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NFP Mock Draft - Version 11.0
Russ Lande takes another stab at predicting who teams will pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Russ Lande
April 10, 2013
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan, Senior: While I am confident that the Chiefs are trying to trade down, that is impossible to predict and likely harder than in recent seasons as there is not one player that every team wants to select. Fisher is not the safe pick that Joeckel is, but with his athleticism and nasty/aggressive blocking style I think he will be better in the long term.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Matt Barkley, QB, USC, Senior: The new Jaguars regime did not choose Blaine Gabbert, so they are willing to pull the plug and start anew. New GM David Caldwell learned under Bill Polian and Thomas Dimitroff that for a QB to excel in the NFL they must have rare football intelligence, work ethic and intangibles. Barkley may not have rare physical talents, but above the shoulders he is outstanding so he fits that criteria.
3. Oakland Raiders: Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon, Senior: GM Reggie McKenzie worked in Green Bay for many years and learned the value a dominant pass rusher can have on a defense by watching Clay Matthews up close and personal. So despite many other needs, McKenzie drafts Jordan because he possesses dynamic pass rush skills that can upgrade the Raiders’ pass rush and make their defense a big play unit.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah, Senior: For the Eagles new 34 defense to be successful they will need to find a strong and powerful nose tackle to anchor the middle of it and Lotulelei fits the bill perfectly. He can be the man in the middle of their 34 defense and brings the versatility to also line up at DT when they align in four man fronts.
5. Detroit Lions: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU, Senior: With their two best pass rushers from 2012 gone, the Lions have a desperate need for an outside pass rusher. After coaching Ansah during the Senior Bowl, no team knows better how effective he can be when lined up as a wide pass rusher, which is why they choose him here.
6. Cleveland Browns: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia, Senior: QB Brandon Weeden needs weapons to throw to if the Browns offense is going to make strides. With questions surrounding the health of Keenan Allen’s knee after he ran poorly at his pro day and concerns about Cordarrelle Patterson, the Browns select the most explosive offensive weapon in the draft receiver Tavon Austin.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M, Junior: With QB Carson Palmer now in the fold as the Cardinals’ starter, they must find a way to protect him. Joeckel is a top athlete with good technique and should be able to step in and start at left tackle from day one to stabilize the Cardinals’ left tackle position.
8. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse, Senior: It seems clear that Kevin Kolb was not guaranteed a starting job based on his contract, so the Bills are going to draft someone to challenge him. Some may question Nassib’s worthiness of being a first round pick, but with coaches Marrone and Hackett familiarity and confidence in him, they will select him here to lead their franchise.
9. New York Jets: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia, Senior: It has become apparent in recent seasons that Mark Sanchez does not have “it” to be a quality starting QB. Smith is the highest rated QB on the Jets draft board and if he is there when they pick, they will not hesitate to pull the trigger.
10. Tennessee Titans: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State, Junior: Even though DE Derrick Morgan began to show signs of developing into an elite player in 2012, the Titans still want to upgrade their edge pass rush ability. Werner is an under-rated athlete who constantly makes big plays rushing the passer and against the run and would be great lining up across from Morgan.
11. San Diego Chargers: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma, Senior: Although predicting the Chargers are going to select an OT seems too easy, I really believe it makes too much sense. Johnson’s athleticism and length make him an elite prospect and if he can improve his hand-use and playing strength he could become a pro bowler.
12. Miami Dolphins: Cornell Carradine, DE, Florida State, Senior: As the Dolphins continue making the move to a 43 defense they must find a pass rusher who can play opposite Cameron Wake. Despite tearing his left ACL in November, Carradine is expected to be ready for the start of the 2013 season and should make a big impact opposite Wake.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida, Junior: Gerald McCoy is in the verge of becoming a superstar, but the Buccaneers need someone next to him after losing Roy Miller in free agency and having Brian Price’s injuries end his time in Tampa. Floyd is a strong and explosive interior force who would give the Bucs four excellent young defensive linemen for the future.
14. Carolina Panthers: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina, Senior: The Panthers desperately to improve their interior defensive line and Williams has the best combination of size, strength, explosiveness and athleticism after Star. He would be able to start immediately for them and would add a much needed play-making dimension to the Panthers defense.
15. New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU, Junior: As the Saints move to a 34 defense this season, they have to fill a number of spots. While they have young outside linebackers, Junior Galette and Martez Wilson, they are both unproven. Mingo immediately gives them one outside linebacker who can impact games with his pass rush ability off the corner.
16. St. Louis Rams: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama, Senior: With Jake Long manning the Rams’ left tackle spot, they have upgraded their offensive line, but it is still not a good unit. Warmack would add a physical and athletic dimension to the interior of their offensive line that they desperately need.
