Mike White’s Mock NFL Draft v3.0
We’re setting out on the road to Radio City Music Hall for real now, a little more than a week before the big day in New York and unlike many NFL Drafts in previous years, the free agency period and rumour mill has not done too much to settle players into obvious slots in the minds of us Draftniks, There is not the clear cut no 1 pick like Andrew Luck was in last year’s event. However, the directions in which some teams have chosen to go in free agency could have shown us the path that they intend to tread come Draft day.
One thing I will say is that the standing of the QB’s in the draft has been seriously damaged. That’s because if Kevin Kolb, Matt Flynn and Carson Palmer are more attractive options in free agency, there is not one QB who is a shoe-in first round talent. Jason La Canfora may have said that Geno Smith will be a top 5 pick, but unless he means in the second round, I just can’t see a team taking that sort of chance.
So whose name will Commissioner Goodell read out first? Here’s Mock V3.
NB: It’s trade time!! There are some teams with needs that are way too big not to include trades here, so I’m breaking my own rules and including a couple of switches that teams could be very tempted to do if this Draft scenario plays out.
(1st Round only)
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel – Texas A&M
(Previous Pick: No Change)
Whether Branden Albert stays or goes, I think the pick is Joeckel regardless. Albert could play out his season on the franchise tag and the Chiefs would have an instant replacement at LT after giving Joeckel a ‘schooling year’ at RT. The Chiefs may yet trade Albert, in which case, Joeckel would almost certainly be the pick as KC seem to like him more than Eric Fisher, going by the rumours and chat around the NFL.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – OT – Eric Fisher – Central Michigan
(Previous Pick: Dion Jordan OLB/DE)
The Jags have already said that they have two players that they would be very comfortable selecting at no. 2, and by the way that they spoke of the two players, it sounded like they were similar and it was hard to choose between. So my guess is that Joeckel going at one makes this an easy choice, and maybe a surprising one with two tackles going 1 and 2, but if Blaine Gabbert has any chance to succeed, he has to be protected.
3. Oakland Raiders – DT – Sharrif Floyd – Florida
(Previous Pick: No Change)
With the releases of Ex-Patriot Richard Seymour and soon-to-be Patriot Tommy Kelly, DT is more than a big need for the Raiders. With Matt Flynn as their new QB, it looks unlikely that they will Pick Geno Smith here anymore, so they could take the best DT on the board, and with Star Lotulelei’s heart issue (now cleared by doctors), the scales could tip for the explosive Sharrif Floyd.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – OLB/DE – Dion Jordan – Oregon
(Previous Pick: Eric Fisher OT)
I know the Eagles went out and got Connor Barwin, but he’s coming off an injury. I know they traded for Emmanuel Acho, but what’s he ever done? Jordan could well be a mercurial talent on defense, and who better to know that than his college coach. Chip Kelly would be deliriously happy if this happened, I think Jordan could turn out to be the best player in this draft. Think of the linebacking group: Barwin-Ryans-Kendricks-Jordan. Hello.
5. Detroit Lions – OLB/DE – Ezekiel Ansah – BYU
(Previous Pick: Dee Milliner CB)
In this scenario, the Lions have a choice between Milliner and Ansah, and with the history of drafting in Detroit, coupled with the dribbling by the Lions’ delegation at Ansah’s pro day, the raw potential of ‘Ziggy’ is enough to convince Detroit that their star is the pass rusher from BYU
6. San Diego Chargers – OT – Lane Johnson – Oklahoma !!TRADE!!
(Previous Pick: (Browns) Ezekiel Ansah OLB/DE)
In this scenario, the Browns would be very interested in trading down, and the Chargers would be indescribably desperate to beat the Cards to Lane Johnson. San Diego needs to pick a top class O-lineman and other lineman later on because, to be frank, as it stands, Philip Rivers doesn’t stand a chance.
7. Miami Dolphins – CB – Dee Milliner – Alabama !!TRADE!!
(Previous Pick: (Cardinals) Matt Barkley QB)
The Dolphins don’t wait any longer to make sure they address their corner position in this year’s draft, and they find a willing trade partner in the Cardinals who trade down in the hope that one of the top 5 offensive lineman will still be there at 12. They may not be. But Miami makes sure it’s needs are sorted, and Jeff Ireland continues to be aggressive in the offseason.
