2013 NFL Mock Draft: Ben Lorimer's First Round Selection Predictions

Ever since last season, I have released a predictions mock draft in which I have tried to line up where each team will go in the first round. After the draft, I then analyze how I did by looking whether I got the draft position or team correct for players. Last year, out of a possible 64 points I managed a pretty pathetic nine points. For any of you who want to see the article, here it is. 

Keep in mind that I am not mocking any trades, so many of the picks may be reaches if I think a certain team will try to get them.

Enjoy!

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

The Chiefs are supposedly shopping Brandon Albert, which makes left tackle a need. Also, Joeckel is the best left tackle to hit the draft in years. This is a no-brainer.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Geno Smith (QB): West Virginia

This pick is off the radar at the moment, but I believe that the Jaguars radio silence on who they are taking is because they like Geno Smith, and do not want to give anyone a reason to trade up with the Chiefs to get him ahead of them. While Smith is no Andrew Luck or RG3, he does have great arm talent, mobility and a great work ethic. He certainly would be a much better quarterback to build around than Blaine Gabbert.

3. Oakland Raiders - Sharif Floyd (DT): Florida

Personally, I would rather have Star Lotulelei or Sheldon Richardson before Floyd at defensive tackle, but the word is that the Raiders would love some Sharif to plug up their defensive tackle position. Plus, he has the added versatility to play in a 3-4 defense as well.

4. Philadelphia Eagles - Dion Jordan (OLB): Oregon

The Eagles could look at an offensive tackle or Star Lotulelei with this pick. However, Jason Peters is coming back from injury, and in the modern NFL, a stud edge rusher is key on defense. The best 3-4 outside linebacker in the draft is Jordan, and his blend of pass rushing potential and coverage skills makes him an elite talent. Also, he played for Chip Kelly at Oregon.

5. Detroit Lions - Eric Fisher (OT): Central Michigan

Fisher may be a small school guy, but his game is as solid as anyone in this draft. He has the technique and fluidity to lock down people in the passing game, and the potential to be an above average run blocker. The Lions also have a massive need at left tackle.

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

There has been lots of talk recently about the Browns trading down for someone who wants to get Lane Johnson. However, I still believe that Cleveland wants Dee Milliner, the consensus best cornerback in the draft. His ability to provide lock down coverage would give Cleveland an elite cornerback tandem, which is a big time asset in the modern NFL.

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

If someone trades up with Cleveland to get Johnson this pick could be a quarterback, but if Johnson is on the board then there is no way the Cardinals would pass on him. He has more upside than Joeckel and Fisher, and would lock down a perennial problem position for the Cardinals with a stud left tackle.

8. Buffalo Bills - Chance Warmack (OG): Alabama

The Bills may look to trade back into the first round late to get a quarterback, but after losing Andy Levitre to in free agency they will be looking to reload that offensive line that paves the way for C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson. Warmack is an elite offensive guard that even in his rookie season should be a big upgrade over Levitre.

9. New York Jets - Star Lotulelei (DT): Utah State

The Jets have two first-rounders, and with the first they will stop the slide of a major talent. Lotulelei had a clean bill of health from the doctor, and his ability to be disruptive in the run game and push the pocket against the run as a nose tackle is something the Jets are missing at the moment.

10. Tennessee Titans - Kenny Vaccaro (S): Texas

The Titans would love to get Warmack, but with him off the board they will instead look to solidify their shaky secondary with a stud safety. Vaccaro's ability to cover tight ends and slot receivers man-to-man will be invaluable as the NFL features them more and more, and he also has the ability to play the run. 

11. San Diego Chargers - Xavier Rhodes (CB): Florida State

The Chargers are a real contender to move up and take Lane Johnson if he falls to the Browns. However, if they stay put a cornerback is likely. They need to get better at the position where they have no good starters, and Rhodes has the size, quickness and deep speed to be a great player for years to come.

12. Miami Dolphins - Ezekiel Ansah (DE): BYU

The Dolphins are in the middle of converting into a 4-3 defense, and while they have Cameron Wake set at one end, they lack another defensive end to play opposite him. The Dolphins are in a position to let a player develop, and Ansah has one of the highest ceilings in this draft, and could become the next Jason Pierre-Paul.

13. New York Jets - Jarvis Jones (OLB): Georgia

The Jets have never had a great outside pass rusher when Rex Ryan has been in town, and that has forced him to be creative with blitzes to get pressure. However, Jarvis Jones has the most refined pass rushing game in this draft, and despite his disappointing measurables he is a beast on the field.

14. Carolina Panthers - Sheldon Richardson (DT): Missouri

The Panthers have been weak up the middle for years, but adding Richardson would go a long way towards solving that. He has Warren Sapp-like quickness off the snap, and he is relentless in getting after the ball. I think he is the best three-technique in this draft, and the Panthers will get a huge steal.

15. New Orleans Saints - Desmond Trufant (CB): Washington

Trufant is rated much lower than this by most of the media because of his lack of physicality, but I think the NFL will value his quickness, refined game and recovery speed. The Saints are especially looking for a good cornerback after their group was shredded last season. Trufant has the skills and attitude to be a No. 1in short order.

