GMenHQ.com: 2013 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

Now that the draft order is completely set, and all the post season All Star games have been completed, we take another look at the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT/ Texas A&M – Johnny Manziels blindside protection is without question the best overall prospect. It’s just a matter of whether Kansas City puts an emphasis on rebuilding from the trenches or if they plan on drafting a quarterback. I still say Luke goes # 1.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Damontre Moore, DE/ Texas A&M – People are really hyping this guy up. But there are now questions as to if he can play at the line at the NFL level. I stand by my word he will “Moore” than do enough to get people in the stands, and a swagger to the Jaguars defense ranked 30th overall in 2012.

3. Oakland Raiders – Geno Smith – In my first Mock I mentioned that I wasn’t sure if Carson Palmer would be with the team by OTA’s. Well now I’m damn well sure of it! CBS Jason LaCaforna was quoted as saying there’s “no way” the Raiders pay Carson Palmers $13 Million dollar salary in 2013. This just reassures my belief in this pick. Jacksonville could rock the boat on this one, but there defense is appalling and there are a bunch of talented defensive players in this draft.

4. Philadelphia Eagles – Star Lotulelei, DT/Utah – This is another player whose stock keeps rising just based on pure speculation and hype. Much like Moore, everyone wants to put the Star on his back. ( Ha! Get it, Star! ) With the hiring of Billy Davis as DC, The Eagles will run a strict 3-4 defense, as that’s all Davis runs. Any good 3-4 can’t run without a big body in the middle. Just ask the Jets! Lotulelei is considered to be the best DT prospect at this time.

5. Detroit Lions – Dee Milner CB/ Alabama – According to DetroitLions.com the Lions will “certainly consider” drafting Milliner at the #5. That’s all I have to hear at this point. No one doubts Milliners ability. The question comes with taking a corner so high in the draft. If Jim Schwartz thinks it was his secondary that was allowing all the defensive mistakes they were making, then the Lions are in for another long season. Still I have no argument in taking a guy who was a first-team All-American and unanimous All-SEC first-team pick after finishing the regular season tied for third nationally with 18 passes defensed. He totaled 54 tackles, four for loss and 22 pass break-ups on his way to a national title.

6. Cleveland Browns – Bjoern Werner DE/ Florida State – Werner has an incredible motor, and great hand use to keep separation, He is also very new to this game, after only picking up the game at 15. Remind anyone else of Jason Pierre Paul’s story? JPP measures in at 6”5 278, Werner 6’4, 273. Both freakishly talented defensive ends with a nose for the QB. Werner is now listed on some drafts as high as 2, so Browns fans should be very happy.
7. Cardinals – Eric Fisher OT/ Central Michigan – Yes, the Cardinals need a quarterback and Tyler Wilson, Mike Glennon, and Ryan Nassib are still available I get that. What’s the point if he isn’t standing upright after most downs? Call me old fashioned but I believe the only way to fix a bad offense is by helping both the run and the pass with a 6’7” 304 pound tackle who has the potential to be an immediate impact for Bruce Arians and his offensive prowess. Plus after the outstanding play of Russell Wilson some teams will feel confident in taking a signal caller later in the draft.

8. Buffalo Bills –Ryan Nassib QB/ Syracuse– Buffalo will need to address the quarterback position at some point in the draft. Fitzpatrick is not a starter in this league anymore, but he can be a stop gap until the next guy is ready. Nassib will be battling with Chance Warmack here and we will see which way Doug Marrone and his new coaching staff decide to go. My guess is its quarterback all the way, but I keep hearing NC State QB Mike Glennons name rising up the boards. By draft time this may be a very fluid story.
9. New York Jets – Ezekiel Ansah DE/ BYU – With the hiring of Marty Mornhinweg, the Jets will be looking to change the pathetic attempt at ground in pound in an era known for quarterback and 5,000 yard seasons. That means there’s a chance they go offensive line here. Too bad they’re known for making poor decisions on the first day of the draft. As I had mentioned earlier, their defense can’t function without a pass rush. Ansah is as good of a prospect as the Jets could hope for and would certainly help their inept pass rush.

10. Tennessee Titans – Chance Warmack, OG/Alabama – Considered the best guard prospect in this year’s draft, Jake Locker should be thanking his lucky stars if the Titans can have Warmack fall to 10. The Cardinals, Bills, and Jets could all have interest in Warmack. With 40 career starts and the ability to get to the second level, Warmack has developed himself into a definitive top ten selection. CBSSports.com has him ranked as the 3rd best player in the draft.

11. San Diego Chargers – Jarvis Jones OLB/ Georgia – Jones will be fluctuating all over boards before draft day. I stay with what I said, that he has both the most to gain as well as the most too loose at this years’ combine. His size 6’2” 242, is prototypical for his position and Mel Kiper loves this guy. Still his health risk is so high since Jones suffers from Spinal Stenosis; a restriction to the spinal canal that causes pain, numbness, and in some cases loss of motor control.
12. Miami Dolphins – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/Tennessee – It looks like Miami found their quarterback last year in Tannehill, now it’s time to give him a weapon. Patterson scored a touchdown via kickoff return, punt return, receiving, and rushing, joining Carl Pickens (receiving, KR, PR, INT) as the only players in Tennessee history to score a touchdown four different ways in a career. His versatility will be even more important now that it looks like Reggie Bush will be hitting the open market.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers –Xavier Rhodes, CB/ Florida State – After not even including this guy in my first mock I have come to learn through a lot of reading that people consider him to be the 2nd best CB prospect in this years draft. Kenny Vaccaro will fall if the Bucs don’t take him here, but I am riding Rhodes until we learn more about everyone post combine.

14. Carolina Panthers – Barkevious Mingo, DE/LSU –Mingo possesses the frame at 6-5, 240 pounds and athleticism to warrant top 10 considerations but at this point he remains an unpolished prospect, and that’s why he will fall to the Panthers. Mingo reminds me of former draft bust Vernon Gholston. Any Jet fan who is reading this just felt shortness of breath and may have felt a pain in their chest.

15. New Orleans Saints – Sheldon Richardson, DT/Missouri – Since the last mock the Saints have elected to move to a 3-4. This only makes me more confident in this pick. NO ranked 26th in sacks and 24th in forced fumbles, so clearly they need some help with the front seven. Richardson, became Mizzou’s first-ever All-SEC designee, as he was named to the 2nd-team for his outstanding play in 2012. Richardson led all SEC interior linemen with 75 tackles which is 2nd-best on the Tiger squad. Oregon Duck Dion Jordan is also another hot pick for the Saints right now.

16. St. Louis Rams – D.J. Fluker, OT/Alabama – I had the lineman order wrong last time. I had Barrett Jones being taken here, but it turns out Fluker has been rising up the board, probably because of Jones’ injury. Bradford clearly needs protection. The truth is that you can’t win games without a healthy QB, and with Brain Quick starting to come into his own late in the season, and the rams recent acquisition of Titus Young, I believe the Rams use this pick to make their O-line respectable instead of giving Bradford another weapon.