3/2- Jack's 2013 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

First post-combine mock.  2 Full Rounds.

1. Kansas City Chiefs- Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M- This draft doesn’t have a stand-out top prospect, so the Chiefs are a little more unpredictable than most teams with the #1 pick.  With Brandon Albert set to test free agency, the team may have a huge hole at Left Tackle, which is where Joekel would fit in on Alex Smith’s blindside.  Even if Albert returns, a tackle could be in play, as could Shariff Floyd.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars- Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida- Floyd continues his ascension of draft boards league-wide after a solid combine.  I thought about penciling in Dee Milliner here, but I think Gus Bradley will feel he can develop bigger, raw corners in later rounds like he did in Seattle.  The Jags need a lot of pass rushing help and I think Floyd is rated higher than any of the DE/OLB types on their board.

Photo Rights to Detroit News

3. Oakland Raiders- Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan- The feeling around the league is this pick will either be Geno Smith or a Left Tackle. To me, the Raiders are a team with a serious talent deficiency that would be best served trying to trade way down and recoup the second round pick they lost (Carson Palmer trade) and pick the best defensive player available.  I also don’t get the QB idea when Carson Palmer is a mediocre to below average QB, but still far from the biggest problem in Oak-town.  So I’m left with the Left Tackle, Eric Fisher (right).

4. Philadelphia Eagles- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama- Dion Jordan was tempting here, especially since Chip Kelly recently gushed about his former linebacker.  But Dee Milliner is a better prospect and fits a huge need for the Eagles as a corner they can match up on Hakeem Nicks and Dez Bryant.

5. Detroit Lions- Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida St.- Werner is my top rated pass rusher in this draft class, and the Lions have a need at defensive end in the wake of the Kyle Vanden Bosch release and Cliff Avril’s free agency.

6. Cleveland Browns- Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU- The Browns new 3-4 defense (although they flip-flop every couple years it seems) is going to need a rush linebacker to pressure Flacco, Roethlisberger, and Dalton.  Ziggy Ansah has shot up the draft board after a great senior bowl and an impressive combine.

7. Arizona Cardinals- Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma- Just to note, this is not too high for Lane Johnson.  He had a better combine than Joeckel and Fisher and he has absolutely put himself in the same league as those guys, though still the consensus third tackle.  The Cardinals need a new Left Tackle to protect whoever is at QB for them next year.  I’ve seen Matt Barkley’s name pop up in this spot quite a bit, but that would seriously be a major reach.

8. Buffalo Bills- Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia- The Bills have made it no secret they are targeting a QB of the future in this draft- Ryan Fitzpatrick is not the answer.  Smith is the top guy in this draft and has a chance to be a franchise QB.

9. New York Jets- Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon- Jordan may end up going higher than this spot, but I couldn’t work him into my Top 8.  The Jets would be happy to pick the high-upside rush linebacker at this juncture and improve their anemic pass rush.

10. Tennessee Titans- Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama- Sometimes a pick makes too much sense to actually happen.  That might turn out to be the case here, as it seems like Warmack and the Titans are widely assumed to be a match at this pick.  The Titans need to upgrade their interior O-Line and Warmack is the best Guard to come out in a long time.

11. San Diego Chargers- Jonathan Cooper, OG, UNC- Jonathan Cooper isn’t far behind Warmack on most boards, and is even ranked higher on a few, according to various reports.  Cooper (below) certainly helped himself with a dominant combine, adding weight to his agile frame and putting up 35 bench press reps of 225lbs.

Photo Rights to goheels.com

12. Miami Dolphins- Cordarelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee- Patterson is regarded by most as the top WR prospect in this draft due to his upside and physical gifts.  The Dolphins are looking for a young #1 receiver for Ryan Tannehill and seem to like Patterson.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah- I don’t really know where to slot Star Lotulelei.  Hopefully his heart issues are not going to hinder his football career.  The Bucs could use a bigger DT to pair with Gerald McCoy.

14. Carolina Panthers- Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington- The Panthers need to improve their defense if they are going to take the next step and contend in the NFC South.  Trufant ran a sub-4.4 forty and is in the discussion to be the second CB off the board.

Photo Rights to ESPN

15. New Orleans Saints- Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia- Jarvis Jones is an electric pass rusher, but his spinal issue and work ethic concerns have him falling.  The Saints are moving to a 3-4 and Jones is the quintessential 3-4 OLB.

16. St. Louis Rams- Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas- Vaccaro (left) didn’t help himself at the combine, but is still regarded as the only safety with a first round grade in this class.  The Rams have a pair of first rounders and can afford to reach for need here and draft for value later.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M- Damontre Moore had an abysmal combine, and shot out of the Top 5-10 discussion as the other pass rushers impressed.  The Steelers will love his value here and could use Moore to replace James Harrison, who will likely be released for age/cap reasons.

