Here we are, just hours from the start of the 2013 NFL Draft. Countless hours of scouting and work have all led up to this. So without much explanation or fanfare, here’s my final two-round mock draft.
Note: I only went with one trade scenario here, but make no mistake: There is going to be more than just one, they’re just too hard to predict accurately.
Trades
Philadelphia Eagles trade pick 1.4 to the San Diego Chargers for picks 1.11 and 2.13.
First Round
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel - Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M
The Chiefs already released Eric Winston, and now word has it they’re looking to trade Branden Albert as well. If that’s the case, the Chiefs will need a new franchise tackle to protect Alex Smith. Joeckel is the consensus No. 1 tackle available and a no-brainer, in my opinion.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dion Jordan - Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Oregon
The Jaguars have a ton of needs they can address here at No. 2, but you have to believe that new head coach Gus Bradley (the former Seattle Seahawks’ defensive coordinator) will look to address the defense first. Jordan is the best defensive player available in my opinion, and is the type of ultra-athletic and lengthy player Bradley loves. This is a perfect fit and will instantly upgrade Jacksonville’s anemic defense.
3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd - Defensive Tackle, Florida
The Raiders need help all over on both sides of the ball, especially on the defensive line. Floyd is the best all-around and most versatile defensive tackle in this year’s class and could play any position along the Raiders’ front.
4. San Diego Chargers from Philadelphia Eagles: Eric Fisher - Offensive Tackle, Central Michigan
San Diego is in desperate need of offensive line help and knew they would likely miss out on the best four lineman available if they stayed at No. 11. By trading up to No. 4 overall, The Chargers can add Fisher, who will instantly lock down the left tackle position for the next eight-plus years.
5. Detroit Lions: Lane Johnson - Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
The Lions’ hands are sort of tied with this pick. Because they lost Gosder Cherilus to free agency and Jeff Backus retired, Detroit is in desperate need of a tackle (or two). There are three offensive tackles worthy of a top-10 pick, and lane is likely to be the only one still available at No. 5. While his upside isn’t as great as Joeckel or Fisher, Johnson is still a talented, franchise tackle that will anchor the Lions’ offensive line for years to come.
6. Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner* - Cornerback, Alabama
The Browns have made it very well know that they would love for Milliner to fall into their lap here at No. 6; a sentiment that Milliner has echoed in recent weeks. Milliner is the best cornerback available this year and will form a formidable duo with Joe Haden in Cleveland’s secondary.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Chance Warmack - Guard, Alabama
Is this the pick I would make if I was in charge in Arizona? Absolutely not. But with all three “tier one” offensive tackles off the board, and a history of highly-questionable picks; it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if the Cardinals selected Geno Smith, the best quarterback available, at No. 7 overall.
8. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Nassib - Quarterback, Syracuse
Is this the pick I would make? Absolutely not, in a million years. But from everything I’m hearing and the Jets’ reported” interest” in Nassib will force Buffalo to make a choice here at No. 9. If they don’t take a quarterback here, they will miss out on their No. 1 guy if they don’t take him here. Buffalo's hands appear to be tied and all signs point to them picking Nassib over Geno Smith as their quarterback of the future.
9. New York Jets: Bjoern Werner* - Defensive End, Florida State
The Jets desperately need an explosive edge pass rusher for the defensive line. Werner has an explosive first step and will be a difference maker when rushing opposing quarterbacks. New York's’ defense will be instantly better the moment Werner steps on the field for the first time.
10. Tennessee Titans: Barkevious Mingo* - Defensive End, LSU
Now that the Titans were able to sign Andy Levitre to replace the retired Steve Hutchinson, they can focus on the defense. Tennessee only had 39 team sacks last year, and could use a game-changing pass rusher like Mingo along the defensive line.
11. Philadelphia Eagles from San Diego Chargers: Star Lotulelei - Defensive Tackle, Utah
Philadelphia made a smart move by trading down from No. 4, adding an additional second-round pick. Star is the best defensive tackle still available, fills a huge need for the Eagles and is a steal at No. 11.
12. Miami Dolphins: Kenny Vaccaro - Safety, Texas
Miami addressed needs like wide receiver and linebacker already via free agency. They still need a standout free safety, and Vaccaro is far and above the best available in this year’s draft. Teams in need of a true free safety will be looking to trade above Miami at 12 to grab the talented former Longhorn.
13. New York Jets: Geno Smith - Quarterback, West Virginia
In this scenario, the Jets’ smoke screen of wanting Nassib, forced the Bills to make a reactionary pick, and results in the guy the Jets wanted all along falling right into their lap. The Jets picked up the 13th overall pick when they traded Darrelle Revis to the Buccaneers and would love to use it to pick up Smith; their quarterback of the future.
14. Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson* - Defensive Tackle, Missouri
Carolina has a bevy of needs, but with a top-10 talent like Richardson still available at No. 14, Carolina just can’t pass on him. He’ll make an impact against the run and bring an inside-blitz presence to the Panthers’ defensive line from day one.
15. New Orleans Saints: Ezekiel Ansah - Defensive End, BYU
The Saints are in the process of switching defensive schemes and need help at multiple positions. Ansah is a physical freak with unmatched potential. The Saints can utilize him as a stand-up pass rusher and occasionally down on the line as an end.
16. St. Louis Rams: Tavon Austin - Wide Receiver, West Virginia
The Rams have two first-round picks and a multitude of needs, which will allow them to go best player available. The Rams need receiver help, and Austin is the best receiver available. This is sort of a no-brainer, right?
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Johnathan hankins* - Defensive Tackle, Ohio State
Casey Hamption is a free agent and at 35, it's unlikely the cap-strapped Steelers bring him back. If true, they need an upgrade at nose tackle. Hankins is a physical freak that can hold down the zero-tech position. But more importantly, he can rotate in at all three positions on the defensive line if Pittsburgh decides not to make him the starting nose tackle immediately.
18. Dallas Cowboys: Jonathan Cooper - Guard, North Carolina
Now that Tony Romo has been locked up, the Cowboys need to get him some protection. Cooper is the second-best guard available and would be an instant upgrade along Dallas’ offensive line.
19. New York Giants: Kevin Minter* - Inside Linebacker, LSU
The Giants could seriously use an upgrade at inside linebacker; Dan Connor and Keith Rivers leave a lot to be desired. Minter is the best middle linebacker available and a great choice at No. 19.
20. Chicago Bears: D.J. Fluker* - Offensive Tackle/Guard, Alabama
Signing Jermon Bushrod didn’t shore up the offensive line as much as the Bears would like everyone to think. They still could use an upgrade or two along the line, and Fluker is a talented pass blocker. He can play right tackle or move inside to guard on either side of the center.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jonathan Cyprien - Safety, Florida International
The Bengals need a talented strong safety to pair opposite Reggie Nelson in the secondary. Cyprien is the best strong safety available; he’s the perfect fit for the Bengals scheme and will make an instant impact.
22. St. Louis Rams: Matt Elam* - Safety, Florida
The Rams really need help at Safety, and Elam is the best still available. While he’s more suited to play strong safety, Elam is a jack-of-all-trades type that could play either safety position or more of a roaming-hybrid type that lines up in the box and blitzes, as well as drops back in coverage. He will instantly upgrade and solidify the Rams’ secondary.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Cordarrelle Patterson* - Wide Receiver, Tennessee
Despite signing Greg Jennings, the Vikings still desperately need help at receiver. Patterson is a talented receiver that can line up all-over the field and can become the Vikings true No. 1 receiver moving forward.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Arthur Brown - Linebacker, Kansas State
Despite signing Erik Walden, the Colts still need help at linebacker. Brown is a talented pass rusher who could line up at a couple different positions within the Colts’ linebacker corp.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Desmond Trufant - Cornerback, Washington
With the extra pick the Vikings picked up from the Seahawks for Percy Harvin, the vikings should look to replace Antoine Winfield. Trufant is a top-15 talent, and a great value at No. 25 and will do a great job covering the NFC North’s talented receivers.
26. Green Bay Packers: Datone Jones - Defensive End, UCLA
Jones is a talented and versatile defensive lineman with impressive strength and an explosive first step. He will be an instant upgrade on the outside of the defensive line for the Packers and they can’t pass on him here.
27. Houston Texans: Keenan Allen* - Wide Receiver, California
The Texans really need a true No. 2 receiver opposite Andre Johnson and none of the receivers still available would compliment Johnson better than Allen; who can take over the No. 1 receiver roll from Johnson in a few years.
28. Denver Broncos: Cornelius “Tank” Carradine - Defensive End, Florida State
The Broncos now need to replace Elvis Dumervil’s production along the defensive line. Carradine is more of a true 4-3 defensive end when compared to Dumervil, and should really excel as a pass rusher in their system. After proving to teams and skeptics that he’ll be ready to go by the start of the season, there’s a chance Carradine doesn’t make it to No. 28. If he does, the Broncos have to pull the trigger.
