2013 NFL Mock Draft: Jarvis Jones Taking Over At the Top?
September 1, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones (29) fights off a block against the Buffalo Bulls during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE
Now that a couple of weeks have passed in the NFL season, why not take a stab at a mock draft? For the order, I’ll use my latest power rankings, which you can check out here.
1. Cleveland Browns: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Now, the Browns just took Brandon Weeden, and in this hypothetical situation, he’s going to get another shot to lead this team. That being said, they take a dynamic pass rusher with star potential in Jarvis Jones.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Barkley is easily #2 on the board here. Jacksonville at this point has seen enough of Blaine Gabbert to know if he has it. If they’re picking 2nd, Gabbert is probably not the answer.
3. Oakland Raiders: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
The Raiders get to keep this pick since they clearly didn’t make the playoffs in this hypothetical situation. Mingo is a potentially dominant pass rusher with huge upside.
4. Kansas City Chiefs: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Smith is sort of emerging this year as the 2013 version of Robert Griffin III. He has a great body of work and could rise even further. The Chiefs finally realize that Matt Cassel is a great backup QB, and a below average starter.
5. Minnesota Vikings: Star Lotuleilei, DT, Utah
This guy is going to be a stud in the NFL barring setbacks with his health. The Vikings need to get back what they used to have with the Williams Wall. Lotuleilei doesn’t quite roll off the tongue though.
6. Tennessee Titans: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
Montgomery is developing into a more complete player, and he should be a star defensive end in the NFL.
7. Indianapolis Colts: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
As the SEC continues to dominate this top 10, Hunter goes to give Andrew Luck a top target in Indianapolis.
8. Miami Dolphins: Keenan Allen, WR, California
This is a bit of a reach, but the Dolphins are hopeless at WR after trading Brandon Marshall. Allen is a very good player.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
The Bucs could use some help at CB, and Milliner looks like he could be a very good NFL prospect early on.
10. New Orleans Saints: David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State
They have a tall task playing against so many elite quarterbacks week in and week out. Amerson is a big ball-hawk who can help create turnovers.
11. St. Louis Rams: Chance Warmack, OL, Alabama
The Rams get the best OL in the draft, by far here. Warmack is a perennial pro bowler at guard.
12. Buffalo Bills: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
The Bills need to cut bait on the decision to extend Ryan Fitzpatrick to a ridiculous sum of money and bring in someone they can groom fresh.
13. St. Louis Rams (from Redskins): Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
The Rams’ DL rebuild is officially complete with this move. Four top picks on the defensive front four should allow the back end to make a ton of plays.
14. New York Jets: Eric Reid, S, LSU
Fits the mold of what Rex Ryan likes defensively, and would provide an instant upgrade for their secondary.
15. Carolina Panthers: Johnathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia
Massive gap clogger who could see a similar rise to that of Dontari Poe from last year. The Panthers would love to add some beef like this up front.
16. Cincinnati Bengals: Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn
The Bengals need some consistency from their pass rush. Lemonier is looking good so far this season.
17. Seattle Seahawks: Robert Woods, WR, USC
Pete Carroll dips into the USC pool and gets one of the best WR/RS in this class of players.
18. Arizona Cardinals: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Who is the best OT in the draft? Give him to the Cardinals whenever they come to the podium.
19. Dallas Cowboys: Bjoern Werner, DE/OLB, Florida State
This pick would probably be the steal of the draft. Werner will probably shoot up draft boards if/when he declares.
20. Detroit Lions: Jonathan Cooper, OL, North Carolina
The Lions continue to revamp their offensive line with the addition of Cooper here in the first.
21. Chicago Bears: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
Probably not a more ideal pick in this mock draft. Like Luck replaced Manning, Te’o will be groomed to replace Urlacher.
22. San Diego Chargers: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
The Chargers’ starting CBs are free agents at the end of the season, and they may not be able to retain both.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina
Watch out.
24. Baltimore Ravens: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Lewan takes a tackle spot in Baltimore where they have struggled to find consistency. They are a good bet usually for great value, and this is no exception.
25. Denver Broncos: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
The Broncos continue to revamp their DL after adding Derek Wolfe with their top pick this past year.
26. New York Giants: William Gholston, DE, Michigan State
The Giants continue to add huge pass rushers. Gholston is a freak and could pair with JPP to make a scary duo.
27. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
The Eagles upgrade their secondary here with the addition of Vaccaro.
28. New England Patriots: T.J. McDonald, S, USC
The Patriots need to get things straightened out in the secondary. McDonald is a captain at USC and has a chance to be a great leader in the NFL as well.
29. Green Bay Packers: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
The Packers need to do something to fix their defense before things get out of hand. They looked good against the Bears, but how often will we see the D that showed up last year and week one against the Niners?
30. Atlanta Falcons: Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama
The Falcons continue to upgrade their interior offensive line with one of the best and most consistent interior linemen in the draft. Jones can kick over and play guard.
31. Houston Texans: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Matthews may be the best RT prospect in the entire NFL Draft.
32. San Francisco 49ers: Jesse Williams, NT, Alabama
The Niners pick up a new nose tackle to anchor the front of their stellar defense.