NFL Mock Draft 2013
With the NFL season heating up for the lucky playoff teams but winding down for others we take our first look at April and the NFL Draft for 2013 to see what players your team may be targeting in order to turn it around for next season
Kansas City Chiefs
Current Draft Position: 1st
Predicted Draft Position: 1st
Team Needs: QB, WR, OT, LB, CB
Who they want: Geno Smith (QB, West Virginia) - Romeo Crennell may not be there next year but if he is it is already clear he is unhappy with the QB position. A new coach may agree
Who they need: Mike Glennon (QB, North Carolina State) - More NFL ready than Smith the Chiefs could have a Colts type turnaround
Who they’ll get: Geno Smith - If they pick first overall expect them to make that move
Alternate Pick: Star Lotulelei (DT, Utah) - A top tier pick may be hard to ignore despite glaring needs elsewhere
Jacksonville Jaguars
Current Draft Position: 2nd
Predicted Draft Position: 2nd
Team Needs: QB, ROT, DE, CB
Who they want: Manti Te’o (ILB, Notre Dame) - Could be Heismann trophy winner and will add a menace to their defense
Who they need: Geno Smith (QB, West Virginia) - They need a star QB to get the ball to Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts
Who they’ll get: Star Lotulelei (DT, Utah) – Unless they take a QB it should be top rated player.
Alternate Pick: Damontre Moore (DE, Texas A&M) - A better fit in the Jags defense than Te’o, Lotulelei or Jarvis Jones, Moore could be an option if they pick below the top 3.
Philadelphia Eagles
Current Draft Position: 4th
Predicted Draft Position: 3rd
Team Needs: CB, S, OLB, OC
Who they want: Manti Te’o (ILB, Notre Dame) - Boosts their front 7 enormously
Who they need: Manti Te’o - See above
Who they’ll get: Manti Te’o – He will change this defense single handedly.
Alternate Pick: Jarvis Jones (OLB, Georgia) – Pass rush is another crucial position.
Detroit Lions
Current Draft Position: 5th
Predicted Draft Position: 4th
Team Needs: CB, DE, OC, RB
Who they want: Damontre Moore (DE, Texas A&M) - Continue their dominance up front
Who they need: Dee Milliner (CB, Alabama) - Until they fix their secondary woes it will always be hard for Stafford, Johnson and co to bail the defense out
Who they’ll get: Dee Milliner - We are guessing the Lions part ways with Schwartz and try to finally upgrade their dire cornerback position
Alternate Pick: Jarvis Jones (OLB, Georgia) - At this stage taking the best player on the board could be an option
Oakland Raiders
Current Draft Position: 3rd
Predicted Draft Position: 5th
Team Needs: CB, S, LB, OT
Who they want: Manti Te’o (ILB, Notre Dame) - a replacement for the disappointing Rolando McClain
Who they need: Geno Smith (QB, West Virginia) - Without a star QB, the Raiders will continue to mire in mediocrity
Who they’ll get: Luke Joeckel (OT, Texas A&M) – They have a need at tackle and despite more flashy players elsewhere it will be hard to turn down Joeckel
Alternate Pick: Dee Milliner (CB, Alabama) - If the Raiders get a shot at him, Milliner may be more up their alley
Buffalo Bills
Current Draft Position: 7th
Predicted Draft Position: 6th
Team Needs: QB, LB, WR, CB, SS, ROT
Who they want: Manti Te’o (ILB, Notre Dame) - Is a beast at the linebacking position which was Buffalo’s weakest link in 2012
Who they need: Mike Glennon (QB, North Carolina State) - They need to finally hit on a franchise QB for the first time since Jim Kelly
Who they’ll get: Mike Glennon - If Glennon falls they should like his measurables enough to take him here
Alternate Pick: Dee Milliner (CB, Alabama) - Buddy Nix likes the SEC and despite taking Stephon Gilmore in the 1st round last year they still need lots of help at corner
Cleveland Browns
Current Draft Position: 8th
Predicted Draft Position: 7th
Team Needs: DE, WR, ROT, OLB, OG, DB
Who they want: Jarvis Jones (OLB, Georgia) – A force on the edge, cannot be stopped at the college level when it comes to pass rush
Who they need: Bjoern Werner (DE, Florida State or Damontre Moore (DE, Texas A&M) – Bigger players to set the edge may be more appropriate
Who they’ll get: Jarvis Jones – If he falls then can’t see the Browns passing him up
Alternate Pick: Bjoern Werner - DLine is the strongest position in the draft so that augurs well for the Browns
Arizona Cardinals
Current Draft Position: 11th
Predicted Draft Position: 8th
Team Needs: QB, LOT, RB, DB, TE
Who they want: Geno Smith (QB, West Virginia) - Will keep trying to hit on a QB until they find one
Who they need: Luke Joeckel (OT, Texas A&M) - No QB will succeed in Arizona until they fix their O-Line issues
Who they’ll get: Matt Barkley (QB, USC) – Barkley has the intangibles but does he have the arm strength? In Arizona it might not matter.