Russ Lande takes another stab at predicting who teams will pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Russ Lande
April 10, 2013
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan, Senior: While I am confident that the Chiefs are trying to trade down, that is impossible to predict and likely harder than in recent seasons as there is not one player that every team wants to select. Fisher is not the safe pick that Joeckel is, but with his athleticism and nasty/aggressive blocking style I think he will be better in the long term.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Matt Barkley, QB, USC, Senior: The new Jaguars regime did not choose Blaine Gabbert, so they are willing to pull the plug and start anew. New GM David Caldwell learned under Bill Polian and Thomas Dimitroff that for a QB to excel in the NFL they must have rare football intelligence, work ethic and intangibles. Barkley may not have rare physical talents, but above the shoulders he is outstanding so he fits that criteria.
3. Oakland Raiders: Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon, Senior: GM Reggie McKenzie worked in Green Bay for many years and learned the value a dominant pass rusher can have on a defense by watching Clay Matthews up close and personal. So despite many other needs, McKenzie drafts Jordan because he possesses dynamic pass rush skills that can upgrade the Raiders’ pass rush and make their defense a big play unit.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah, Senior: For the Eagles new 34 defense to be successful they will need to find a strong and powerful nose tackle to anchor the middle of it and Lotulelei fits the bill perfectly. He can be the man in the middle of their 34 defense and brings the versatility to also line up at DT when they align in four man fronts.
5. Detroit Lions: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU, Senior: With their two best pass rushers from 2012 gone, the Lions have a desperate need for an outside pass rusher. After coaching Ansah during the Senior Bowl, no team knows better how effective he can be when lined up as a wide pass rusher, which is why they choose him here.
6. Cleveland Browns: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia, Senior: QB Brandon Weeden needs weapons to throw to if the Browns offense is going to make strides. With questions surrounding the health of Keenan Allen’s knee after he ran poorly at his pro day and concerns about Cordarrelle Patterson, the Browns select the most explosive offensive weapon in the draft receiver Tavon Austin.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M, Junior: With QB Carson Palmer now in the fold as the Cardinals’ starter, they must find a way to protect him. Joeckel is a top athlete with good technique and should be able to step in and start at left tackle from day one to stabilize the Cardinals’ left tackle position.
8. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse, Senior: It seems clear that Kevin Kolb was not guaranteed a starting job based on his contract, so the Bills are going to draft someone to challenge him. Some may question Nassib’s worthiness of being a first round pick, but with coaches Marrone and Hackett familiarity and confidence in him, they will select him here to lead their franchise.
9. New York Jets: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia, Senior: It has become apparent in recent seasons that Mark Sanchez does not have “it” to be a quality starting QB. Smith is the highest rated QB on the Jets draft board and if he is there when they pick, they will not hesitate to pull the trigger.
10. Tennessee Titans: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State, Junior: Even though DE Derrick Morgan began to show signs of developing into an elite player in 2012, the Titans still want to upgrade their edge pass rush ability. Werner is an under-rated athlete who constantly makes big plays rushing the passer and against the run and would be great lining up across from Morgan.
11. San Diego Chargers: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma, Senior: Although predicting the Chargers are going to select an OT seems too easy, I really believe it makes too much sense. Johnson’s athleticism and length make him an elite prospect and if he can improve his hand-use and playing strength he could become a pro bowler.
12. Miami Dolphins: Cornell Carradine, DE, Florida State, Senior: As the Dolphins continue making the move to a 43 defense they must find a pass rusher who can play opposite Cameron Wake. Despite tearing his left ACL in November, Carradine is expected to be ready for the start of the 2013 season and should make a big impact opposite Wake.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida, Junior: Gerald McCoy is in the verge of becoming a superstar, but the Buccaneers need someone next to him after losing Roy Miller in free agency and having Brian Price’s injuries end his time in Tampa. Floyd is a strong and explosive interior force who would give the Bucs four excellent young defensive linemen for the future.
14. Carolina Panthers: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina, Senior: The Panthers desperately to improve their interior defensive line and Williams has the best combination of size, strength, explosiveness and athleticism after Star. He would be able to start immediately for them and would add a much needed play-making dimension to the Panthers defense.
15. New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU, Junior: As the Saints move to a 34 defense this season, they have to fill a number of spots. While they have young outside linebackers, Junior Galette and Martez Wilson, they are both unproven. Mingo immediately gives them one outside linebacker who can impact games with his pass rush ability off the corner.
16. St. Louis Rams: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama, Senior: With Jake Long manning the Rams’ left tackle spot, they have upgraded their offensive line, but it is still not a good unit. Warmack would add a physical and athletic dimension to the interior of their offensive line that they desperately need.