2013 NFL Mock Draft: Final two-round projection

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UCLA DE Datone Jones
UCLA DE Datone Jones

Happy Draft Day, everyone.

Christmas is cool and birthdays are fun, but no single day on the calendar stands above the first day of the NFL Draft. My apologies to March Madness.

While the 2013 NFL Draft may lack star power at the top, there’s no shortage of uncertainty. And it’s sure to be yet another exciting draft.

The Packers have been quiet this offseason up to this point, but as Kris Burke said in a post earlier this week, it’s now time for Ted Thompson to “come out and play.” Thompson and the Packers will make their first pick at No. 26 overall. Many names have been mocked to the Packers, but my final mock draft has the team adding some help on the defensive side of the ball in round one.

There will be surely be plenty of trades in the first round, but I didn’t project any in this final mock. Once the first trade goes down tonight, this projection will undoubtedly find the trash can.

But anyways, enjoy my final mock draft and have a happy Draft Day.

1. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M
Other options: OT Eric Fisher, OLB Dion Jordan

At No. 1 overall, it’s between Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher. Both players will likely be successful at the NFL level, but I think Joeckel winds up being the pick. There are three tackles that could go in the top five, but all three are very different players. Rumors suggest some personnel guys within the Chiefs’ organization prefer Fisher over Joeckel, so this could be a waiting game until they’re at the podium with their pick.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: OLB Dion Jordan, Oregon
Other options: OT Eric Fisher, QB Geno Smith, DE Ziggy Ansah

It’s hard to see through the smoke in the week leading up to the draft. But if you believe all the pre-draft rumors, then the Jaguars are seriously considering an offensive tackle with the second pick. Considering they already have a solid left tackle in Eugene Monroe, I think new head coach Gus Bradley looks for a difference maker on the defensive side of the ball. Dion Jordan is the best defender in the draft.

3. Oakland Raiders: DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida
Other options: Trade down, CB Dee Milliner, DE Ziggy Ansah

I sound like a broken record, but I’ll say it again: The Oakland Raiders should do everything in their power to move down, add some picks and still find an impact player with their first selection. But if they can’t move back, they have to take Sharrif Floyd. If I’m taking a defensive tackle in the top ten, I want a Warren Sapp-type player with some pass rush ability. Floyd has a much higher ceiling than Star Lotulelei.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan
Other options: OT Lane Johnson, DT Star Lotulelei, WR Tavon Austin

It sounds like the Eagles have narrowed it down to offensive tackle or Tavon Austin. While I think Austin could end up being the best offensive player from this draft, the No. 4 pick may be a little too high for a slot receiver. If Eric Fisher slides to the fourth pick, he’s a home run for the Eagles. Pairing Fisher with Jason Peters would allow Todd Herremans to kick inside to guard.

5. Detroit Lions: OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma
Other options: DE Ziggy Ansah, CB Dee Milliner, OT Eric Fisher

Which front line do the Lions address at No. 5? They could add a pass rusher like Ziggy Ansah to help fill the void left by Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril, or they could bolster their offensive line by adding Lane Johnson or Eric Fisher. Because they have invested so heavily into Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson, the Lions simply need to improve their offensive line if they want to continue airing it out offensively.

6. Cleveland Browns: CB Dee Milliner, Alabama
Other options: QB Geno Smith, OLB Ziggy Ansah, OLB Barkevious Mingo

This seems like a trade-down spot to me. If one of the top three offensive tackles is still on the board here, look for the Browns to trade with the San Diego Chargers, which would allow the Chargers to take Lane Johnson, and the Browns could take whoever slides to No. 11. But if the Browns stay put at No. 6, Dee Milliner makes a lot of sense. But don’t be surprised if this is where Geno Smith winds up; he’s the wild card.

7. Arizona Cardinals: DE/OLB Ziggy Ansah, BYU
Other options: OG Chance Warmack, OG Johnathan Cooper, OT Lane Johnson

Arizona seems to be in no-man’s land with this pick. They could use help on the offensive line, but the top three tackles are already off the board and No. 7 is too high for either of the top offensive guards. So with their first pick, the Cardinals will look at the best player available, regardless of position. Ziggy Ansah is raw and inexperienced, but he could develop into a special pass-rushing talent.