18. Dallas Cowboys- Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri- there is no way Sheldon Richardson should be on the board at 18, but I couldn’t find a place for him sooner.  The Cowboys would love to add Richardson as an interior pass rusher in their new 4-3 defense.

19. New York Giants- Margus Hunt, DE, SMU- Hunt was a beast at the combine and should rise way up boards across the league.  I think he’d fit great as a younger version of Justin Tuck in New York, where he could play LE in the 4-3 and slide inside to DT on 3^rd down as a pass rusher.  Imagine a 4 man rush of JPP, Tuck, Hunt, and Matthias Kiwanuka on third and long.

20. Chicago Bears- D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama- The Bears need to keep Jay Cutler healthy and upright, and D.J. Fluker is a good fit here at 20.  Strictly a Right Tackle, Fluker is a dominant run blocker who has the physical gifts to develop as a pass protector.

21. Cincinnati Bengals- Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia- The Bengals need some spark in their offense, and Tavon Austin (right) is a spark plug.  He ran a 4.34 forty at the combine and is the top slot receiver to declare for the draft since Percy Harvin.  He’d fit great in a young nucleus with Dalton, Green, Gresham, and Sanu.

22. St. Louis Rams (via WAS)- Keenan Allen, WR, California- The Rams need at WR isn’t as dire if they can bring back Danny Amendola, but either way they should address the position at some point in the draft.  Keenan Allen is an Anquan Boldin type of physical player, and could finally give Sam Bradford a dependable pass catcher on the outside.

23. Minnesota Vikings- Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC- Sylvester Williams can be a NT in a 3-4 or a DT in a 4-3, but I think he fits better in a 4-3 because he is a better pass rusher than he is a run stopper.  Kevin Williams is a fossil and the Vikings need a new main man in the middle of their D-Line.

24. Indianapolis Colts- Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio St.- I’d like to see the Colts use this pick on some protection for Andrew Luck, but there aren’t any tackles worth slotting here.  Johnathan Hankins would give the Colts 3-4 a legitimate Nose Tackle and help improve their pass rush from the interior.

25. Seattle Seahawks- Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee- Justin Hunter is very quietly becoming a hot prospect in the draft.  There just aren’t a lot of 6’4” guys who can run a 4.4 forty.  His upside as a deep threat is immense, and Russell Wilson needs a receiver to take the top off a defense.

26. Green Bay Packers- Kawaan Short, DT, Purdue- The Packers run defense is pretty awful, as Adrian Peterson showed over and over again.  The Packers seemed to lose thier defensive identity when Cullen Jenkins left and they couldn’t fill the void at DE.  Short is a guy who has some pass rushing ability and can help in the ground game.  He’d move to end in a 3-4 after playing tackle in a 4-3 at Purdue. 

27. Houston Texans- Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia- Alec Ogletree seems to still be the top rated ILB in this class despite his DUI arrest.  The Texans have major questions at the position with Brian Cushing’s ACL tear and Bradie James being a free agent.

28. Denver Broncos- Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida St.- the Broncos corners got torched by Baltimore’s speed receivers in their playoff loss.  Xavier Rhodes (below) has all the physical tools to be a lockdown man corner.

Photo Rights to CBS Sports

29. New England Patriots- Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi St.- Banks didn’t have a good combine and is probably going to pay for it (literally).  But the Patriots would be happy to scoop up a big, physical corner and have him play an Aqib Talib type role without the baggage that Talib brings with him.  I still believe Banks is a stud.

30. Atlanta Falcons- Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame- Tony Gonzalez is probably going to retire.  I know he keeps wavering, but I don’t think he wants to put himself through a full season again.  Maybe if the Falcons are good he’ll come back for the stretch run, but they can easily replace him with Eifert, the consensus top tight end in the draft.

31. San Francisco 49ers- Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU- I still don’t see all the hype of Kiki Mingo.  Sure, he’s a good pass rusher with a lot of upside, but he’s not big enough to hold up against the run unless he’s playing OLB in a 4-3, where his pass rushing will be minimized.  He needs to go to a team that can baby him for a year or two and just play him on 3^rd and long, like Bruce Irvin with the Seahawks last year.  He’d be a fit in San Fran.

32. Baltimore Ravens- Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame- Adam Schefter (aka God) maintains that Te’o isn’t falling out of the first round.  That’s the only reason I have Te’o here, as I personally can’t see a team taking on the media circus of Te’o as a #1 pick.  He’s the new Tebow, even down to the sexual orientation rumblings from people who somehow thing that detracts from his game.