Alternate Pick: Mike Glennon (QB, North Carolina State) - They need a QB and Glennon’s stock will rise from here on in.
San Diego Chargers
Current Draft Position: 6th
Predicted Draft Position: 9th
Team Needs: OL, OLB, WR, CB, LB
Who they want: Jarvis Jones (OLB, Georgia) - Instant upgrade to their pass rush
Who they need: Luke Joeckel (OT, Texas A&M) - San Diego need to protect Rivers or he will never take them to the next level
Who they’ll get: Barkevious Mingo (OLB, LSU) – Not as dominant as Jones but still a high quality pass rusher.
Alternate Pick: Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan) - Another O-Line option if the Chargers miss on Joeckel.
Tennessee Titans
Current Draft Position: 9th
Predicted Draft Position: 10th
Team Needs: CB, WR, OT, OL
Who they want: Luke Joeckel (OT, Texas A&M) - Need to focus on the O-Line in this draft
Who they need: Luke Joeckel (see above)
Who they’ll get: Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan) - They look long and hard at Alabama’s Chance Warmack but stick to a tackle.
Alternate Pick: Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M) - If they miss on Joeckel they could take his also highly regarded team mate instead
Carolina Panthers
Current Draft Position: 10th
Predicted Draft Position: 11th
Team Needs: DT, CB, WR
Who they want: Star Lotulelei (DT, Utah) - Possibly the number 1 player overall and in Carolina’s position of greatest need.
Who they need: Star Lotulelei - See above
Who they’ll get: Johnathan Hankins (DT, Ohio State) - Another excellent athlete
Alternate Pick: Johnthan Banks (CB, Mississippi State) - If they want to go a different position of need they may reach slightly for Banks
St Louis Rams
Current Draft Position: 16th
Predicted Draft Position: 12th
Team Needs: WR, OLB, OT, DT, S, OG
Who they want: Barkevious Mingo (OLB, LSU) - Strong pass rusher
Who they need: Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan) - Need to protect Sam Bradford a lot better, Lewan would be a great snare if they could get him
Who they’ll get: Chance Warmack (OG, Alabama) – Will punish in the run game and be a big upgrade at the O-Line
Alternate Pick: Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M) – The Rams need a tackle even more than a guard and could reach slightly for Matthews instead
Miami Dolphins
Current Draft Position: 13th
Predicted Draft Position: 13th
Team Needs: WR, DE, CB, S, TE
Who they want: Sam Montgomery (DE, LSU) - A beast of a man that could wreak havoc on the edges
Who they need: Keenan Allen (WR, California) - They have to give Ryan Tannehill some weapons but risk overpaying for Allen
Who they’ll get: Bjoern Werner (DE, Florida State) – In the end they pass over Montgomery for the slightly safer pick in Werner
Alternate Pick: Damontre Moore (DE, Texas A&M) - Great value at a position of need, may be their best choice
New York Jets
Current Draft Position: 14th
Predicted Draft Position: 14th
Team Needs: ROT, RB, QB, WR, OLB, S
Who they want: Keenan Allen (WR, California) - He will give whoever is at QB in New York a big bodied target
Who they need: Mike Glennon (QB, North Carolina State) - Glennon is making his way up the draft boards, if the Jets get him it will probably have to be via a trade
Who they’ll get: Ryan Nassib (QB, Syracuse) - It may be worthwhile to take a chance on a guy just up the road
Alternate Pick: Matt Barkley (QB, USC) - We wonder if the Jets will move up for him or even get lucky and have him fall.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current Draft Position: 12th
Predicted Draft Position: 15th
Team Needs: CB, OL, FS, OLB
Who they want: Johnthan Banks (CB, Mississippi State) - The secondary is in disarray and Banks is the best player available to upgrade it
Who they need: Johnthan Banks - Some excellent players available but can’t get past the need at corner
Who they’ll get: Johnthan Banks - Only knock on him is his size
Alternate Pick: Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M) – Highly regarded he would be an upgrade for the Bucs O-Line
Cincinnati Bengals
Current Draft Position: 18th
Predicted Draft Position: 16th
Team Needs: OLB, SS, CB, OC, RB
Who they want: C.J. Mosley (OLB, Alabama) - From a great school and the Bengals defense gets even stronger
Who they need: Keenan Allen (WR, California) - A genuine alternative to AJ Green would give Andy Dalton a chance to compete at the next level
Who they’ll get: Jesse Williams (DT, Alabama) – A big body up front will give the Bengals an even tougher look
Alternate Pick: Trade. There are many good options for the Bengals including Damontre Moore, Jake Matthews and John Jenkins but none are in a position of need so perhaps trading back is a good solution
New Orleans Saints
Current Draft Position: 15th
Predicted Draft Position: 17th
Team Needs: DL, OC, CB, LB, OL, DB
Who they want: Damontre Moore (DE, Texas A&M) - They want and need a difference maker up front
Who they need: Damontre Moore (See Above)
Who they’ll get: Damontre Moore - The Saints aren’t desperate in any one area but could do with a good injection of talent this draft, Moore is an ideal choice
Alternate Pick: Chance Warmack (OG, Alabama) - If Warmack really falls this far some team has to take him and the Saints could do with him as much as any team
Dallas Cowboys
Current Draft Position: 21st
Predicted Draft Position: 18th
Team Needs: DT, DB, OC, OL, QB
Who they want: Matt Barkley (QB, USC) - Is it possible that Jerry Jones falls in love with Barkley?