8. Buffalo Bills: QB Ryan Nassib, Syracuse
Other options: WR Tavon Austin, OG Chance Warmack, QB E.J. Manuel

I’m not convinced Nassib will go No. 8 overall, but I do think he’ll be selected by the Bills as the first quarterback off the board. Look for Buffalo to try and move down to the mid-late first round and take Nassib at that point. I’ve had Nassib and Geno Smith ranked closely throughout the draft process, but the fact that Doug Marrone coached Nassib at Syracuse makes all the difference. Nassib over Smith.

9. New York Jets: WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia
Other options: OLB Barkevious Mingo, OLB Ziggy Ansah, OG Chance Warmack

It’s going to be interesting to see where Austin ends up; he’s certainly one of the wild cards at the top of the draft. He’s now getting buzz as high as No. 4 to the Philadelphia Eagles, but I think No. 9 to the Jets is a more likely spot for Austin. The Jets could certainly go defense with this pick, but they are starving for offensive playmakers. Mark Sanchez’s job would get a little easier with Austin in the slot.

10. Tennessee Titans: OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama
Other options: CB Dee Milliner, OG Chance Warmack, OG Johnathan Cooper

Cornerback is certainly a need, but I’d be surprised if the Titans don’t go offense with this pick. The team is fully committed to Chris Johnson and Jake Locker, so they need to do everything they can to build the team around those two players. Johnathan Cooper and Chance Warmack will be considered here, but D.J. Fluker makes a lot of sense. Fluker could start at right guard this season and kick out to right tackle next year.

11. San Diego Chargers: C/OG Johnathan Cooper, North Carolina
Other options: OG Chance Warmack, WR Tavon Austin, OLB Barkevious Mingo

San Diego would love to land a left tackle with their first-round pick, considering Philip Rivers was sacked a career-high 49 times last season. But with Joeckel, Fisher and Johnson already off the board, the Chargers turn to the most versatile lineman available at this point in the draft. Cooper could step at guard as a rookie and could be the center of the future if/when the team moves on from Nick Hardwick.

12. Miami Dolphins: DE Tank Carradine, Florida State
Other options: CB Xavier Rhodes, CB D.J. Hayden, C/OG Johnathan Cooper

If the board falls like this, things will get interesting. The Dolphins could use some help on the interior of the offensive line, but I think Cooper is a better scheme fit than Warmack, and Cooper went No. 11 in this mock draft. Miami could look to land a cornerback here like Xavier Rhodes or D.J. Hayden, or they could make a surprise pick by adding Tank Carradine to the defensive line. This could be a surprise pick.

13. New York Jets: OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU (From TB)
Other options: OLB Jarvis Jones, CB D.J. Hayden, DT Star Lotulelei

The Jets will consider a pass rusher at No. 9 overall, but they’ll have a chance to grab a pass-rushing specialist at No. 13 as well. Chances are either Barkevious Mingo or Jarvis Jones will be available at this spot, and in this scenario, both guys are still on the board. I’d take Mingo over Jones just because of the medical issues. The Jets traded Darrelle Revis, so what better way to mask the secondary than with a top-flight pass rusher?

14. Carolina Panthers: DT Star Lotulelei, Utah
Other options: DT Sheldon Richardson, CB D.J. Hayden, WR Cordarrelle Patterson

Carolina stays put at No. 14 and lands a possible top-ten talent in Lotulelei. Incumbent starters Sione Fua and Dwan Edwards are decent players, but the Panthers have very little depth behind them. Lotulelei would come in and compete for a starting spot as a rookie, and he’d certainly help improve the team’s run defense. If he’s off the board at this point, Sheldon Richardson is a logical pick.

15. New Orleans Saints: OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia
Other options: S Kenny Vaccaro, OLB Barkevious Mingo, CB Xavier Rhodes

The Saints get their wish and see a prototypical 3-4 rush linebacker fall to them at No. 15 overall. If Jones checks out with team doctors, he’d be a slam-dunk at this point. If not, they could grab the draft’s top safety Kenny Vaccaro or perhaps grab the best available cornerback. In any case, it’d be a shock if the Saints ignore their defensive woes and use their top pick on the offense.