Round 2

33. Jacksonville Jaguars- Alex Okafor, DE, Texas- The Jaguars continue to re-mold their front 4 with Gus Bradley, and draft Okafor to give them an edge rusher to pair with Jason Babin.

34. San Francisco 49ers (via KC)- Matt Elam, SS, Florida- The Niners replace Dashon Goldson with a thumper from the swamp.

35. Philadelphia Eagles-- Kyle Long, OT, Oregon- Who better to run the Eagles new offensive line scheme than Long, the versatile thoroughbred (Brother Chris and Papa Howie) who played for Chip Kelly in college?

36. Detroit Lions- Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon St.- Alas, the Lions spend a value pick on a Cornerback.

37. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oak)- Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU- Rey Mualuga is gone, but Minter is not just a replacement, he’s an upgrade.

38. Arizona Cardinals- Matt Barkley, QB, USC- The Cardinals are reportedly smitten with Matt Barkley.  E.J. Manuel is a better fit for Bruce Arians' offense, but I digress.

39. New York Jets Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama- Lacy becomes the Jets new workhorse back.

40. Tennessee Titans- Barrett Jones, C, Alabama- Jones and Warmack, basically a wet dream for Titans fans.

41. Buffalo Bills- DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson- The Bills have expressed interest in getting a possession receiver with size.  Hopkins has drawn Roddy White comparisons.

42. Miami Dolphins- Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers- A big, physical cover man to replace Sean Smith.

43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- David Amerson, CB, NC St.- the Bucs have had a need at corner for forever.  Amerson is big and fast and could be polished by Ronde Barber’s tutelage.

44. Carolina Panthers- Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor- A vertical weapon to complement Steve Smith.  Cam Newton needs one.

45. San Diego Chargers- John Jenkins, NT, Georgia- Finally, a replacement for Jamaal Williams.  The Bolts’ 3-4 hasn’t been the same since he left.

46. St. Louis Rams- Khaseem Greene, OLB, Rutgers- The top 4-3 OLB in the draft, he’d be another piece on a promising Rams unit.

47. Dallas Cowboys- Datone Jones, DE, UCLA- A replacement for Anthony Spencer.

48. Pittsburgh Steelers- Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky- He belongs higher than this, but others don’t like him like I do. The Steelers are smart.

49. New York Giants- Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas St.- The Giants’ Linebackers are uninspiring.  Brown is a great coverage linebacker who packs a little punch too.

50. Chicago Bears- Terron Armstead, OT, Ark. Pine-Bluff- The workout warrior could be groomed into a competent Left Tackle for Jay Cutler.  Getting Fluker and Armstead would be a great haul for Chi-town.

51. Washington Redskins- Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford- Fred Davis has fragile legs and might not be back.  A complete tight end to help RG3 and Alfred Morris.

52. Minnesota Vikings- Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech.- A big target with swagger for Christian Ponder.

53. Cincinnati Bengals- Corey Lemonier, DE/OLB, Auburn- Had a great combine, but with so many quality pass rushers this is the earliest I could find a spot for him.  Michael Johnson is on the franchise tag and Lemonier could be a cheap replacement in 2014.

54. Miami Dolphins (via IND)- Dallas Thomas, OT/OG, Tennessee- A right tackle (move Jonathan Martin to left) to indirectly replace Jake Long.

55. Green Bay Packers- Giovani Bernard, RB, UNC- A talented scatback that could do scary things for Aaron Rodgers.

56. Seattle Seahawks- Bennie Logan, DT, LSU- Can’t believe he’s on the board, but not working out at the combine will do that.  He’s too good to last this long.

57. Houston Texans- E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida St.- Gary Kubiack recently said the Texans might draft a young QB to develop into a franchise QB.  Simpy put, I think E.J. could very well Kaepernick the Smith out of Schaub (see what I did there?).

58. Denver Broncos- Da’Rick Rodgers, WR, Tennessee Tech- Rodgers has a ton of physical ability, but some red flags.  Peyton Manning has a way of getting dudes to be smart and play hard.

59. New England Patriots- Jonathan Cyprien, SS, Florida International- Steve Gregory isn’t good enough to start on a team that is trying to be a contender.

60. Atlanta Falcons- Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU- John Abraham was released and the Falcons needed a pass rusher before that.

61. San Francisco 49ers- Robert Woods, WR, USC- Harbaugh takes a chance on Woods, once considered the best WR in this draft.  Worth a shot.

62. Baltimore Ravens- Eric Reid, FS, LSU- Reid had a solid combine and could be brought in whether or not Ed Reed comes back.