The Machine’s 2013 NFL Mock Draft (v1.0)

The Monday after the Super Bowl; Day One of the offseason.  Ugh.  Seven more months before another meaningful football game is played. Uuuuugh!

However, that does mean The Machine can shift our undivided attention to an event as equally exciting as the Super Bowl, The Draft! Considering it is right around the corner (3 months and counting!!)  we decided to throw together our first mock draft.  To add a bit of gamesmanship, we’ll be alternating selections between Roidrage and Ginger King.  RR, you’re on the clock…

1

Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckle OT Texas A&M
Analysis:  Between the mounting injuries, Romel Crennels abysmal coaching efforts and underwhelming QB play, the Chiefs weren’t very competitive in 2012.  However, for being the “worst” team in the league, the Chiefs have some decent young building blocks in place: Jamaal Charles, Dwyane Bowe (FA), Eric Berry, Derrick Johnson and Tambi Hali. Andy Reid and staff represent an upgrade in the coaching department.  He’ll no doubt want to address the weakest QB group in the league (Matt Cassel, Brady Quinn – okay, maybe not as bad as the Cardinals but still dreadful!)  While the Chiefs could certainly fall in love with a QB prospect (Smith, Wilson, Nassib) in the next few months, chances are they can get similar value in the early second round (or trade back into the late first).  Joeckle is a “safe” pick that should be an anchor on their O-line for years to come.

2

Jacksonville Jaguars: Damontre Moore DE Texas A&M
Analysis:  How is it possible that a team that has had 5 consecutive Top 10 selections (6 including this year) not have a solid nucleus of talent?  Because said team has used said Top 10 picks on people like Blaine Gabbert and Tyson Alualu.  Where to start.  The Jags need help (literally) at every single position, so they could go in a number of different directions.  However, their current starting DEs consist of Jason Babin (age: 32) and Jeremy Mincey (age: doesn’t matter because he’s awful (29)).  Moore steps in and instantly becomes a starting DE, and likely the best defensive player on the team.  “DaMonster” had 12.5 sacks last season (the formidable duo of Babin/Mincey combined for 10) and has room to grow in his 248 lb frame.  He has the quickness and athleticism to line up at DE and LB, giving the Jags the ability to move him around the field in different coverage looks.   The Jags finally get a Top 10 pick right.

3

Oakland Raiders Star Lotulelei DT Utah
Analysis:  The 2012 Raiders didn’t do much right in their first year under 12-year-old Dennis Allen.  But perhaps nothing was worse than their run defense.  The gave up 1897 yards on the ground ( 119 yrds/gm); 9 times allowing 100+ yards rushing and 3 times allowing 220+ yards.  None more memorable than Doug Martins 251 yards (and 4 TDs) on the ground in Week 9!  Considering Tommy Kelly (32) and Richard Seymour (33) are on the wrong side of 30, Lotulelei makes too much sense here and there is a strong possibility he doesn’t even last this long!  He is that good.

4

Philadelphia Eagles Dee Milliner CB Alabama
Analysis:  Every night, Joe Banner and Co. pray that Luke Joeckle falls to them here.  They need OL help.  But Andy Reid will send a big FU to his former employer (note: spite is a perfectly good reason to draft a player) leaving the Eagles empty-handed.  #4 is too high to draft Eric Fisher or Chance Warmack, and if Philly can’t trade down, they’re left to plug some other holes.  Secondary is an obvious one.  The duo of Asomugha and DRC has been anything but dynamic.  DRC wants a new contract, and Asomugha is going to count $16 million against the cap this year, crazy considering he’s awful in pass coverage.  One or both of these guys may be gone.  Dee is by far the best corner in this draft, following an impressive trend of SEC corners (see Stephon Gilmore, Dre Kirkpatrick).  At 6’1″, he’s the perfect height to defend the jump ball, and has the speed and power to get physical at the line.  Going against Eli, Romo, and RGIII twice a year, the Eagles need a consistent and dependable secondary.  A unanimous first-team All American, Dee was the anchor in Bama’s secondary, and should have an immediate impact.

5

Detroit Lions Bjoern Werner DE Florida St.
Analysis:  The Lions continue building from their strength and spend another high draft pick on the defensive line (Suh, Farley).  It seems as though the team will part ways with Kyle van De Bosch, and Werner represents and ideal replacement (and upgrade considering KVDB’s decline this year).  Werner has a quick first step and is strong at the point of attack; he plays well against the run and can get after the passer.  Coaches may fall in love with his raw ability and tremendous upside.   When you play Aaron Rodgers and Adrian Peterson twice a year, you can’t have too many athletic defensive linemen that bring it every play.

