The Top Three Picks in The 2013 NFL Draft will be…..
By Joe Tufaro
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT/ Texas A&M – With all the different evaluations complete, Joeckel is still considered the best lineman in the draft, and now that the Chiefs have traded a 2nd round pick and a conditional 2014 pick to the 49’ers for Alex Smith, he would certainly love a little protection. They also released Eric Winston which puts KC in need of a starting tackle, and there is rumor Brandon Albert is refusing to move to RT, so they will be looking to trade Albert for a second round pick and a conditional pick in 2014. Sound familiar… Joeckel has been the clear cut #1 pick since the college season ended and I would be amazed if the Chiefs went in a different direction.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, DE/Oregon – Dion is an anomaly. Most prospects unable to compete at either the combine or their pro day typically fall on draft boards. Instead, all this kid has done is run a 40 and he’s being considered as one of the best defensive players available this year. Jordan was unable to help his draft stock at the Oregon Pro day because he is recovering from a recent surgery to repair a torn labrum. He ran a 4.53 unofficial time at the combine, which is amazing. GM David Caldwell recently said, “We’re pretty close – It’s down to two people.” Most people believe the two he referenced are Oregon DE Dion Jordan and West Virginia QB Gen Smith.
3. Oakland Raiders – Geno Smith, QB/West Virginia – I jokingly put “the ghost of All Davis lives” when I first put Geno to the Raiders in late January. The truth is Davis would have been drooling at the opportunity to grab a mobile QB, especially if he had been alive to see RGIII the year before. Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie will be left with making a franchise changing decision, as QB’s taken in the top 5 can cost a GM their job if they don’t pan out. Just ask Mike Tannenbaum. The Raiders released Carson Palmer due to salary cap issues, and have only have Matt Flynn & Terrelle Pryor on staff at QB. This pick is easy.