Mock Draft «

Mock Draft

Written By: David Maziasz

-This scenario examines the possibility of Geno Smith going very early. If he slides to the back end of the top 10, it could shake things up. Such a case, I plan to go through very soon.

(Updated 3/30/13) -

	1. Kansas City Chiefs Eric Fisher \| OT \| Central Michigan
A case can be made for either Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher here, but I believe Fisher is the better athlete and has the higher upside. His competition level has not been of the consistent high quality of Joeckel, but it is hard to ignore the dominance Fisher displays in pass protection (see Pass Blocker Rating).
	2. Jacksonville Jaguars Geno Smith \| QB \| West Virginia
Jacksonville has made sweeping changes this offseason. This franchise is headed in a new direction under new GM David Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley.To really right the ship, the Jags need to create more competition at the quarterback position. Drafting Geno Smith makes sense here, but it is by no means a slam dunk. The team has given mixed signals about how they expect the QB position to look going into 2013, expressing an interest in giving Gabbert every opportunity to win the job, but also they have been doing extensive work evaluating all their options, going as far as sending a bevy of staff to see Geno work out. Jacksonville is expected to draft a quarterback, the question is how early.
	3. Oakland Raiders Dion Jordan \| OLB/DE \| Oregon
For a creative defensive mind with a love for unusual blitzes and varied fronts, Oakland could not hope for a better fit than Dion Jordan. This former receiver is incredibly athletic and can create matchup problems from various spots. Jordan also posted the 2nd highest Pass Rusher Rating of all the top level rushers. This guy is more productive than he he is credited and could become one of the premiere defenders in the game.
	4. Philadelphia Eagles Star Lotulelei \| DT \| Utah
If Chip Kelley runs a similar scheme to that his Oregon Ducks, then expect a hybrid 34 defense that prefers stout 2-gap defensive linemen. The Eagles have some interesting options on the edges, but they are short on bodies in the middle. Coach Kelley will have had first hand experience scheming against PAC-12 DT Star Lotulelei. If Philly is comfortable with Lotulelei’s newly discovered heart condition, watch out NFL East, the Eagles could create a fearsome front seven.
	5. Detroit Lions Luke Joeckel \| OT \| Texas A&M
I like the possibility of Detroit selecting an edge rusher here, but Luke Joeckel is a top talent at an impact position. And so long as Martin Mayhew is calling the shots, the Lions will be emphasizing talent over need. Adding Joeckel would give the Lions flexibility in moving Riley Reiff around, maybe to fill the vacant RG and RT positions previously manned by Stephen Peterman and Gosder Cherilus.

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	6. Cleveland Browns Dee Milliner \| CB \| Alabama
After an active free agency spree, the Browns took care of a major problem area by adding Paul Kruger and Quentin Groves to help the transition to the 3-4 defense. Now, they can turn their attention to grabbing whatever stud player falls to no. 6 overall. In this scenario, said stud is Dee Milliner. Few corners in today’s game can run, cover, and hit as effectively as Milliner. And his aggressiveness in run support cannot be understated as spread option offenses place tremendous pressure on the edges of the defense.
	7. Arizona Cardinals Matt Barkley \| QB \| USC
I cannot stress enough how important it is for Arizona to upgrade the quarterback talent this offseason. The skill positions are loaded, the defense is excellent. The major issues that remain are to get that QB and add some blockers who can protect him. If Geno Smith goes very early, it could start a potential run on quarterbacks, in which case Arizona could call on Matt Barkley here. If Geno is still on the board, then it may make more sense to snatch Lane Johnson here, then hope one of the top quarterbacks is available at the back end of round 1.
	8. Buffalo Bills E.J. Manuel \| QB \| Florida State
I’d be surprised if the Bills don’t make a play at some quarterback here or in the 2nd round. To compete in the NFL, you need stability and high-level quarterback play. Coach Doug Marrone likes the idea of throwing lots of different looks at opponents, and in the past he has dabbled with spread option concepts. Of the remaining high level QBs, E.J. Manuel let it rip quickly, but he may be even more dangerous once the play breaks down. He make need a patient coaching staff, but this guy would give Buffalo a quarterback to build around.
	9. New York Jets Ezekiel Ansah \| DE \| BYU
Yes, the play of Mark Sanchez has been cause for frustration. But equally alarming is the complete lack of pass rush from the defense. If only the Jets could generate some consistent pressure up front….I wrote an article on New York’s ideal pass rusher, and I have little doubt that Rex Ryan could line Ansah at OLB in base situations, then slide him inside with the Jets’ other two talented DE’s to form a dynamic trio in nickel situations.
	10. Tennessee Titans Chance Warmack \| OG \| Alabama
Heavy-handed and nimble footed, I like Warmack’s fit in Tennessee. He can blast open holes on the 1st and 2nd level for Tennessee’s Chris Johnson, while providing protection for Jake Locker. This may be a bit early for a OG, but he is a rare talent at the position.

