2013 NFL Mock Draft: One week until Draft Day

One week until the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. That’s seven days. One-hundred and sixty-eight hours. However you want to look at it.

Last week, I posted a mock draft and said that I never project trades. But this time, I’m breaking one of my own rules because there’s one that simply makes too much sense.

Many picks remain unchanged from last week, but I’ve done some reshuffling starting at No. 5 overall with the Detroit Lions. You can expect something similar next week for my final mock draft before the action kicks off next Thursday night.

Enjoy and comment away.

1. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

(Last: Same) No surprise at the top for the Chiefs. It will likely be either Joeckel or Eric Fisher, but I have Joeckel rated slightly higher, due in part to playing against better competition at Texas A&M. They can move Branden Albert to right tackle and plug Joeckel in on Alex Smith’s blind side.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Geno Smith, West Virginia

(Last: Same) It’s going to be Smith or Dion Jordan at No. 2 for the Jaguars. Between now and the draft, I’m sure there will be some rumors thrown out there that the Jags have their eye on other players, but don’t be fooled. If they’re comfortable with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback, they’ll go with Jordan. I’m not a Gabbert guy.

3. Oakland Raiders: DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida

(Last: Same) Oakland would love to move down and add more picks. Of all the teams picking in the top ten, the Raiders would probably benefit the most from moving down several spots. They need a lot of help on every level of the defense, but if they can’t find a way to move down, Sharrif Floyd would have to be the pick. He’s an impact player from Day 1.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: OLB Dion Jordan, Oregon

(Last: Same) The Eagles and Jaguars are closely related in terms of team colors, and Philadelphia’s pick will likely be determined by what Jacksonville does at No. 2. If the Jags take Geno Smith, then the Eagles get Dion Jordan. If the Jags take Jordan, the Eagles could very well take Smith and tab him as their quarterback of the future. I think Jordan is the best player in the draft.

5. Detroit Lions: OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan

(Last: DE Ansah) After letting go of Kyle Vanden Bosch and losing Cliff Avril to the Seattle Seahawks, the Lions have a serious need at defensive end. But with so much money tied up into Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson, they need to have a strong offensive line up front. If the Lions are concerned about Riley Reiff as a left tackle, which rumors suggest to be the case, then they’ll pull the trigger on Fisher to protect the franchise. It could be offense, or it could be defense, but it’s almost certainly going to be a lineman here.

6. (TRADE) Miami Dolphins: OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma

(Last: CLE taking CB Milliner) I’m breaking one of my personal rules for mock drafts here: Don’t. Project. Trades. But hear me out – If the Lions take Fisher off the board, then there’s almost no chance Miami or San Diego will be able to get Lane Johnson outside of the top ten. Both teams need a left tackle, and the Cardinals may be looking that direction at No. 7. With two second-round picks, the Dolphins have the ammunition to move up to No. 6, get their new left tackle and ride off into the sunset. Again, I usually don’t predict trades, but this one just makes too much sense.

7. Arizona Cardinals: DE/OLB Ziggy Ansah, BYU

(Last: OT Fisher) The Cardinals desperately need help on the offensive line. Their tackles performed better late last season, but the interior of the line could be upgraded. But as good as Chance Warmack is, taking an offensive guard in the top ten is risky business. Arizona can afford to take the best player available at this point, and Ziggy Ansah fits the bill. He may project best to a 4-3 defensive end, but he’s athletic enough to play outside linebacker in a 3-4. Limitless potential.

8. Buffalo Bills: QB Ryan Nassib, Syracuse

(Last: OG Warmack) Here’s the first curveball of the draft. With former Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone now in control of the Bills, this is a marriage that has been rumored to be in the works in the time leading up to the draft. Perhaps the Bills would look to trade down and take Nassib in the middle of round one, but if not, we’ll see just how much Marrone truly values his college quarterback. Russ Lande, of the National Football Post, joined ALLGBP this week and told us that he has Nassib as his No. 1 quarterback in the draft. Jon Gruden loves this kid too. I think Smith and Nassib are 1 and 1A as far as this year’s quarterback class goes.

9. New York Jets: WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia

(Last: Same) When looking at the Jets’ needs, the first thing that comes to mind is, quite simply, “help.” They need help on offense, and they could use some new, younger bodies on defense. Barkevious Mingo has been a popular pick here among mock drafts, but there are several pass rushers that I like on Day 2. There’s only one Tavon Austin.

10. Tennessee Titans: CB Dee Milliner, Alabama

(Last: DT Lotulelei) This is a dream scenario for the Titans. Or perhaps not. Tennessee would love to have the chance to draft Chance Warmack and pair him with Andy Levitre to help Chris Johnson return to form. But if Dee Milliner is on the board, then the Titans would have to make a tough decision between the two former Alabama stars. The Titans wanted to draft a cornerback in the first round last year, but there wasn’t a player on the board worth their pick. Milliner would be a Day 1 starter in Tennessee.

