NFL Mock Draft 2013: Buffalo Bills Make Splash in Top Ten
By Josh Sanchez
The Rams added Jared Cook in free agency, but they still lack playmaking options. While it would be tempting to add a receiver with this pick, the team needs to worry about protecting Sam Bradford before they are able to add any shiny new toys to the offense.
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost Mike Wallace in free agency and saw teams flirting with restricted free agent Emmanuel Sanders. The team risks losing Sanders just a season from now and they have little talent at the position outside of Antonio Brown. The team re-signed Plaxico Burress, but he isn’t a long-term answer. Patterson, on the other hand, could be just what the Steelers offense is looking for and a perfect compliment opposite Brown.
The Cowboys have made it no secret that Vaccaro is the apple of their eye and the defensive backfield, specifically the safety position, has been a huge area of need in Dallas. The need is even greater now that Gerald Sensabaugh was cut early in the offseason, so the dream scenario would be to land Vaccaro with their first pick.
Umenyiora is out the door and the team likes to move Justin Tuck inside during obvious passing situations, so a spot in the defensive line rotation will be opened up and there could be no better candidate to step in than one time top five prospect Bjoern Werner. Werner has fallen in the draft because of his less than stellar athleticism, but he still has the talent that caught everyone’s eyes on tape.
With Brian Urlacher and Nick Roach, the team will need to add linebackers. Chicago has added DJ Williams and James Anderson, but there is still some room for improvement. Te’o provides the leadership qualities that the team will be lacking and, despite the unfair criticism he has received, he is a very deserving top twenty prospect.
Cyprien is a name that a lot of fans have not heard of, but it wouldn’t be a shock to hear his name called in the first-round of the draft. Cyprien is a well-rounded safety that the Bengals would greatly benefit from adding.
St. Louis watched Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson leave the team in free agency and they need to add more weapons for Sam Bradford. With two first-round picks, the Rams need to a playmaking wide receiver and there are no better options available than Keenan Allen.
Percy Harvin was traded to the Seahawks, but the Vikings went on to sign Greg Jennings to a big deal. Despite the Jennings signing, Minnesota needs to add more options on the outside so they are able to take pressure off of Adrian Peterson.
The Colts have been active in building the offensive side of the ball and building in the trenches. While they have looked at and added options to protect last year’s No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck, Indianapolis needs to start paying attention to the defensive line. Jones is a player on the rise and could be the best defensive lineman available at this position.
Linebacker could be an interesting way to go for the Vikings with this pick, but they have to strongly consider Matt Barkley in this scenario. Ponder hasn’t shown any reason to believe he is a long-term answer for the team and they can afford to look at other options and think outside the box with their second of two first-round picks. Barkley is the No. 2 rated signal-caller in this year’s draft and has shown more potential throughout his career than Ponder.
There are multiple directions the Packers could go with this pick — tight end, secondary, running back, linebacker — but you should fully expect them to go with the best available player. In this scenario, Ogletree is that man.
27.
– Justin Hunter, Wide Receiver, Tennessee
Houston desperately needs to add a playmaker opposite Andre Johnson and Hunter could be that man. Not only will Hunter provide an excellent option opposite the perennial Pro Bowler that’s currently on the roster, but he can grow in to Johnson’s eventual replacement.
28.
– Damontre Moore, Defensive End, Texas A&M
Moore had a horrendous combine and is plummeting down the draft boards, which is music to the Broncos ears. After losing out on Elvis Dumervil because of the entire fax debacle, they would benefit from his fall and snatch up Moore in a heartbeat.
The Patriots still have long-term questions at cornerback after re-signing Aqib Talib to only a one-year deal. Banks is a big, physical corner that could benefit from a year to learn on the Patriots roster and some rotational play as he develops into a future starter for the team.
30.
– Tank Carradine, Defensive End, Florida State
Carradine could very well end up in the top ten, but for now, he would be a great addition to Atlanta in this slot. Atlanta is expected to add Osi Umenyiora in the next 48 hours, but we wouldn’t rule them out of adding another pass rusher. Cornerback and an interior offensive lineman could also be options, but it would be hard to pass up on a long-term replacement for Abraham even if they do add Umenyiora.
San Francisco needs to replace Dashon Goldson at safety. The team has obviously been looking at potential safeties after bringing in Charles Woodson for a visit, so a young, dynamic player is the type of player that the 49ers would benefit from adding. If you have a choice between Reid and Craig Dahl, it’s hard to pass up on the former LSU product.
Baltimore has been raided this offseason and they desperately need to restock on talent on the defensive side of the ball. With both Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe leaving the team following their Super Bowl run, they will need to find a capable inside linebacker to step in and fill the void in the middle of their defense. Minter is great inside of the tackles and always has had a nose for the football.