2013 NFL Mock Draft: How Chip Kelly Hire by Philadelphia Eagles Impacts Round 1
Any credible 2013 NFL mock draft has to account for the impact of coaching changes on each team's needs and outlook—and Chip Kelly's hiring by the Philadelphia Eagles is certain to shake things up in the City of Brotherly Love.
Here’s a fresh look at the first round, accounting for the coaching changes around the league. Keep in mind that the final four selections are not set in stone, as they are liable to change based on the results of the remainder of the NFL playoffs.
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
1 of 32If the Chiefs cannot find some better pass protection for their signal callers, it matters very little who will be under center. Joeckel is outstanding in pass protection, and there are not any quarterbacks who seem to be obviously worthy of the top pick in the draft.
Joeckel played an enormous role in Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel’s becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, so he could be a similar asset to whichever young quarterback the Chiefs draft later.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
2 of 32The initial thought for a team that needs a pass rusher would be to draft Georgia’s Jarvis Jones.
However, the Jaguars are years away from competing in the AFC, and Jones’s medical concerns could potentially limit his effectiveness by the time the rest of the team is ready.
Damontre Moore is a nice consolation prize—very athletic and a great producer for A&M, which boasts the top two picks in this 2013 NFL mock draft.
3. Oakland Raiders: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
3 of 32While it may be a bit surprising to see a guard go in the top five, the Raiders can’t afford to miss on this first-round choice—mainly because they haven’t had one for the past two seasons.
Anyone who watched Alabama dismantle Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship Game can attest to Warmack’s road-grading abilities, and he is also rock steady in pass protection.
Besides David DeCastro from last year’s draft, there hasn’t been a guard who has generated the kind of buzz that Warmack has in a long time. Darren McFadden has to be itching for a chance to run behind this powerful blocker.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
4 of 32The Eagles’ surprise hiring of Oregon’s Chip Kelly means that the “Blur” spread option is coming to the City of Brotherly Love. Along with the new system must come a quarterback that can run it, so that means Nick Foles’s days in Philly are numbered.
Smith ran a spread extensively at West Virginia, and has the physical tools to succeed in Philadelphia’s new scheme. He is mobile with a strong arm, and he is deceptive with his play-action fakes.
Chip Kelly's hire by the Eagles likely keeps Smith from sliding out of the first round altogether.
5. Detroit Lions: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
5 of 32After such a promising 2011 season, the Lions crashed back down to earth in spectacular fashion this year. The team’s secondary is in a state of flux, with top cornerback Chris Houston set to become a free agent at season’s end.
Milliner looks every bit the part of a big-time corner, even stifling Notre Dame stud tight end Tyler Eifert during the National Championship Game He has the size, speed and cover ability to be a defensive cornerstone in the Motor City.
6. Cleveland Browns: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
6 of 32Cleveland is in desperate need of a pass rusher, but the bonus of this pick is that Werner is also solid in run support. He explodes off of the line of scrimmage, and will surprise Browns fans with his athleticism.
He grades out favorably when compared to Kyle Vanden Bosch of the Detroit Lions.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
7 of 32The slide stops here for one of the top talents in the draft, and Arizona snags a great player at pick seven.
While defensive tackle is not the most pressing need in the desert, Lotulelei is simply the best player available. He blends elements of both Ndomokung Suh and Haloti Ngata, so Cards fans know they’ll be getting a playmaker.
However, this means that they will have to wait until the second round to see a new outside linebacker drafted into the fold.
8. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
8 of 32In the first big surprise of the round, Nassib becomes the second slinger taken off the board. His draft stock is on the rise, at least in Buffalo, with the hiring of his college coach Doug Marrone and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
I initially expected Matt Barkley to end up here, but with the new regime, Nassib seems like the favorite to compete with Ryan Fitzpatrick for the Bills’ starting job. His above-average arm strength and size make him a viable option at the next level.
His performance at the upcoming Senior Bowl could also affect his stock.
9. New York Jets: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
9 of 32The Jets land the most talented pass rusher in the draft in Georgia’s Jones. He spends a ton of time in the opposing backfield, and is well above average in run support.
The Jets have been seeking an elite pass rusher since they busted out on Vernon Gholston, and they rectify their blunder with a home run here. Jones has drawn comparisons to Von Miller, and Gang Green would love to get that kind of production from their first-rounder.
10. Tennessee Titans: Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU
10 of 32The Titans would have loved Jarvis Jones to drop to them here, but they still get a pass-rushing difference-maker here in Mingo.
His size makes him something of a tweener, but he was a bright spot for LSU in the Chik-fil-A Bowl against Clemson.
