NFL MOCK DRAFT

3-3-13

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	BIG SCHOOL
1	*Kansas City Chiefs*	Luke Joeckel, OT	Texas A&M
Andy Reid knows the value of offensive linemen especially after Jason Peters was lost for the season in Philly. Joeckel is the top guy on my board, and it's only deserving he is the first player selected in the 2013 NFL Draft. It's unusually early to determine, but Reid can do wonders with quarterbacks. Dollars and sense move to let Brandon Albert go bring in Joeckel and use money of other needs in free agency. Alex Smith should be new center piece on Reid's offense.
2	*Jacksonville Jaguars*	Bjoern Werner, DE	Georgia
The Jaguars swing plenty on defensive ends and tackles and usually whiff. J.J. Watt had more sacks 20.5 than the Jaguars had as a team in 2012 with 20. Werner gives the starved pass rush team some pulse.
3	*Oakland Raiders*	Shariff Floyd, DT	Florida
Oakland finished second to last in sacks (25) in 2012. Richard Seymour enters his 14th season in 2013 which likely paves the way for Floyd to wear the Black-N-Silver next season. Oakland could basically select any position in this draft and have a upgrade, but the defensive line is likely to be addressed with first overall selection.
4	*Philadelphia Eagles*	Geno Smith, QB	West Virginia
Staying healthy and cutting down on turnovers haven't been in the cards for Michael Vick of late. Before training camp starts, Vick will be 33 years old completing only one regular season schedule (2006) since being the first overall pick in 2001. New head coach Chip Kelly wants to avoid the opportunity to be drafting a franchise quarterback this high in the future, so he takes Geno Smith.
5	*Detroit Lions*	Dee Milliner, CB	Alabama
The Lions allowed the second most plays of 40 yards or more (13) and finished tied for 23rd overall in interceptions. The secondary was a product of patchwork every week as the team fought injuries which resulted in one of their many struggles in 2012. Depth at the position will be a welcomed addition.
6	*Cleveland Browns*	Damontre Moore, DE	Texas A&M
Cleveland has a lot of nice pieces in place and the addition of Moore helps this rising club. They finished with 38 sacks that tied for 11th overall in the NFL. Moore can give the defense another dimension. Poor NFL Combine won't dismiss the notion that Moore can be one of the top defensive ends in this draft class.
7	*Arizona Cardinals*	Lane Johnson, OT	Oklahoma
The Cardinals are a very interesting team on paper. Quarterback can be addressed later in the draft if the Cardinals elect to do so which seems likely. Many may be shocked with Johnson going ahead of Central Michigan's Eric Fisher who has enough steam to pass Luke Joeckel as the top pick overall. Our believe is Johnson will win out in the interview and athleticism department to warrant this selection and be second offensive lineman taken.
8	*Buffalo Bills*	Jarvis Jones, OLB	Georgia
What is the identity of the Buffalo Bills? Will not be surprised if this team is chasing an up and coming quarterback, but honestly won't be surprised by any decision made on draft day. Usually there best position over the last decade has been running back and thankfully for Bills fans there isn't a player at the position worthy of eighth overall. Jones left NFL Combine with medical concerns, but is upgrade and play maker on defense that might excel with the guys playing up front of the defensive line.
9	*New York Jets*	Star Lotulelei, DT	Utah
Coach Ryan might of done the best job in the league with the least amount of talent. The defense is where his team excels and putting big time players on it will be the first thing on the to do list. Lotulelei brings big time football to lack luster defensive line.
10	*Tennessee Titans*	Chance Warmack, G	Alabama
Chris Johnson is the face of this franchise and building around him can only help. The more he excels the more the offense opens up allowing for the whole operation to perform that much better. Plus the age of their offensive line is nearing the end. Michael Roos was selected in the second round back in 2005 the last time they addressed the position that early on draft day. Their tackles enter year nine and offensive line needs to be addressed.
11	*San Diego Chargers*	Eric Fisher, OT	Central Michigan
The Chargers should look to piece together some new faces to plug into the offensive line. Philip Rivers drives the Chargers offense and protecting him and giving him more time in the pocket to operate all comes down to building the offensive line up around him. Might be one of the best fits for talent and team need. Fisher could walk into starting job in 2013.
12	*Miami Dolphins*	Xavier Rhodes, CB	FSU
Big, physical corner that fits Greg Schiano's style. eceiver looks like logical pick. Rhodes will stay in state to play college and pro football after Phins select him. Dolphins can pass on receiver and still land top guy in the second round at the position something they can not do if they pass on cornerback at 12 overall.
13	*Tampa Bay Buccaneers*	Desmond Trufant, CB	Washington
Trufant with NFL bloodlines and strong NFL Combine performance have vaulted him up boards. The Buccaneers eagerly look to bring talented new faces into secondary. Last year's first round pick Mark Barron and Trufant bring talented young duo for future of the secondary.
14	*Carolina Panthers*	Sheldon Richardson, DE	Missouri
Receiver would not shock me here especially considering Steve Smith is only real threat in the passing as he enters 13th season in 2013. That all said I still think they address the defensive line first. Alabama DT Jessie Williams would also be solid fit.
15	*New Orleans Saints*	Ezekiel Ansah, DE	BYU
The Saints finished second worst in points allowed (28.4) and last in yards allowed (440.1) in 2012. Look for New Orleans to address defense plenty by all means necessary in both the NFL Draft and free agency. Ansah will be replacement for Will Smith who enters final phase of his Saints career.
