2013 NFL Mock Draft: Last-Second Projections for First Round

While plenty of crazy things can happen during the hours leading up to the draft, all is quiet on that front at the moment as teams prepare to make their first-round selections. The 2013 draft is shrouded in mystery, as teams can conceivably go in many different directions, so it should be an interesting night.

With few sure things in this year's class, there are likely to be several risky selections in the first round. Some of them may pay off, but others are bound to fail. There is a perfect fit for everyone in this draft, so it is just a matter of teams identifying that ideal player and ultimately selecting him.

Here is a full first-round mock draft complete with last-second projections for every first-round team as the draft commences Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.

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

While the Chiefs have been careful not to tip their hand throughout this process, offensive tackle is an obvious need, and Joeckel is the best in this year's class.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

Picking high in the NFL draft isn't for the faint of heart, as millions of dollars are invested into a player who has never played a single down in the NFL. Teams typically try to mitigate risk in hopes of maximizing the chances of the player reaching his potential at the next level, but that isn't always possible. One player who could be dominant in the NFL but doesn't necessarily have a long track record of success is Ezekiel Ansah.

The Ghanaian-born Ansah didn't start playing football until he went to BYU, so he obviously has a ton of untapped potential. Ansah showed flashes of greatness as a senior in 2012, but he wasn't as productive as many of the other pass-rushers in this year's draft. Even so, somebody will be willing to pay for his ceiling, regardless of whether he ever reaches it.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could conceivably take almost anyone at No. 2, but they definitely need help getting to the quarterback. Jacksonville is known for making some eyebrow-raising selections, and taking Ansah No. 2 would qualify. It could potentially be a major mistake on the Jags' end, but Ansah could easily be an elite pass-rusher as well.

3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

The Raiders are used to making risky selections. While Floyd is far from a sure thing, he has a ton of potential and fits a definite need in the middle of their defense.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon

There may be no better fit in this entire draft than Jordan to the Eagles, as head coach Chip Kelly also coached Jordan at Oregon and knows what he is capable of.

5. Detroit Lions: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

The Lions have enough talent to rebound this season, but they must protect quarterback Matthew Stafford with a stud tackle like Fisher in order to do it.

6. Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

Cleveland can't really go wrong with any position at this juncture, but many consider Milliner to be the best overall prospect in the class, so he makes sense here.

7. Arizona Cardinals: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

The Cardinals have to be hoping that one of the top three offensive tackles in the draft fall to them, and if Johnson is there, he will be the pick.

8. Buffalo Bills: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

While the Bills definitely need a long-term answer at quarterback, there is no deserving player at that position to be taken here, so Buffalo should add another weapon to its arsenal in Austin.

9. New York Jets: Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU

The Jets have taken a definite step back defensively over the past couple of seasons, but a pass-rusher like Mingo could help them turn things around quickly.

10. Tennessee Titans: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Tennessee is fairly solid everywhere but spectacular nowhere, so it will take measures to improve its secondary by selecting Rhodes.

11. San Diego Chargers: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

Warmack is easily one of the safest and most reliable picks in this draft, and he happens to play a position that the Chargers can afford to beef up.

12. Miami Dolphins: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

The Dolphins could use some talent along the defensive line, and Lotulelei definitely has the potential to be one of the most productive players in this class.

13. New York Jets (via Tampa Bay): Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

As much as the Jets pretend to have confidence in Mark Sanchez, he is one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL, so taking his successor in Smith would be a smart move.

14. Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

The Panthers have a severe lack of talent and depth at interior defensive line, but taking Richardson will change that, as he can stop the run and get to the quarterback.

15. New Orleans Saints: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

With the Saints making the switch to a 3-4 defense, they need a guy who can rush the passer off the edge, and Jones clearly fits that description.

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

The Rams surprised a lot of people last season, as they were competitive in the difficult NFC West and even managed to go 1-0-1 against the San Francisco 49ers. The next logical step under head coach Jeff Fisher is a playoff appearance, but there are some holes that definitely need to be filled before that can happen. Perhaps the biggest among them resides at safety, so Kenny Vaccaro of Texas is a great fit.

