warmack will help keep Sam Bradford on his feet and will create plenty of holes for whomever the Rams running back is in 2013.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
17 of 32Rang - Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
Brugler - Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi St.
Miller - Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
Talbot - Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi St.
The Steelers had a rare down season. One problem that the Steelers had was at the cornerback position. The Steelers are in a division where they play against A.J. Green, Torrey Smith and Josh Gordon.
Green is a star and the latter two have the potential to be great wideouts, so the Steelers would be wise to draft someone who can cover these players for years to come.
Johnthan Banks is excellent cornerback who finished his senior season with 59 total tackles and 4 interceptions.
18. Dallas Cowboys
18 of 32Rang - Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State
Brugler - Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
Miller - Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas
Talbot - Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
The Cowboys hope that Chance Warmack falls to them as they need help on the interior of their offensive line. However, with Warmack going to the Rams, the Cowboys select Jonathan Cooper, the second best offensive guard in the draft.
Cooper is good in terms of pass-blocking, but exceptional in terms of run-blocking. At North Carolina, the team averaged 193.8 yards rushing per game and Cooper was one of the reasons for their success.
Demarco Murray would be thrilled with the pick.
19. New York Giants
19 of 32Rang - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Brugler - Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
Miller - Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
Talbot - Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
The Giants need help on their defensive line, especially on their interior line. Jesse Williams out of Alabama gets the nod as he is the highest defensive tackle available at pick 19.
Williams didn't start playing football until the age of 15. Needless to say, he picked up the game rather quickly.
Williams bench presses 600 pounds, so to say that he's strong is an understatement. His strength will help him push NFL lineman back and on a defense that has plenty of talent, Williams will fit right in.
20. Chicago Bears
20 of 32Rang - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Brugler - Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
Miller - Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State
Talbot - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
The fact that the Bears won 10 games with their offensive line is a testament to them. The line itself is a disaster and Jay Cutler oftentimes finds himself on the turf.
For that reason alone, the Bears take Eric Fisher, the top offensive tackle currently available at pick 20. Fisher was a member of an offense that averaged almost 400 yards per game. He was elected as their top offensive lineman and is seen as having the potential to be a solid left tackle in the NFL.
21. St. Louis Rams (Via Washington Redskins)
21 of 32Rang - Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
Brugler - Eric Reid, FS, LSU
Miller - Dallas Thomas, OT, Tennessee
Talbot - Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
The Rams further solidify their offensive line by adding Lane Johnson out of Oklahoma. I'm sure when the Rams made their trade with the Redskins in 2011, they envisioned an earlier pick, but at pick 21, Lane Johnson has plenty of value.
Johnson would take over at right tackle and the Rams will have two solid tackles in Rodger Saffold and Lane Johnson.
22. Minnesota Vikings
22 of 32Rang - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
Brugler - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
Miller - John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
Talbot - Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
The Vikings need some help at wide receiver. Percy Harvin has had some injury problems and will be a free agent in 2014. Harvin has had issues with Leslie Frazier and he could even be moved in 2013.
For that reason and because the Vikings do not have much depth at receiver, Terrance Williams of Baylor is the pick.
Williams had quite a senior season at Baylor where he finished with 97 receptions for 1,832 yards and 12 touchdowns. In four of his games, Williams went over 10 receptions. His best game of the season came against Baylor when he finished with 17 receptions for 314 yards and two touchdowns.
By adding Williams, Christian Ponder has another weapon to target on offense.
23. Cincinnati Bengals
23 of 32Rang - Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
Brugler - Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
Miller - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Talbot - Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
The Cincinnati Bengals currently have Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap at defensive end. Johnson is an impending free agent this season and Dunlap's contract is up in 2014.
Jordan is an unbelievably athletic player who will create plenty of havoc on opposing quarterbacks. He had 44 tackles on the season with five sacks. Of his 44 tackles, 10.5 of them went for a loss.
Jordan is someone who may jump up the draft board considerably as April nears, but for now the Bengals get a great player late in the first round.
24. Indianapolis Colts
24 of 32Rang - Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Brugler - Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
Miller - Adrian Hubbard, OLB, Alabama
Talbot - Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
The Colts have won just about every close game they've been a part of, but this will not always be the case.
