2013 NFL Mock Draft: Wise 1st-Round Moves for Each Team

The true value of a pick doesn't become apparent until years down the line. However, it is still possible to measure the potential of a player, the need of the team and the value of the pick to come to a conclusion of the pick at that time. 

In my mock draft below, I've considered all of the above factors to come up with the smartest pick for every first-round selection. 

I'll spend extra time on a few of the more intriguing picks, which are marked by italics.  

1. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14): Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

Luke Joeckel will be an elite pass blocker from Day 1, and he has the potential to be an elite tackle for years to come.

This is a safe and quality pick for the Chiefs at the top of the draft.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14): Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon 

Dion Jordan may be the most intriguing athlete in this draft. He can get to the quarterback in a flash and drop back in coverage. 

This will be a nice new piece for defensive-minded head coach Gus Bradley. 

3. Oakland Raiders (4-12): Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

The Raiders are desperate for defensive upgrades, and they would be well-served to start that defensive rebuilding process with the disruptive Sharrif Floyd. 

He is an elite talent, and the Raiders need a stalwart in the interior of their defensive line. 

4. Philadelphia Eagles (4-12): Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan 

Eric Fisher is the prototypical left tackle. He is 6'7" and 306 pounds with 34.5" arms. He has the frame to add bulk and the quick feet to handle it.

Fisher can move and will be fierce in stretch plays and screens and tough to beat off the snap. This is a perfect fit for coach Chip Kelly as he spreads out the field.

The Eagles have a lot of options. There is the possible quarterback of the future in Geno Smith, but Smith is more of a pocket passer and not an ideal fit for Kelly.

I could see the Eagles considering Sharrif Floyd, but there's no way he gets past the Raiders. Fisher is the best value here and a great fit.

5. Detroit Lions (4-12): Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU

The Lions have to get more consistent in the defensive front. They are stocked in the middle with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, but they will be neutralized if the opposition doesn't have to worry about sending extra protection to the edge.

With Cliff Avril taking his 9.5 sacks to Seattle, the Lions must bring someone in that offenses must account for. 

Ezekiel Ansah is that type of player. He is raw and will certainly need to refine his pass-rush moves, but he'll be a force just on athleticism alone. 

Ansah is explosive, quick and strong. He has the feet to torch linemen off the edge and the strength to win with a bull rush. 

He will need to become more effective at shedding blocks to dominate in the run game, but he is strong enough to seal the edge. 

This is a smart pick with a high ceiling. 

6. Cleveland Browns (5-11): Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama 

Dee Milliner is easily the most complete corner in this draft. He can excel in man or zone. His addition alongside Joe Haden will allow the Browns to more freely blitz.

7. Arizona Cardinals (5-11): Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

Carson Palmer will be on board for this selection. If Palmer is going to succeed in Arizona, he will need time to throw. He won't have that unless the Cardinals make this selection. 

8. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

The Bills had a nice run game last year. They need to build on that. They have a hole at guard, and Warmack might be the safest pick in this draft. 

9. New York Jets (6-10): Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

The Jets can't pass on Geno Smith. This team has been driven into the ground by bad quarterback play, and there is no reason to think it will get better. 

With the best quarterback in this draft sitting on the board, the Jets can't look anywhere else. 

10. Tennessee Titans (6-10): Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah 

The Titans have been inconsistent in their defensive front seven. Star Lotulelei can help change that. He will clog up the middle and command extra attention on almost every play.

11. San Diego Chargers (7-9): D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

D.J. Fluker doesn't have the pass-blocking technique to handle left tackle. However, he is a beast in the run game and will hold his own against linemen that don't have elite speed.

San Diego is desperate for help at tackle. 

12. Miami Dolphins (7-9): Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Xavier Rhodes' stock is all over the map, but I don't see him getting past the Dolphins.

He has good size, and he's a very physical corner. He will be an excellent matchup option against bigger receivers.

13. New York Jets (from 7-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU 

With a quarterback in hand, the Jets will go for their pass rusher and find the perfect one in the explosive Barkevious Mingo.

14. Carolina Panthers (7-9): Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

Cordarrelle Patterson is another player with wildly fluctuating draft stock. However, he is too talented to slide far.

Patterson is the best true deep threat in this class, and the Panthers need a receiver to help them stretch the field.