Who they need: A complete overhaul, things just aren’t working for the Cowboys.
Who they’ll get: Sheldon Richardson (DT, Missouri) - Top DT on the board
Alternate Pick: Matt Barkley - Why not trade up for him?
Minnesota Vikings
Current Draft Position: 22nd
Predicted Draft Position: 19th
Team Needs: DT, DE, WR, DB, OL
Who they want: Jesse Williams (DT, Alabama) - A big man up front to take the Vikings back to the glory years
Who they need: Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M) – They have to protect Ponder
Who they’ll get: Sam Montgomery (DE, LSU) – Something tells me they want someone to replace Jared Allen long-term
Alternate Pick: Jake Matthews – If Matthews drops this far he may be hard to ignore
Chicago Bears
Current Draft Position: 22nd
Predicted Draft Position: 20th
Team Needs: LOT, OG, SILB, CB, DT
Who they want: Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan) – 6-7 Left Tackle that helps keep Cutler protected.
Who they need: Luke Joeckel (OT, Texas A&M) – Any offensive line help is required, but Joeckel will be well gone by the time the Bears pick unless they trade up
Who they’ll get: Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M) – Matthews may be better suited to Right Tackle but the Bears may just take their chance with him anyway
Alternate Pick: Jonathan Cooper (OG, North Carolina) – Out and out a stronger player than Matthews but not in as high a priority a positon
Pittsburgh Steelers
Current Draft Position: 19th
Predicted Draft Position: 21st
Team Needs: OLB, S, ILB, OL, TE
Who they want: Best player on the board is usually their MO.
Who they need: C.J. Mosley (OLB, Alabama) – They need someone that will rush the pass
Who they’ll get: C.J. Mosley – The pick is there and will upgrade a position of need, seems like a typical Steeler pick
Alternate Pick: Jonathan Cooper (OG, North Carolina) – Not as big a need this year but any top 15 player that can be gained in the 20s is alright
St Louis Rams (From Washington Redskins)
Current Draft Position: 19th (Washington)
Predicted Draft Position: 22th (Washington)
Who they want: John Jenkins (DT, Georgia) - They were eyeing him off when they picked earlier, they may just covet him by this point
Who they need: Keenan Allen (WR, California) - At some point Sam Bradford needs more weapons to throw to
Who they’ll get: John Jenkins - If they like him enough I can’t see them walking away, there are a number of good options however
Alternate Pick: Eric Fisher (OT, Central Michigan) – Do they take a chance on Fisher to complete the O-Line upgrade
Indianapolis Colts
Current Draft Position: 25th
Predicted Draft Position: 23rd
Team Needs: DT, OG, ROT, LB, DB, WR
Who they want: Jonathan Jenkins (DT, Georgia) – Biggest need is a disruptive force upfront, Williams would give that to them but they may need a trade to get it
Who they need: Johnathan Hankins (DT, Ohio State) – If they are going to trade up for a DT then why not make a move for Hankins?
