2013 NFL Mock Draft: Last-Minute Guide to Round 1

The start of the 2013 NFL draft is just hours away (8 p.m. ET on ESPN), and this is my final first-round mock draft of the year.

With every piece of information that has come across the wire leading into the draft, these are the latest predictions for which direction every NFL franchise will look on Thursday night.

Enjoy the last-minute guide to how the entire first round will shake out.

Highlighted players are italicized.

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

This is a two-horse race between Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel and Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher, but the Kansas City Chiefs will play it safe and go with Joeckel No. 1.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

While many experts will claim that West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith is not elite, the Jacksonville Jaguars must realize that Blaine Gabbert is not the long-term answer and take the risk with Smith.

3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

The Oakland Raiders come into this draft needing serious help across the defensive depth chart, but the loss of Desmond Bryant (free agency) and Richard Seymour (released) proves the team must think defensive tackle. The safest tackle in the 2013 class is Florida’s Sharrif Floyd.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon

The Philadelphia Eagles are transitioning to a 3-4 defense, and one of the most important pieces of that scheme is a pass-rushing outside linebacker. With new head coach Chip Kelly already having a relationship with a player like Oregon’s Dion Jordan, this pick is perfect for the organization.

5. Detroit Lions: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

The Detroit Lions were mediocre at best against the pass in 2012—allowing 223.1 yards per game—but the franchise has a chance to change all of that by selecting an elite cornerback like Alabama’s Dee Milliner. This is a risk worth taking for Detroit.

6. Cleveland Browns: Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU

The Cleveland Browns have already made a splash this offseason on the defensive line by adding free-agent pass-rusher Paul Kruger, but when BYU defensive end prospect Ezekiel Ansah is still there at No. 6, the franchise must make this pick.

Ansah is a raw prospect that only played one full season at BYU, but with the his size, speed and strength, the ceiling for the freakish athlete is very high. With Cleveland likely a few years from contending, this is a long-term investment worth making.

While Ansah makes the transition to the NFL and further fills out his huge frame in the weight rooms of his future team, he can be used on passing downs as just a pure rusher. From there, the native of Ghana can earn himself more playing time.

7. Arizona Cardinals: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

The Arizona Cardinals managed to address the team’s biggest weakness this offseason by trading for veteran quarterback Carson Palmer, but the need to protect him with a franchise left tackle will force the team to pick Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher.

8. Buffalo Bills: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

While there are reports that the Buffalo Bills could be considering quarterback Ryan Nassib at No. 8 overall, the more likely alternative with Geno Smith off the board would be USC’s Matt Barkley. While Kevin Kolb may have signed with Buffalo, the Bills will be looking for a QB in the first round.

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

The New York Jets now hold two early picks in the first round, and with the No. 9 overall pick, the need for an outside linebacker and improvements in the pass-rushing game will force Gang Green to take LSU’s Barkevious Mingo.

10. Tennessee Titans: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

The Tennessee Titans struggled mightily against the run in 2012—24th in the NFL allowing 127.2 yards per game—and a game-changing talent in the middle like Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei would be a perfect fit, as long he passes all of his medical tests.

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

There was massive turnover in the San Diego Chargers organization this offseason, but the biggest loss came along the offensive line when guard Louis Vasquez left via free agency. The team will have the chance to replace him with a potential star if it takes Alabama interior lineman Chance Warmack.

12. Miami Dolphins: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

The Miami Dolphins are trying to find an offensive tackle to replace the departed Jake Long (free agency), and if a rumored trade for Kansas City’s Branden Albert doesn’t work out, Oklahoma left tackle Lane Johnson would be a viable No. 2 option.

13. New York Jets (via Buccaneers): Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

After trading Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (h/t ESPN), the New York Jets will use the team’s second first-round pick to select the new long-term answer at cornerback, Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes.

14. Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

The Carolina Panthers were very average defensively last season, but nowhere was it more evident than in the run-stopping game (14th in the NFL allowing 110.1 yards per game). The franchise can solve that issue and address the need for a defensive tackle by drafting Missouri star Sheldon Richardson.

15. New Orleans Saints: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

The New Orleans Saints were the worst team in the NFL defensively—plain and simple. A team earns that distinction by ranking 31st against the pass and 32nd against the run in 2012, and this franchise needs major help.

That’s where Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner fits the Saints’ needs perfectly.

Werner has the size, speed and strength to be a dominant pass-rushing defensive end in a 4-3 scheme, and while he is still a raw prospect that needs work, New Orleans will give the elite athlete the green light to attack the quarterback on every play.