6

Cleveland Browns Jarvis Jones OLB Georgia
Analysis: The Browns will be doing cartwheels if Jones is here.  The Browns need defensive power, pressure, and speed.  Jarvis solves all three.  While Barkevious Mingo (Greatest. Name. Ever.) will get a look here, the Browns can’t pass on Jones.  He’s as much of a sure thing for Cleveland since LeBron (pre taking his talents to South Beach).  Jarvis led the nation in sacks with 14.5, to go with 85 tackles and 1 interception.  Jarvis won’t stop Cleveland from picking in the Top 10 next year, but he’s a big step in the right direction.

7

Arizona Cardinals Geno Smith QB WV
Analysis:  This is a dream scenario for Bruce Arians and the Arzona Cardinals.  The top rated QB falls to the team most desperate for a QB.  Arians is creative enough to build an offensive to maximize Smiths strengths (and hide his limitations).  Quarterbacks stocks tend to rise as we approach the draft, so Geno could be off the board sooner than this.  But for now we’ll dream of the Arians-Smith-Fitzgerald potential!

8

Buffalo Bills Cordarrelle Patterson WR Tenn
Analysis: The Bills need to improve their offense.  QB is an option, but truly a reach here.  There are a collection of QBs that rank in the “meh” category:  none of them are worth of a Top 10 pick.  The Receiver class, however, is not deep, and the Bills need to upgrade their passing game.  Cordarrelle (pronounced “Core-dare-ull”) is clearly the top WR.  He’s the total package.  At 6’3″, he’s got the size to go up and over, and the speed to hit the quick slant.

9

NY Jets Ezekiel Ansah DE BYU
Analysis:  As we’ve studied the Jets roster one thing is painfully obvious: they lack talent….and playmakers….and depth.  The Jets should absolutely trade Revis for a package of picks.  They could really go in any direction with this pick.  They could grab a QB (although it looks as if they are stuck with Sanchez for at least one more year), but we have them grabbing a defensive playmaker.  We feel that Ansah’s stock will be on the rise as he puts on a show at the Combine and the BYU pro day.  Somebody will pay the price for his freakish upside (think JPP), might as well be the Jets.

10

Tennessee Titans Chance Warmack OG Alabama
Analysis:  No question the Titans are going offensive line here.  CJ2k has looked more like CJ750, and much of that is due to a porous line up front.  Chance dominated at Alabama, and much of the success that fellow teammates Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson had was due in part to the consistent and solid play of Chance.

11

San Diego Chargers Barkevious Mingo DE LSU
Analysis:  Having seen six defenders go in the first ten picks in this scenario, the Bolts grab Mingo to address their pass-rushing deficiencies.  Mingo is a difficult prospect to project.  He is going to light up the combine/workouts and get the creative (defensive) minds around the league thinking of the possibilities’.  McCoy and Whisenhunt have even pieces on offense to make that side of the ball dangerous; so they go defense early and often to add some difference-makers.

12

Miami Dolphins Jonathan Banks CB Miss. St.
Analysis:  The Dolphins have several needs, perhaps none more pressing than their secondary, which is an absolute mess.  The Dolphins traded their best corner, Vontae Davis, for a second round pick, Sean Smith is a free agent, and Richard Marshall and Nolan Carroll are far from being consistent contributors (that’s being generous).  Banks had a solid career at Mississippi St., and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back.  WR is also an option, especially if Cordarrelle Patterson is still available.  However, the free agent pool is deep at receiver, so the Dolphins should make a run at Greg Jennings or Dwayne Bowe.  The free agent pool at DB is not, so this need must be addressed in the draft.

13

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Eric Fisher OT Central Mich.
Analysis:  This is almost a dream scenario for the Bucs.  Fisher was dominate all week at the Senor Bowl, suggesting his outstanding film isn’t merely a by-producted of underwhelimg MAC talent.  He could absolutely be every bit the player that Joeckle is (and 12 picks later!).  It wouldn’t shock us to see the Bucs grab a QB here, as they clearly (and rightfully) aren’t sold on Freeman.  Regardless of how is quarterbacking this franchise in the future, they will love having this stud upfront.

14

Carolina Panthers Terrance Williams WR Baylor
Analysis:  Carolina needs to add some offensive weapons.  Cam Newton’s sophmore slump was due in large part to an aging core of offensive playmakers.  Williams makes a ton of sense here.  Even with the departure of RGIII, Williams went 97/1,832/12, leading the nation in receiving yards.