16. St. Louis Rams: S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
Other options: OG Chance Warmack, WR Tavon Austin, DT Sheldon Richardson

Last offseason, the Rams went out of their way to bolster their group of cornerbacks. They signed Cortland Finnegan as a free agent before drafting Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson. Now, they’ll focus on adding a playmaking safety to the secondary. If the Rams have the chance to add Vaccaro, then that defense suddenly looks scary at every level.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
Other options: OLB Jarvis Jones, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, DT Sheldon Richardson

After cutting ties with James Harrison, the Steelers would love to get their hands on Jarvis Jones, Barkevious Mingo or any other first-round talent at outside linebacker. But without any obvious pick on the board at this point, Pittsburgh looks to the offensive side of the ball and grabs Tyler Eifert. Incumbent starter Heath Miller is coming off a season-ending injury, so the team would be wise to try and get younger at the position.

18. Dallas Cowboys: OG Chance Warmack, Alabama
Other options: S Kenny Vaccaro, S Jonathan Cyprien, OG Johnathan Cooper

It’s hard to imagine Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro getting past the Cowboys at No. 18. If he’s still available, expect the Cowboys to sprint to the podium with their pick. But without a safety on the board worth taking at this position, Dallas takes Chance Warmack. The Cowboys need to add physical run blockers to the offensive line, and Warmack would certainly provide a boost to that department.

19. New York Giants: DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri
Other options: DE Tank Carradine, DE Bjoern Werner, CB D.J. Hayden

The Giants always seem to take the best player available. They didn’t necessarily need a running back last year when they took Virginia Tech speedster David Wilson. They didn’t need a cornerback a couple years ago when they took Prince Amukamara out of Nebraska. The Giants already signed Cullen Jenkins this offseason in hopes of bolstering their interior pass rush, but Richardson is simply too good to pass up at No. 19 overall.

20. Chicago Bears: LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State
Other options: LB Alec Ogletree, TE Tyler Eifert, MLB Manti Te’o

It’s going to be an odd sight watching the Bears play without No. 54 in the middle of the defense. But with the 20th pick, the Bears will likely have a chance to add the top linebacker in the draft. Arthur Brown is an animal, capable of playing inside or weak side linebacker in Chicago’s 3-4 scheme. No matter where he ends up, Brown is an early Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate in my eyes.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: S Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International
Other options: LB Alec Ogletree, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, CB Xavier Rhodes

The Bengals are extremely deep at cornerback with last year’s first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick across from former first-round pick Leon Hall. Having veterans Terence Newman and Pacman Jones doesn’t hurt, either. But it’s time to upgrade the safety position, and that’s why they take the No. 2 safety in this year’s class–Jonathan Cyprien. He’d be a massive upgrade over workout wonder Taylor Mays.

22. St. Louis Rams: (From WSH) LB Alec Ogletree, Georgia
Other options: WR Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Justin Hunter, S Jonathan Cyprien

After landing the draft’s top safety (Kenny Vaccaro) with their first pick, the Rams grab perhaps the top linebacker in the draft in Alec Ogletree. If they add Ogletree, Rams should have a solid defense in 2013, boasting an athletic defensive line, a solid secondary and a trio of linebackers that can play sideline to sideline. Wide receiver is a need, but Ogletree may be too good to pass up.

23. Minnesota Vikings: DT Jesse Williams, Alabama
Other options: DT Sylvester Williams, DL Datone Jones, LB Arthur Brown

Reports suggest that the Vikings want to address the wide receiver position early in the 2013 NFL Draft. Now, “early” can mean a number of different things depending on who you talk to. This is an extremely deep class at receiver, meaning the Vikings could probably land a starting-caliber receiver in the second or third round. By adding Jesse Williams to the defensive line, Minnesota’s linebackers would be licking their chops.

