2013 NFL Mock Draft: Updated Projections for First-Round Picks

The first round of the 2013 NFL draft will feature future stars like Luke Joeckel, Cordarrelle Patterson and Dion Jordan. 

Let's take a look at how the first round of this year's draft could shake out. Certain selections will be highlighted with italics for a more in-depth look at why a certain player would be ideal for the team that drafted him.

1. Kansas City Chiefs—OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

Most mock drafts around the web have the Chiefs selecting Joeckel, and for good reason. He's a can't-miss prospect who will be an immediate impact player in the NFL. 

2. Jacksonville Jaguars—DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU

Raw—that's the word associated with Mingo.

Raw doesn't equate to bust, however, and Mingo's potential for greatness cannot be ignored. 

The Jaguars featured the worst pass-rushing defense in the NFL in 2012, tallying just 20 sacks as a team. J.J. Watt supplied more pressure all on his own for the Houston Texans, and he did it with torn ligaments in his elbow. 

Mingo will give the team a boost in this department, and he could become one of the most ferocious pass-rushers in the NFL in short order.

3. Oakland Raiders—DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida

Floyd is a dynamic defensive tackle with the strength and quickness to penetrate backfields on both running and passing plays. He'll be a cornerstone player for Reggie McKenzie's new-look Raiders.

4. Philadelphia Eagles—CB Dee Milliner, Alabama

Philadelphia must get younger on the defensive side of the ball, and Milliner is one of the top players in this year's draft. He'll step into the starting lineup from the opening day of training camp and lock down one side of the field. 

5. Detroit Lions—OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan

Fisher could potentially be selected with the No. 1 overall pick. If he slides to the Lions here, Detroit won't pass up the chance to land a franchise left tackle to protect Matthew Stafford's blind side.  

6. Cleveland Browns—OLB Dion Jordan, Oregon

The Browns will move to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Ray Horton. Adding a pass-rusher like Jordan to the mix would give him the tools to attack opposing offenses without mercy from the outside linebacker position. 

7. Arizona Cardinals—OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma

Carson Palmer is now the Cardinals' starting quarterback, and the franchise must protect its newest investment. Johnson is a player with seemingly limitless upside, and he's better than the tackles currently on Arizona's roster.

8. Buffalo Bills—QB Geno Smith, West Virginia

The Bills cannot head into the 2013 season with Tarvaris Jackson and Kevin Kolb as the two options at the quarterback position. Smith may not be ready to win many games at the next level, but neither are Kolb and Jackson. 

9. New York Jets—DT Star Lotulelei, Utah

Lotulelei has been cleared medically, and he's ready to dominate the trenches in the NFL. Adding him to the Jets defensive line would greatly impact the team's ability to rush the passer and stuff the run. 

10. Tennessee Titans—CB Desmond Trufant, Washington

The Titans signed George Wilson and Bernard Pollard to shore up their horrible situation at the safety position. Adding Trufant to play opposite Jason McCourty would give the team a formidable secondary in 2013. 

11. San Diego Chargers—OG Chance Warmack, Alabama

Without a running game, Philip Rivers will continue to get hammered in the pocket. Warmack is a phenomenal run-blocker who will also be a big help to the team's ability to protect Rivers on passing downs. 

12. Miami Dolphins—DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State

Cameron Wake is an elite pass-rusher, but he'd be even more effective if the Dolphins had another big-time threat on the other side. Werner would be a terrific pickup for Miami, and his ability to provide pressure off the edge will give the team a huge boost on passing downs.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State

The Buccaneers gave up more yards through the air last year than any other team. 

To help remedy that situation, the franchise brought in Pro Bowl safety Dashon Goldson in free agency to pair with second-year safety Mark Barron. That move will surely make a difference, but the team still needs cornerbacks. 

Leonard Johnson and Eric Wright are currently penciled-in as the two starting cornerbacks, and neither player is worthy of that role. 

Rhodes is a big, strong, fast and talented man-to-man specialist who has the skill to lock down one side of the field. Smaller, quick receivers will give him fits, but he'll be a tough matchup for the NFL's big receivers. 

14. Carolina Panthers—DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri

The Panthers need to upgrade their defensive front. Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson are excellent pass-rushers, but the team lacks talent and depth at the defensive tackle position. Adding Richardson would solve that conundrum.  

15. New Orleans Saints—OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia

Jones was recently cleared medically by orthopedic surgeon Craig Brigham, who said he didn't see any evidence of spinal stenosis (h/t Dan Pompei of the National Football Post). He didn't impress anyone at his pro day, running the 40 in 4.92 seconds, but his production on the field at Georgia is compelling enough to make him a first-round lock.

