NFL Mock Draft 2013: Pre-Super Bowl Edition
By Josh Sanchez
Each week Fansided.com will have a new mock draft to preview and showcase this upcoming April’s draft. For more in depth analysis of each pick, be sure to visit the Fansided site of your favorite team and check back each Monday for a new and updated Mock Draft.
NOTE: This is as accurate a draft order as possible. Currently, the top 30 spots are set. The final two selections will be determined after the conclusion of Super Bowl XLVII.
1.
– Luke Joeckel, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M
This has become a consensus pick. With no elite quarterbacks in this year’s draft class, the Chiefs will be looking to select the best player available and that is clearly Joeckel. When the team finally finds their next signal-caller, he will have the benefit of Joeckel protecting his blind side.
2
.Jacksonville was once known for their stud duo of defensive tackles and it is time to rebuild that. Lotulelei is an immediate upgrade on the line and would make up for the potential loss of Terrance Knighton in free agency.
Moore could easily be the second pick in this draft, but if Jacksonville passes him over look for Oakland to jump all over this pick. Moore is an elite pass rusher and would help the Raiders unimpressive front seven. Adding a player like Moore is an absolute no-brainer.
If Chip Kelly is looking to bring in a quarterback to run his offense, there is no one better in this year’s draft than Geno Smith. With recent success of Colin Kaepernick and the other dual-threat quarterbacks, Kelly and the Eagles fan base would have to be excited about bringing in the West Virginia product to run the offense.
Vaccaro is flying up draft boards and could easily land in the top ten. As for number five with the Lions, it would be easy to see Detroit taking Dee Milliner or a pass rusher with this pick, but Vaccaro is a game-changer in the defensive backfield and is the best ball-hawking defensive back in this year’s class. For a team that needs help in the secondary, Vaccaro would be a great pick. There is nothing this player cannot do.
Mingo is a freak of an athlete and would provide the Browns a pass rush that they have lacked in the past. Not only is Mingo one of the most natural pass rushers, but he has plenty of room to grow and so much untapped potential that the Browns coaching staff could uncover and benefit from in the years to come.
Glennon turned it on in the second half of the Senior Bowl and saved his draft stock. Arizona is a quarterback needy team and Glennon is the top senior signal-caller on the board. With incredible height and a monster arm, Glennon has the physical tools to become a starting quarterback at the next level. His only issues can be fixed with good coaching and Bruce Arians could get the most out of the NC State signal-caller.
Matt Barkley, Quarterback, USC
I have been hesitant to place Matt Barkley in the first-round, but after the lackluster performances from the quarterbacks in Mobile, Alabama, Barkley’s stock appears to be back on the rise. Barkley is a very poised and experienced quarterback that could be just what Buddy Nix needs to lead his franchise.
Bjoern Werner sliding out of the top five isn’t something you see too often, but there is a good chance the draft could fall this way. If it does, expect the Jets, who are desperate for a pass rusher, to pounce all over the most consistent pass rusher in college football from a year ago.
Warmack is an elite guard prospect and the Titans need help along their interior line. There aren’t many picks in this year’s draft that are too good to be true, but this would be one of them.
San Diego would love to land the top cornerback in the draft and this scenario allows Milliner to fall right into their laps. Many mocks have Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher mocked to the Chargers, but these mocks seem to be ignoring the fact that both of the Chargers starting cornerbacks are unrestricted free agents. If you are in the market for a starting corner and can land a player like Milliner, you need to jump on that opportunity.
If Jake Long is really seeking $10 million a year in free agency, he will be gone and there would be no better way for the Dolphins to fill his void than to land Fisher in the first-round. Fisher was a standout performer in Mobile this past week and has a lot of hype surrounding him. Miami would like to add a big time receiver, but Fisher would be too good to pass up.
No one will argue that the Buccaneers need to find another cornerback and Rhodes is on the rise. He is a tough, physical corner that can match up with the bigger wideouts at the next level.
Richardson provides an impressive penetrator to the interior line and would be a welcomed presence in Carolina. With a talent like Richardson added to a front seven that includes Luke Kuechly, the Panthers defense would be on the right track for massive improvement.
Ansah was another player who stole the show at the Senior Bowl. New Orleans needs to add a pass rusher in this year’s draft and Ansah is a great value in the middle of round one. It is scary to see just how talented this young man is after only playing the game for a few years. He could prove to be a gem for the Saints.