Mock drafts prior to draft week, though fun to read, are
pointless. At one point, Demontre Moore was going #1 overall and now no one has
him in the 1st round. While most mock drafts are written by guys I
am convinced do not watch football – yes you Todd McShay, and you Charley
Casserly (now we know why you were fired) – not the 12oz Pro-Spective. We don’t
have 8 draft versions, we have one version, the right version! One key you will
notice missing in this mock draft….the 1st round QB. Here is why: I
believe a QB will be drafted in the 1st round, in fact, I believe 3
will be (Smith, Nassib, Manuel). However, I believe all 3 will be selected
sometime later in the 1st round by teams that trade back into the 1st
round, and in my mock, I do not try and predict trades. If I were a guessing
man, I would guess the Browns are going to trade back in round 1 (or back into
round 1) to take Geno Smith, the Bills to take Nassib, and the Eagles to take
EJ Manuel. That is right Browns fans, I have the Browns drafting another QB in
the first round…the trade in work for Brady Quinn right! The 1st
annual 12oz Draught:
1.
Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas
A&M
With Alex Smith at QB, Jamaal Charles at
RB, DeWayne Bowe at WR, and a good defense, the Chiefs could be a formidable
opponent in 2013. With a good OL to protect Smith and open holes for Charles,
this could be a playoff team. Joeckel or Fisher would be a good start.
2.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
The Jaguars need a QB. This draft does not
offer QBs worthy of this pick. Dion Jordan is a freak and would immediately be
the best player on a weak defense. If the Jags don’t go with a pass rusher, I
would expect to see them take Eric Fisher.
3.
Oakland Raiders – Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
The Raiders have a lot of holes to fill, so
they could go many different ways. However, with the loss of Seymour and Kelly,
Oakland needs some help in the middle. Sharrif Floyd can be the run stopper
that anchors this defense for years, and paired with Pat Sims, the Raiders
could be tough to run on.
4.
Philadelphia Eagles – Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
New coaches with new systems like to pick “their”
QB. A 33 year old Michael Vick is not Chip Kelly’s “guy.” However, I don’t see
the Eagles taking a QB with the #4 pick because there is not a QB worthy of
this pick. If they stay here, I say they take Ansah. I believe they look to
trade back and take Geno Smith or EJ Manuel OR, look for them to trade back
into the back end of round 1 to grab either Smith or Manuel.
5.
Detroit Lions – Eric Fisher, OT, Central
Michigan
They could go Dee Milliner. They would be
smart not to, and here’s why. Matthew Stafford, when healthy, is a top end QB. Rule
#1: if you have a top end QB, you protect the QB and give them weapons.
Stafford has weapons, what he lacks is protection….and a body that can stand a
beating. Stafford is made of glass. The Lions are about to invest big money in
Stafford. When you invest big money in a QB, you get a top notch LT that can
protect said QB. Hence, Fisher, not Milliner. Disclaimer: This is common sense,
something the Lions proved long ago they do not draft with.
6.
Cleveland Browns – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
What the Browns really need is a play maker
on offense for Weedon or whomever throws the football for them. Tavon Austin
could be that guy, I just don’t see them taking him at 6. I could see a trade
down to 11 with the Chargers, allowing the Chargers to select Lane Johnson
before Arizona, and then Cleveland taking Austin or an OG at 11. If they stay
here though, look for Milliner. With Hayden, Milliner and the rest of this
Browns defense, this could be a very strong defense.
7.
Arizona Cardinals – Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
The Cardinals OL sucks. The Cardinals now
have Carson Palmer. Palmer is the opposite of mobile. He is also the opposite
of accurate if he does not have a perfect pocket. Therefore the Cardinals would
be wise to select a top OT. If Johnson is gone (probably because SD traded up
to 6 to get him), look for the Cardinals to take Chance Warmack.
8.
Buffalo Bills – Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
A lot of talk of the Bills taking Geno
Smith or Ryan Nassib here. I just don’t see it. The Bills are stupid, I just
don’t know if they are that stupid. However, I do believe they draft Smith or
Nassib either in the 2nd round or trading back up into the back of
the 1st round. In preparation of that move, the Bills need to
strengthen their OL for the QB and for the running game which will be heavily
relied upon to help the QB. Warmack does that.
9.
New York Jets – Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU
With picks 9 and 13, the Jets can pick up 2
instant contributors. One thing Rex Ryan loves to do is rush the passer. Mingo
can do that. OG (Cooper) would also make sense here, but the Jets, like many
teams, do not draft on common sense. I believe Cooper is the more solid and
safer pick, but Mingo is flashier. The Jets like flashy. Outside chance –
Jarvis Jones
10.
Tennessee Titans – Jonathan Cooper, OG, North
Carolina
They could use some defensive help, but,
when you have one of the best RB in the game, CJ2K, he has to have running
room. Over the last 2 years, CJ has been dodging defenders in his backfield.
Get CJ going, and you can help the QB look better and help the defense look
better. Cooper helps CJ and the QB. Other possibility is Fluker.