29. New England Patriots: DeAndre Hopkins - Wide Receiver, Clemson
In theory, bringing in Danny Amendola replaces the production lost when Wes Welker jumped ship for greener pastures in Denver, but the Patriots still need more help at receiver. Hopkins is a talented pass catcher, and could insert himself as the No. 1 receiver by the time the season opens.
30. Atlanta Falcons: Xavier Rhodes* - Cornerback, Florida State
After losing Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson, the Falcons really need help at corner. Rhodes is a talented and versatile cornerback that can be penciled in as a starter from day one.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Tyler Eifert* - Tight End, Notre Dame
San Francisco is in a great position. They have more draft picks than anyone else and not a ton of glaring needs. They have the ability to go best player available throughout the draft. That said, if Eifert is still here at No. 31, the 49ers won’t hesitate for a second to pull the trigger. Eifert is a talented receiver and would be another formidable weapon in the 49ers already-stacked offense.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Manti Te’o - Inside Linebacker, Notre Dame
The Ravens need a smart, vocal leader with a high motor to replace Ray Lewis. No one fits that bill better than Te’o, who is the perfect fit to succeed Lewis at the heart of Baltimore’s defense.
Second Round
1. Jacksonville: D.J. Hayden - Cornerback, SMU
Now that Hayden has been completely cleared to play and showed no signs of ill effect from a near-fatal heart injury at SMU’s pro day; teams are going to feel alot safer taking him as high as they have him ranked. The Jaguars need help in the secondary and Hayden is the best corner still available. He’ll be able to come in and make an impact right away along with Dion Jordan in Gus Bradley’s new defense.
2. San Francisco: Margus Hunt - Defensive End, SMU
The 49ers could use defensive line depth, and it’s hard not to fall in love with what Hunt brings to the table. He’ll be able to rotate in and make an impact on special teams (blocking kicks) right away.
3. Philadelphia: E.J. Manuel - Quarterback, Florida State
Manuel is the second-best quarterback available, a first-round talent and a steal at the top of the second round. He’s the perfect quarterback for Chip Kelly’s explosive offense and will be able to sit for at least a year while the coaches iron out the kinks in his game.
4. Detroit: Alex Okafor - Defensive End, Texas
The Lions need help on defense and Okafor is a great edge pass rusher and good against the run. He’ll be the perfect replacement for Cliff Avril.
5. Cincinnati: Alec Ogletree - Inside Linebacker, Georgia
Ogletree is the most talented inside linebacker in this year’s class, but a number of off-field issues have caused him to slide down draft boards. The Bengals could use an upgrade at middle linebacker and has a history of taking in “troubled” prospects and players. He’s a great value for Cincinnati here at No. 37.
6. Arizona: Matt Barkley - Quarterback, USC
Carson Palmer isn’t going to be the answer forever and Arizona could really benefit from adding a smart quarterback to groom for the future. I’ve said it a million times, Barkley is the most mentally prepared to be an NFL leader in this year’s class and it would be in his best interest to sit for a year or two to refine the rest of his skills.
7. New York (J): Johnthan Banks* - Cornerback, Mississippi State
The Jets need to find a replacement for Revis. Banks was once the second-rated corner in the class and mocked as high as the top 15, so he’s honestly quite the value here. While it’ll be a few years before we’re talking about “Banks Island,” he’ll be the Jet’s starting corner from day one moving forward.
8. Tennessee: Darius Slay - Cornerback, Mississippi State
Slay didn’t get a ton of attention leading up to the draft, mostly because he was overshadowed by former teammate Johnthan Banks; but he’s a highly-talented, versatile corner who will make an instant impact for the Titans.
9. Buffalo: Larry Warford - Offensive Guard, Kentucky
The Bills need a replacement for Andy Levitre to protect their new franchise quarterback Nassib, and Warford is the best option still available.
10. Miami: Terron Armstead - Offensive Tackle, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
The Dolphins need to replace Jake Long and Armstead is a great pick. While he may not perfectly fill Long’s shoes from the onset, he has a ton of potential and will grow into a Pro-Bowl caliber tackle at the next level.
11. Tampa Bay: Jarvis Jones* - OLB/DE, Georgia
Tampa desperately needs to upgrade their pass rush from the outside, especially with Da’Quan Bowers likely headed to prison. Jones is ultra talented and is a good value in the middle of the second round.
12. Carolina: Jamar Taylor - Cornerback, Boise State
With the retirement of Chris Gamble, Carolina really needs some help at corner. Taylor is talented in coverage and against the run and should slot in as Gamble’s replacement nicely.