8. Buffalo Bills – OG – Chance Warmack – Alabama
(Previous Pick: Geno Smith QB)
The signing of Kevin Kolb at the money the Bills gave him tells you everything you need to know about this QB class at the top of the draft. They cannot be good enough if Kevin Kolb is getting that money. So the Bills will focus on helping their new QB, and with the departure of Andy Levitre to Tennessee, they may look to replace the strength of their O-line with one of the safest picks of the 2013 NFL Draft.
9. New York Jets – DT – Star Lotulelei – Utah
(Previous Pick: Jarvis Jones OLB/DE)
The Jets need to pick the best player on their board at every juncture to have any chance of competing next year. The decision to let one of their most consistent players, DT Mike DeVito leave for the Chiefs was another example of how this front office has done an awful job. They could look to replace him with a difference maker on the D-line. Lotulelei’s heart checked out, so the Jets could see this as good value.
10. Tennessee Titans – OG/C – Jonathan Cooper – North Carolina
(Previous Pick: Chance Warmack OG)
Even though the Titans splashed out on Andy Levitre in free agency, this pick makes too much sense not to make. Cooper’s versatility across the line could allow Fernando Velasco to return to his favoured Guard spot, while the Titans use Cooper as their long-term Center. Two interior linemen in the top 10… never thought I’d mock that.
11. Cleveland Browns – WR – Tavon Austin – West Virginia
(Previous Pick: (Chargers) Lane Johnson OT)
After trading back with the Chargers, the Browns feel comfortable in reaching slightly for a player they really like. The Browns’ defense is a good unit, so it is on offense that they could spend this pick, and Brandon Weeden doesn’t have an intermediate target that can make things happen. Tavon Austin could be that weapon, and if the buzz proves correct, he could change the face of the AFC North.
12. Arizona Cardinals – OLB/DE – Barkevious Mingo – LSU
(Previous Pick: Xavier Rhodes CB)
The Cards trade back this far as they knew that even if the best offensive linemen were gone, some good pass rushing linebackers would still be here. Mingo brings an athleticism to the Cardinals defense that will be tough to deal with in the NFL, do not let his low-ish sack totals distract you from his disruptive potential.
13. Tampa Bay – CB – Xavier Rhodes -Florida St.
(Previous Pick: Desmond Trufant CB)
As Darrelle Revis is still officially a Jet, this pick is still the best corner available for Tampa. Eric Wright has taken a huge pay cut to stay in Tampa but the need is still huge, so Rhodes, the big, physical cover man is the selection for the Bucs.
14. Carolina Panthers – WR – Cordarrelle Patterson – Tennessee
(Previous Pick: Sheldon Richardson DT)
The momentum for the obvious DT pick not only comes from the fans but also from Carolina players. The Panthers however, need to look long-term and realise that Steve Smith won’t be around forever. They need help in the receiver department anyway, and Cam Newton will really appreciate this explosive new toy. The DT class is deep, and there will be a very decent player still there in that position in round 2.
15. Minnesota Vikings – ILB – Alec Ogletree – Georgia – !!TRADE!!
(Previous Pick: (Saints) Barkevious Mingo OLB/DE)
The Vikings, in a good position to trade up after the Percy Harvin trade, do so to snag their playmaker for the middle of their defense. They would be nervous that the Rams, Steelers and Giants would like Ogletree, who is the most talented inside linebacker in the class, but has slipped due to character concerns. I think he’s worth the cost.
16. St Louis Rams – S – Kenny Vaccaro – Texas
(Previous Pick: Jonathan Cooper – OG)
Vaccaro is the only pick that the Rams can really justify here. After the release of Quentin Mikell, they absolutely have to upgrade this position and this early, as Dallas are waiting 2 spots lower.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – OLB/DE – Jarvis Jones – Georgia
(Previous Pick: Damontre Moore OLB/DE)
Pittsburgh needs to add youth to their defense and fast. While Jones’ medical issues and poor testing performances cause him to slip, he is another player whose tape doesn’t lie, and this guy plays hard, fast and at a very high standard indeed. The Steelers pick up a very nice value player here.
18. Dallas Cowboys – DT – Sheldon Richardson – Missouri
(Previous Pick: Kenny Vaccaro S)
This is a good result for Dallas and their new defensive co-ordinator Monte Kiffin. Richardson is a nice fit in a 3-4 as he has some real speed and pass rush ability. The disruption he could cause with a motivated Jay Ratliff could make this a very nice value pick for the Cowboys.
19. New York Giants – DE – Bjoern Werner – Florida St.
(Previous Pick: Alec Ogletree ILB)
Ah, the Giants and their pass rush. Yet again they snag a slipping prospect who could turn out to be a bargain. Werner was a real presence in Florida and could bring yet more disruptive ability to that Giants defensive line.