15

New Orleans Saints Jonathan Hankins DT Ohio St.
Analysis:  The 2012 New Orleans Saints were historically bad on defense.  They were as bad on denfese as the ’85 Bears were good! Rob (I’ll probably be out of work for 5 minutes…err… 4 weeks) joins wunderkind Sean Peyton on the sidelines to try to fix the mess.  The first order of business is switching to a 34 defense.  Without the luxury of a second round pick (kill the head and your draft will follow) the Saints have to grab a defense piece early.  Hankins has the size to anchor the NT in Ryan’s defense.

16

St. Louis Rams Lane Johnson OT Oklahoma
Analysis:  This is the first of two picks for the Rams in the first round.  With an up and coming defense (well done dodging the Rex Ryan Crazy Train) both of these picks should focus on improving the offense.  It seems that, everytime we watch the Rams, Sam Bradford is lying on his back, separating his shoulder for the umpteenth time.  Simply put:  the Rams need OL help.  Lane Johnson is the most athletic OL in the draft.  A high school quarterback in Texas (and also finished 4th in the shot put at the state track and field championships) Lane played TE and DE in college before making the switch to OL.  At 6’7″, 303 lbs., he’s got to add some more strength to his frame, and has a lot of potential.

17

Pittsburgh Steelers Dion Jordan OLB Oregon
Analysis:Two words to describe Jordan:  FREAK….and….FREEEEAK!  6-7, 241 lbs and simply flies all over the field.  With smoe good coaching and playing with more control and purpose, Jordan can wreck havoc on the football field.  Here is another prospect who could shoot up draft boards this spring.  For now we’ll slot him to the Steelers who got old on defense in a hurry.  The Steelers do a fanastic job of waiting their turn and taking players who should have been draft already.  They grab a great value (and need) here.

18

Dallas Cowboys John Jenkins DT Georgia
Analysis:  By most accounts, Jay Ratliff hasn’t had the best season.  A public spat with the boss and then a DUI in the offseason likely means the end of his tenure in Dallas.  However, we know talent trumps character, especially in Dallas.  Whether Jay stays or goes, Dallas needs to improve their interior defense.  There is great depth at DT in this draft, and the Cowboys will have their options.  Jonathon Hankins and Sheldon Richardson will get looks, if one (or both) are still around.  John Jenkins is an athletic run stuffer and should fit nicely into the Cowboys defensive line.

19

NY Giants Kenny Vaccaro S Texas
Analysis:  The G-men could go in a number of directions with this pick: OL, OLB, CB, RB.  Vaccaro is too good of a prospect to slip by the Giants brass.  His versatility is appealing, as he can play both safety positions.  The Giants also used a 3-safety defense numerous times in defense of the hurry-spread attack that swept through the league in the last few years.  Vaccaro could also be deployed as a spy versus running QB’s (Vick, RG3).  That said, I think this is the point where teams who bypassed a QB early will tempt to trade back in to the 1st to grab one that slipped.

20

Chicago Bears D.J. Fluker OT Alabama
Analysis: OL has to be priority #1 for ‘da Bears.   How much whining does Jay Cutler have to do?  Yes, he does a lot of whining regardless, but dude does have a point.  DJ is pure size and power…measuring in a 6’6″ and a solid 335 lbs.  D.J. will pay immediate dividends for Chicago…he’ll open up lanes for Forte and keep Cutler off his ass, forcing him to whine about something else.

21

Cincinnati Bengals Arthur Brown OLB Kansas St.
Analysis:  I really like the direction of this Cincinnati Bengals team; they have a young, talented roster after putting together some solid drafts (2012: Kirkpatrick, Zeitler, Sanu; 2011: Green, Dalton, Boling; 2010: Gresham, Atkins).  Marvin Lewis is smart enough to realize Andy Dalton’s flaws; (and while there is nothing he can do to lessen his gingerness) the best way to mask those deficiencies is to rely on a strong running game and solid defense.  Adding Brown gives the Bengal’s an athletic playmaker and gives them some much needed positional flexibility in regards to their line backing corps.

22

St. Louis Rams Eddie Lacy RB Alabama
Analysis:  This would be the perfect storm for St. Louis.  With Steven Jackson likely gone, the Rams backfield consists of Darryl Richardson and Isaih Pead.  Eddie Lacy is the best RB in the draft, and would instantly compete for the #1 spot, with or without Jackson.  A first team All-SEC selection, Lacy rushed for 1,322 yards and 17 tds in 14 games.  He also caught 22 balls for 189 and 2 tds, and returns kickoffs as well.

