The 2013 NFL Draft is Officially Opened, Kansas City Chiefs are on the Clock.
1) Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
This is really the only way to go with the First pick in this years draft. The Chiefs are solid on defense, as all five of their Pro-Bowlers came from the defensive side of the ball. What they lack is a solid LT and a Quarterback. They seemed pretty high on Nick Foles, but now that Chip Kelly labeled him as a "No No" Andy Reid must now find someone to replace Matt Cassel. Perhaps Geno Smith... He really does hate us since we beat him in 2008.
2) Jacksonville Jaguars: Dee Milliner, DB, Alabama
Yes the Jaguars need an outside pass rusher, but they also need a consistent DB. Derek Cox has all the talent in the world, but he is constantly badgered by some sort of injury. This draft is deep with pass rushers and they could make a move for Dwight Freeney to help develop a youngster in Rounds two or three.
3) Oakland Raiders: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Richard Seymour got his walking papers, and Tommy Kelly is an unknown. While Lutulelei is primarily a 3-4 NT or possibly a 3-4 DE, the Raiders run a 4-3. Their original plan was to run a multiple front defense when Dennis Allen came in and Tarver was hired, but missed out on the guys they wanted. Lutulelei could very well make this happen this year.
4) Philadelphia Eagles: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
They need a CB, but the Jags nabbed the top DB in the draft, so they can fill one of their other needs... A pass rusher. Trent Cole and Jason Babin didn't impress and all the other pieces didn't work either. Brandon Graham however showed he's a playmaker and will undoubtedly be a starter next season following Babin's release. What's up in the air is if Cole remains on the roster, and if he starts... Werner would certainly give Cole a run for his money.
5) Detroit Lions: Chance Warmak, OG, Alabama
They have more pressing needs such as DB where their secondary is utterly horrible. But their O-Line needs help. They cut their starting Guard, Steven Peterman thanks to his large cap hit, and lack of production. Snagging Warmack now would give them one of the top Guards in the NFL for years to come, and allow Matthew Stafford to survive to throw to Megatron.
6) Cleveland Browns: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
He falls out of the top 5, but right into Ray Hortons laps... He needs someone to replace the beast he had in Calais Campbell. Originally I had Dee Milner here, because well Joe Haden and Dee Milner is a scary duo, but they can fill that need in Free Agency, or at least to attempt to,
7) Arizona Cardinals: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
I love Fisher, and think we just got our Franchise LT with Nate Potter being a solid backup and Levi Brown moving to RG, thus shoring up a porous O-Line. However I feel like there are several players who could go here... Tyler Wilson, Mike Glennon, or Ezekiel Ansah to solidify that ROLB position. Tough pick, especially since we go BPA, but I think here we go BPA with "What we need" in mind.
8) Buffalo Bills: Matt Barkley, QB, USC
This is where I begin my reaches... The Bills are desperate for a QB, I don't think Tavaris Jackson, nor Ryan Fitzpatrick are the answer by any means in Buffalo. I could see Mike Glennon landing here but Barkley has the football smarts to be good. He won't be the QB so many thought he would be had he come out last season, but I KNOW he will win Superbowls and win plenty of games in his career.
9) New York Jets: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
While they need to upgrade their non-existent pass rush, they also need to replace former Jet, current Cardinal, Kerry Rhodes. Vacaro is a do it all safety. Cover the opponents fastest receiver and can help shut down the run game. Some mock drafts have him in the late first to the second round, but he is definitely the top Safety, possibly the top DB in this years draft.
10) Tennessee Titans: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Mizzou
Could be argued that he's better than Star Lotulelei, but he has a few downsides that have him as the second best DT in the draft. He struggles at squaring up and making the tackle, and over pursues, but other than that his pursuit of a QB and a RB when they start to move outside is stellar, has a superb swim move, and reads a play very well. He has a tremendous nose for the ball.
11) San Diego Chargers: Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon
I wish Arizona had two first rounders. I love this guy, and not just because he's from Oregon, but because he's an amazing athlete. Yes San Diego needs to address the Tackle position, and Lane Johnson does make sense, but I think San Diego would be silly to pass up someone with Jordans talents.
12) Miami Dolphins: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
The Phins can breathe a sigh of relief after Johnson falls to them. With Jake Long more than likely not returning, they can get someone who will be an above average LT in the league, at least until he wants a large chunk of money following the end of his contract.
13) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Sending Aqib Talib to the Patriots put the already cornerback-less Buccaneers even more into a hole. E.J. Biggers and Leonard Johnson, are not cut out to be full time starters, so Trufant makes the most sense to be drafted.
14) Carolina Panthers: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State University
Luke Keuchly won Defensive Rookie of the Year leading the charge on the defense. He cannot however do it all alone. He needs "Big Hank" in the middle of the D-Line to help him out. If the Panthers nab him here, the Secondary can be fixed with the deep Safety class.