St. Louis released safety Quintin Mikell during the offseason, and Craig Dahl signed with the Niners, so the Rams don't have much when it comes to the last line of their defense. Luckily for them, Vaccaro is the consensus top safety in the draft, and he should be available at No. 16. The only concern is that teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals could trade ahead of the Rams in order to secure Vaccaro for themselves.

There is a lot to like about Vaccaro, as he played four years at Texas and was particularly productive as a junior and senior. He recorded 92 tackles last season, which is huge for the Rams, as Mikell and Dahl were among their primary tacklers. He also has decent ball skills and can make some plays in that regard. If Vaccaro is available, St. Louis has to strike.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

As much as the Steelers could use a pass-rusher, tight end is a need right now, and Eifert is easily the best at that position in the entire draft.

18. Dallas Cowboys: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

The Cowboys' offensive line has been in limbo for the past few seasons, but Fluker would really solidify the right side for quarterback Tony Romo.

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

While the Giants still have some decent depth at defensive end, they love to rotate guys in and out of the lineup, so Werner is a logical fit.

20. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Cooper, OG, UNC

The Bears need to do everything possible to keep quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte off injured reserve, and Cooper should help in that regard.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Matt Elam, S, Florida

Cincinnati would probably love to see Vaccaro fall to No. 21, but if he is off the board by the time the Bengals pick, Elam would be a nice consolation prize.

22. St. Louis Rams (via Washington): Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

There are a lot of questions surrounding Patterson's ability to produce at the next level, but the Rams have a definite need at receiver and will take the bait.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

Ogletree may very well be the most athletic linebacker in the draft, and since Minnesota needs a playmaker at the position, he is an ideal selection.

24. Indianapolis Colts: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

The time has come for the Colts to add some new pass-rushers to the fold, and Jones is a big-bodied guy who can wreak havoc at multiple spots along the defensive line.

25. Minnesota Vikings (via Seattle): Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC

After nabbing Ogletree at No. 23, the Vikings should take Williams here, as the massive defensive lineman can help create space for Ogletree to roam free.

26. Green Bay Packers: Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

The Packers need to add some talent to their defensive front seven along with Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji, and Hunt would help immensely in that regard.

27. Houston Texans: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

Houston should have gotten Andre Johnson a legitimate receiving complement years ago, but it's better late than never if the Texans select Hunter.

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

There aren't many holes on the Broncos' roster right now, but taking Carradine would definitely help immensely when it comes to defensive line depth.

29. New England Patriots: Keenan Allen, WR, California

While the New England Patriots are still among the best teams in the AFC—and in the entire NFL, for that matter—their window of opportunity to win another Super Bowl won't remain open forever. Quarterback Tom Brady is still fantastic, so the Patriots need to give him as many weapons as possible. Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez and Danny Amendola are all high-quality targets, but Brady needs an outside threat.

The Pats tried Brandon Lloyd in that role last year, but they weren't impressed with the results and ultimately released him. New England has to find someone who can get down the field, and that could be California wide receiver Keenan Allen. The Patriots should have no issue working the middle of the field and moving the chains, but Allen is a guy who will keep opposing defenses honest.

He has great size at 6'2", so he can go up and battle defensive backs for the ball, but he is also speedy enough to beat corners deep. He won't be expected to step in right away and be a star for the Patriots, but there is no question that he has the ability to produce as a rookie and beyond as a fourth or fifth option.

30. Atlanta Falcons: Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas State

Defense is definitely the weaker part of the Falcons' game, but getting a linebacker like Brown would really help their ability to make plays on that side of the ball.

31. San Francisco 49ers: John Cyprien, S, Florida International

While the 49ers can afford to do whatever they please with this pick, there is a clear need at safety, so Cyprien would be a smart pick.

32. Baltimore Ravens: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame

With Ray Lewis happily retired, the Ravens need to find his replacement and will roll the dice in hopes that Te'o maintains the form he showed most of last season at Notre Dame.

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