The Saints need a game-changer on defense, and Werner has the ability to be that player.

16. St. Louis Rams: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

The St. Louis Rams must look to draft a wide receiver after losing both Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson to free agency this offseason, and the best pure player at that position in this draft is Tennessee’s Cordarrelle Patterson.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas

As great as Troy Polamalu has been over the years for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he is not the long-term answer anymore. If Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro slides past the St. Louis Rams at No. 16, the Steelers will have the prospect they are looking for in the first round.

18. Dallas Cowboys: Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina

The Dallas Cowboys have two top priorities on offense during the draft: protecting the quarterback and establishing a rushing attack. The franchise has the unique opportunity to address both by selecting the most underrated offensive lineman in the draft, North Carolina guard Jonathan Cooper.

19. New York Giants: Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M

The New York Giants will be looking to add depth to the defensive line, and when a talented pass-rusher like Texas A&M’s Damontre Moore falls all the way to No. 19, the organization will have an ideal fit fall into its lap.

20. Chicago Bears: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame

The Chicago Bears have made it clear that Brian Urlacher is no longer in the future plans of the franchise, opening the door for a born leader like former Notre Dame middle linebacker Manti Te'o to step right in and take the role as defensive leader on and off the field.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

Former West Virginia slot receiver Tavon Austin is getting a lot of attention, and whether the Cincinnati Bengals wait for him to fall to No. 21 or have to trade up to get him, this would be the best fit for both the player and the perspective team.

22. St. Louis Rams (via Redskins): John Cyprien, S, FIU

After the Pittsburgh Steelers snag Kenny Vaccaro at No. 17, the St. Louis Rams will be forced to go with their No. 2 safety prospect. With the system head coach Jeff Fisher runs, the hard-hitting mentality of FIU’s John Cyprien would be the ideal fit.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

The Minnesota Vikings traded wide receiver Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks and signed free agent Greg Jennings, but the need for more talent and depth at WR will force the franchise to select a standout prospect like Cal’s Keenan Allen.

 

24. Indianapolis Colts: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

The Indianapolis Colts were abysmal against the pass last season—ranked 21st in the NFL allowing 236.8 yards per game—and the addition of a cornerback like Washington’s Desmond Trufant that would start from Day 1 is the kind of impact player the franchise needs on defense.

25. Minnesota Vikings (via Seahawks): Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

The Minnesota Vikings will use the pick acquired in the Harvin trade to secure the middle linebacker spot for years to come with promising Georgia prospect Alec Ogletree.

26. Green Bay Packers: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

The Green Bay Packers must take the best offensive lineman available at No. 26, and while there may be a few options, none have the upside and promise of Alabama tackle D.J. Fluker.

27. Houston Texans: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

At No. 27 overall, the Houston Texans will get the steal of the draft when Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones falls into their lap in the latter stages of the first round.

The Texans haven’t had a viable pass-rushing outside linebacker since Mario Williams left for Buffalo, but if Houston can snag Jones, the franchise would have a great complement to defensive end J.J. Watt.

Jones led college football in sacks in 2012, and with his ability to get after the quarterback and make game-changing plays off the edge, this will be the addition that helps the Texans get over the hump in the AFC playoffs.

28. Denver Broncos: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State

The Denver Broncos will continue the transition to John Fox’s predominantly 4-3 defense by selecting a defensive tackle that can be effective on every down and in every situation like Ohio State’s Johnathan Hankins.

29. New England Patriots: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama

As much as New England Patriots fans will try to convince themselves that the tandem of Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen is a viable threat, the realization that the backfield needs a true No. 1 runner will lead Bill Belichick and company  to draft Alabama’s Eddie Lacy.

30. Atlanta Falcons: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

Tony Gonzalez saved the Atlanta Falcons for one more year by agreeing to come back, but the need for a viable replacement at tight end when the future Hall for Famer retires will force the Atlanta Falcons to take Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert or the best TE available here.

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

The San Francisco 49ers lost defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga (free agency) this offseason, and while there are areas of need on offense, the talent of former Alabama nose tackle Jesse Williams is too perfect of a fit for Jim Harbaugh to ignore.

32. Baltimore Ravens: Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State

After losing middle linebackers Ray Lewis (retired) and Dannell Ellerbe (free agency) this offseason, the Baltimore Ravens must replenish the position. The team will be lucky enough to fall into the best all-around athlete at the position, Kansas State’s Arthur Brown.

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