16	*St. Louis Rams*	Cordarrelle Patterson, WR	Tennessee
The offense still has no threat that puts fear in any defense. Until they can open it up the Rams will be one trick pony on offense.
17	*Pittsburgh Steelers*	Barkevious Mingo, OLB	LSU
The ages that these starters will turn in 2013, Ryan Clark (34), Troy Polomalu (32), Larry Foote (33), Ike Taylor (33), Brett Keisel (35), Jamas Harrison (35) and Casey Hampton (36). Pick your position but defense and a heavy dose of if will be addressed from the Steelers war room in April. The Steelers had no pass rush pulse last season and Mingo puts life back into what the Steelers do best. Get to the quarterback.
18	*Dallas Cowboys*	Kawann Short, DT	Purdue
Looks like oversized defensive end and Cowboys will like versatility and athleticism in the new defensive scheme.
19	*New York Giants*	Jessie Williams, DT	Alabama
Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck will have 19 combined seasons heading into 2013. Jason Pierre-Paul is young gun that will need to have pieces put in place around him. GM/Jerry Reese will deliver like always just a matter of DT or DE in round one for the Giants.
20	*Chicago Bears*	Manti Te'o, ILB	Notre Dame
I voted for Mike Tice as assistant coach of the year, one could argue he did more with less than just about any one out there. The Bears allowed the eighth highest sack total (44), but where 28th overall in pass attempts. If you can do the math it basically means they were terrible in protecting their quarterbacks. That all said the board value might not go in the Bears favor with need meeting first rounf value. Notre Dame's Manti Te'o gets the nod.
21	*Cincinnati Bengals*	Kenny Vaccaro, FS	Texas
The Bengals are stacked with talent on the defensive front and know they will be paying to keep them in house. Cincinnati can't draft for what they might lose they need to draft for what they need. Secondary help especially at safety in the position with most glaring need. Vaccaro is there man.
22	St. Louis Rams (via Wash.)	Jonathan Cooper, OG	North Carolina
Jonathan Cooper gives the Rams a guy to help put some faith in the front line. The Rams could use more consistency on the offensive line and Cooper is real steal this late.
23	*Minnesota Vikings*	Datone Jones, DE	UCLA
The Senior Bowl really helped Jones NFL Draft stock. Jones passes the eye test and will help aging defensive line in Minnesota. Jared Allen and Kevin Williams enter season 10 in 2013 so youth is served by selecting Jones. Would not rule out WR at this spot and they could have a nice time picking from the available guys still on the board from that position. Defense still wins championships and the Vikings go defensive line in 2013.
24	*Indianapolis Colts*	Dion Jordan, DE	Oregon
Had Robert Woods at this selection for a long time now. But I'm changing gears and putting Jordan in his place. I think his size and athleticism can be used like a Dwight Freeney in this system. Jordan is gifted pass rusher who could be very versatile in Colts defense.
25	*Seattle Seahawks*	Keenan Allen, WR	Cal
Pete Carroll could do himself and quarterback Russell Wilson a favor by writing Allen down on the draft card in April. Wilson has exceeded his development and now the receiving cast has to catch up to him. Although I think Carroll prefers bigger targets Iand Allen has 'big target' written all over him.
26	*Green Bay Packers*	D.J. Fluker, OT (R)	Alabama
Barrett Jones fits the bill, but value and the NFL Draft play role in deciding which direction GM Ted Thompson takes on draft day. It might be easier to get around Manhattan in a cab quicker than it would Fluker. Massive right tackle at the next level. Quick note the last time the Packers took a running back in round one was 1990 with second of two first round picks with Darrell Thompson. Don't be surprised.
27	*Houston Texans*	Tavon Austin, WR	Baylor
Tavon Austin won't have to leave the state of Texas when he takes his first job in the NFL. Austin ran 4.34 at NFL Combine, bringing the Texans another element to their offense. Andre Johnson doesn't look like he is slowing down, but age can sneak up on even the uncommonly best players. Austin doesn't fit the typical style of receiver Houston drafts, but there is always a first for everything. Keep eye on Tennessee receiver Justin Hunter, he might sneak into round one.
28	*Denver Broncos*	Jonathan Hankins, DT	Ohio State
Feel the offense is in good hands and I guess the defense as well, but like Hankins with their first pick. Both defensive tackle and the secondary are likely to be addressed early in 2013 NFL Draft for Broncos.
29	New England Patriots (TRADE PICK)	Matt Barkley, QB	USC
Belichick traded Drew Bledsoe to Buffalo and he'll give them the selection to take next franchise quarterback for Bills.
30	*Atlanta Falcons*	Alex Okafor, DE	F
Okafor is better than 30th overall but once I started plugging in names he wound up here. Talented as any of the other ends in this draft class, Atlanta gets a gift at 30th overall.
31	*San Francisco 49ers*	John Jenkins, DT	Georgia
Running back has long been the selection I think the 49ers would go here, but Jenkins serves a need and is good value at 31 overall. Justin Smith and Isaac Sopoaga aren't getting any younger and allowing the linebacker unit to dominate takes talent up front.
32	*Baltimore Ravens*	Kevin Minter, ILB	LSU
Minter could be first inside linebacker selected ahead of Manti Te'o. The different values placed on Te'o make him hard to peg at this point. How teams will ultimately decide on Te'o will tell us if Minter is off the board already. Minter has some pretty big shoes to fill with the absence of future HOF'er Ray Lewis heading into retirement.