2013 NFL Mock Draft: Smartest 1st-Round Picks for Every NFL Team

Every fan has an opinion on who they would love to see their team select in the first-round. You can bet that the decision makers for each franchise have their favorites as well.

Hindsight is 20-20, thus we generally love to look back on past drafts to see who teams should have drafted.

There is no exact science to the NFL draft. Football minds come together and mix their own gridiron values with the organization's needs.

They make the selections they feel is best under the circumstances.

Considering the situations of all the teams with first-round selections, the following mock draft tabs the player that represents the smartest selection for each team.

Some players are featured with an image, and an analysis video from a B/R draft expert. These players are the most polarizing prospects in the first round.

These selections will also appear in italics. Take a look.

1. Kansas City Chiefs - Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M

After Kansas City parted with a second-round pick in 2013 and a conditional selection in 2014 to get Alex Smith, there is no way they would select a quarterback with this pick.

Instead, the smartest pick would be the man best-suited to protect that sizable investment. Joeckel has the experience against top-flight SEC pass rushers and he should be the pick here.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon

The Jaguars could do a lot of things with this pick. Drafting Geno Smith is an option, trading down is another alternative.

But taking Jordan is the smartest move. Elite pass rushers are difficult to find and Jordan has the look of a 10-12 sack guy.

The Jags would be foolish to pass on him.

3. Oakland Raiders - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

Since he's been cleared to play without restriction after a heart scare, Lotulelei can be evaluated for the beastly and disruptive force he is on the defensive line.

The Raiders would be fortunate to add him to their otherwise weak unit. Oakland needs a difference maker on defense and Lotulelei would be just that.

4. Philadelphia Eagles - Eric Fisher, LT, Central Michigan

Giving up 48 sacks in a season is never a good thing. The Eagles' protection issues in 2012 makes offensive tackle a position of need. 

The question for the Eagles is can they depend on the return of stud left tackle Jason Peters.

Though he has said he's "fully heathy," Peters' sustained health shouldn't be counted on. He missed all of the 2012 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

He's 31-years-old and he weighs 340 pounds. That's a combination that could easily render another lower-body injury. Philly needs insurance and young talent at the position.

Fisher didn't play against SEC talent, but some experts like NFL.com's Mike Mayock, think he is a better prospect than Joeckel. With Fisher receiving such high praise and with tackle as a weak area, the Eagles need to take him.

5. Detroit Lions - Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

Is Milliner the next great cornerback in the NFL? Some experts like Mel Kiper, Jr. of ESPN think so.

He believes the Lions should even make a trade with the Chiefs to get the No. 1 pick to ensure they get the Alabama product.

I wouldn't make that dramatic of a move, but I do agree he is the best fit for Detroit.

Though the Lions lost Cliff Avril to the Seattle Seahawks, the secondary needs help. They can find a pass rusher with a later pick. Milliner will impact this team the most of any prospect.

6. Cleveland Browns - Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

I don't believe the Browns are satisfied with Brandon Weeden at quarterback. Otherwise, I can't understand allowing Weeden's confidence to take a hit amidst talk that the team is considering Smith or Florida State's E.J. Manuel.

Taking a quarterback in the first round two years in a row is a risk and a bit embarrassing. But if you don't believe you have the guy to lead you to the next level, it would be a bigger risk to sit on him for the sake of saving face.

If the Browns don't have Manuel far behind Smith on their draft board, they could wait until the later rounds to take him.

I think they pull the first shocker of the first round and make Smith the selection.

7. Arizona Cardinals - Jarvis Jones, OLB/DE, Georgia

Now that the Cardinals have addressed the quarterback position with the acquisition of Carson Palmer, they can draft an impact player on defense. At No. 7, they can't do better than Jones.

His stock is one of the hardest to get a gauge on because of the injury concerns. Amidst the uncertainty, Jones' potential has been forgotten to a degree.

This is a guy who has the ability to be the most dangerous defensive player in this draft. Even after getting a clean bill of health, his stock hasn't truly recovered from where it was a few months ago.

I think Jones is going to be one of the best stories of the 2013 season, and the Cardinals should select him to make sure they are the beneficiaries.

8. Buffalo Bills - Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse

Kevin Kolb's signing was not a long-term solution to the Bills' quarterback issue. With Smith presumably off the board, Bllls fans can debate on whether Nassib, USC's Matt Barkley or Manuel are the best choice.

