You’ve been waiting a long time for a newly updated 2013 NFL mock draft of this caliber, but this year we added a little extra something. There are two mock picks per team: the first pick will be the popular, true mock draft (educated guesses) for each team and the next pick lists the BPA (Best Player Available). BPA picks are players that would be drafted if NFL teams never made an emotional or team-needy decision and used the Best Available Player strategy (as graded by Scouts, Inc.). It is a dying art of drafting but still used in some organizations like the reigning Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. Keep in mind that there will be trade downs and outs so it’s pretty much impossible to predict, but here we go!
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel OT
The chiefs keep the number one pick, they go with the safest pick in Joeckel. With Alex Smith now at the helm and a possible Brandon Albert trade looming, Joeckel comes in as an instant starter.
1. BPA – Eric Fisher OT
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Geno Smith QB
With Jacksonville’s new front office lacking confidence in the former first round QB Blaine Gabbert, Geno Smith is the top ranked quarterback from West Virginia and will have his chance at becoming the new franchise QB for the Jaguars.
2. BPA – Luke Joeckel OT
3. Oakland Raiders – Sharrif Floyd DT
The Raiders had the second fewest sacks in the NFL in 2012. Oakland is cleaning house, and that includes key members of the defensive line. They look to rebuild from the inside out and take arguably the best defensive tackle in the draft in Floyd.
3. BPA – Star Lotulelei DT
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Dion Jordan DE
The best pure athlete in the draft, Jordan has huge upside and nobody knows this more than his former college coach and soon to be NFL coach, Chip Kelly. Jordan is a 6’7 hybrid DE/OLB who has disgusting bend when turning the corner – QBs beware.
4. BPA – Dee Milliner CB
5. Detroit Lions – Eric Fisher OT
The Lions offensive tackle Jeff Backus retired after the 2012 season. Filling his shoes will be the athletic Fisher who many people are calling the best offensive tackle in the draft.
5. BPA – Dion Jordan DE
6. Cleveland Browns – Dee Milliner CB
The Browns take corner Dee Milliner to play on the other side of Joe Haden. Milliner is a physical corner with fluid feet that is able to get wide receivers off their routes on a regular basis. With this pick, the Browns will have a corner back duo that that will give NFL offenses problems for years to come.
6. BPA – Sharrif Floyd DT
7. Arizona Cardinals – Lane Johnson OT
The Cardinals look to bulk up protection for their newly acquired QB Carson Palmer, by selecting the athletic, converted tight end Johnson from Oklahoma with the number seven pick. If you don’t think the Cardinals need help along the o-line, go watch the Seahawks game from last year.
7. BPA – Ezekial Ansah DE
8. Buffalo Bills – Matt Barkley
Although the bills brought in Kevin Kolb, coach Doug Marrone already publicly stated it would not change their strategy in the 2013 draft. Buffalo will bring in competition with Barkley at the number eight pick. Don’t be surprised if QB Ryan Nassib goes here instead of Barkley.
8. BPA – Chance Warmack OG
9. NY Jets – Barkevious Mingo DE
The Jets have two first-round picks. They select a pure pass rush specialist in Barkevious Mingo. This fills a void that Rex Ryan’s defenses has lacked since he was hired as the head coach of the New York Jets.
9. BPA – Jonathan Cooper OG
10. Tennessee Titans – Ezekiel Ansah DE
Since the senior bowl show-out, Ansah’s draft stock has sky rocketed. With the Titans having problems getting to the QB in 2012, Ansah could step in immediately and make an impact.
10. BPA – Lane Johnson OT
11. San Diego Chargers – Chance Warmack OG
The Chargers will select Warmack at number 11 to fill the void left by Luis Vasquez, who they lost to Denver via free agency. An elite talent at guard, Warmack will be a day one starter. Hey…. Roll tide.
11. BPA – Sheldon Richardson DT
12. Miami Dolphins – Star Lotulelei DT
The Dolphins prepare for Randy Starks’ departure after the 2013 season by taking Lotulelei with their first round pick of the draft. Lotulelei is a 6’3 300-plus-pound monster and many had him slated as the number one defensive tackle before his discovered heart condition. He has received a clean bill of health and it’s very likely that he could be taken earlier. Star Lotulelei is a very Haloti Ngata-ish type of player.
12. BPA – Barkevious Mingo DE
13. NY Jets – Cordarrelle Patterson WR
The Jets desperately need to find new targets for their struggling QB Mark Sanchez, so they gladly take the freak athlete and playmaker Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson is raw when it comes to routes and actually playing WR, but his size (6’3 210 lbs) and ability in the open field and return game, make him hard to pass up.
13. BPA – Alec Ogletree LB
14. Carolina Panthers – Sheldon Richardson DT
The Panthers look to fill a big hole on defense at defensive tackle. They gladly go with Richardson, a QB’s nightmare from Mizzou. Safety or WR can also be in play here. I’m sure Cam will be campaigning for a Tavon Austin here.
14. BPA – Tavon Austin WR
15. New Orleans Saints – Jarvis Jones LB
At one point a top five pick in this years draft Jones dropped out of the top ten after performing poorly at his pro day and a medical issue stemming back to college. The Saints will take him at 15 due to his very strong, undeniable game tape.
15.BPA – Tyler Eifert TE
16. St. Louis Rams- Tavon Austin WR
The Rams were thin at wide receiver before the departure of Danny Amendola. The Rams office is looking to give Sam Bradford targets starting with the Percy Harvin-like explosive homerun hitter Tavon Austin. Although small in stature, Austin’s skill set gives the Rams offense the big play ability they have been lacking.
