BY CHRIS BARRETT – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
The 2013 NFL Draft will begin on April 25in New York City and the worst teams of the 2012 season will be able to get that much closer to making the NFL playoffs. To prepare you for the big day, here is my 2013 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT (Texas A&M)
Luke Joeckel (6’6″, 306 lbs) is going to be the first player drafted in the 2013 NFL Draft. Joeckel is a highly anticipated rookie coming into the draft having a great college career at Texas A&M. Joeckel started every game since his true freshman year, winning Consensus All-American and the Outland Trophy last year. He also protected Johnny (Football) Manziels who went on to pass for 3,706 yards and ultimately win the Heisman Trophy as well many other awards. The reason for this certain pick is due to the recent trade for Alex Smith. This eliminates the thought of Geno Smith being drafted first overall as they now have their quarterback. The Chiefs should be proud with this athletic and agile player who will provide sack insurance and allow Smith to develop in Kansas City.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bjoern Werner, DE (Florida State)
Bjoern Werner (6’3″, 266 lbs) is going to be the second player drafted in the 2013 NFL Draft. Werner enters a team with debatably the worst defense last season. They allowed 48 touchdowns over the season while only producing 20 total sacks! This is a league which requires a powerful defense in order to receive a win. Werner provides an intensive pass rusher as he produced 13 sacks along with 42 total tackles for a Florida State team which ranked sixth in total defense. The Jaguars need a pass rusher like Werner for a pass first division.
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3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd, DT (Florida)
Geno Smith is still available at this point in the draft but the Raiders will pass up on him and believe in Chad Palmer. Floyd is a beast at the interior tackle position. Not to mention his combine results in the 40-yard dash, 4.92 seconds. It’s important to keep in mind this is a 300 lb man. Drafting Floyd also adds to a defensive line that ranked second last in sacks (25) last season. This is a much needed pick when playing the likes of Peyton Manning twice a year.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Eric Fisher, OT (Central Michigan)
The Eagles fired Andy Reid in the offseason and signed Oregon’s Chip Kelly to replace him. Kelly’s first big move was to re-sign Vick to a one-year contract. This makes sense as Kelly runs a spread offense in which you need a mobile quarterback, Vick being arguable the best AVAILABLE. The Eagles allowed 48 sacks last season which is unacceptable for a quarterback who is known to be frequently injured. Drafting Eric Fisher adds to a reviving Philly O-Line which will have the task of protecting the resigned Vick. Fisher will be the best lineman to go with at this point so they can’t pass up on this opportunity.
5. Detroit Lions: Dee Milliner, CB (Alabama)
It’s obvious that Detroit has issues on defense. To be more specific, the weakest component to their defense is their pass defense. They were sixth in passing points allowed with 437 and tied for second for passes of 40 or more yards with 13. Dee Milliner is the top defensive back entering the draft playing for an Alabama defense ranking top in the FBS, only allowing 3,198 yards and 18 touchdowns. If the Lions want to enhance their defense now, draft Milliner and let Megatron teach him a few tricks.
6. Cleveland Browns: Geno Smith, QB (West Virginia)
Geno Smith is the best quarterback in the draft having the ability to run out of the pocket when necessary and make the accurate throw. Smith did show some inaccuracy at the combine which is nothing for Browns fans to worry about. The reason for the Browns selecting Smith with the sixth pick is due to their never-ending hunt for a franchise quarterback. They already noted that they are willing to trade both Weeden and McCoy which shows they must be searching for a new answer. That answer is Geno Smith. He will be the spark to the young offense which needs to perform well in a competitive AFC North.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Matt Barkley, QB (USC)
Matt Barkley is the second best quarterback in the draft depending on how you evaluate a quarterback. Barkley is a pocket passer who played very well in college. He completed 63.6 percent of his passes throwing for 3,273 yards, 36 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. The Cardinals traded for Kevin Kolb last season, but he only played for part of the year. Matt Barkley is the Cardinal’s best choice for quarterback who can develop with an elite receiver in Larry Fitzgerald.
8. Buffalo Bills: Dion Jordan, OLB (Oregon)
Buffalo made a huge move last year in signing the top free agent on the market in Mario Williams. Dion Jordan is a player who will develop under the wing of Williams and can relieve some pressure off the elite pass rusher. Jordan is 6’6″, 248 lbs which makes for a physically gifted athlete. He has also been compared to the Niners’ Aldon Smith which would make for a very dangerous Bills’ pass rush who needs to get at the quarterback when playing Tom Brady twice a year.
9. New York Jets: Jarvis Jones, OLB (Georgia)
The Jets released two of their best backers when ridding of Calvin Pace and Bart Scott. The term “rebuild” is being used for this Jets defense that could use an athletic and surprisingly powerful linebacker in Jones who produced 85 tackles with 24.5 of them being for a loss last season with Georgia. This would be the most reasonable pick for a Jets team competing in a division owned by the Patriots.
10. San Diego Chargers: Chance Warmack, G (Alabama)
Last season was Philip Rivers’ worst. This was due to the poor pass protection of the Charger’s offensive line allowing 49 sacks last season. From this, only 350 points were scored off of passing touchdowns which is very low for a competitive quarterback like Rivers. Warmack is the best lineman at this point and it would be ridiculous to pass on him. Drafting a very strong and athletic Warmack would enhance the Charger’s pass protection as well strengthen their interior run game possibly developing Ryan Mathews more.
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