Because Nassib played his collegiate career with the Bills' new head coach Doug Marrone, this seems to be the safest and most sensible selection.

I love his ability to move and make plays outside of the pocket. He also has that moxie you love to see in a young quarterback. I believe he could win over Barkley and Manuel fans with his hard-nosed play.

9. New York Jets - Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU

The Jets desperately need an impact edge rusher. The last time they made the playoffs was 2010. That was also the last time they had 40 sacks as a team.

Mingo looks like a prototypical fit for a outside linebacker in Rex Ryan's defense. He would be the smartest selection for Gang Green.

10. Tennessee Titans - Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

With a defense that ranked 27th in the NFL, it's pretty obvious where you need to concentrate on improving.

Floyd 's burst off the line of scrimmage will make him a difference maker. This pick would make sense for the Titans.

11. San Diego Chargers - Lane Johnson, LT, Oklahoma

Johnson's is a freakish athlete, he proved that at the NFL Combine. While some may have thought there was a huge drop off at left tackle after Fisher, Johnson could be a stud.

Philip Rivers was sacked 49 times in 2012. That can't happen again if the Chargers hope to return to the postseason. Drafting Johnson would show a commitment to protecting the quarterback.

12. Miami Dolphins - Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Shoring up the secondary is the smart approach for the Fins. They have to compensate for losing Sean Smith to the Chiefs.

Rhodes is an excellent cover-corner prospect who is somewhat similar to Smith in stature. It is possible the Dolphins wouldn't miss a beat in this area by taking Rhodes here.

13. New York Jets (via Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

Austin is only 5'8", but his speed and agility make him a threat every time he touches the ball. The Jets desperately need a player like that to ignite their offense.  They parted with Darrelle Revis to obtain this pick and no other player would make a bigger impact.

In a season where it looks like Mark Sanchez may end up under center again, getting a player that can produce after short completions is a smart move.

Austin also has value as a kick/punt returner. The better the field position, the shorter the drives Sanchez has to sustain.

14. Carolina Panthers - Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State

Carolina has elite level linebackers already. What would make that unit even better is a dominant defensive tackle.

The linebackers would benefit from having a space eater inside like Hankins. As he commands double teams,  Luke Kuechly and others will have opportunities to shoot the gaps and get in the back field.

Look out for the Panthers if they go this route, they could be dangerous in 2013.

15. New Orleans Saints - Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

After tallying just 30 sacks as a team in 2012, the Saints have to improve their pass rushing. 

Ansah has looked good during the pre-draft process, but there have been questions about his age. Per the link from Pro Football Talk, the concerns prompted Ansah's camp to send copies of his passport to teams to prove that he is indeed 24 years old.

While that is still a little older than most teams would like, he is still young enough to make a major impact for the Saints.

There is a possibility that he won't be available this late, but if he is, the Saints must make him their selection. 

16. St. Louis Rams - Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

Warmack is the safest pick in the draft. He's a steady, rugged, smart guard that has already played on a successful and dominant O-line at Alabama.

He fits the smash-mouth style of play Jeff Fisher likes in St. Louis. Warmack and the Pro Bowl is almost a foregone conclusion in my eyes.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina

The Steelers need a player that can anchor their defensive line. They also need an injection of youth. Williams can give them both.

He's not a major pass-rushing threat, but the Steelers' scheme doesn't require that of their nose tackle. Williams can absorb blockers and force running backs to run wide.

This quality makes him a good fit for Pittsburgh.

18. Dallas Cowboys - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

Richardson has tons of talent, but character concerns will hurt him on draft day.

He was suspended for missing class and refusing to accept the punishment he received. These red flags will scare some teams off.

The 6'4" 295-pounder has great versatility and power to rush the passer from the inside and outside. He fits the Cowboys' new 4-3 scheme. If Dallas takes him, he could be a real sleeper in the first round.

19. New York Giants - Bjoern Werner DE, Florida State

Osi Umenyiora has signed with the Atlanta Falcons. The Giants need to get younger on the defensive line while still maintaining depth.

When Tom Coughlin's Giants have been at their best, they have had a deep stock of pass-rushers to throw at opponents. Werner would be great playing behind Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck for now.

But ultimately, he could replace the aging Tuck.

20. Chicago Bears - Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina

The Bears have already made two big acquisitions to their offensive line and receiving corp by signing Jermon Bushrod and Martellus Bennett.