13. Philadelphia: Menelik Watson* - Offensive Lineman, Florida State
The Eagles have some questions about their line moving forward, specifically: Will Jason Peters be able to return to form? No matter what the answer there is, Watson can help. If Peters isn’t the same and needs to be replaced, Watson is your guy. If Peters is just fine, Watson can be used as rotational depth at tackle or guard and be groomed to take over from Peters down the road.
14. St. Louis: Eddie Lacy* - Running Back, Alabama
What better way to replace Steven Jackson than to draft an incredibly similar running back. Lacy is a talented runner and pass catcher and has very low mileage for a typical college back. He’ll be able to come in and be the Rams’ workhorse for the next 8-11 years.
15. Dallas: John Jenkins - Defensive Tackle, Georgia
Dallas needs help on the anterior of their defensive line and Jenkins a big, physical mauler that can take up double teams, stuff the run and collapse the pocket.
16. Pittsburgh: Robert Woods* - Wide Receiver, USC
The Steelers need help at receivers, despite retaining the services of Emmanuel Sanders. Woods is a talented pass catcher and will be a nice weapon for Ben Roethlisberger.
17. New York (G): Damontre Moore* - Defensive End, Texas A&M
Justin Tuck probably isn’t long for the Giant’s roster and New York needs to look to the future. Moore can rotate in at either defensive end position and will eventually be the starter opposite Jason Pierre-Paul.
18. Chicago: Kevin Reddick - Inside Linebacker, North Carolina
The Bears have no one left at middle linebacker and need to find Brian Urlacher’s replacement. Reddick is the perfect prototypical 4-3 middle linebacker for the job.
19. Washington: Jordan Poyer - Cornerback, Oregon State
The Redskins really need help at corner and since this class is so deep with starting-caliber prospects; Washington gets great value in Poyer with this pick.
20. Minnesota: Jon Bostic - Inside Linebacker, Florida
While many believe that the Vikings will take Te’o in the first round, I think they need to pass. They got better players with their first-round picks and Bostic fits their scheme much better.
21. Cincinnati: Giovani Bernard - Running Back, North Carolina
Cincinnati has had great success with a number of free agent running backs. Isn’t it about time they draft a talented all-around back that they can utilize for years to come instead of signing a new free agent every year or two? Bernard is my highest-rated running back in the class and will make an instant impact for the Bengals.
22. Miami: Malliciah Goodman - Defensive End, Clemson
Miami needs an upgrade at push rusher on the defensive line and Goodman is the best option still available. Great value here at the end of the second for the Dolphins.
23. Green Bay: D.J. Swearinger - Safety, South Carolina
Green Bay needs a coverage-centric free safety that has blitzing capabilities. Out of the remaining available safeties, Swearinger fits the Packers’ needs to a tee.
24. Seattle: Khaseem Greene - Outside Linebacker, Rutgers
Seattle needs a replacement for Leroy Hill. Greene is a talented former safety that excels in coverage, blitzing and against the run. He’s a great fit for the Seahawks hybrid scheme.
25. Houston: Kyle Long - Offensive tackle, Oregon
Houston needs help along it’s offensive line. Long is a bit raw and lacks experience but is highly talented and has a ton of potential. Even if he doesn’t pan out at tackle he can definitely move inside to guard and make an impact.
26. Denver: Blidi Wreh-Wilson - Cornerback, UConn
Denver needs to look towards the future in their secondary. Wreh-Wilson is a physical bump-and-run kind of corner who is also against the run. He’ll be able to be the nickel corner from day one, and will eventually replace Champ Bailey on the outside.
27. New England: Bacarri Rambo - Safety, Georgia
Rambo is a versatile safety that can play either position as well as nickel corner. He’ll be able to make an impact from a number of places within the Patriot’s secondary.
28. Atlanta: Zach Ertz* - Tight End, Stanford
Yes Tony Gonzalez is coming back, but the Falcons could still go for drafting his eventual replacement to learn from the best tight end ever. If Ertz is still available this late in the second, there’s no question that Atlanta pulls the trigger, despite their needs on defense.
29. San Francisco: Brandon Williams - Defensive Lineman, Missouri Southern State
Williams is a highly-talented linemen with the size and strength to line up at nose tackle, and the quickness and athleticism to line up at defensive end. There’s no way that the 49ers pass on him at this point, as he’d be an instant upgrade over Ian Williams.
30. Baltimore: Da’Rick Rogers - Wide Receiver, Tennessee Tech.
Baltimore needs a No. 1 receiver to replace Anquan Boldin and is in luck here. Rogers is a first-round talent who will likely fall due to character concerns. He would be a great weapon on the outside for Joe Flacco as well.