2013 NFL Mock Draft: Chiefs Get Their Franchise Quarterback
17. Tennessee Titans-Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
(2012 pick David DeCastro, G, Stanford Cardinal)
Brocker is a man amongst boys at times at LSU and one of many reasons why they have such a talented defense. Brockers has all the necessary ability to be a first round pick in 2013. I think the Titans need to beef up both sides of their lines on both offense and defense, they toughen up on offense in my 2012 mock and defense here in my 2013 mock.
18. Dallas Cowboys-Jelani Jenkins, LB, Florida
(Mark Barron, S, Alabama)
I think Jenkins needs to get bigger and produce more but he’s very talented. A good athlete and he could have a huge season to push up his draft stock.
19. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland Raiders-Carson Palmer)-Michael Dyer, RB, Auburn
(2012 picks: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama, Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama)
This pick could still become the Oakland Raiders pick, but I think if they make the playoffs it can become the Bengals pick. They are in serious contention for the playoffs this year so I’ll make it the Bengals pick for now. The Bengals really upgraded their defense in my 2012 mock, but they can’t pass up a talented running back here in the 2013 version. Cedric Benson isn’t a long term solution for them at running back, and again with two first round picks in 2013 they can afford to grab a running back in the first round.
20. New Orleans Saints-John Simon, DL, Ohio State
(no 2012 pick)
Simon has had a huge season this year for the Buckeyes. He doesn’t have great size for a DT at 6’2 270 pounds, but he’s so productive that his numbers won’t be ignored (7 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 2011) if he can put up the same kind of production in 2012.
21. Denver Broncos-Tom Wort, LB, Oklahoma Sooners
(2012 pick: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech)
The Broncos defense is pretty good, but I just like Wort’s abilities and he’s probably the best player on my (very early) board right now which is why why he ends up with the Broncos.
22. Atlanta Falcons-DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama
(no 2012 pick)
You can never have too many cornerbacks, especially when you have to pay the Saints two times a year and the road to the Superbowl could go through Green Bay.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers-Ronald Powell, OLB, Florida Gators
(Mike Adams, T, Ohio State)
James Harrison is getting up their in age and Lamaar Woodley has battled injuries on and off again this year. The Steelers have a involved defensive scheme which takes young players awhile to learn so the Steelers should look for Harrison’s future replacement sooner rather than later.
24. Detroit Lions-Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington Huskies
(2012 pick Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin)
Trufant has been wildly inconsistent this year as have all the Huskies, but he is very talented. he’s a blazer with fluid hips and can play both zone and man. he has to improve his consistency though if he wants to be drafted high in 2013 (I think he should return for his senior season in 2012 though he could still be drafted in the 3rd round or so because of his upside).
25. New York Giants-Shyane Skov, LB, Stanford Cardinal
(2012 pick Alameda Ta’amu, Washington Huskies)
I don’t actually think the Giants will Ta’amu in 2012, this was one of the picks where I was playing around with some names. If the Giants continue to lose Tom Coughlin will probably be fired in which case they could end up hiring a coach who wants to play the 34 which is where the Ta’amu pick stemmed from. Let’s assume though that Coughlin doesn’t get fired. The Giants could really use some talent at the linebacker position. Unfortunately for Skov he got hurt early in the season and has missed almost the entire season. Hes’ talented though and could get back into the first round range in 2013.
26. Chicago Bears-Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
(2012 pick: Devon Still, DL, Penn State)
I hope Randle returns for his senior season because I love his abilities, but he hasnt’ gotten to show them off enough yet. If he returns for the 2012 season and the Tigers figure out how to get him the ball he could easily be drafted in the first round in the 2013 NFL draft. The Bears are trying to get by with Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, and Roy Williams at Wide reciever. That’s not good enough.
27. New England Patriots-Jonathan Massaquoi, OLB, Troy
(2012 picks: Kelechi Osmele, Tommy Streeter)
I didn’t have the Patriots address pass rusher in my 2012 mock, but they do here in 2013, though Bill Belichick never seems to take my advice about drafting a pass rusher.
28. Cincinnati Bengals-Bjoern Warner, FSU
The strength of the Bengals is probably in their defense, but three of my last four picks have gone to the Bengals defense. Go figure. Just how the value bounces. Warner is having a good year and it’s not only possible he goes higher than this, but very likely he does.
29. Houston Texans-Xavier Nixon, OL, Florida Gators
(Dwight Jones, WR, UNC)
The Texans are so productive on offense, but would anyone say they have a great offensive line? I’m not sure about that.
30. San Fran 49ers-Isaiah Johnson, Georgia Tech
(2012 pick Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska)
Donte Whitner is a stop gap and their secondary isn’t that talented despite how well the entire defense has been playing lately.
31. Baltimore Ravens-Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma
(2012 pick Manti Te’o LB Norte Dame)
Anquan Boldin is no spring chicken. Joe Flacco needs better options at wide receiver, though with Still Evans, and Torrey Smith it’d be an awful lot of smaller/speedy guys, but that’s not a bad thing in today’s N.F.l.
32. Green Bay Packers-C.J. Mosley, OLB, Alabama
(T.J. Mcdonald, S, USC)
They could use someone to play opposite Clay Matthews if they don’t address that in 2012 they should in 2013.