16. BPA – Kenny Vaccaro S
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Xavier Rhodes CB
The Steel Curtain lost a good corner in Keenan Lewis and with playmaker Troy Polamalu’s recent injury problems, Pittsburgh looks to add a splash of talented youth to that secondary.
17. BPA – Sylvester Williams DT
18. Dallas Cowboys – Jomathan Cooper OG
With a talented WR corps comes an opening in the run game. Dallas get nastier up front with Cooper. If Demarco Murray can stay healthy, he could have a career year running behind a guard like Cooper.
18. BPA – Desmond Trufant CB
19. NY Giants – Tyler Eifert TE
New York adds a weapon for Eli Manning with the best TE in the draft by far. The Golden Domer is a sure handed, play making, mismatch against any linebacker or safety. Should be a solid pro for years to come.
19. BPA – Jarvis Jones LB
20. Chicago Bears – Manti Te’o LB
Brian Urlacher left a big hole right in the middle of the Bears’ defense. Despite Te’o’s roller coaster of an offseason, he impressed NFL scouts at his pro day and his exceptional senior year makes him a smart choice for the Bears with the 20th pick.
20. BPA – Geno Smith QB
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Kenny Vaccaro S
The Bengals need help in the secondary so they take the best all-around safety in this year’s draft with Kenny Vaccaro. This will also allow Nate Clements to move back to his true position at CB.
21. BPA – D.J. Fluker OT
22. St. Louis Rams – Eddie Lacy RB
Lacy will be brought in to replace an all-pro, fan-favorite at running back in Steven Jackson. While those are big shoes to fill the Rams will be confident in Lacy’s downhill running style and ability to take care of the ball.
22. BPA – Keenan Allen WR
23. Minnesota Vikings – Bjorn Werner DE
With Jared Allen terrorizing QBs on one side, they add the Florida State Seminole with a nonstop motor to push from the other. Although the secondary is an issue, the constant harassing of quarterbacks will take the pressure off the back end.
23. BPA – Bjorn Werner DE
24. Indianapolis Colts – Justin Pugh OT
The Colts need to protect their franchise QB Andrew Luck who was on the ground often in 2012. Pugh from Syracuse will be plugged in right away to help that cause.
24. BPA – Manti Te’o LB
25. Minnesota Vikings – D.J. Hayden CB
With the loss of Antoine Winfield the Vikings are betting that Hayden will step in and become the number one CB they so desperately need. Hayden was slated as the number one corner coming into 2012 until a freak injury in practice almost cost him his life when he collided with a teammate. Hayden has recovered and impressed scouts during workouts. Some scouts have moved him from completely off their board, back to the No. 1 CB. If he can get back to playing like his tape shows he can, this will be an absolute steal at 25.
25. BPA – D.J. Hayden CB
26. Green Bay Packers – Matt Elam S
The fact that Hall of Famer Charles Woodson is visiting other NFL teams is a good sign he won’t be in a Green Bay uniform for the 213 season. The Packers are looking to the former Florida Gator to pick up where Woodson left off.
26. BPA – John Jenkins DT
27. Houston Texans – Robert Woods WR
Elite WR Andre Johnson isn’t getting any younger and a solid No. 2 WR has been an issue in Houston. Woods is probably the most polished route runner in this year’s draft and will definitely help elevate the double teams on Andre Johnson.
27. BPA – Justin Pugh OT
28. Denver Broncos – Damontre Moore DE
Despite a dismal showing at the combine, the Broncos are hoping Moore will play up to what his tape shows he is capable of. Replacing an elite pass rusher like Elvis Dumerville (who signed with the Ravens in this offseason) will be tough, but Moore can contribute immediately.
28. BPA – Menelik Watson OT
29. NE Patriots – Datone Jones DE
The 6’4, the 283-lb former Bruin defensive end/tackle is brought in to help bolster NE’s defensive front. Datone Jones is a disruptive force in the run game logging 19 tackles for losses in his last year at UCLA. Jones is violent at the point of contact and a solid pick at 29.
29. BPA – Jamar Taylor CB
30. Atlanta Falcons – Desmond Trufant CB
After losing in the NFC championship game to the 49ers, the Falcons are looking to get over the hump in the 2013 season. With the release of Dunta Robinson, Trufant will step in as a starter from day one. Trufant is good in man coverage, doesn’t give WRs a lot of separation and plays the ball pretty well in the air. Plus if he doesn’t ball out, he will have to hear it from his two older brothers who are currently in the NFL (Marcus and Isaiah).
30. BPA – Datone Jones DE
31. San Francisco 49ers – Eric Reid S
Dashon Goldson will be in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ uniform this year, meaning the 49ers draft a plug-in free safety in Eric Reid. Reid has plenty of big game experience with LSU which could be a big deal considering the Niners have a good chance of repeating as the NFC champions and playing in this year’s Super Bowl.
31. BPA – Kawann Short DT
32. Baltimore Ravens – Kevin Minter LB
With the retirement of Ray Lewis, the surprise loss of Ellerbe in free agency and the recent legal troubles of the offseason signee Rolando McClain, the Ravens will need some help at linebacker. Ozzie Newsome and company select a tackling machine with the last pick of the first round. Last year, for LSU, this inside linebacker racked up 130 total tackles, 15 of them for a loss. Minter can help ease the loss of The Goat #52.
32. BPA – Justin Hunter WR
2013 NFL Draft by Keoni Tamiano-Block and Jason Kendrick.
You can reach Keoni on Twitter @Hereaux_KB and Jason on Twitter @Jas_God.
