2013 NFL Mock Draft
NFL Mock Draft: Offensive tackles fly off board
By Matt Smith |
Analyst, NFL.com and NFL Network
Published: March 18, 2013 at 01:35 p.m.
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Don't forget what all of the "experts" were saying about the 2012 Chiefs last August. (Most suspected they would challenge for the AFC West crown.) I know some projections are moving toward the defensive line in this spot, but the talent just doesn't match up. You can't miss on first-round picks -- Joeckel is safe and elite.
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If the Jaguars want a franchise QB, they must find a way to protect one. Blaine Gabbert might not be the answer, but I get the sense Jacksonville wants to get one more look at him before throwing in the towel on an old high first-round selection.
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There's a reason Floyd's rocketing up draft boards and mocks everywhere: He's the total package. Floyd was dominant in the toughest conference in college football, and he showed off elite athleticism in his workouts/drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. A smart pick, ignoring the calls for the Raiders to take another gamble at QB.
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Prior to last year's draft, we tried to pair up Coby Fleener with Jim Harbaugh, his college coach at Stanford. This year, we're talking about Ryan Nassib rejoining Doug Marrone in Buffalo and Jordan following Chip Kelly to Philly. In this particular case, it makes sense. Jordan is an athletic freak who has proven capable of keeping up with the pace at which Kelly asks his players to perform.
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Talk about fortunate! The best corner slips past Philly and right into the Lions' lap. As they still need help at defensive end, I was tempted to put Ziggy Ansah here, but that's too big a gamble for a team that simply has to hit a home run with this selection.
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Perhaps the best talent in the draft. There are medical concerns -- the same ones that led him to transfer from USC to Georgia in the first place. However, he's been cleared medically and fits in perfectly with what Michael Lombardi is trying to build in the AFC North: a ferocious, unrelenting defense.
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This is the perfect spot for Smith, who would receive a hero's welcome after what this fan base lived through last season. While the offensive line is an unmitigated disaster, Smith has proven he deserves to be taken in the first round. Even with Drew Stanton in the fold, this is the pick. I just can't see Lane Johnson performing well enough to justify passing on a potential franchise QB when that need is so apparent.
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Smith and Johnson are going to the Cardinals and Bills -- it's just a question of who goes where. While I pointed out that the Cards couldn't justify selecting Johnson ahead of Smith, he's still worthy of being a top-10 pick. The Bills must solidify that offensive line and get their QB project in the second or third round. (At least then the latter will be protected when he's taking snaps.)
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He's a splash player. He's an impact player. And while there's not a lot of tape on him, not a lot of production, you simply can't ignore what an athletic specimen Ansah is, and how easily he makes his way into the backfield. Rex Ryan will be giddy with the selection; the fans in N.Y. will boo the heck out of it.
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Sure, they signed Andy Levitre to a huge deal, but this is a team that wants to run the ball a whole lot. Adding Cooper will help get Chris Johnson back to being CJ2K.
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The Chargers would be ecstatic if Johnson slipped to this spot, and they'll also think long and hard about a wide receiver. But Warmack fills a serious need on that line. He's also likely to be the best player on the board at this point -- a win-win.
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Most boards have Cordarrelle Patterson as the top-rated receiver, but there's no chance you're convincing me he's better than Allen. With Mike Wallace as a deep threat, Allen can be the do-everything pass catcher who runs exceptional routes. He'll immediately make Ryan Tannehill a better player.
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The Buccaneers' secondary was garbage last year. They have a keeper in Mark Barron, and now they need a cornerback in the worst way. It's a reach, but one they have to make.
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Talk about value ... At one point, Lotulelei was the top-rated overall player among a lot of "experts." I'm a fan, having seen him play quite a bit at Utah, but there are still questions about him playing hard every down, and that will push him outside the top 10. Fills a huge need for the Panthers.
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How about a dynamic athlete on the defensive side of the ball to help out a miserable group? The Saints have to go defense here, and this is the best defensive player left on the board. Helps that he's an LSU kid, too -- talk about a fan base freaking out over a selection.