24. Indianapolis Colts: CB D.J. Hayden, Houston
Other options: DL Datone Jones, CB Desmond Trufant, CB Xavier Rhodes

When it’s all said and done, I wouldn’t be surprised if D.J. Hayden ends up being the best cornerback from this draft class. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock ranks Hayden as his No. 1 player at the position, ahead of Dee Milliner and Xavier Rhodes. With Vontae Davis already in the fold, Hayden would give the Colts a pair of shutdown man-to-man corners. This is also a potential landing spot for Datone Jones.

25. Minnesota Vikings: (From SEA) MLB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
Other options: WR Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Justin Hunter, WR Keenan Allen

After passing on a wide receiver with their first pick, many will expect the Vikings to go that route with their second-first round pick. But considering the value at receiver on Day 2, I think the Vikings would look to address their immediate need at linebacker. Manti Te’o may never be a star, but he’ll likely be a longtime starter at the NFL level. Minnesota could plug him in as the starter next to Chad Greenway and Erin Henderson.

26. Green Bay Packers: DE Datone Jones, UCLA
Other options: S Johnathan Cyprien, DL Jesse Williams, WR Cordarrelle Patterson

There’s a lot of talent on the board for the Packers at No. 26. Under this scenario, I’m sure Ted Thompson will keep one ear on the phone in an attempt to move down. But if they can’t move back 5-10 spots, Datone Jones makes a lot of sense if he’s still available. In a perfect world, the Packers’ best option in round one would be to add a starting safety at No. 26, but with Vaccaro and Cyprien off the board, they’re better off waiting.

27. Houston Texans: WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee
Other options: WR Robert Woods, WR Justin Hunter, WR DeAndre Hopkins

I’d be surprised if the Texans don’t add a wide receiver early in the draft. Currently relying too heavily on Andre Johnson, the Texans would do well to add the best available receiver on their board. If Cordarrelle Patterson falls to the end of round one, Houston could wind up being the landing spot. The biggest knock on Patterson is his immaturity and unpolished route-running skills, but he’d certainly benefit from playing with Johnson.

28. Denver Broncos: DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State
Other options: DE Tank Carradine, RB Eddie Lacy, WR Cordarrelle Patterson

After losing Elvis Dumervil in unordinary(?) fashion, the Broncos will likely look to add a top-notch pass rusher relatively early in the draft. Once considered to be a borderline top-five pick, Bjoern Werner would be a great pick at the bottom of round one. Denver is in win-now mode with Peyton Manning, so they’ll try to add as many NFL-ready players as possible as they try and get to the Super Bowl.

29. New England Patriots: CB Desmond Trufant, Washington
Other options: DT Sylvester Williams, DE Bjoern Werner, CB Xavier Rhodes

As long as Tom Brady is still playing, the Patriots will be among the best teams in football. But in order to get back to their Super Bowl-winning ways, the defense needs to get back to playing at a high level. Desmond Trufant is a top-15 talent who would be a great pick at No. 29 overall. Some consider Trufant to be the best cornerback in the draft, and the Patriots would do well to grab him with this pick.

30. Atlanta Falcons: CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
Other options: CB Desmond Trufant, CB Jamar Taylor, DE Bjoern Werner

Atlanta needs help at cornerback, and Jamar Taylor may be the best on the board. Taylor is a highly skilled man-to-man corner who would step in and fill the void left by departed corners Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes. It really depends who the Falcons prefer here; it could be Taylor, Xavier Rhodes or Desmond Trufant. It just depends who’s available.

31. San Francisco 49ers: DL Sylvester Williams, North Carolina
Other options: DE Margus Hunt, S Matt Elam, DL Jesse Williams

When Justin Smith suffered an injury late last season, outside linebacker Aldon Smith and the 49ers defense struggled to play at the same elite level. Sylvester Williams is a skilled interior lineman capable of playing in either a 4-3 scheme as a defensive tackle or a 3-4 scheme as a defensive end. Margus Hunt is also an option here, as I believe the 49ers will look to add a defensive lineman early in the draft.