15) New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU
The Saints really need to find a way to work on that Defense. Their Offense has no problems, well major ones. If they can fix the defense they can return to supremacy within the NFC South. Mingo fits in well with the Saints new 3-4 scheme as an outside rusher, will most likely play at Outside Linebacker.
16) St. Louis Rams: Cordarrelle Patterson. WR, Tennessee
The Rams aren't really 100% for drafting a Wide Receiver in round one. Danny Amendola has shown promise, and they're still developing Brian Quick, so they could target an Offensive Tackle, or even an Offensive Guard. Runningback isn't a concern with Daryl Richardson running the way he did this year.
17) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
James Harrison likely will not return next year, so the Steelers have to replace a key component of their Defense. Jones has issues and concerns but how many times have the Steelers taken a shot on a player with "issues and concerns" and turned that individual into a strong player in the NFL.
18) Dallas Cowboys: Jonathan Cooper, C, North Carolina
Yes they need help at guard, so he could go there, but they also need help at center... He's versatile, played both guard positions in his collegiate career, and center. If they can solidify their Center blocking, then their guard play will upgrade as well.
19) New York Giants: Marcus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State
This is a bit out there but they'll need a receiver. It appears that Victor Cruz will be taking the Salsa elsewhere. Giants won't use the Tag on him and he want's a good chunk of money. I watched him against Oregon and he was a threat to take it all the way, every time he touched the ball.
20) Chicago Bears: Larry Warford, OL, Kentucky
This pick should make sense. They need help on the O-Line and Warford can play anywhere on the interior really. I previously had him notched up to Arizona at 7 because we need to shore up the right side of the line. Jay Cutler will be the first to meet Warford at the Airport in Chicago.
21) Cincinnati Bengals: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
The only viable option at LB in Cincinnati is Vontez Burfict, and he played beyond anyone's expectations. The duo of Te'o and Burfict at Linebacker could be dangerous for many years to come.
22) St. Louis Rams: Alex Ogletree, ILB. Georgia
It's tough giving a division opponent and freak like Ogletree. No one they fit into the Inside position did well and Ogletree and can help them out. They fill two needs in the first round. Ogletree could slip more after his recent arrest but I don't believe Fisher will be worried about it.
23) Minnesota Vikings: Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida
Now why in the world would I have Floyd this far down? Well first off I believe there are better skill positions out there. Floyd is a tremendous athlete. He fits in well in Minnesota because of Kevin Williams getting up there in age, to turn 33 this season.
24) Indianapolis Colts: Johntahan Banks, DB, Mississippi State
Vontae Davis is the only starter in the secondary. I mean that in the literal sense because there are other starters... But none should be starters... At least not yet. Johnthan Banks adds another piece to a very young and talented team, and a viable starter opposite Banks.
25) Seattle Seahawks: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
Hard to imagine the Seahawks need any help anywhere on that team... But they do need a consistent inside pass rusher. Short has versatility to fit in both a 4-3 or a 3-4, and he has ideal size to both rush the passer and plug the running lanes.
26) Green Bay Packers: Robert Woods, WR, USC
Greg Jennings is a Free Agent, Jordy Nelson has looked good at times. But they need someone opposite of Randall Cobb, who has come a long way from being just a Special Teamer, to being a solid option for Aaron Rodgers to go to.
27) Houston Texans: Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
Brian Cushing is fresh from an ACL tear so there's a lot of uncertainty about what to do at the Inside Backer position in Houston. I have no doubt that Cushing can return to pre injury status but they have to replace the likes of Bradie James, Tim Dobbins, and Darryl Sharpton.
28) Denver Broncos: Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
I don't see why everyone is so high up on Eddie Lacy. Don't get me wrong, I think he can be good in the NFL, but I'm not sold on him as a First round selection though. Not many of these Runningbacks are first round selections, similar to the Quarterbacks. McGahee is up there in age and Moreno is unreliable (remind you of a certain someone?). Montee Ball has durability concerns but I think he'll prove doubters wrong in the NFL.
29) New England Patriots: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
They need an inside pass rusher to fit in with Vince Wilfork. He fits Bill Belichicks scheme very well as well.
30) Atlanta Falcons: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
Ray Edwards, terribly pricey, and overrated, as well as a serious attitude. Bring in Alex Okafor, and possibly a few more DE's in later rounds, John Abrahams age isn't a massive concern anymore.
31) San Francisco 49ers: Matt Elam, S, Florida
Whitner was horrible... According to Walter Football he allowed to most Touchdowns than any safety. They used the tag on Dashon Goldson last season, meaning they cannot this year. I could also see Jonathan Cyprien out of Florida International here too, but Elam to me is the better Safety.
32) Baltimore Ravens: John Jenkins, NT, Georgia
They could use a new Center, now that their Center of 14 years has retired. However they need a new guy to anchor the defense.
So those are Week two of ROTB's Mock Draft. Thoughts, agreements, disagreements? Let it all out.