11. San Diego Chargers: C/OG Johnathan Cooper, North Carolina

(Last: OT Johnson) In order for Philip Rivers to return to elite form, the Chargers need to bolster their offensive line. Rivers was sacked a career-high 49 times last season, and the Chargers would love to get their hands on a left tackle with their first pick. But with Joeckel, Fisher and Johnson off the board, they’ll have to settle for the best interior lineman in the draft. Some teams have Chance Warmack, while others have Cooper at the top. Cooper’s versatility gets him the nod over Warmack, considering center Nick Hardwick played quite poorly last season.

12. (TRADE) Cleveland Browns: CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State

(Last: MIA taking OT Fluker) After passing up a chance to grab Dee Milliner at No. 6, the Browns address the cornerback position opposite Joe Haden by taking Xavier Rhodes at No. 12. I think Milliner is the clear-cut top corner in the draft, but if the Browns can grab Rhodes and pick up a second-round pick in the process, that’d be tempting for a roster lacking talent.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Star Lotulelei, Utah

(Last: CB Rhodes) There were concerns about Star Lotulelei’s health throughout the draft process, but apparently the condition of his heart has checked out medically. My concern with Lotulelei isn’t his health, but rather, the fact that he doesn’t provide much of a pass rush as a 4-3 defensive tackle. If I’m drafting a tackle in the top ten, I want him to be special. I just don’t see that with Lotulelei. But at No. 13, he provides good value and would be a nice fit next to Gerald McCoy in Tampa Bay. Once this pick is traded to the Jets for Darrelle Revis, you can throw that analysis out the window.

14. Carolina Panthers: DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri

(Last: Same) Carolina needs help on the defensive line, and Sheldon Richardson is a personal favorite of mine. In my opinion, Richardson has top-ten talent but will be pushed down on draft day due to team needs picking at the top of the draft. Defensive tackle seems to be the consensus for the Panthers among most mock drafts

15. New Orleans Saints: OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU

(Last: Same) As the Saints transition to the 3-4 scheme under Rob Ryan, they desperately need a pass rusher on the outside. If team doctors clear Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones medically, then the Saints are sitting pretty at No. 15 because either Jones or Mingo, if not both, will likely be available at that point. But given the choice of the two of them, I think Mingo gets the nod, simply because he’s the safer pick.

16. St. Louis Rams: OG Chance Warmack, Alabama

(Last: Same) Jeff Fisher would be doing backflips if the Rams land Warmack with the 16th pick. The Rams tried to upgrade their offensive line last offseason by signing former Packers center Scott Wells. But Wells was lost for the season, and the offensive line struggled as a result. They signed Jake Long this offseason to upgrade the left tackle position, but they still have a hole at guard. Warmack would come in and be an immediate starter as a rookie. Great value at this point.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia

(Last: Same) Jones is probably a top-ten talent who will fall on draft day because of medical concerns. But teams like the Steelers, Ravens and Giants always seem to scoop these guys up when they fall down draft boards. Having already cut ties with James Harrison this offseason, the Steelers will look to add a pass rusher at some point in the draft. If Jones checks out medically, he’s the guy for the Steelers. Harrison clone.

18. Dallas Cowboys: S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

(Last: Same) If Kenny Vaccaro falls to the Dallas Cowboys, he won’t fall to the New York Giants. You can be sure of that. Dallas needs a safety, and I consider Vaccaro to be a similar prospect to Mark Barron, who was drafted in the top ten last year. The Cowboys would love to get their hands on an NFL-ready safety like Vaccaro or a versatile offensive lineman like Johnathan Cooper. But with Cooper gone and Vaccaro available in this scenario, it’s an easy choice.

19. New York Giants: OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama

(Last: DE Werner) The Giants always seem to draft the best player available. They could look at a guy like Bjoern Werner, the defensive end out of Florida State, but D.J. Fluker fits a position of need better than Werner. David Diehl is a revolving door at right tackle, and the Giants desperately need to add some young talent to the position. Fluker would be the ideal pick for the Giants, should he fall to No. 19.

20. Chicago Bears: LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State

(Last: Same) Chicago has underwent a great deal of reshuffling amongst its linebackers this offseason. Geno Hayes, Nick Roach and Brian Urlacher have either elsewhere or are currently still on the market, and they’ve signed D.J. Williams and James Anderson to fill the void. But neither of their two acquisitions are game-breakers. Arthur Brown, on the other hand, could be. He’s capable of playing in the middle or the weak-side in Chicago’s 4-3 scheme and would be a great pick at No. 20.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: LB Alec Ogletree, Georgia

(Last: Same) The biggest concern about Ogletree transitioning to the NFL is in regards to his character. He’s had multiple off-the-field issues during his time at Georgia, most recently evidenced by his DUI in February. On the field, he’s an aggressive player with boat loads of potential. Cincinnati struck gold with troubled linebacker Vontaze Burfict last year, and Ogletree would look really nice next to Burfict and Rey Maualuga.