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	11. San Diego Chargers Lane Johnson \| OT \| Oklahoma
The Senior Bowl’s most dominant prospect has earned the label of elite prospect at left tackle. San Diego should be ecstatic to find the answer to their multi year search for a replacement for Marcus McNeil. Philip Rivers rejoices! Plus, Johnson provides insurance in the case that Jared Gaither becomes injured.
	12. Miami Dolphins Jonathan Cooper \| OG \| North Carolina
In some circles, Jonathan Cooper is thought to be one of the top 5 players in the entire draft. He slides to 12 mainly because the low positional value of guards. Quick as a cat and powerful, Cooper locks down the a guard spot and helps the delicate process of developing a young Ryan Tannehill by keeping rushers out of the way.
	13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jarvis Jones \| OLB \| Georgia
In my mind, he still remains one of the top 3 players in this draft, but a few teams might pause before taking Jarvis Jones after adding the poor timed speed to his spinal stenosis. Tampa Bay did an outstanding job of picking up this type of player last year (Doug Martin, Lavonte David), and they do it again, snagging a real football player here. Jones fits the profile of a Greg Schiano player: tough, physical, productive, high character.
	14. Carolina Panthers Sheldon Richardson \| DT \| Missouri
I think Sheldon Richardson is among the most versatile and disruptive defenders in the entire draft. At Missouri, he lined up all over the line, dropped into coverage, made tackles on the opposite end of the field, and he routinely flew into the backfield from his 3 technique DT position. Carolina would have a field day finding new and creative uses for him in Sean McDermott’s 4-3 zone blitzing scheme.
	15. New Orleans Saints Sharrif Floyd \| DT \| Florida
Among the units that struggled most in New Orleans last few seasons, the defensive line has to get better. The best way to do that is draft a stud defender, especially with a transition change to the 3-4 defense. Sharrif Floyd is very disruptive in the run game, and is the type of hard working individual that Sean Payton likes.

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	16. St. Louis Rams Alec Ogletree \| ILB \| Georgia
Jeff Fisher is one of the few coaches in the game today who has successfully handled the higher risk players. The Rams have the right locker room to handle Alec Ogletree, and make no mistake, if he stays clean off the field, Ogletree is a tackling machine with natural coverages skills and movements. A good schematic fit.
	17. Pittsburgh Steelers Xavier Rhodes \| CB \| Florida State
After stumbling across one of the best Steelers articles ever, I can make a case for two players that fit the Pittsburgh profile: Xavier Rhodes and Eddie Lacy. In the secondary, the Steelers place tremendous value on elite speed, toughness, and size. Xavier Rhodes is a big and physical corner at 6’1″ and 210 pounds. He clocked a 4.4, which is plenty fast, and he has outstanding length (33 3/4 arms). Fans may not be crazy about this pick right now, since it doesn’t address a critical need right now, but great teams build for the future.
	18. Dallas Cowboys Sylvester Williams \| DT \| North Carolina
Dallas needs a safety to help the transition to the Tampa Two defense. But Jerry Jones’ fondness for LSU prospects coupled with the high ceiling of Mingo make this pick understandable. The Tampa Two requires consistent pressure from the DL, so depth is a necessity.
	19. New York Giants Cordarrelle Patterson \| WR \| Tennessee
New York could add a creative playmaker with size and speed to their deep receiving talent. Just think about the match up issues with defending Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Reuben Randle, David Wilson, and Cordarrelle Patterson. Yikes!
	20. Chicago Bears Tavon Austin \| WR/RB\| West Virginia
Marc Trestman, the Bears new head coach, loves flooding targeted defensive zones with receivers. Such a strategy can open up significant space for the primary receiver. Just think how unstoppable a quick as lightning player like Tavon Austin could be in such circumstances. Perhaps the Bears will look to replace Brian Urlacher here, but they might elect to add more offensive firepower with Austin.

