2013 NFL Mock Draft Update With Trades: Vikings Moving Into Top Ten?
Nov 17, 2012; College Park, MD, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Cornellius Carradine (91) prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
1. Kansas City Chiefs — Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Jason La Canfora of CBS is reporting that the Chiefs are pretty much locked in to Joeckel. Anybody else would probably be a surprise to me at this point, though the Chiefs maintain they are still considering a total of four options for this pick.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars — Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon
The Jaguars want to build their team on speed, and I think this pick will be either Jordan or WVU quarterback Geno Smith. Gus Bradley saw the impact Russell Wilson had for the Seahawks, so he is going to probably want to replicate that in Jacksonville. It all comes down to what they fell is the best long-term option, and that could be Jordan at this point.
3. Oakland Raiders — Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
The Raiders need a push up the middle, and right now it just feels like they are going to go with an interior lineman. That’s probably the most glaring hole on their roster other than a sure thing at QB. Floyd has the ability to collapse the pocket and his athletic ability should entice the Raiders.
4. Philadelphia Eagles — Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
The Eagles don’t have a long term solution at the quarterback position. Mike Vick renegotiated his contract so he could provide them with one more year of what they hope to be quality play, but after this year, the Eagles could be in trouble. I think they are dead serious about picking Geno Smith, who would be a good fit for Chip Kelly’s offense.
5. Detroit Lions — Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Fisher will take over for Jeff Backus at left tackle, while Riley Reiff–the team’s first round pick from a year ago–will take over the right tackle spot vacated by Gosder Cherilus. Fisher has a ton of potential and is a great fit at this slot.
6. Atlanta Falcons — Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
**Projected trade: Atlanta Falcons trade picks #30, #60, 4th round pick, and future 2nd round pick to Browns for pick #6 overall** The Falcons reportedly are interested in trading up, and one of the players on their radar is apparently Dee Milliner. CB is one of the weakest spots on this team, so it makes sense to grab a guy like Milliner who can replace Dunta Robinson on the outside.
7. Arizona Cardinals — Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
The Cardinals have a terrible offensive line, but Lane Johnson could be a centerpiece of their future up front. He has the ability to be a franchise left tackle, and the Cardinals need to cash in if he’s still on the board at this point.
8. Minnesota Vikings — Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
**Projected trade: Minnesota Vikings trade pick #23, #52, and 4th round pick to Bills for pick #8** The Vikings are reportedly interested in trading up, and I think the Bills would love to trade down. Minnesota lost a big playmaker in Percy Harvin, but they gained some valuable picks. I think dealing up for Tavon Austin makes a lot of sense, even if it’s this early. I think Austin is going to be a great player in this league, and I think the Jets would take him if he were on the board.
9. New York Jets — Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
The Jets need some pass rushers, and Mingo fits that description. He may not be the biggest guy, but he’s certainly one of the quickest and most explosive. I loved watching him at LSU as a sophomore, but there’s no question his play regressed a bit as a junior. I think Rex Ryan could figure out how to get the best out of him.
10. Tennessee Titans — Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
The Titans need some edge rushers, and with Ansah still on the board, this is really an easy pick. Ansah is a big kid with a ton of athletic ability and upside, but not a lot of experience. He could flourish in Tennessee.
11. San Diego Chargers — D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
Mike Mayock opined that D.J. Fluker will not make it past the Chargers, and that makes sense since their offensive line has been in a shambles the last couple of years. Fluker is a big, powerful right tackle prospect who would be a significant upgrade for San Diego.
12. Miami Dolphins — Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
There have been reports that Xavier Rhodes is not a good fit for the Dolphins’ defensive scheme, so I’ll be interested to find out what is. Rhodes is a potentially dominant cover man with excellent size, speed, and athletic ability. If the Dolphins pass on him with Sean Smith leaving for Kansas City, I’ll be surprised.
13. New York Jets — Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
**Projected trade: Jets trade CB Darrelle Revis to Buccaneers for pick #13 and additional picks** I think a deal for Revis is going to get done, but I could still be wrong about that. I’m pretty confident it will get done, and I think the Jets would love to add Star Lotulelei, who is one of my favorite players in this draft. He is a big, strong player who can line up all around the defensive line, and play a ton of snaps.
14. Carolina Panthers — Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
I’ve been putting Richardson to the Panthers for quite some time now, and it’s still a pick that I think makes a lot of sense. I think Carolina would like to move down here with the depth at DT in this draft, but if they stay put, this would be a great pick. A quick interior lineman who can put pressure on the quarterback.
15. New Orleans Saints — Tank Carradine, DE/OLB, Florida State
Carradine is one of the hottest names in the draft right now, and he could be an elite pass rusher in the NFL. The Saints need some edge rushers moving to a 3-4 defensive scheme, and this could be a great fit in the middle of the first round.
16. St. Louis Rams — Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
I could see the Rams also looking at a safety prospect with this pick, but Ogletree could be too enticing to pass up with a potential run on inside linebackers coming up. He would play outside linebacker for Jeff Fisher, and would fill a gaping hole on the Rams’ defense.