22. St. Louis Rams: (From WSH) S Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International

(Last: WR Patterson) Instead of grabbing Cordarrelle Patterson at No. 22, the Rams ultimately decide they can wait to address the wide receiver position at some point on Day 2. The Rams went out of their way to upgrade at cornerback last offseason by signing Cortland Finnegan and drafting Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson. If they can upgrade at safety with Jonathan Cyprien, they have a pretty solid secondary.

23. Minnesota Vikings: MLB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

(Last: Same) Minnesota needs to upgrade at middle linebacker. Chad Greenway is great and Erin Henderson is solid, but they could use an upgrade in the middle. Te’o may not be the perennial All-Pro that he was made out to be during his senior year at Notre Dame, but he’ll likely be a solid starter at the NFL level. And as Russ Lande put it to the ALLGBP staff in a phone interview, “You want to hit singles in the draft.”

24. Indianapolis Colts: CB Desmond Trufant, Washington

(Last: DE Jones) This pick would likely come down to defensive line (Datone Jones, Jesse Williams, Sylvester Williams) or defensive back. The Colts have added Greg Toler this offseason, and they acquired Vontae Davis last offseason, but they decide Desmond Trufant is simply too good to pass up at this point. Tank Carradine could also be considered after letting Dwight Freeney walk.

25. Minnesota Vikings: (From SEA) WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee

(Last: DT Williams) Patterson probably has the highest ceiling of any wide receiver in the draft, but there are concerns regarding how polished he may or may not be, as well as his mental capacity in an NFL offense. That said, the Vikings would be getting a steal at No. 25 overall, and in two years, Patterson may be a Pro Bowl player. His ceiling is ridiculous.

26. Green Bay Packers: DE Datone Jones, UCLA

(Last: S Cyprien) With the top two safeties off the board, the Packers are fortunate to see a guy like Datone Jones on the board at No. 26. Jones is a candidate to go 24th to the Colts, but if he gets past Indianapolis, the Packers would probably be quick to make their pick. As a rookie, Jones would likely be a regular part of the defensive line rotation. He has an impressive build and could afford to add 15-20 pounds to be a prototype 3-4 defensive end.

27. Houston Texans: WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee

(Last: WR Patton) Which wide receiver will the Texans take with the 27th pick? I have Quinton Patton as the No. 3 receiver in the draft after Tavon Austin and Cordarrelle Patterson. Patton may not be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL, but I think he’ll be a high-end No. 2 guy. But specifically for the Texans, I think Justin Hunter makes a lot of sense. He has a similar build to Kevin Walter, who the Texans just pushed out the door, but Hunter is much more athletic. Putting Hunter on the opposite side of Andre Johnson makes a lot of sense.

28. Denver Broncos: DE Tank Carradine, Florida State

(Last: Same) After the whole Elvis Dumervil fiasco, the Broncos need to replace him with another versatile pass rusher. They have one of the best in football with Von Miller, but Tank Carradine would add another dimension to the defense. If not for injury concerns, Carradine would likely be a high first-round pick. The Broncos could be getting a steal at No. 28.

29. New England Patriots: DL Sylvester Williams, North Carolina

(Last: CB Trufant) The Patriots like to rotate their defensive linemen and run somewhat of a hybrid defensive scheme. Sylvester Williams is a versatile player who fits in a 3-4 or a 4-3 defensive scheme. They could go for a cornerback if they feel strongly about Jamar Taylor, D.J. Hayden or if Desmond Trufant is still on the board, but if it falls like this, Williams would be a nice pick at the end of round one.

30. Atlanta Falcons: DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State

(Last: CB Taylor) Atlanta has been rumored to be interested in moving up, likely for a cornerback. But if they stay at No. 30, they’ll probably sit back and take the best player available. Bjoern Werner is a player that was getting some top-ten consideration early in the draft process, but his stock has cooled as of late. After adding Osi Umenyiora this offseason, the Falcons would do well to continue to remake their defensive line by grabbing Werner at the end of the first round.

31. San Francisco 49ers: TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame

(Last: Same) No change here. Tyler Eifer could come off the board as early as No. 17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, so if he gets to No. 31, the 49ers probably wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Sure, they already have Vernon Davis in the fold, but San Francisco loves to run double-tight formations, and Delanie Walker is now in Tennessee. Add Eifert to an offense with Davis? Scary.

32. Baltimore Ravens: S Matt Elam, Florida

(Last: WR Allen) There were already concerns regarding Keenan Allen before a report broke that he failed a drug test. I wasn’t sold on Allen as a first-round pick before, and I have even more concerns now. Allen is comparable to Anquan Boldin, but I think the Ravens wait to address the receiver position. Matt Elam, on the other hand, makes a lot of sense. He fits what the Ravens are trying to do defensively, and he’d be a natural replacement for Bernard Pollard at strong safety next to Michael Huff.

——————

Follow @MJEversoll

Marques is a Journalism student, serving as the Sports Editor of UW-Green Bay\'s campus newspaper The Fourth Estate and a Packers writer at Jersey Al\'s AllGBP.com. Follow Marques on Twitter @MJEversoll.

——————