Even though he only started playing football in his junior year of high school according to cbssports.com, he shows great instincts in batting down passes and pressuring the pocket.
11. San Diego Chargers: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
11 of 32San Diego’s secondary is in decline, with Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason proving largely ineffective in the latter part of last season. They are in desperate need of a youth movement, and Banks is a sneaky-good talent.
He doesn’t have blinding speed, but his great size and superior instincts keep him in position to make plays. Banks' savvy play style makes him the choice here for the Chargers.
12. Miami Dolphins: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
12 of 32In Chris Clemons, the Dolphins have a serviceable, but unspectacular safety to pair with Reshad Jones. While he has shown improvement, a little healthy competition never hurt anyone, especially when Kenny Vaccaro is available.
Vaccaro can lay the wood in run support, and is versatile enough to play either safety position. He can even cover the slot, so if Clemons claims the starting spot, Vaccaro can still contribute right away.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
13 of 32The Bucs ranked 29th in the league in sacks in 2012, so they will definitely look to bolster the pass rush immediately.
Dion Jordan is a bit raw, but he may have the highest upside out of any player in the draft. His measurables are off the charts and if the Bucs sic him on quarterbacks in the NFC South, the results could be explosive.
His quickness and size call Julius Peppers to mind.
14. Carolina Panthers: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
14 of 32Defensive tackle has been an area of need for the Panthers for quite some time, and this is the year when the team addresses it.
Hankins is the rare prospect that can both stuff the run and push the pocket from the center of the defensive line. Adding the 320-pound Buckeye would go a long way towards evening out what was an lopsided battle at the line of scrimmage in 2012.
15. New Orleans Saints: Manti Te’o, MLB, Notre Dame
15 of 32The Saints were historically bad on defense in 2012, allowing over 440 yards per game through the air alone. This unit needs to be completely overhauled, starting in the middle.
Te’o didn’t have his strongest game against Alabama, but it does not undo the sterling season that Te’o had for the Irish.
On the flip side, way too much credit is given to him for his seven interceptions this year, as most of them were on passes tipped at the line of scrimmage, but it seems obvious that he usually finds himself in the right position.
16. St. Louis Rams: Keenan Allen, WR, California
16 of 32Danny Amendola may not return, and even if he does, there is no one on the roster that strikes fear into the hearts of defenses when the Rams take to the air.
Keenan Allen solves that problem immediately, and in a big way. Allen has the size that you look for in a featured receiver, with great speed and sure hands.
On an otherwise unremarkable Cal team, Allen found a way to stand out when he was the only real threat for teams to defend. He should continue to produce in St. Louis.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alec Ogletree, MLB, Georgia
17 of 32Steeler Nation will be a little bit disappointed that Te’o didn’t fall to them, but Ogletree will help them to get over it at the same speed that he plays—lightning fast.
A former safety, the Georgia Bulldog can flat-out fly. With remarkable athleticism that mirrors that of Lawrence Timmons, Ogletree will allow Sean Spence to slide back into a safety position when he gets healthy.
After a rocky 2012 season, the more playmakers that take the field for the Steelers at the same time, the better.
18. Dallas Cowboys: Jonathan Cooper, G, UNC
18 of 32The flux along the Cowboys’ offensive line has turned into an annual storyline, but this unit is slowly stabilizing through successful drafts.
Cooper continues this trend, and the Cowboys land a great piece to their puzzle. According to nfldraftscout.com, the First-Team All-American registered double digits in pancake blocks in nine games this season.
The Cowboys could definitely use that kind of power on their side of the line of scrimmage.
19. New York Giants: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
19 of 32The Giants had a down year, but they still are very close to climbing back into contention.
Eric Fisher provides an upgrade at either tackle position, and is a solid value pick at 19. Look for Big Blue to address the secondary and the pass rush early as well, but keeping Eli Manning upright and healthy is and should be the main priority for New York.
That's not to say that the line is a disaster, either. However, the Giants always look to build for the future, and do so here as well.
20. Chicago Bears: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
20 of 32The Bears would love to land some help on the O-line, but there is not a prospect that fits here in the first round.
Since the departure of Greg Olsen, the tight end position has not been a position of strength in the Windy City. Eifert changes all of that, and is the total package at tight end.
The Irish’s top receiving target is also a willing and capable blocker who can line up on the line or out wide. Consider him to be an Olsen-type player at the next level.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
21 of 32The Bengals did a much better job this season of pressuring the passer this season, racking up 51 sacks on the year.
The rich get richer, as this Bayou Bengal is especially proficient at reaching the quarterback. Montgomery is able to play with a hand on the ground or standing up, so Cincinnati can move him all around their defense to create mismatches.
The Bengals will address the safety situation in the second round if the board breaks their way.
