Tate Omli’s 2013 NFL Mock Draft
1. Kansas City Chiefs- Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M
The Chiefs have no intention of locking up Brandon Albert long term as they are actually trying to trade him at this point. If they are unable to trade out of this pick, LT is the only direction I see them heading. It comes down to if they like Fisher or Joeckel more. Joeckel is the obvious pick here in my opinion.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars- Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
The Jaguars have a lot of holes. That may explain why they are selecting at #2. I feel like it is too high for Milliner to go. Also, I do not see the Jaguars taking one of the QBs either as Gabbert gets one more chance to show he can lead them. The Jaguars need to develop some sort of pass rush. Jordan and Jason Babin should form a nice pair next season.
3. Oakland Raiders- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
The Raiders were rumored to be interested in Geno Smith here. However, after the acquisition of Matt Flynn from Seattle, I see them going a different direction. Also, CB is no longer as much of a concern after they signed two veterans in the off season (Mike Jenkins, Tracy Porter). Defensive line is a definite need. That leaves them with Lotulelei or Shariff Floyd. Lotulelei has more potential therefore is the pick.
4. Philadelphia Eagles- Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida
The Eagles take whoever Oakland doesn’t with this pick. They need defensive line help bad, as well. Floyd joins last years #12 overall pick Fletcher Cox on the front line of defense. Another place the Eagles could go with this pick are Dee Milliner. Even though they have holes at OT and are unstable at QB, I don’t see them drafting a either one of those positions with the #4 overall selection. This is a potential trade up spot for a team targeting Milliner or their favorite LT.
5. Detroit Lions- Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Detroit is the spot where the draft can go different ways. They have huge holes at LT and CB but have also been rumored to be in the market for a pass rusher. Once again, Milliner could go here. I also would not be surprised in Ezekiel Ansah went here. After being unable to keep Matthew Stafford upright the past few seasons, I believe Fisher will be the pick. If Fisher turns out to be a franchise LT, this pick increases the Lions chances of making the playoffs immediately.
6. Cleveland Browns- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Cleveland happily picks Milliner here. Paired with Joe Haden, the Browns will have a great CB tandem for years to come. Not only that, if they pick Milliner their whole defense looks pretty good. I believe with this pick and improved QB play from Weeden, the Browns could surprise some people. Potential trade up spot for teams trying to get their QB or LT.
7. Arizona Cardinals- Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
Do the Cardinals select a QB here? When they acquired Carson Palmer, they sent a message they did not view any of the QBs in this class as starting caliber. There is no way they draft a developmental QB at #7 overall. Arizona would have loved for Fisher to fall to them here. However, they get the last of the three great LT in this draft in Lane Johnson.
8. Buffalo Bills- Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
This is the first real surprise pick of the draft. If Buffalo decides to go QB here it changes the rest of the draft. I would not be surprised in Ryan Nassib or Geno Smith get pick here. However, owner Buddy Nix has talked about wanting a big receiver who can jump and catch over people. He gets that here along with a guy who has breakaway speed.
9. New York Jets- Ezekiel Ansah, OLB, BYU
This team has been torn down. There is little talent remaining, so the Jets can go many different ways with this pick . They are going to look for a big time playmaker who can come in and play immediately. The fast rising Ansah provides the Jets with a big athletic OLB that will help put pressure on opposing QBs. The Jets could take WR Tavon Austin here or possibly some OL help as well.
10. Tennessee Titans- D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
The Titans have been linked to this power blocking tackle. It makes sense here. Paving the way for Chris Johnson and protecting a young QB. At the same time, they have holes all over the defense (DE,ILB, CB, S). So It would not surprise me at all if the Titans decided to address that side of the ball instead.
11. San Diego Chargers- Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
Fluker’s teammate goes next. San Diego has a huge hole at OG. Warmack is a player who can fill that hole for the next decade. Many scouts believe that Warmack is simply a can’t miss prospect and that is what the reeling Chargers need.
12. Miami Dolphins- Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
I see Miami as one of those teams who will either trade up for a OT or trade back. If they stay put, I see them helping out their pass rush by drafting Werner. A player who was once touted a top 5 pick would be good value.
13. New York Jets (via Tampa Bay)- Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
The Revis trade pays off for Mark Sanchez as his team grabs an exciting playmaker who can hurt opposing defenses in many different ways. If Austin goes here, it totally changes the New York offense.