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	21. Cincinnati Bengals Barkevious Mingo \| DE/OLB \| LSU
Replaces Manny Lawson at strong-side linebacker, and gives the Bengals another dangerous rusher with upside.
	22. St. Louis Rams (from WAS) Eddie Lacy \| RB \| Alabama
The Rams let Steven Jackson go in free agency, and Jeff Fisher is heavily run-oriented. Eddie Lacy is powerful, and when healthy, he can scare oncoming tacklers.
	23. Minnesota Vikings Bjoern Werner \| DE \| Florida State
Adding more depth on the D-line is essential in the Tampa Two defense. Werner can learn from one of the game’s best in Jared Allen.
	24. Indianapolis Colts Datone Jones \| DT/DE \| UCLA
A highly underrated prospect, Jones makes tons of splash plays in the run game, and initially can depth to Indy’s 3-4 front.
	25. Minnesota Vikings (from SEA) D.J. Fluker \| OT \| Alabama
An imposing figure who canmove folks out of the way in the run game, I could see Fluker becoming a dominant run blocking guard.

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	26. Green Bay Packers Kenny Vaccaro \| S \| Texas
To play in Dom Capers defense, versatility is a core value. Vaccaro can cover the slot, drop deep, blitz, and do pretty much anything else you might ask him to do. He could help to soften the blow of losing Charles Woodson.
	27. Houston Texans Manti Te’o \| ILB \| Notre Dame
By all accounts, Te’o's a superb leader with outstanding production and decent measurables. The leadership and production are essential traits GM Rick Smith seeks in prospects.
	28. Denver Broncos D.J. Hayden \| CB \| Houston
John Elway wants difference makers, especially on defense. When healthy, D.J. Hayden can play as well as any corner in the game. He combines elite playing speed with ball skills, a particularly dangerous combination, particularly when you consider he has a knack for turning INT’s into points.
	29. New England Patriots Kawann Short \| DT \| Purdue
Bill Belichick likes big, fast, lengthy prospects especially from big schools. He puts high value on four down players, prospects who have special teams experience. Kawann Short satisfies all of the above, and he not only played special teams, but led the NCAA last season in blocked kicks with 4.
	30. Atlanta Falcons Desmond Trufant \| CB \| Washington
GM Thomas Dimitroff comes from the Bill Belichick line. That indicates “big and fast” prospects are what to look for. Trufant is a 6’0″ corner with 4.3 speed, he plays with good awareness and competitiveness, plus he comes from a football family. It surely seems he could be the replacement for Dunta Robinson.

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	31. San Francisco 49ers Eric Reid \| S \| LSU
Reid is a fast player with two good years of production in the SEC. He is fast and physical
	32. Baltimore Ravens Menelik Watson \| OT \| Florida State
Adding Watson is significant because it allows Baltimore to keep the rest of the O-line in tact, a combination that just helped win a Super Bowl. The new comer to football is extremely gifted, and comes out of the same blocking scheme that the Ravens employ. Take note, Watson can really, really play.

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April 7, 2011 at 4:37 pm

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