One area where the Colts could improve is at cornerback. They made a trade for Vontae Davis but on the other side, Darius Butler has played inconsistently.
Rhodes would push for a starting job immediately with the Colts and at worst would be their their third cornerback and receive plenty of playing time in certain packages.
25. Baltimore Ravens
25 of 32Rang - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Brugler - Matt Elam, SS, Florida
Miller - Eric Reid, FS, LSU
Talbot - Eric Reid, FS, LSU
I agree with Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller when it comes to the Ravens first round pick. Ed Reed is a shell of his former self and the Ravens would be wise to draft his heir apparent as soon as possible.
Eric Reid of LSU has the athleticism you look for in a free safety and he finished his junior season with 81 tackles and two interceptions.
The Ravens need to address their aging defense and by taking Reid, they take a step in the right direction.
26. Seattle Seahawks
26 of 32Rang - John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
Brugler - Sharif Floyd, DT, Florida
Miller - Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
Talbot - John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
The Seahawks have had quite the magical season with Russell Wilson at the helm and they have all the makings of a team that will be in playoff contention for a long time.
One area the Seahawks need to add talent to is at defensive tackle.
John Jenkins of Georgia will help the Seahawks' defensive line which currently features Alan Branch and Brandon Mebane.
Jenkins stock could take a hit as he will not be playing in the Capital One Bowl due to academic ineligibility, but from a talent standpoint, Jenkins is a first round pick.
27. San Francisco 49ers
27 of 32Rang - Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
Brugler - Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Miller - Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State
Talbot - Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
At pick 27, the San Francisco 49ers add even more talent to defense in Alex Okafor.
Currently the 49ers have Justin Smith, Ray McDonald and Ricky Jean Francois as their defensive ends.
Okafor adds youth to the position and is an explosive talent.
In the regular season, Okafor tallied eight sacks in 10 games.
He ended his senior season strong in the Alamo Bowl with 4.5 sacks against Oregon State.
28. Green Bay Packers
28 of 32Rang - Barrett Jones, C, Alabama
Brugler - John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
Miller - Barrett Jones, C, Alabama
Talbot - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Goodbye, Jermichael Finley. Hello Tyler Eifert.
I do like the pick of Barrett Jones to the Packers, but Eifert is a better fit in my opinion.
Eifert is the best tight end in the 2013 draft class and would be an instant star in Green Bay's offense. He's played plenty of games in poor weather conditions at Notre Dame and just seems like the type of player the Packers would draft.
29. Houston Texans
29 of 32Rang - Robert Woods, WR, USC
Brugler - Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
Miller - Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
Talbot - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
The Texans need an upgrade from Kevin Walter and Tavon Austin is their man. Austin was a real weapon for West Virginia and could utilized the same way for the Texans. As a wide receiver, he'd be the perfect compliment to Andre Johnson.
30. New England Patriots
30 of 32Rang - Matt Elam, SS, Florida
Brugler - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Miller - Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Talbot - Robert Woods, WR, USC
The Patriots would love for Tavon Austin to fall here, but Robert Woods is a pretty nice consolation prize at wide receiver.
Woods finished his junior season at USC with 73 receptions for 813 yards and 11 touchdowns. He'd be a valuable weapon for Tom Brady and be a good fit in the Patriots offense.
31. Denver Broncos
31 of 32Rang - Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Brugler - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Miller - Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Talbot - Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
It's not often that this late in the draft, draft experts agree on a pick. However, two of the three draft gurus see Sharrif Floyd as a fit for the Broncos and I agree completely.
Floyd would be a strong candidate to replace Justin Bannan immediately at defensive tackle.
In his junior season, Floyd notched 41 tackles, 11 of which went for a loss of yards.
32. Atlanta Falcons
32 of 32Rang - Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
Brugler - Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
Miller - Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
Talbot - Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina
The Falcons take the only running back of the first round and select Giovani Bernard.
Currently the Falcons have Michael Turner as their starting running back, but at 30, his career is winding down. Turner did score 10 touchdowns on the season but he only gained 800 yards on 222 carries (3.6 yards per carry).
Bernard is coming off of a great season at North Carolina where he ran for 1,228 yards and 19 total touchdowns.
The soon-to-be former Tar Heel averaged 198.1 all-purpose yards a game and would be a great fit in Atlanta's offense.
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