14. Carolina Panthers- Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
The first “reach” in the draft is by Carolina. They are in a tough spot. No remaining CB, OG, or OT is worthy of a selection this high. They choose to solidify the offensive line.
15. New Orleans Saints- Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
The Saints need help in multiple ways on defense. With Rob Ryan in town as the new DC, an athletic pass rusher is a must for his 3-4 scheme. Mingo fits that mold.
16. St. Louis Rams- Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
The Rams have two picks in round one. The first of these two helps out a defense with multiple holes. Tavon Austin seems like the logical pick if he slides down as a replacement to Amendola.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State
Brown was rumored to be rising throughout the draft process and then lately has been rumored to be slipping. The reason? Increased concern over injury. I’m not buying it. The best ILB in this draft class will rack up a lot of tackles for the getting-very-ld Steelers defense.
18. Dallas Cowboys- Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
The switch to the 4-3 defense changes the types on DTs the Cowboys need. Dallas fills a need in the middle of their defense here. Unlike many others, I do not see Dallas going offensive line two years in a row. Jerry Jones is too flashy for that.
19. New York Giants- Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State
The loss of Osi leads to the addition of a different great pass rusher. Carradine could end up being the steal of the draft if reports of his 4.75 40 time only a few months removed from ACL surgery are true.
20. Chicago Bears- Manti T’eo, ILB, Notre Dame
Chicago brings in the controversial T’eo as Urlacher’s replacement. It is a great fit as T’eo is ideal in the 4-3 and won’t work well in coverage but then again, neither did Urlacher the last several years.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Jonathan Cyprien, S, FIU
Strong Safety is a major need for the Bengals. Cyprien is a big play strong safety who is known for the big hits.
22. St. Louis Rams (via Washington)- DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
The Rams help out Bradford by giving him a WR to replace Amendola. While he may not be the same type of WR Amendola was, he may be the most complete and NFL ready WR in this draft. Some believe Brian Quick is a future star, and I am not one of them.
23. Minnesota Vikings- Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
ILB is a huge need for Minnesota. With Brown and T’eo off the board, they grab the next best available.
24. Indianapolis Colts- Datone Jones, DE/DT, UCLA.
The Colts need defensive line help. Jones is a rising and intriguing player who has superstar potential. Solid pick for Indianapolis here.
25. Minnesota Vikings (via Seattle)- Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Rhodes is a big CB who can come in and play right away due to the exit of Antoine Winfield. If it works out this way for Minnesota they will be happy. Their defense leaves the first round much stronger.
26. Green Bay Packers- Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
If left with this crop of players to choose from, I see the Packers trading out of round one and another team jumping in to draft the first quarterback of the draft. If not they pick up Hunter to keep the WR core strong with the loss of Greg Jennings to Minnesota.
27. Houston Texans- Keenan Allen, WR, California
There was one time when Allen was widely regarded the #1 WR in this draft class. Injury concerns have been the main reason he slipped in the rankings. Andre Johnson will be thrilled to have a threat opposite of him in Houston.
28. Denver Broncos- Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
Denver pairs Moore with fellow Texas A&M Aggie Von Miller to create a dynamic pass rush duo.
29. New England Patriots- Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Aqib Talib was brought back, but he does not seem to be the long term solution at CB. Trufant is a player who can immediately make an impact in New England’s secondary.
30. Atlanta Falcons- Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
After letting two veteran corners go, Taylor fills a huge hole at CB for Atlanta.
31. San Francisco 49ers- Eric Reid, S, LSU
Dashon Goldson left the 49ers for Tampa Bay. He was a liability in coverage at times anyway. I love Reid here as I believe this could actually be an upgrade for the secondary in San Francisco.
32. Baltimore Ravens- Matt Elam, S, Florida
The Ravens find Ed Reed’s replacement here. Elam can cover a lot of ground and bring the big hits as well. He fills a big need.
No QB drafted in round 1? Is that possible? I believe so. This year if a few teams decide to pass on a QB early (next year’s QB class looks to be much stronger), then I could see them sliding down to the late 20′s where teams would be trading back into round 1 or even slide out of round 1 completely. This draft is one the most controversial drafts I can remember. Nobody is 100% sure where any one of these players will go.