22. St. Louis Rams (From Washington Redskins): Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama
22 of 32Jones’s revelation that he played the National Championship Game with a Lisfranc injury vaulted him into Crimson Tide lore.
Now, he brings his toughness and versatility to St. Louis. The versatile offensive lineman started three BCS National Championship Games at three different positions during his time in Tuscaloosa, so he can assist the Rams anywhere that he is needed in 2013.
Plus, watching Jones create gaping holes in the Notre Dame defense definitely impressed some pro scouts, driving his stock way up.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
23 of 32The Williams Wall is rebuilt! Only this time, it is made of different Williams components.
Alabama’s Jesse Williams will be a stabilizing factor, an immovable object in the heart of the Viking defense.
The Australian has also lined up as a fullback at times, which would be devastating for opponents already hard-pressed for ways to contain All-World tailback Adrian Peterson.
24. Indianapolis Colts: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
24 of 32The run on Tide lineman continues with a mini-reach for Fluker.
Typically, smart teams like the Colts select the best player available, however in this case the need is so great that general manager Ryan Grigson’s hands are tied.
Fluker was part of a dominant offensive line at Alabama, and can step in right away at the right tackle position. If the Colts address the line in free agency, they might go in a different direction.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
25 of 32While Richardson might be a bit lighter than head coach Pete Carroll likes his linemen, he’s also got more potential to penetrate and cause havoc in the backfield than anyone else there.
With the dominant, hard-hitting secondary that the Seahawks boast, locking down the run will leave opponents scratching their heads as to how to attack Seattle’s defense.
Plus, drafting a pass-rushing defensive tackle is a luxury this young, talented team can afford.
26. Green Bay Packers: Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
26 of 32It is possible that Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and Jermichael Finley have all played their final game at Lambeau Field. The Packers need to reload, and they turn to Terrance Williams to pick up the slack.
The Bear exploded onto the national scene this season, tallying 1,832 yards and averaging almost 19 yards per reception according to ESPN. He also found the end zone 12 times, and caught 17 balls for 314 yards against West Virginia.
Williams would make a fine weapon to add to Aaron Rodgers’s arsenal.
27. Houston Texans: Robert Woods, WR, USC
27 of 32Houston is another team that does not have many holes to fill. However, a glaring one is open opposite Andre Johnson.
If the Texans bring in a threat to remove some of the double teams from Johnson, AJ could have a career season. If the double teams remain, there will be plenty of opportunities for the young wideout to shine.
Woods played second fiddle to Marquise Lee this year at Southern Cal, so he likely would not require a high number of targets to be effective.
28. Denver Broncos: Giovani Bernard, RB, UNC
28 of 32The Broncos were very close to capturing the NFL’s top prize this year, and do not have horrendous weaknesses to overcome.
They can opt for the best talent available, and in this draft, it is Giovani Bernard The tailback turned in a strong campaign for the Tar Heels, rushing for 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns according to ESPN.
He’s also an electric returner, but with Trindon Holliday’s grip on the position being so solid, Bernard can focus on toting the rock.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
29 of 32Minter’s on-field prowess is considerable, but it is his ability to be a leader that makes him such a remarkable fit for Baltimore here. Minter is also a sure tackler and a steady, solid presence in the middle.
He will soften the blow somewhat when Lewis hangs up his cleats.
30. Atlanta Falcons: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
30 of 32Even though the Ghana product has only played football for a brief time, Ezekiel Ansah is on a meteoric rise.
He has a nonstop motor, and the burst to match. With his size, long arms, and freakish athleticism, you will hear comparisons to Jason Pierre-Paul constantly leading up to the draft.
He is raw, but Atlanta is in search of a difference-maker on defense, and “Ziggy” fits the bill.
31. San Francisco 49ers: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
31 of 32One of the most complete teams in the NFL gets a shot in the arm with a playmaking wide receiver.
After watching Hopkins on tape, it is really hard to believe that he stands only 6’1”. “Nuk” continually looks and plays like a much bigger receiver—and his ability to attack the ball at its highest point is a major plus in his game.
He snags balls in traffic with regularity and will make noise right away in the Bay Area.
32. New England Patriots: John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
32 of 32The Patriots add Vince Wilfork’s heir apparent in the form of John Jenkins.
While his run-stuffing abilities might be expected, Jenkins will surprise some people with his aptitude in collapsing the pocket during passing situations.
Even though Jenkins was inactive for Georgia’s bowl game, it was for academic, rather than legal, reasons. The Patriots have taken chances on players such as Aquib Talib and Alfonzo Dennard this season, so there’s no reason to think that Jenkins’s off-field concerns will scare them away in April.
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