20. Chicago Bears – OT – DJ Fluker – Alabama
(Previous Pick: No Change)
The buzz for Fluker is only good, and he could end up going higher than this, but the Bears would be foolish to let him slide past them, as he could also slip inside to play guard. This would be a big upgrade for the Bears’ line.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – S – Johnathan Cyprien – Florida International
(Previous Pick: Tavon Austin WR)
The only gaping hole on the Bengals’ roster is at Safety, so they probably feel comfortable going for Cyprien here, if a little early. He’s a physical, instinctive player, and one that could complete Cincinnati’s already decent defense.
22. St Louis Rams (from Washington) – WR – Keenan Allen – California
(Previous Pick: No Change)
The Rams need to add receivers again, especially after Danny Amendola went to New England. The more weapons for Sam Bradford the better.
23. Minnesota Vikings – DT – Sylvester Williams – North Carolina
(Previous Pick: Star Lotulelei DT)
Williams’ stock is on the rise, and the Vikings could be lucky to still see him here come draft day. But if he is, I think they would run up to the podium to hand in their card.
24. Indianapolis Colts – OLB/DE – Cornelius Carradine – Florida St.
(Previous Pick: Sylvester Williams DT)
This is a bit of a flyer for Indy, but the talents of ‘Tank’ Carradine looked considerable before he went down with a serious knee injury. If he comes back the same, his size, speed and youth could be a valuable component in the Colts’ defense.
25. New Orleans Saints – DT/DE – Datone Jones – Alabama
(Previous Pick: (Seattle) Bjoern Werner DE)
The Saints dropped all the way back to 25 and recouped a later pick as they knew their options would be just as varied here as they were at 15, especially on the defensive line. Broderick Bunkley could start at Nose Tackle, but they still need to add to their defensive line, and Datone Jones’ ability to play 3-4 DE could be very tempting for New Orleans.
26. Green Bay Packers – OLB/DE – Damontre Moore – Texas A&M
(Previous Pick: Tyler Eifert TE)
The Packers yet again find themselves in a position to pick a player who slips down the board to a position where his value is too good to miss out on. Just because he didn’t test well, doesn’t mean Moore is a bad player, just look at his tape. It’s impressive. The Packers are a solid franchise who know a good value player when they see one, and they will keep him in line, as they need to replace Erik Walden and take the pressure off of Clay Matthews.
27. Houston Texans – LB – Kevin Minter – LSU
(Previous Pick: No Change)
Minter would be a valuable addition to this Texans defense, as their main need is at the inside linebacker position. Minter got away with an average combine showing as Manti Te’o took the limelight, but on the field, the LSU man is a leader and a playmaker that the Texans like.
28. Denver Broncos – DT – Jesse Williams – Alabama
(Previous Pick: Jonathan Hankins DT)
Williams is a physical, disruptive space-eater, and for a team who have lost DTs in free agency, he’s the perfect pick here. Fills a need and could be the best player available.
29. New England Patriots – WR – Justin Hunter – Tennessee
(Previous Pick: Tank Carradine DE)
Justin Hunter is Randy Moss mk.2. Honestly, I don’t think there is anyone who fits the mould of a no.1 receiver better than the 6’4 Tennessee man. He may even be faster than Moss in his prime, so Tom Brady would be utterly over the moon with this pick (IF the Pats don’t trade down – that’s a very big IF.)
30. Atlanta Falcons – CB – Desmond Trufant – Washington
(Previous Pick: Datone Jones DE)
I know most Falcons fans have a TE going here, but the need for corner help is overwhelming right now as Tony G has signed on for another year. Asante Samuel can’t do it alone in that secondary, especially in a division with Drew Brees, Cam Newton and… Blaine Gabbert. Oh.
31. San Francisco 49’ers – S – Matt Elam – Florida
(Previous Pick: Johnathan Cyprien S)
The Niners were tempted at many spots in this draft to move up, but sat and waited for their hard-hitting instinctive safety. Elam fits the bill perfectly, and should fit in very nicely on that top class 49’ers defense. They will be active in the trade market in rounds 2 and 3.
32. Baltimore Ravens – WR – DeAndre Hopkins – Clemson
(Previous Pick: John Jenkins DT)
No I will not sneak Te’o into the first round. I don’t care how much you want him to be there. The Ravens are cleverer than that, and their selection in this scenario is a reliable target for Joe Flacco. Hopkins is an underrated pass catcher for me, and presents great value at 32 to attempt to replace Anquan Boldin.