But instead of looking to the defense with the 20th pick, the Bears will be in position to really turn one of their biggest weaknesses into a strength.

Drafting Cooper would make the Bears new offensive line one of the strongest in the NFC North.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia

The Bengals could go for Eddie Lacy of Alabama here, but unless we're talking about an Adrian Peterson-like back, I'm not a proponent of taking a running back in the first round.

Drafting the uber-athletic inside linebacker from Georgia makes more sense. Along side Vontaze Burfict, the Bengals could be building one of the fiercest young linebacking corps in the NFL.

22. St. Louis Rams - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

Of the teams with more than one first-round pick, the Rams have the ability to reap the most benefits from their selections in 2013.

Taking Warmack with the first pick and then Vaccaro here would give the Rams two players capable of starting as rookies.

23. Minnesota Vikings - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

Even though the Vikings signed Greg Jennings, Percy Harvin's departure still creates a void. This wasn't exactly a high-powered aerial attack in 2012.

Their 2,715 passing yards was the second-lowest in the league.

Patterson is the best receiver available, and his big-play ability. He is just what the Vikings need to complement Peterson and Jennings.

24. Indianapolis Colts - Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama

I like Williams as a zero-technique defensive tackle in the Colts' scheme. The more this team drafts players that fit their system, the better they will become.

This would be an optimal selection for the Colts.

25. Minnesota Vikings - Desmond Trufant, CB, Mississippi State

If the Vikes add another weapon to the offense with the 23rd pick, they can devote the 25th pick to their secondary.

The team had only 10 interceptions in 2012. In a pass-happy NFL, that number should be higher. Aside from Harrison Smith, no player in the Vikings' secondary strikes fear in the hearts of receivers or opposing quarterbacks.

Trufant has a very good blend of size, athleticism and ball skills. Minnesota stands a chance to walk away from the first round a much better team if they make these selections.

26. Green Bay Packers - D.J. Fluker, LT/RT, Alabama

If the Packers allow Aaron Rodgers to be sacked 48 times again this season, they may not be fortunate enough to keep him healthy all year. That means taking a tackle should be their top priority.

Fluker is a huge man at 6'6", 335 pounds. Physically, he's ready to take on NFL pass rushers.

Mentally, he showed himself to be a leader of college football's best offensive line. This should be an easy selection for the Packers.

27. Houston Texans - Kevin Minter, LB, LSU

The Texans did not look good after Brian Cushing was lost for the season in 2012. The organization must add depth at inside linebacker.

Minter was productive at LSU. As a senior, he had 130 tackles and would offer the Texans insurance if they are hit with another injury at inside linebacker.

28. Denver Broncos - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

If the Broncos draft Eifert, his career will get off to an amazing start. Working with Peyton Manning would maximize his already impressive talents.

The Broncos could look to shore up the defensive line, but at No. 28, they should be looking at the best player available. In my opinion, that would be Eifert here.

29. New England Patriots - Matt Elam, S, Florida

Big hitters make me nervous in today's NFL, but Elam's instincts are still an asset. He laid the lumber for the Gators in college, but his hard-nosed style could make him a penalty magnet in the NFL.

The Pats' secondary is likely the weakest area of their team. Taking a player like Elam only makes sense.

30. Atlanta Falcons - Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

The Falcons could only muster 29 sacks in 2012. It is clear that the pass rush is the weak link of the team.

John Abraham is the best defensive end, but he's 34 years old. They did add Osi Umenyiora, but he's 31 years old. The team needs to get younger on the defensive line. 

They need to make sure they have impact players on the line for the present and future.

Hunt could back up Abraham or Umenyiora as a rookie. But ultimately, he could take over for them as a starter once they have moved on.

31. San Francisco 49ers - D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

The Niners have a lot of transition taking place in their secondary. That could be dangerous for a team on the cusp of a Super Bowl championship.

Signing veterans like Nnamdi Asomugha makes sense, but the team must also add youth to ensure sustained success.

Hayden's athletic ability and competitiveness makes him a great fit for the Niners here.

32. Baltimore Ravens - Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

The Ravens defense is going to look very different in 2013. Beyond Ray Lewis' retirement, the unit will likely have at least four other new starters.

The change was inevitable.

They had to get younger and it was nice to have many of the departed players go out with a Super Bowl win.

Jones could be the next dominant Ravens defensive player. It may take him a season or two to hit his stride, but the talent is there.

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