11.
San Diego Chargers – Kyle Long, OT, Oregon
This may be a reach, but Long is athletic
with little experience but high upside and the Chargers have had problems
keeping Rivers alive the last few years. Long would help keep Rivers alive,
which in turn, keeps SD in most, if not every game. He may not be projected to
go this high, but a LT is never a reach if he is good (remember what a ‘reach’
Levi Jones was? Name 1 Bengals fan or personnel member that regrets that ‘reach?’
My point exactly).
12.
Miami Dolphins – DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama
The Dolphins addressed the skill positions
(Wallace, Hartline, Keller) in the offseason, as well as the LB position
(Ellerbe). However, they ignored the most important position, OL, when they let
Jake Long walk (which, combined with the nonsensical spending elsewhere, is why
I believe the Dolphins had the worst offseason, despite the ‘experts’ claim
that they had the ‘best’ offseason). No QB has ever been good from his back and
I doubt Tannehill will prove any different. Fluker won’t protect Tannehill’s
blindside like long did, but he will shore up the right side of the line and
create a running game for Tannehill, which in turn, will make Tannehill better.
13.
New York Jets (via Tampa) – Tyler Eifert, TE, ND
I originally had them taking Tavon Austin
here because Sanchez (or whoever the hell starts at QB for them) needs
playmakers, but, the Jets do still have Holmes, Stephen Hill, and Jeremy
Kirley. The Jets lost Sanchez’s favorite target, Keller, so I am going out on a
limb and saying they take Eifert.
14.
Carolina Panthers – Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
The Panthers could look at Austin as a
playmaker to help out Newton, especially with Steve Smith getting a little long
in the toot. However, offensive help can be had later in the draft. What cannot
be had later in the draft is a run stuffing DT like Lotulelei….this is
especially appealing for a team like Carolina that sucked at stopping the run
in 2012. At one point, Lotulelei was a potential #1 overall pick. Then he had
the health concern and has fallen. Only thing is, he is still the same player
before the heart condition became known, and he has been given medical clearance.
Therefore, the Panthers get incredible value with him here at 14. Outside
chance – Desmond Trufant – after all, the Panthers are in a division featuring
Julio Jones, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, Jimmy Graham, Vincent Jackson, Drew
Brees, and Matt Ryan, therefore CBs are always needed.
15.
New Orleans Saints – Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Speaking of value, when all teams were
looking at is tape of players playing football, Jarvis Jones was the top
prospect. Now that teams have watched players run around cones in shorts, they
have determined Jones is not as good as they thought. Again, makes a lot of
sense right? Right. That type of talent evaluation gets you Vernon Gholston at
#6. I don’t care how long it takes Jones to run the 40 yard dash, he doesn’t
need to run 40 yards in a straight line. What he needs to do is get to the QB.
At Georgia, he did that, and did it very very well. Probably the best in the
country. Therefore, Jones at #15 is a steal.
16.
Saint Louis Rams – Tavon Austin, WR, WVU
There are bigger WRs out there, but what
Saint Louis needs is playmakers. Tavon Austin is a playmaker, and possibly the best
one in this 2013 draft. Austin gives Sam Bradford a target to replace Amendola.
17.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Sheldon Richardson, DT,
Missouri
If Eifert is still here, I think the
Steelers take Eifert. I don’t think he will be. Therefore I see the Steelers
taking the best value, which is Richardson. With the possible loss of Hampton,
the Steelers could use the help on the inside of their line. Outside chance: Cordalle Patterson.
18.
Dallas Cowboys – Sylvester Williams, DT, North
Carolina
I am not sure the Cowboys stay here. If
they do, they will look at Vaccaro at S, but this draft is very deep at S and
top DTs are tougher to find and more important than safeties.
19.
New York Giants – Alec Ogeltree, MLB, Georgia
As they say in the business, this is a ‘value
pick.’ Ogeltree is available simply because of off field issues. From a
production and athletic standpoint, he is a top 10-15 pick. With RGIII, Michael
Vick, Tony Romo, and possibly Geno Smith or EJ Manuel in their division, the
Giants need a MLB that can go sideline to sideline and track down a mobile QB.
Ogletree fits that bill.
20.
Chicago Bears – Manti Te’o, MLB, Notre Dame
When you think of the Chicago Bears, you
think of big name leaders at MLB (Singletary, Urlacher, etc). That is what Te’o
is. Why would a NFL team be worried about a fake girlfriend? All reports
indicate he interviewed very well. Prior to the fake girlfriend story, he was a
Heisman Candidate and thought of as one of the best defensive players in
college football and the top leader. He has held up under the scrutiny of an
undefeated season at ND and handled the criticism of the fake girlfriend story.
If he can do that, he can lead in the NFL. He is the perfect replacement for
the storied position of Bears MLB…plus, Chicago has a lot of single (real)
girls for him, so there is that.
21.
