1. KC Chiefs: Luke Joekel (OT- Texas A&M)
Popular pick at number 1. KC needs as QB but I don't see them gambling on one in this draft class. Might as well take a real good tackle and draft a QB in next year's deeper draft.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Geno Smith (QB- WVU)
Jacksonville, like KC, needs help in a lot of areas. But rather than draft a real good O-lineman, I have them reaching for Geno. Blaine Gabbert was drafted by previous ownership, and this new guy Shad Khan could very well make a pick like this. In conclusion, Jacksonville will still suck.
3. Oakland Raiders: Ezekial Ansah (DE- BYU)
Nobody has been shooting up draft boards like Ansah. He's a big, fast guy from the African Sahara who didn't even know what football was when he started at BYU. I could see this guy being the best player drafted. So much potential, and obviously the Raiders could use some help. Everywhere.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Eric Fisher (OT- Central Michigan)
If Chip Kelly is as smart as people say he is then this is who he'll pick. Michael Vick was under pressure or on his ass nearly every play last season, and if Kelly has any plans to implement Dennis Dixon into the offense then he's gonna need protection. Fisher is a beast and could easily go #1.
5. Detrot Lions: Lane Johnson (OT- Oklahoma)
The Lions could definitely take a pass rusher here, but Johnson is the last potentially elite tackle in the draft, and is a safe pick. It's also an area of need. Stafford is coming off of a down year, and is still injury prone.
6. Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner (CB- Alabama)
Milliner is the best CB in the draft and the Browns could really use a good compliment on the other side of the field to Joe Haden. Geno Smith will be intriguing if he's still available, but I have the Jaguars making that mistake.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Johnathan Cooper (OG- UNC)
Cooper is projected as the best guard in the draft, and Arizona has shown interest in him. O-line is a big need for Arizona so I feel this is a safe bet. Yeah, they need a QB but they never pull the trigger on draftinf one, and this year will be no different.
8. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Nassib (QB- Syracuse)
And with the dumbest pick in the draft, the Buffalo Bills select...Ryan Nassib! Look, the Bills need a QB and Nassib is an upstate New York guy. Put two and two together and you got yourself a dumb pick. They say he's got an incredible arm though.
9. New York Jets: Dion Jordan (OLB- Oregon)
Rex Ryan needs a super athletic edge rusher on defense and that's exactly what Jordan is. This would be a fantastic pick for the Jets at #9 as a lot of mock drafts have Jordan going in the top 7.
10. Tennessee Titans: Sharriff Floyd (DT- Florida)
The Titans would be thrilled if Floyd fell tot hem at #10. My reasoning for him falling to 10 is simple....it's just how it played out when I decided to write this mock. But DT is most likely the route Tennessee will take. If Floyd is gone, I see them taking Sheldon Richardson.
11. San Diego Chargers: Star Lotulelei (DT- Utah)
Honestly, I think the Chargers will trade out of this pick to get one of the top tackles, but if they stay at #11 I see them taking the best available. Lotulelei would fit their 3-4 scheme as a nosetackle and has potential to be a Wilfork esq. player.
12. Miami Dolphins: Chance Warmack (OG- Alabama)
Miami signed Mike Wallace, but lose Jake Long this offseason. If they want to make the msot of Wallace, they're gonna need to take pressure off of Ryan Tannehill. Warmack will solidify the interior line.
13. New York Jets: Tavon Austin (WR- WVU)
This pick will have Jets fans going wild with excitement. Especially after drafting Dion Jordan. The Jets have needed a weapon on offense that defenses would fear. Austin could potentially be a middle of the field nightmare for any defense. That is, of course, if Sanchez can get him the ball.
14. Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson (DT- Missouri)
This pick is just one of those take the best player available at your top position of need picks. Simple. And smart.
15. New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo (OLB- LSU)
Mingo is a freak athlete and an incredible edge rush talent. He also has a close tie with southern Louisiana as he went to LSU. I think this is a good fit for both the player and the team.
16. St. Louis Rams: Kenny Vaccaro (S- Texas)
This isn't a surprising or sexy pick. Vaccaro is the projected top safety in this class, and the Rams are in desperate need of a safety. Tavon Austin has been linked to this pick but they way I have it play out, Vaccaro is the pick.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones (OLB- Georgia)
Pittsburgh could also take a tight end here, but I think Jones would be a better pick. The Steelers defense has been aging, and now that James Harrison is gone, Jones could come in and really bring some fresh energy and versatility to a transitioning defense. He's got character issues, but the talent is tough to pass up.
18. Dallas Cowboys: Sylvester Williams (DT- UNC)
The Cowboys 2 top DT's are Jay Ratliff and Jason Hatcher. Ratliff is 31 years old and Hatcher is 30. Drafting a DT would be a good move for Dallas where Williams can add depth to a very thin interior defensive front.