23

Minnesota Vikings Keenan Allen WR Cal
Analysis:  If your typical diva WR is a headache for the coaching staff (and GM) consider Percy Harvin a migraine!  For high school to the pros, everywhere this guy goes a black cloud follows and it’s a shame because the guy has elite skills.  If the Vikings are unable to trade him (to NE to replace Wes Welker?) this season he will surely be gone the following, as the Vikes have no intention of forking over $20M to this guy.  And this is from an organization that is thin (to be kind) at the wide-receiver position to begin with!  Allen is a step in the right direction in terms of giving Ponder a reliable target.

24

Indianapolis Colts Alex Okafor DE Texas
Analysis:  The Colts were the most improved team in the NFL, going from a 2 win team to an 11 wind season and a playoff appearance.  Offensive line is a need, but with all the top talent gone, Indy will have to address this in the later rounds  With Dwight Freeney turning 80, Okafor would be a nice consolation prize for the Colts.

25

Seattle Seahawks Sheldon Richardson DT Missouri
Analysis:  The Seahawks have been driving “mock drafters” crazy with some of their first round “reaches”  (James Carpenter, Bruce Irvin)who turn out to be fantastic football players on gameday.  So good luck trying to predict the Seahawks selection.  But we love the idea of the Hawks adding a penetrating force on the interior of there already dominate defense.  The Seahawks are one good off-season away from competing for a championship.

26

Green Bay Packers Alec Ogletree OLB Georgia
Analysis:  Depending on what happens with Jermichael Finley, the Pack may want to think about drafting a TE, and they should have their pick of either Eifert or Ertz.  However, assuming Finley stays, Green Bay should focus on defense.  The play of Aaron Rodgers and the explosiveness of Green Bay’s offense did a good job hiding the fact that the defense is not good.  They were completely exposed by San Francisco in the playoffs.  Releasing Charles Woodson is recognition that Green Bay needs to get young on D.  Ogletree would provide fresh legs and versatility to the defense in need of both.

27

Houston Texans Tyler Eifert TE ND
Analysis:  The Texans love drafting defense and building from their strengths; but we like them to add pieces to build around their top-notch running game.  Eifert (and Ertz) can create match up problems for defenses.

28

Denver Broncos Sharrif Floyd DT Florida
Analysis:  Obviously, Denver could use some secondary help (or a new secondary coach?) but Floyd is too much value to pass up here.  There’s a buzz about Sharrif, and if he kills it at the Combine, he could shoot up draft boards and into the Top 10.  Until then, John Fox and crew would be ecstatic with Floyd.

29

New England Patriots Jesse Williams DT Alabama
Analysis:  Again, what an ideal spot for a team to trade up into the first round and snag a QB should one drop to this point.  We all know the Patriots love stockpiling draft picks.  In this situation Belichick grabs a big bodied defended based on favorable recommendations from good buddy Nick Saban.  While the Patriots are ever evolving and continually seem to be ahead of the curve, Belichcick knows creating the line of scrimmage is the first step to a good defense (or offense for that matter).

30

Atlanta Falcons Zach Ertz TE Stanford
Analysis:  With Tony Gonzalez “probably” retiring (anyone else thinking that’s going to drag on?) Atlanta would be well-served to use its first round pick to find his replacement. Ertz, at 6’6″, 249 lbs., is built very similar to Gonzo, and would fit in nicely in Atlanta.

31

San Francisco 49ers Tavon Austin WR  WV
Analysis:  While Michael Crabtree had a coming out party this season (don’t worry Chris Culliver, not that kind of coming out party) the Niners could still improve their receiving corps.  They tried and (largely) failed with Randy Moss and Mario Manningham.  Austin’s explosive and can play both receiver and special teams, providing another way to instantly contribute.  He racked up 572 all-purpose yards in one game last year (second most all time), and possesses that quick first step and burst that will be effective in the slot and on returns.

32

Baltimore Ravens Manti Te’o ILB ND
Analysis:It wasn’t a coincidence that Ray Lewis’s name was never called during the actual Super Bowl.  Deer-spray notwithstanding, Ray-Ray has completely lost the speed element to his game and was a shell of his former self.  The Ravens may find themselves without ray, Ed Reed and Paul Kruger next seasons.  Ozzie Newsome will use this pick to help re-tool his front seven.  Kevin Minter is probably a better prospect and better fit here, but we selfishly love the idea of hearing Terrell Suggs opine about the dead girlfriend-catfishing story.

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