Now that free agency has begun, teams have released and resigned key players and front offices across the NFL have let more be known as to what they’re looking for in this year’s draft. With all of those things taken into consideration, here is version 2.0 of my first round mock draft. Enjoy!
Note: * indicates an underclassman
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Star Lotulelei, Defensive Tackle, Utah
Recent reports have surfaced that the Chiefs aren’t sold on any of this year’s quarterbacks and will look to select the best player available that fills a need. That means the No. 1 overall pick will largely depend on Kansas City re-signing offensive tackle Branden Albert. If they retain him, they won’t have a glaring need along the offensive line; which rules out Luke Joeckel. This leaves the Chiefs free to select the best-overall player available this year in Lotulelei. He’ll instantly solidify an already decent defensive line and will have a big impact on the Chiefs’ defense from day one.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bjoern Werner*, Defensive End, Florida State
The Jaguars finished the season ranked dead last in the NFL with just 20 sacks. They are in desperate need of a dynamic, game-changing playmaker on defense that can be a serious menace for opposing quarterbacks. Werner is just that player: his explosive first step and dangerous closing speed make him a threat rushing the quarterback and his long arms, big hands and great instincts allow him to constantly disrupt passing lanes.
3. Oakland Raiders: Jarvis Jones*, Linebacker/Defensive End, Georgia
Oakland finished 2012 just ahead of the Jaguars, ranked 31st in the NFL with a mere 23 sacks. The Raiders have a lot of needs but can’t really pass-up an outside pass rusher that can start at defensive end or outside linebacker from day one for the Raiders. Despite recent questions about Jones’ longterm health, he did a tremendous job rushing quarterbacks and beating some of the best offensive linemen the SEC has to offer and is just the playmaker the Raiders need to jumpstart their defense.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Joeckel, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M
New head coach Chip Kelly is likely to bring his fast-paced spread offense to the Eagles this season and he’ll need young, talented and physical offensive lineman to keep the ship running smoothly. Joeckel is clearly the best offensive lineman available, fits the bill perfectly and played in a similar scheme this season at Texas A&M while protecting Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.
5. Detroit Lions: Dee Milliner*, Cornerback, Alabama
The Lions have a lot of talented pieces on defense, but are severely lacking in the secondary. Milliner is the best corner available and has the speed, physicality and instincts to start opposite Chris Houston next season and go toe-to-toe with the NFC North’s best receivers.
6. Cleveland Browns: Dion Jordan, Defensive End, Oregon
While many people believe first-year head coach Rob Chudzinski may look to go offensive with the No. 6 overall pick; I believe the lack of top-five quality offensive players available will lead the Browns to address one of the many needs on the defensive side of the ball. Jordan’s big frame, long arms, high motor and ability in coverage will make him a valuable asset to the Cleveland’s severely lacking defense.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Eric Fisher, Offensive Tackle, Central Michigan
The Cardinals definitely need help at quarterback, but it doesn’t really matter who is under center if the offensive line is terrible. Last season Arizona gave up the most sacks in the NFL and desperately need help protecting the blind side of whoever ends up taking the snaps for the Cardinals next season. Fisher is a talented tackle who can do just that and is currently ranked as the second best offensive lineman available in the draft.
8. Buffalo Bills: Geno Smith, Quarterback, West Virginia
Smith, improved his draft stock greatly by simply not participating in the Senior Bowl. The Bills and their new head coach Doug Marrone will likely look to move on from Ryan Fitzpatrick and start fresh with a rookie quarterback. If that’s the case, Smith is clearly the best quarterback available and isn’t a huge stretch at No. 8 when you look at former first round reaches such as Christian Ponder and Jake Locker.
9. New York Jets: Barkevious Mingo*, Defensive End, LSU
Mingo is a tall, speedy and talented outside pass rusher with the ability to drop back and play linebacker at times. While not the greatest against the run, he’s at his best when blitzing the quarterback. Defensive-minded head coach Rex Ryan will likely see the value here and look to add an instant starter to the Jets’ floundering defense.