15. New Orleans Saints (7-9): Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

The Saints must get more physical at the point of attack on defense. Bjoern Werner is a strong player with a high motor, and that is exactly what the Saints need.

16. St. Louis Rams (7-8-1): Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

The Rams will be ecstatic if Tavon Austin is still on the board. His explosiveness is badly needed in the Rams' plodding offense.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8): Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

Injury concerns and a pro day that left scouts underwhelmed have seen Jarvis Jones' stock drop after a prodigious college career. 

However, he is a natural edge pass rusher and a nice fit for Pittsburgh's schemes. 

18. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri 

The Cowboys need interior defensive line help as they switch to the 4-3. Sheldon Richardson is a well-rounded player and a solid value pick. 

19. New York Giants (9-7): Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

The Giants can go back to the well and draft a defensive end, or they can try and help their pass defense with someone who can actually cover.

I say they go for the latter.

20. Chicago Bears (10-6): Matt Barkley, QB, USC 

This is not a popular selection, and the critics of this pick have valid arguments. The Bears need a guard and a middle linebacker.

They already have their starter in Jay Cutler, and this is a team that should be gearing up for a postseason run.

I'm sure this selection will raise a few eyebrows. After all, the Bears are in a position where they should be loading up for a Super Bowl run, and they have a starting quarterback with Jay Cutler. 

With needs at middle linebacker and guard, the Bears could justifiably go in another direction. 

But this bold pick is not without its merit.

Cutler is in the last year of his contract, and he's been getting rocked behind the Bears' shaky offensive line. This has led to him missing seven games in the past two years. Not only does this leave the Bears in need of a backup, but it also has to have them wondering if they are going to want to offer the 29-year-old a big contract at the end of the season.

The Bears need an upgrade at backup quarterback because they are likely to need one during the season. 

Matt Barkley would give this team a nice option off the bench and flexibility for the franchise moving forward.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6): Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas

The Bengals could use a free safety to exploit quarterback mistakes brought on by the Bengals' pressure. Kenny Vaccaro is an instinctive safety and a nice fit.  

22. St. Louis Rams (From 10-6 Washington Redskins): Eric Reid, FS, LSU 

The Rams are in the same position as the Bengals. They will be hoping that Vaccaro falls, and if he doesn't, they won't resist Eric Reid.

23. Minnesota Vikings (10-6): Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

I like Datone Jones. He is a good mix of size and speed. This will allow him to play on the inside and outside of the defensive line.

He will get a lot of snaps to give the aging Kevin Williams a breather at tackle, and he'll be a nice option on the edge on run downs.

24. Indianapolis Colts (11-5): Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama

The Colts must find a beast in the middle for their 3-4 defense. Jesse Williams is the best pure nose tackle in this class. 

25. Minnesota Vikings (from 11-5 Seattle Seahawks): Keenan Allen, WR, California

If the Vikings don't get another playmaker at receiver, Adrian Peterson is going to be facing 10 men in the box. Keenan Allen is a smooth receiver who will pile up catches in bunches. 

26. Green Bay Packers (11-5): Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State

In my opinion, Menelik Watson is underrated. He is an excellent athlete. He can stand to add some bulk and strength, but that will come with time.

The Packers are always willing to be patient with for the right prospect.

27. Houston Texans (12-4): Robert Woods, WR, USC

Robert Woods has the ball skills to be a threat all over the field. The Texans must add another weapon on offense to help spread out opposing defenses

28. Denver Broncos (13-3): Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina 

Sylvester Williams has great pass-rushing talent for a tackle. This will be a lethal addition to the pressure the Broncos can bring from the edge. 

29. New England Patriots (12-4): Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

Desmond Trufant has a high ceiling. He's a bit inconsistent, but he has all the tools. He will be a nice fit for the multiple looks New England likes to throw. 

30. Atlanta Falcons (13-3): Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State

Johnathan Hankins is another talented, but bit inconsistent, player.

With Atlanta's need for defensive line help, Hankins is a nice fit, and will help Atlanta improve against the run.

31. San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1): Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina

Jonathan Cooper is going to fall a bit on draft day. I don't see any team selecting him over Warmack, and with a greater need at offensive tackle in this draft, Cooper will get passed over.

That will work out just fine for the 49ers.

32. Baltimore Ravens (10-6): Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU 

Kevin Minter is not going to be a dominant middle linebacker, but he will be a reliable and consistent one.