19. New York Giants: Tyler Eifert (TE- Notre Dame)
The Giants are a good team with not many huge holes to fill. However, with the loss of Martellus Bennett, Eifert can come in and become a new distraction for defenses to mull over. He's bigger than almost all defenders he'll play against, and he has the versatility to line up anywhere. This is a great pick for the Giants, and it makes me sick to think about it.
20. Chicago Bears: Manti Te'o (LB- Notre Dame)
Chicago is the perfect fit for Te'o. He'll be playing with veterans such as Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs to help guide him, and he'll be put into a comfortable system that knows how to use a middle linebacker. The whole scandal that comes with drafting Te'o will disappear once he makes an impact play for the Bears.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: DJ Fluker (OT- Alabama)
I see the Bengals using this pick to draft a tackle to improve the O-line after losing Andre Smith. They're going to be looking to create some holes to help a poor running attack. With two second round picks, I think they'll address their running back need.
22. St. Louis Rams: Cordarrelle Patterson (WR- Tennessee)
Patterson is big, tall, and has incredible hands and quickness. His major question mark is his NFL route running ability, but the potential far outweighs his cons. Sam Bradford really needs a guy like Patterson. His career as a Ram may depend on it.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Xavier Rhodes (CB- FSU)
With the loss of Antoine Winfield, Rhodes would be a nice replacement. Minnesota likes big cornerbacks, and Rhodes is the biggest on the board. Playing in an already solid defense with an above average pass rush could help him have a very good rookie year.
24. Indianapolis Colts: DJ Hayden (CB- Houston)
Indy made some moves in the front of their defense, but having another cornerback in the back end could help. Hayden is physical and can play both press and off coverage. Throw him in the mix with Vontae Davis and Greg Toler, and the Colts could have a legitimate defensive backfield.
25. Minnesota Vikings: DeAndre Hopkins (WR- Clemson)
Hopkins is a great downfield threat that will copliment Greg Jennings' underneath game nicely. Minnesota could use as many weapons as they can get for Christian Ponder. Hopkins won't replace Percy Harvin, but he'll definitely add a different element.
26. Green Bay Packers: Jonathan Cyprien (S- Florida International)
Green Bay is one of those teams that's real hard to predict what they'll do int he draft. But their secondary was very bad last season, and Cyprien has tremendous range and hits like a bulldozer. I'd imagine the Packers would be happy to draft him here.
27. Houston Texans: Robert Woods (WR- USC)
Woods is smart and played in an NFL style offense at USC. He's also quick and has good route running ability. Playing opposite of Andre Johnson should really benefit the young wideout, and the Texans will hope he can become Johnson's future replacement.
28. Denver Broncos: Tank Carradine (DE- FSU)
Tank is rehabbing from an ACL injury he suffered early in the college season, but he is said to be way ahead of schedule. Once thought of as a top 15 pick, he would compliment Von Miller on the opposite side of the defense, and make the Broncos better than they already appear to be. He has the potential to be a pass rushing nightmare for teams.
29. New England Patriots: Blidi-Wreh Wilson (CB- UConn)
This pick is a typical Patriots pick. Someone who the casual fan has never heard of. Isn't a big name or sexy pick at all. People will call the sports radio stations ranting and raving about another stupid pick by Belichick. But Wilson is a good corner. He played locally, so the Pats should have in-depth scouting on him, and they have shown interest in him during UConn's pro day. I'd personally like to see a receiver taken, but the Pats may be able to hold off until a later round. There's pretty good depth at WR in this draft. Keep an eye on Justin Hunter and Aaron Dobson if they do choose to get a WR this year.
30. Atlanta Falcons: Margus Hunt (DE- SMU)
Hunt is sort of a risky pick because of his age (25) and his newness to the game. He's a raw athlete with size, versatility and strength that'll give any NFL scout a wet dream, but his lack of experiance could shy teams away. If I'm picking for the Falcons, though, I'd take a chance on him because his ceiling is too high.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Matt Elam (S- Florida)
The Niners really have no big area of need, and they have 13 picks in the draft. I could see them taking Elam in the first since Dashon Goldson signed with Tampa. I'm a huge fan of Elam and I wish the Pats would take him, but I just don't think it'll happen. One can hope though.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Eric Reid (S- LSU)
Im predicting this solely on the fact that I think it would be great to replace Reed with Reid at safety. Same last name. Same initials. Same position.
So there you have it. The Skinny Sports 2013 First Round Mock Draft! Here's to hoping it's not as big a failure as the Skinny Sports March Madness Bracket.
Now excuse me as I get ready for the Patriots offical draft party. High profile sports bloggers only, you guys.
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