Cincinnati Bengals – Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
This may be wishful thinking, but I believe
Vaccaro is available when the Bengals pick. The Bengals don’t draft Safeties in
the 1st round (historically), but they haven’t found a good safety
in the draft…pretty much ever (does Madieu Williams count?). Vaccaro is not
flashy, but is solid. Outside chance: Elam or an OT. The Bengals seem to
evaluate a little differently (Stephen Jackson v Chris Perry, DeCastro v
Zietler, etc), so would anyone be surprised if they see Elam or someone else
above Vaccaro? Not really. They could also go OT with Smith still unsigned, I
just don’t see that being a wise selection given what will be there at 21 this
year and the Bengals have drafted very well in recent years.
22.
Saint Louis Rams (via Washington) – Cordarelle
Patterson, WR, Tennessee
2 WRs in the 1st round? It is
possible, and Sam Bradford would probably be very happy. Bradford has not been
a bad QB, but has not lived up to his lofty contract yet. However, in his
defense, when has he had true options to throw to? Maybe the Rams finally give
him those weapons this year in Austin and Patterson to combine with some young
RBs.
23.
Minnesota Vikings – Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
Jared Allen is getting older and the
Vikings face Rodgers, Cutler, and Stafford 6 times per year. When you have
those QBs in your division, you have to be able to rush the QB. Jones gives
them someone to pair with, and eventually replace, Allen…on the field only,
because we all know Jones will not match or replace Allen’s sweetness of a mullet
and cut off jorts.
24.
Indianapolis Colts – Desmond Trufant, CB,
Washington
The Colts need to build a defense,
something they really have never done. If Datone Jones is still available, the
Colts may take him to replace Dwight Freeney. If not, I see the Colts getting
the top CB that is left. I have that is as Trufant. Outside Chance: Bjoern
Werener or Tank Carradine.
25.
Minnesota Vikings (via Seattle) – Kevin Minter,
LB, LSU
The Vikings have AP, Jennings, and Rudolph
on the offensive side of the ball, so I see them sticking with defense. The
Vikings could pick up Minter to man the middle of their defense and solidify
the middle. Outside Chance: CB – against pass happy offenses in the NFC North,
a pick of Xavier Rhodes, Jamar Taylor, or DJ Hayden could not be considered a
bad option.
26.
Green Bay Packers – Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
The Packers are the only team who seems to
be unaware of the RB position (much like the Bengals and the TE). Believe it or
not, I believe the Packers finally take the RB position seriously and address
it with the pick of Lacy rather than continuing to band aid the position with
journeyman RBs or backups.
27.
Houston Texans – Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
The Texans have a solid team all around
with no glaring holes. The closest thing to a glaring hole would be the #2 WR
position opposite Andre Johnson. The addition of Hunter would make this an even
scarier offense.
28.
Denver Broncos – Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida
State
As improbable as it sounds, Champ Bailey (who
is beginning to challenge Darrell Green and Chris Chelios for the right to be
called the ageless wonder) will, at some point in time, no longer be able to
play. When that occurs, the Broncos need a replacement. This draft is deep at
CB and Rhodes would be a solid choice to groom under Bailey.
29.
New England Patriots – Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise
State
Bill Belicheck is possibly the toughest
person to predict. The Patriots could use help at most positions on the defensive
side of the ball and the Patriots seem to like to grab guys that are under the
national radar. With that in mind, I look at the Patriots to take Jamar Taylor
or DJ Hayden (Houston).
30.
Atlanta Falcons – Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
This may be too easy, but why complicate
things. The Falcons have Matt Ryan and want to continue to build around him.
White and Jones will likely be there for a while, but Gonzalez had to be talked
out of retirement for 2013. Unlikely he comes back in 2014, so why not select
his replacement? Who better to groom a TE than Tony Gonzalez? Arguably the best
TE of all-time (the numbers say so), who also happens to be a great guy and
great teammate. Picking Ertz and pairing him with Gonzalez for a year may just
see Ertz develop into the next Tony Gonzalez.
31.
San Fran cisco 49ers – Bjoern Werner DE, Florida
State University
Talk around the league is Safety. With the
loss of Goldson, that makes sense, therefore Matt Elam could be in play.
However, I think DE will be the route the 49ers choose. Why? Aldon Smith is a
stud, but seems to rely heavily on a productive DE opposite him – his productivity
plummeted when Justin Smith was out. Justin Smith is getting old and is coming
off some injuries. Enter Bjoern Werner – whom I am sure the ESPN analysts will
tell us reminds them of Justin Smith…because he is white (probably has a high
motor too). Werner would give the 49ers a young DE to pair with Aldon Smith to
create a dynamic pass rushing duo to wreak havoc on QBs the way Freeney and
Mathis used to.
32.
Baltimore Ravens – Matt Elam, S, Florida
They have a lot of leadership and history
to replace. If Te’o is still on the board, don’t put it past Newsome to select
Te’o. If not, I believe Elam is their guy to replace Ed Reed.
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