16. St. Louis Rams—S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

The Rams released Quintin Mikell this spring, opening up a vacancy in the team's secondary. Vaccaro is a highly skilled safety who can line up all over the field. He'll be an instant starter in St. Louis and give the team a big lift in 2013. 

17. Pittsburgh Steelers—WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee

After letting Mike Wallace hit the market and sign with the Dolphins, Pittsburgh needs another speedy receiver to take his place. Patterson isn't polished yet, but he can beat double coverage over the top.

18. Dallas Cowboys—OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina

Tony Romo is a rich man, thanks to a recent extension. The Cowboys must improve their offensive line, though, or Romo will be a rich, broken man before too long. Cooper is a fantastic pass-blocker at the guard position, and he'll upgrade the team's offensive line in a big way. 

19. New York Giants—ILB Alec Ogletree, Georgia

The Giants could go in a number of different directions, here, with needs on both sides of the ball. That said, the team's linebacking corps is woefully short of talent, and Ogletree would be a big upgrade.

20. Chicago Bears—OLB Arthur Brown, Kansas State

Playing in the NFC North, the Bears face a couple of potent aerial attacks twice a year. The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers have multiple deadly offensive weapons that specialize in making plays after the catch. 

Brian Urlacher is gone, Lance Briggs is 32 and the team needs a youth movement at the linebacker position. 

Brown would be a smart pickup. He's incredibly athletic and smart, and as long as Brown doesn't have to fight through a bevy of blockers, he is a solid tackler. The Bears have some excellent defensive tackles, and Brown would be able to fly to the ball playing on this defense. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals—S Johnathan Cyprien, Florida International

Cincinnati needs another safety to play with Reggie Nelson on the back end of its defense. Cyprien has been rising up draft boards since the Senior Bowl, and his athleticism and big-hitting ways make him another outstanding addition to the Bengals defense. 

22. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins)—WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Austin may not last this long on draft day, but if he's still on the board when the Rams select their second first-round pick, this is a no-brainer. Austin is a dynamic playmaker who will be phenomenal in the slot.

23. Minnesota Vikings—ILB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

Minnesota needs an inside linebacker. E.J. Henderson is still on the market. The Vikings haven't made any move to retain him, meaning this team is looking ahead. Te'o would be able to slide into the starting lineup from day one and make a positive impact. 

24. Indianapolis Colts—OLB Jamie Collins, Southern Miss

Most people don't peg Collins as a first-round pass-rusher, but this athletic freak of a man will be an explosive player in the NFL. The Colts could use another pass-rusher to play opposite Robert Mathis, and Collins would be an excellent choice. 

25. Minnesota Vikings (via Seattle Seahawks)—WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

Hopkins is big, fast, polished and has reliable hands. He can make big plays after the catch, and he'll be a perfect pickup for the Vikings to play opposite Greg Jennings. 

26. Green Bay Packers—RB Eddie Lacy, Alabama

Green Bay could select a defensive or offensive lineman here, but the team needs a starting running back in the worst way. Lacy is arguably the top running back in the draft, and his power-running style will complement Aaron Rodgers' passing attack to perfection. 

27. Houston Texans—WR Keenan Allen, California

Andre Johnson will be 32 by the time the 2013 season begins. The Texans can't keep denying him the help he needs to anchor an explosive passing attack, and Allen would be able to take pressure off him by consistently making plays on the other side.

28. Denver Broncos—DE Cornellius "Tank" Carradine, Florida State

With a pro day coming up on April 20, Carradine will have a chance to prove he's ready to play in 2013 after suffering an ACL injury late last season. If he's healthy, he'd be a steal here at No. 28.

29. New England Patriots—WR Robert Woods, USC

The Patriots have not done a good job drafting receivers of late, and Tom Brady has made do without an elite outside receiver for most of his career. Woods may not be considered "elite," but he is a highly skilled player who would be a reliable target on the perimeter for New England.

30. Atlanta Falcons—TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

The Falcons don't need a tight end, thanks to the return of Tony Gonzalez. That said, there's no better way to acclimate a young player to the rigors of the NFL than to let him learn behind a living legend. 

31. San Francisco 49ers—DT Jesse Williams, Alabama

The 49ers lost Isaac Sopoaga to the Philadelphia Eagles. Glenn Dorsey signed a two-year deal to replace him, but the team would be smart to draft another stud defensive lineman. Williams has the size, strength and agility to play all three positions on San Francisco's line.

32. Baltimore Ravens—S Eric Reid, LSU

With Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard both gone, Baltimore is in desperate need of safety help. Reid is a rangy, big safety who can play over the top in zone and in the box against the run. He'll help make up for what the team lost, even if he is a bit green. 

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