32. Baltimore Ravens: LB Kevin Minter, LSU
Other options: WR Keenan Allen, S Jonathan Cyprien, S Matt Elam

Ray Lewis retired, and Dannell Ellerbe signed with the Miami Dolphins. In an effort to fill their shoes, the Ravens signed troubled linebacker Rolando McClain. But McClain has already found trouble with the law, and that experiment may expire relatively soon. Kevin Minter plays like a shark and would step in and be an immediate starter for the Ravens. The rich get richer.

Louisiana Tech WR Quinton Patton
Louisiana Tech WR Quinton Patton

2013 NFL Draft: Second Round (Picks 33-62)

33. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Geno Smith, West Virginia (1st: OLB Jordan)

34. San Francisco 49ers: S Matt Elam, Florida (1st: DL S. Williams)

35. Philadelphia Eagles: QB E.J. Manuel, Florida State (1st: OT Fisher)

36. Detroit Lions: DE Alex Okafor, Texas (1st: OT Johnson)

37. Cincinnati Bengals: RB Eddie Lacy, Alabama (1st: S Cyprien)

38. Arizona Cardinals: OG Justin Pugh, Syracuse (1st: OLB Ansah)

39. New York Jets: TE Zach Ertz, Stanford (1st: WR Austin, OLB Mingo)

40. Tennessee Titans: CB Jamar Taylor, Boise State (1st: OT Fluker)

41. Buffalo Bills: WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee (1st: QB Nassib)

42. Miami Dolphins: RB Giovani Bernard, North Carolina (1st: DE Carradine)

43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Kawann Short, Purdue

44. Carolina Panthers: WR Robert Woods, USC (1st: DT Lotulelei)

45. San Diego Chargers: OT Menelik Watson, Florida State (1st: OG Cooper)

46. St. Louis Rams: WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson (1st: S Vaccaro, LB Ogletree)

47. Dallas Cowboys: DE Damontre Moore, Texas A&M (1st: OG Warmack)

48. Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Le’Veon Bell, Michigan State (1st: TE Eifert)

49. New York Giants: OT Kyle Long, Oregon (1st: DT Richardson)

50. Chicago Bears: OT Terron Armstead, Arkansas Pine-Bluff  (1st: LB Brown)

51. Washington Redskins: S Eric Reid, LSU

52. Minnesota Vikings: WR Markus Wheaton, Oregon State (1st: LB Te’o, DT J. Williams)

53: Cincinnati Bengals: WR Keenan Allen, California (1st: S Cyprien, 2nd: RB Lacy)

*54: Kansas City Chiefs: DE Margus Hunt, Southern Methodist (1st: OT Joeckel)

55. Green Bay Packers: WR Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech (1st: DL Jones)

56. Seattle Seahawks: LB Sio Moore, Connecticut

57. Houston Texans: CB David Amerson, North Carolina State (1st: WR Patterson)

58. Denver Broncos: S D.J. Swearinger, South Carolina (1st: DE Werner)

59. New England Patriots: DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State (1st: CB Trufant)

60. Atlanta Falcons: OLB Jamie Collins, Southern Miss (1st: CB Rhodes)

61. San Francisco 49ers: CB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State (1st: DL S. Williams, 2nd: S Elam)

62. Baltimore Ravens: S Phillip Thomas, Fresno State (1st: LB Minter)

 

*Projected trade: Miami trades 2nd-round pick (No. 54) to Kansas City for OT Branden Albert.

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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.

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5 thoughts on “2013 NFL Mock Draft: Final two-round projection

  1. I realy can’t believe that hey would pass on Damontre Moore. He has put up huge sack and turnover numbers and his film must speak loudly about his ability. The only place where he failed to impress was the combine about whih TT professes no to care. Here’s hoping we trade back, get an extra 3rd and take D. Moore with our first choice.

  2. Why draft Jones when the stated goal it to get bigger and tougher?! He’s completely redundant! Same as Neal, Worthy, Daniels… Makes no sense. If its Syl Williams or Kawann Short it makes a lot more sense! Both would play at 310 plus and have more length than Jones and his short (less that 33 in) arms! Short has 35 in arms and played at 310 at Purdue.

  3. Sorry AL..but if I’m at the draft,I’m doing everything I could to prevent the Packers from turning in either of those cards….

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