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The Rams got their tackle in Jake Long and their tight end in Jared Cook. Now they finally get that big-play receiver to help Sam Bradford show off the skills that made him the No. 1 overall pick a few years back.
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With all the holes on that defense, it's hard to believe they'd draft Troy Polamalu's replacement. But that's what makes the Steelers a perennial Super Bowl contender: making smart draft picks year after year.
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He's a perfect fit in Dallas, right? Dominant athlete with some character concerns. Richardson is the best defensive player left on the board, and there's no question that's the side of the ball Jerry Jones needs to fix. Somehow, Richardson will even make Tony Romo better.
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I was tempted to put Manti Te'o in this spot, but he'll go with the next pick. Ogletree is simply the better player, and the Giants are never afraid to roll the dice on someone with character concerns. That environment will do Ogletree good, and the G-Men will come out ahead for taking the chance.
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Clearly, the Bears aren't sold on bringing back Brian Urlacher. And even if they do, he's too big an injury risk to not have depth at the position. While Lance Briggs is still performing at a high level, that's an aging unit that needs an injection of youth. Plus, they love Te'o in Chicago, so the "catfishing" incident is of zero concern.
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The Bengals' defense was their strength, despite poor play at the safety position. Elam is impressive in all facets of the game; he'll play at the line of scrimmage, is decent in coverage and, with all of Cincy's talent surrounding him, could really just find the ball and destroy the opponent.
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Now you see how all these picks from the Robert Griffin III trade are going to pay off for the Rams. They get their big-play receiver at No. 16 and, after signing Jake Long to become their left tackle, they get their right tackle with that extra pick. What once was a serious liability becomes a strength in just one offseason.
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Makes too much sense, right? The Vikings send Percy Harvin packing, get a pick in return and draft "the next Percy Harvin." I'm guessing Adrian Peterson won't feel a kick to his stomach when he sees Austin roll into town.
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That offensive line was flat-out offensive last season. While I'm not crazy about Gosder Cherilus, it's still an upgrade ... sort of. Adding Watson is a big boost. This is a prospect with high upside; he potentially could land at that LT spot if he's as good as some think.
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After getting their receiver (Austin), the Vikes upgrade the defensive line with Williams. He's a perfect fit, a high-character player, and they need to get younger at that position.
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The days of Aaron Rodgers sending steely glares toward Jermichael Finley after ANOTHER dropped pass come to an end. Eifert is elite. With the departure of Greg Jennings, the Packers don't so much need a WR as they do another weapon. This is a big upgrade.
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Matt Schaub needs weapons. While Andre Johnson enjoyed a bounce-back season in 2012, he's still pretty darn old. Hopkins is a do-everything player with great hands who can provide immediate help.
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A bad combine saw his stock slide perhaps more than that of any other player (expect maybe Damontre Moore). Before Indianapolis, there was talk that Werner might have been the first defensive player taken in the draft. The Broncos got their corner in free agency (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie), so here they nab an end to help out that secondary even more.
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The Pats need help in that secondary. Unlike Werner, Trufant helped himself considerably at the combine and at his pro day. New England will think about Johnthan Banks but opt for Trufant.
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It's going to be one of the cornerbacks left on the board. The Falcons need help at the position and would benefit from a player with the skill set Banks possesses. Unlike Asante Samuel and the recently released Dunta Robinson, Banks is a heck of a ballhawk who also possesses great cover skills.
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The pick has Jim Harbaugh written all over it. Justin Smith is old -- Margus Hunt, meanwhile, is a pliable, exceptional athlete who would develop well under an outstanding 49ers coaching staff. Let's see Russell Wilson try to throw bubble screens to Percy Harvin on Hunt's side of the field. Not happening.
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Baltimore needs defensive replacements, and Minter is the best defender left on the board. Helps that he plays in the middle of the field, too.
- 2013 NFL Mock Draft Central
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