2013 Mock Draft, Senior Bowl Edition: Quarterback for Chiefs?
Dec 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith (12) drops back to pass during the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
1. Kansas City Chiefs — Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
The Chiefs could easily go with Luke Joeckel here, or maybe they have a trick up their sleeve. The fact is, Geno Smith is the best QB in this draft, and when a new regime comes in, they want ‘their guy’ at quarterback. I think this pick will become more obvious when free agency gets started, and the Chiefs pick up either Alex Smith, Mike Vick, or neither. If they come away from free agency without a QB, you can bet this pick will be spent on one.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars — Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
Jacksonville needs pass rush. They might be scared away from Jarvis Jones here because of his back issue, and they might not. You can’t really go wrong with this pick if you’re the Jags. There are a plethora of talented pass rushers to choose from.
3. Oakland Raiders — Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
The Raiders’ run defense is atrocious, and they are probably going to lose Richard Seymour to free agency. They have a wide variety of needs, but getting Lotulelei seems like a no brainer here unless they pick from the group of pass rushers. If so, I think they’d go with Bjoern Werner, Jarvis Jones, or Barkevious Mingo.
4. Philadelphia Eagles — Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
It’s no secret that the Eagles need help up front. Look for them to add a QB like E.J. Manuel early in the second round, but getting Joeckel here is a no-brainer for them.
5. Detroit Lions — Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
The Lions have a very good defensive tackle rotation, but their defensive ends don’t get consistent pressure. Werner is a guy who can come in and make a huge impact right away with his toughness and tenacity.
6. Cleveland Browns — Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia
The Browns take advantage of Jones’ fall and make him their selection in the first round. Jabaal Sheard appears to be a good pass rusher, but there’s not much outside of him right now. Jones would be a huge upgrade.
7. Arizona Cardinals — Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
After the way Eric Fisher dominated the Senior Bowl practices/game, I don’t see him getting past Arizona. He will be their starting left tackle from day one.
8. Buffalo Bills — Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State
Mike Glennon has the ability to make every throw in the NFL, but I think he really lacks the killer instinct. He seems to let mistakes get him into a rut. It looks/sounds like he’ll be a first round pick, but I don’t think he’ll play like one. Hopefully he can prove me wrong.
9. New York Jets — Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
Ansah was another huge winner at the Senior Bowl festivities. The Jets are in need of an edge rusher, and this guy has huge potential. He could be a huge get for the Jets’ defense. If the team opts to trade Darrelle Revis, I could see them going after Dee Milliner here.
10. Tennessee Titans — Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
The Titans need to upgrade their pass defense, and how could they pass on an opportunity to take a guy like Milliner, who is pretty easily the most talented cornerback in this group of players?
11. San Diego Chargers — Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
The Chargers will be on their knees begging teams not to take Eric Fisher, and maybe there’s a chance he falls, but I don’t see that happening. Kenny Vaccaro is the best safety in this class it appears, and he would be a big time upgrade to go alongside Eric Weddle in the San Diego secondary. Corey Lynch started four games last year and was solid, but Vaccaro is a guy you can’t pass on if the OT situation isn’t looking good. Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson is another option, but maybe a reach.
12. Miami Dolphins — Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
Is there any question the Dolphins need playmakers for Ryan Tannehill to throw to? Patterson may be the most dynamic wide receiver prospect in the draft, but he’s also pretty raw. He’ll need to develop quickly for the new-look Dolphins.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
The Bucs really have to upgrade their cornerback, plain and simple. Banks is a guy who has consistently produced at MSU, and he seems like a high character player for Greg Schiano’s crew.
14. Carolina Panthers — Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Richardson’s college coaches think pretty highly of him, and we do too. Richardson could be a huge steal here for the Panthers, who could use some interior pass rush after seeing career years from Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson, who both had double-digit sacks.
15. New Orleans Saints — Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Floyd is a hot name in NFL draft circles, and the atrocious D in New Orleans could use a boost on the inside. Sedrick Ellis could be gone as a free agent.
16. St. Louis Rams — Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
The Rams upgrade their offensive line here by taking a guard prospect whom some outlets have ranked as the third best overall prospect in this class. Instant starter, instantly Pro Bowl caliber. Huge pickup for Sam Bradford.