16. St. Louis Rams - Cordarelle Patterson (WR): Tennessee

The Rams need a wide receiver to pair with Sam Bradford and give him a legitimate target to throw to, and Patterson has the skill set to become an elite player. His speed, size and elusiveness combination is hard to match, and a creative offensive mind would be able to cause chaos with him.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alec Ogletree (LB): Georgia

The Steelers have to rebuild their defense, and Ogletree has the elite athleticism and play making skills to do just that. While he has major character concerns, my bet is that the Steelers rock solid locker room will be trusted to keep him in line. His blitzing ability could also be a potent weapon in a Dick LeBeau defense.

18. Dallas Cowboys - Jonathan Cooper (OG): UNC

Cooper is a great player, and if he falls to the Cowboys they will run to the podium. They have a real weakness in the middle of their offensive line, and Cooper has elite quickness and size for the position. He can protect the passer and be a great run blocker, and he even has the ability to move to center.

19. New York Giants - Cornelius Carradine (DE): Florida State

The Giants are the biggest collectors of defensive line talent in the NFL, and with an actual need at defensive end this year they appear a good bet to make the move for some more talent. Carradine would have been the No. 1 defensive end prospect this year if not for his ACL injury, and since the Giants are more than willing to wait for talent, Carradine will be a great pick for them.

20. Chicago Bears - Tavon Austin (WR): West Virginia

Austin has the game-breaking ability as a receiver to do what Percy Harvin did in Minnesota without the off-field (and literal) headaches. Austin gets up to speed faster than anyone in this draft, and has next level elusiveness and running ability. He is not a traditional wide receiver, but put him on the field with Brandon Marshall and defenses will have nightmares.

21. Cincinnatti Bengals - DJ Fluker (OT): Alabama

This is not a pick I agree with, but it has seemed very likely ever since the Bengals showed no interest in bringing Andre Smith back after he became a free agent. Fluker is effectively the same player, just more athletic and without the same moments of idiocy.

22. St. Louis Rams - Jonathan Cyprien (S): Florida International

The Rams have two first rounders, and with them they will be looking to add some playmakers to their team. After giving up on Quinton Mikel, they will be looking to add another safety, and in reality he is possibly the best in this draft. He has the athleticism, tackling skill and coverage instincts to be great.

23. Minnesota Vikings - Justin Hunter (WR): Tennessee

While there is plenty of risk in taking Hunter in the first round, he has game reminiscent to Randy Moss. He has the long frame and deep speed and ball skills to be an elite deep threat. After giving away Percy Harvin, the Vikings need a go-to receiver for Christian Ponder. Hunter could be that guy.

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

While I would love to see Williams go to a 4-3 defense, he would be a great pick-up for the Colts who still need a nose tackle to anchor their 3-4 defense. Williams has unreal power and good quickness for a nose tackle. He will need to play with better leverage, but he also has the versatility to play a 5-technique defensive end.

25. Minnesota Vikings - Bjoern Werner (DE): Florida State

Werner is a massive steal this late in the draft, but for some reason people have mellowed on him after a less than amazing Scouting Combine. Nevertheless, the Vikings will be building a position of real strength at defensive end with Werner, Jared Allen and Brian Robison.

26. Green Bay Packers - Manti Te'o (LB): Notre Dame

The Packers play big bodies on the defensive line, and this would let them make the most of Manti Te'o. He was at his best last season when Louis Nix and Stephen Tuitt were eating up offensive linemen and keeping him clean, and the Packers should be able to provide this. Te'o is also a great coverage linebacker who is a real playmaker in zone coverage.

27. Houston Texans - Quinton Patton (WR): Louisiana Tech

The Texans need a wide receiver to play opposite Andre Johnson, and this year seems to be the year to do it. Patton is a very good wide receiver who has game speed, safe hands and a knack for getting open. If teams do shift their coverages towards Andre Johnson, he has the game to make them pay in his rookie season.

28. Denver Broncos - Datone Jones (DE): UCLA

After losing Elvis Dumervil in free agency, the Broncos will be looking for another defensive end. Datone Jones is the sort of solid player who can create pressure off the edge, lock down the run game and give consistent effort. He would be a great complement to Von Miller.

29. New England Patriots - Barkevious Mingo (OLB): LSU

The Patriots have very little outside pass rush outside of Chandler Jones, and Mingo would give them a real x-factor speed rusher who can beat any offensive tackle in the NFL. While Mingo is unlikely to be an every down player in the NFL, he can play in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense, and provide pass rush much like Bruce Irvin.

30. Atlanta Falcons - Tyler Eifert (TE): Notre Dame

The Falcons have Tony Gonzalez for another season, but his career will be coming to an end very soon. With no replacements on the roster at the moment, they could do with adding another great tight end. Eifert is a great receiver who is a average blocker. However, his size, speed, hands and route running ability makes him the total package as a receiving tight end.

31. San Francisco 49ers - John Jenkins (DT): Georgia

With the way the board has fallen, there is not really any great value picks for the 49ers at this point. However, while Jenkins is not really worth a first rounder, he would add another dimension to their defense. He has elite size, power and quickness for a nose tackle, and if he plays more consistently and with better leverage he could become an absolute load to stop. Also, putting such a big body in front of Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman can only lead to good things.

32. Baltimore Ravens - Arthur Brown (LB): Kansas State

After losing both Ray Lewis and Danell Ellerbe this off season, the Ravens need to rebuild their inside linebacker corps. And who better than a powerful, fast and instinctive player who reminds me of a worse Ray Lewis. Brown is undersized, but plays with the speed and intensity to make up for it.