10. Tennessee Titans: Chance Warmack, Offensive Guard, Alabama
The Titans need help all over the field. Warmack gives them instant help on a terrible offensive line. He should plug into either guard spot easily and provide an instant upgrade in protection for Jake Locker and blocking downfield for electric running back Chris Johnson.
11. San Diego Chargers: Lane Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
The Chargers could go for a receiver here, but that wouldn’t do them much good if they still had an awful offensive line. Johnson is a big physical blocker that does equally well against pass rush and run blocking. He will open up plays for Ryan Mathews and allow Philip Rivers time to hit Robert Meachem and Antonio Gates downfield.
12. Miami Dolphins: Cordarrelle Patterson*, Wide Receiver, Tennessee
Ryan Tannehill desperately needs a big, physical target to throw downfield or across the middle to. The 6’3” Patterson has the size, hands and awareness to bring the ball in from anywhere on the field and will be the versatile weapon the Dolphins’ offense is lacking.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnthan Banks, Cornerback, Mississippi State
The Buccaneers are really hurting for corners after trading Aqib Talib and Ronde Barber likely to finally call it quits. Banks is a big, smart player that can play corner, safety and return punts. He’s at his best playing physical man-coverage and is also very good against the run.
14. Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson*, Defensive Tackle, Missouri
Richardson is a big, disruptive force in the middle. He has an explosive first step that gets him into the backfield quickly; making him a constant threat in the pass rush and he’s often capable of single-handedly shutting down the run game between the hashes. Some will argue that the Panthers need to add a receiver, but you can’t pass up on talent like Richardson if he’s still available at 14.
15. New Orleans Saints: Damontre Moore*, Defensive End, Texas A&M
Moore is a talented edge pass rusher who has deceptive speed and can close on the ball carrier quickly. With long arms and a good eye for the ball, he could easily develop into a pass-swatting machine, ala J.J. Watt. The Saints were near the bottom of the league in defense (as usual) and desperately need a young playmaker on that side of the ball.
16. St. Louis Rams: Sharrif Floyd, Defensive Tackle, Florida
With two first-round picks this year (thanks to last year’s trade that landed the Washington Redskins Robert Griffin III) and needs on both side of the ball; the Rams have the luxury of selecting the best play available that fills a need. Floyd is a big, lane-clogging tackle that can take up double teams and stop the run up the middle; something St. Louis had a hard time with last season.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Johnathan Hankins*, Defensive Tackle, Ohio State
The Steelers need help along the defensive line, and you can’t really go wrong with Hankins. He’s a big force in the middle who will constantly require double teams, thus freeing up edge rushers. He also has the ability to occasionally break through the line and can push the line to cause the pocket to collapse.
18. Dallas Cowboys: Johnathan Jenkins, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
The Cowboys desperately need help in the interior of the defensive line. Jenkins is a huge, phsyical lane clogger that will plug holes, take up double teams, constantly disrupt the pocket and put pressure on the quarterback. Jenkins can come in and make a big difference from day one.
19. New York Giants: Kevin Minter*, Defensive End, LSU
The Giants have a ton of needs this year, but if a player like Minter is still available at 19, this is a great need-meets-value pick. Minter shows great awareness for finding the ball and closing extremely quickly. He’s quick and has a great head for the game. He’ll fit perfectly in New York’s scheme and will help bolster the linebacker corp.
20. Chicago Bears: Tyler Eifert*, Tight End, Notre Dame
This is a pretty easy one to figure out: Jay Cutler needs more targets and the Bears need a talented, vertical-threat tight end. Eifert provides just that: He’s a big, fast receiver with superb route running skills and great hands. He will do a great job of stretching the field and catching the ball across the middle. He also does a decent job of run blocking.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenny Vaccaro, Safety, Texas
The Bengals need help at the safety position to compliment Reggie Nelson. Vaccaro is a versatile playmaker, with great speed, hands and coverage ability. He can come in and start right away at strong safety or shift to his more natural free safety and have Nelson move to strong safety.
22. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins): D.J. Fluker*, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
Having addressed one of their defensive needs earlier, the Rams can now focus their attention on protecting quarterback Sam Bradford. Fluker is a big, physical mauler-type tackle that will do a great job in the running game and protecting Bradford’s weakside.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Tavon Austin, Wide Receiver, West Virginia
With Percy Harvin constantly injured and looking for his way out of Minnesota ,the Vikings need to replace his speed, athleticism and playmaking ability. The tiny and speedy Austin can do just that for them. While a little smaller than Harvin; he can return kicks and punts, line up in the slot and take handoffs just as effectively as Harvin. If Minnesota can retain a healthy Harvin next season, this could blossom into a big playmaking due on offense for the Vikings.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Ezekiel Ansah, Defensive End, BYU
Running a 3-4 scheme on defense, the Colts desperately need an elite pass rusher on the outside. Ansah is raw, but in my opinion has the highest upside in this year’s draft. With good coaching and more playing time he could be unstoppable. Ansah has an amazing combination of size, strength and speed that will make it extremely difficult to keep him out of the backfield.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Keenan Allen*, Wide Receiver, California
The Seahawks could use some help on the defensive line, but they can’t afford to ignore their glaring need for another receiver. Allen is tall and strong with great hands. He won't always beat defenders in one-on-one coverage regularly but will always come down with jump balls.
26. Green Bay Packers: Barrett Jones, Center, Alabama
Green Bay is in desperate need of a center, Evan Dietrich-Smith clearly isn’t the answer and with Jeff Saturday retiring; the Packers have no depth at the position. Jones is a big (6’4” 305 pounds) physical center that can dominate in both the passing and running games. Playing in a pro-style offense at Alabama, Jones did a great job blocking the SEC’s best defensive lineman and linebackers both at the line and downfield. Jones can step in and take over as the starting center from day one for almost any team in the NFL and would go a long way to help solidify the Packers’ offensive line.
27. Houston Texans: Terrance Williams, Wide Receiver, Baylor
The Texans desperately need a second receiver on offense, and Williams has a good combination of size, speed and separation skills to be a good third option for Matt Schaub. He needs some work polishing his route running and hands, but he will really benefit from working with and learning from veteran Andre Johnson.
28. Denver Broncos: Xavier Rhodes*, Cornerback, Florida State
Champ Bailey is seriously old at this point, and he can’t play at such a high level forever. Rhodes is a tall, physical corner that can start immediately. He plays great bump-and-run man coverage, has above average tackling skills and does a phenomenal job of closing on ball carriers quickly.
29. New England Patriots: Matt Elam*, Safety, Florida
Elam is possibly the most versatile safety in the draft, even more so than Vaccaro. While Elam played almost exclusively at strong safety for Florida, he can easily play at either safety position in the NFL. He has above-average coverage skills and hands, takes great routes to the ball, reads the quarterback and receivers better than most safeties and excels in physical press coverage. Elam can come in and start immediately at either safety position for the Patriots next season.
30. Atlanta Falcons: Zach Ertz*, Tight End, Stanford
The Falcons need help on the defensive line, but with Tony Gonzalez almost certainly permanently retired, they’ll need to replace his output on offense, badly. Ertz has an explosive first step, good hands, above-average speed and top-notch route running skills. He won’t be much help in the running game, but he’s a big playmaker downfield and should help Atlanta make a smooth transition from Gonzalez.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Desmond Trufant, Cornerback, Washington
Trufant isn’t the biggest corner available, but he has great speed, cover skills and hands. Trufant shows a great instinct for where the ball is going to be and is great in the run game. San Francisco clearly needs help in the secondary and Trufant could come in and start immediately.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Manti Te’o, Linebacker, Notre Dame
I took a lot of flack for excluding Te’o from my initial mock draft, and rightly so. I let the recent controversy and his terrible play in the BCS National Championship Game cloud of my judgement. After going back and looking at the tape, Te’o is a consistent and solid inside linebacker. He does a great job of plugging holes, stopping the run, disrupting passing lanes and takes great angles to the ball. His personality and leadership qualities will make him the perfect replacement for Ray Lewis on the Ravens’ defense.