Who they’ll get: Jonathan Cooper (OG, North Carolina) – The Colts also desperately need help at guard and if Cooper falls as low as this mock suggests then he would be an invaluable pick up here
Alternate Pick: Tavon Austin (WR, West Virginia) – It would be a bit out of left field seeing offense got a lot of help last draft but Austin would give Luck the one weapon he is missing, an out and out speed man
Seattle Seahawks
Current Draft Position: 26th
Predicted Draft Position: 24th
Team Needs: WR, OLB, ILB, TE, ROT
Who they want: Justin Hunter (WR, Tennessee) – The Seahawks aren’t afraid to go out and ‘get a guy’ and Hunter is an intriguing match of size (6’4”) and speed (4.49 40 time)
Who they need: Keenan Allan (WR, California) – The best WR on the board, they need to give Wilson support outside Sidney Rice
Who they’ll get: Justin Hunter – If they like him they’ll take him
Alternate Pick: Zach Ertz (TE, Stanford) – Ertz has it all, size, strength and great hands, don’t be surprised if he makes it into the 1st round
Baltimore Ravens
Current Draft Position: 26th
Predicted Draft Position: 25th
Team Needs: LOT, OLB, ILB, OL, WR, DB
Who they want: Eric Reid (FS, LSU) – They need to revamp their ageing defense and Reid could be the perfect replacement for his namesake Ed Reed
Who they need: Eric Fisher (OT, Central Michigan) – They need to fix the left tackle position once and for all
Who they’ll get: Keenan Allen (WR, California) – Don’t be surprised if they take Allen considering he is top of the board at this point
Alternate Pick: Eric Fisher – Might be prepared to invest in a left tackle after all
New York Giants
Current Draft Position: 23rd
Predicted Draft Position: 26th
Team Needs: OT, FS, OL, DB, TE, OLB, DT
Who they want: Eric Reid (FS, LSU) – They need a free safety more than any other position
Who they need: Eric Reid – See above
Who they’ll get: Eric Reid – He is excellent value here
Alternate Pick: Eric Fisher (OT, Centrali Michigan) – Probably could do worse
Green Bay Packers
Current Draft Position: 28th
Predicted Draft Position: 27th
Team Needs: S, CB, OC
Who they want: Eric Reid (FS, LSU) – They will do almost anything to get him
Who they need: Eric Reid – Clearly the best safety on the board, the Packers biggest liability
Who they’ll get: Xavier Rhodes (CB, Florida State) – Big physical corner which is just what Green Bay need
Alternate Pick: Matt Elam (SS, Florida) – Elam’s only knock is his size, if the Packers can overcome that they will have a very handy player on their books
Denver Broncos
Current Draft Position: 30th
Predicted Draft Position: 28th
Team Needs: DT, CB, OG, DE, WR, LB, DB
Who they want: One of the top tier Defensive Tackles to fall to them
Who they need: BPA – Reality is there are still lots of holes to fill
Who they’ll get: Alex Okafor (DE, Texas) – Solid DE will upgrade against the run
Alternate Pick: Barrett Jones (OG, Alabama) – Guard is a big need and Jones is good value here
New England Patriots
Current Draft Position: 27th
Predicted Draft Position: 29th
Team Needs: OC, OG, DT, DB, OL
Who they want: Jonathan Cooper (OG, North Carolina) – A highly regarded guard that may fall down the draft board for players in more sought after positions
Who they need: Jesse Williams (DT, Alabama) – A guy that will complement Vince Wilfork
Who they’ll get: Eric Fisher (OT, Central Michigan) – They have needs across the offensive line and Fisher is worth a shot here
Alternate Pick: TRADE – Bill Belichick is just too unpredictable to predict anything else
Atlanta Falcons
Current Draft Position: 31st
Predicted Draft Position: 30th
Team Needs: DT, LB, DB, TE, LOT
Who they want: Kawann Short (DT, Purdue) – Might be from a smaller school but has all the measurables
Who they need: Matt Elam (SS, Florida) – Their secondary is much improved but Elam could be a special player
Who they’ll get: Kawann Short – They will stick with their guns and take Short
Alternate Pick: Sharrif Floyd (DT, Florida) – Another big Defensive Tackle option
Houston Texans
Current Draft Position: 32nd
Predicted Draft Position: 31st
Team Needs: WR, FS, OL, LB, DB
Who they want: Eric Reid (FS, LSU) – Houston are very strong across the board but an upgrade at Free Safety wouldn’t go astray
Who they need: Tavon Austin (WR, West Virginia) – Someone to really stretch the field opposite Andre Johnson could turn the Texans into a championship team
Who they’ll get: Tavon Austin – See above
Alternate Pick: Barrett Jones (OG, Alabama) – A safer pick than Austin although trading out for a team looking for a QB could be the way to go also
San Francisco 49ers
Current Draft Position: 29th
Predicted Draft Position: 32nd
Team Needs: CB, LB, OG
Who they want: Zach Ertz (TE, Stanford) – Coach Jim Harbaugh should know just how good Ertz could be
Who they need: C.J. Mosley (OLB, Alabama) – A genuine outside pass rush threat
Who they’ll get: Zach Ertz – Harbaugh has all the tools but will continue to upgrade wherever he can
Alternate Pick: Barrett Jones (OG, Alabama) – The 49ers have the best O-Line in the competition but could still use help at guard