NFL Mock Draft 2013: Full First and Second Round Mock Draft
By Josh Hill
33
.Menelik Watson, OT/Florida State
I’d love to mock a quarterback here, but the Jaguars need to beef up their offensive line before they even think about taking a signal caller. Blaine Gabbert still has enough of a chance to compete as a starter against anyone worthy of a selection here, and anyone selected here would have to deal with the same thing Gabbert deals with: a terrible offensive line. Draft help here and anyone, even Gabbert, has a lot better chance of surviving in 2013.
The Niners grabbed the defensive end help they needed in the first round and now it’s time to seek help in the secondary. San Francisco lost Dashon Goldson this offseason because they couldn’t afford to keep him. Much like the logic behind drafting Kwann Short in the first round, Reid not only brings insane talent to an already insanely talented defense, but he provides long term stability to a team that is going to be cash strapped moving forward.
They passed on Eric Fisher to grab a quarterback at 4th overall, now it’s time to address the inevitable. The Eagles offensive line in 2012 was so bad it got Andy Reid fired. Chip Kelly has grand plans for Philly’s future, but that doesn’t go anywhere without help up front. Pugh is starting to get mocked as first round talent, which means he’ll be better than anything the Eagles have currently protecting whoever takes snaps in 2013.
Detroit lost Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch this offseason and they need to address a glaring need on the edge of their defensive line. They went offense in the first round and now it’s time to get a talent to lineup with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairly. Hunt is viewed as a bit overrated by some, but if he is worked in rotationally this season, he’ll be able to be a real threat on that defensive front for Detroit.
The Bengals missed out on Kenny Vaccaro in the first round, but they won’t swing and miss twice. Cyprien is another one of those boarder line prospects being considered a late first/early second round talent. He fills a need for Cincy and is one of the best second round prospects in the draft.
With no need to spend a top pick on a quarterback, the Cardinals can look at upgrading their poor offensive line in the second round. Armstead is a guy that fills a need and can protect Carson Palmer in 2013, allowing him to make his own mistakes rather than be able to dump it on the offensive line’s play.
This is a real shame for the Browns, as E.J. Manuel or Matt Barkley are just sitting here for Mike Lombardi to draft. Lucky for them, there isn’t a giant need for a quarterback in the second round, but stranger things have happened.
See, this is why having that pick would have helped the Browns. Someone in the Jets front office is listening to Jon Gruden, perhaps because they want him as the head coach next season. Gruden believes Manuel is a first round talent and everyone believes the Jets need a new quarterback. Not only does this appeal to the fan’s demands, it gives Gruden an incentive to accept a fat check next year to coach the Jets.
The Titans addressed the need to help in the secondary with Dee Milliner in the first round, and now they look at getting some help up front. Short is a late first/early second round prospect who fills a giant need for the Titans as a run stuffing menace.
I don’t care if they signed Kevin Kolb, Doug Marrone is going to want to get his old quarterback in his system and he’s going to spend a high draft pick to do so. Nassib is one of the better quarterbacks in the draft and above all he fits Marrone’s system — because he’s run it before. Obviously he likely won’t start right away, but Buffalo is one of the best positions Nassib can fall into.
Miami could use upgrades in other areas, but they need to take a hard look at their secondary. It was an awful unit last season that got only marginally better on paper this offseason. It was a depressed cornerback market and Brent Grimes is coming off of a torn ACL. Xavier Rhodes in the first round is a start, Alford here gives Miami a one-two punch that will give offenses headaches.
It was a crying reach when Banks was being mocked to the Buccaneers at 13th overall before this, and now you see why. Banks isn’t a bad player, in fact he’s a top cornerback talent. He’s just not first round talent and the Bucs getting him here means he’s not being watered down as a talent. Banks fills an obvious need and even if he’s not here, Tampa Bay is picking a cornerback on the second day.
Carolina could use an upgrade at safety, but Okafor is a killer option in the second round. Thomas Davis is coming off an ACL injury and the Panthers have injury concerns with Jon Beason as well. Okafor can step right in and start for Carolina next season and could develop a deadly relationship with Luke Kuechly.
San Diego is dedicated to making this the year of Philip Rivers and one way to do that is to give him a deep threat once again. Vincent Jackson was sorely missed last season and Hopkins is a guy who can come in and give the Chargers offense a much needed jolt of talented youth.