2013 NFL Mock Draft – TSB Style

Everyone is an expert…

But instead of having five TSB writers giving a list of who should be taken where in the 2013 NFL Mock Draft, we’re going to mix it up a bit. We are going to do it Fantasy Football style. We randomly selected the draft order, one through five, and are selecting who we think should be picked by that team. Not who we think will be picked.

Here’s the draft order, and which teams we will be selecting for.

Mike – 1. Kansas City , 6. Cleveland, 11. San Diego, 16. St. Louis, 21. Cincinnati, 26. Green Bay, 31. San Francisco

Phil – 2. Jacksonville, 7. Arizona, 12. Miami, 17. Pittsburgh, 22. St. Louis (from Washington), 27. Houston, 32. Baltimore

Earl – 3. Oakland, 8. Buffalo, 13. New York Jets (from Tampa Bay), 18. Dallas, 23. Minnesota, 28 Denver

Hasib– 4. Philadelphia, 9. New York Jets, 14. Carolina, 19. New York Giants, 24. Indianapolis , 29. New England

Dan – 5. Detroit, 10. Tennessee, 15. New Orleans, 20. Chicago, 25. Minnesota (from Seattle), 30. Atlanta

Mike…You are on the clock.

1.  Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M (Mike)

The Chiefs got a new coach and a new quarterback this offseason. The last thing they need to bring in is a player to protect Alex Smith’s blindside, and Joeckel is the best left tackle available in this year’s draft. Joeckel has great size for a tackle (6’6″/310 lbs) and has started every game in his collegiate career. Drafting Joeckel will allow Branden Albert to move to right tackle, solidifying the Chiefs offensive line for years to come.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon (Phil)

After much deliberation, the organization decided to pass on wasting a No. 2 pick on a quarterback in a weak QB draft. Geno Smith has some skills, but he’s most definitely not worth a No. 2. So, the Jags made a pick to benefit the other side of the ball. Dion Jordan will step in and start right away as Jacksonville has lost two key defensive lineman this offseason, Terrance Knighton and C.J. Mosley. The versatile Jordan can run various defensive fronts, playing on both the ends and outside linebacker. He is able to easily man up or zone against a tight end or slot receiver to help Jacksonville turn around their terrible pass coverage. Look for he and Jason Babin to feed off one another all season long.

3. Oakland Raiders – Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah, DE, BYU (Earl)

Really a no brainer here for the Raiders. They recently acquired Matt Flynn to help solve the ever revolving QB carousel. No need to burn a pick on a QB like Gino Smith here. With only 25 sacks last year, the Raiders need a pass rusher/someone to cause problems in the backfield. They LOVE speed, and why not actually draft it on defense for once? Ansah is in that “freak” category as far as DE’s go. 6’5” 271 LBS and a 4.56 40yd dash. The brass of the silver and black have a slight boner over these types of numbers. You want explosiveness off the line? Check this out…Ansah (1.56 sec) was timed faster than 17 wide receivers at the combine in the 10-yard split.

4. Philadelphia Eagles – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan (Hasib)

If you saw any Eagles games last year, you know that the eagles had nooooooooooooooooooooo offensive line last year. Michael Vick and Nick Foles were running for their lives. Every time one of them said “hike”, it was like a herd of zombies from “28 days later” came after them. Give them the next best offensive line prospect here and call it a day. Plus in the NFC East, you can never have enough pass rushers or offensive linemen to block those pass rushers.

5. Detroit Lions- Dee Milliner, CB Alabama (Dan)

The Lions would have liked to take any of the four players who have already been picked, because an OT and pass rusher would have filled a bigger need. That being said, you cannot go wrong with Milliner here, who I believe has shut-down corner potential. The Lions have recently gone with the best player available strategy in the 1st round, as opposed to drafting by need. I have Sharrif Floyd as my top guy available, but it is hard for me to see them drafting him with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in the fold. With Milliner, the Lions get a guy that has great size and athleticism for a corner. He should help their defense catch up to the very explosive offense in Detroit.

6. Cleveland Browns – Shariff Floyd, DT Florida (Mike)

The Browns would have loved to get a pure pass rusher at this spot (Jordan/Ansah), but with those two off the board, they have to draft the best available player. Floyd has shot up draft boards since the season ended with great performances at the combine and in the interviews. The Browns d-line needs help, and Floyd would fit right into their 4-3 scheme. Team Floyd up with 2011 first round pick Phil Taylor and the Browns have the middle of their d-line set for the future.

7. Arizona Cardinals – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia (Phil)

Since he has fallen to #7, the Cardinals have decided to take the best QB in the draft. Even though Arizona has made a move to acquire so-called “franchise quarterback” and drama queen, Carson Palmer, they need to make some decisions that will affect them long term. For a team that has struggled without a great quarterback since the retirement of Kurt Warner, they need to invest in youth and potential–by drafting Geno Smith, they enable their team for success in the future. Even though Carson Palmer isn’t the greatest role model for Smith to follow, he’s a seasoned vet who’s been in the league for a while–he knows a thing about getting hit and tossing an occasional TD pass. With Geno Smith available here, the Cardinals just couldn’t pass. Fitzgerald is salivating at the possibilities.

8. Buffalo Bills – Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse (Earl)

This might be an unpopular pick here, but with Gino Smith surprisingly going to the Cardinals, the Bills can not miss out on a QB. If they wait until the second round, Nassib might not be there. The Bills signed Kevin Kolb to a heavily incentive laden deal, which hinges on the number of starts he gets. So if the Bills take Nassib here, they can go with him early and see what they have. This also limits the amount of playing time Kolb gets, and decreases his paycheck. The Bills haven’t had a real QB since Jim Kelly. Nassib has been climbing up all the mock drafts and is a “cold weather” QB, having played as Syracuse, and has obvious ties to the new head coach Doug Marrone. Almost all scouts have him as the #1 or #2 QB in this draft.

9. New York Jets – Barkevarious Mingo, DE, LSU (Hasib)

Their defense is solid even though they traded Revis.  This team really needs an identity on offense. Whether it’s a prolific RB, a game breaking WR, or a move the chains TE….they need something. Unfortunately, there are none in this draft worth taking this high. I was thinking about taking a QB here (and I like Barkley every bit as much as Geno Smith) but none of them are sure things. Better to worry about those things in the later rounds. Let’s get them a pass rusher that they haven’t had in decades and fortify that defense even more! Jarvis Jones or Barkevioius Mingo? The guy who actually produced in college or the workout warrior? I’ll pick Mingo for two reasons. 1) Spinal Stenosis scares the living shit out of me. 2) Being a NY Giants fan, I know pass rushers with uncommon names usually turn out well. Unconventional methodology? Yes. But if it works for Jerry Reese, then it’ll work for me. In Jerry Reese, I trust.

10. Tennessee Titans – Chance Warmack, G, Alabama (Dan)

Titans’ GM Ruston Webster has let it be known that he is looking to improve the offensive line this off-season, and with Chance Warmack available here at #10, I think it is a no brainer. I see Warmack as a top 5 player in this draft. He is a great run blocker that will help create space for Chris Johnson, and also excels at pass blocking. He has been a major part of the Alabama dynasty, and is known as a very good leader. The problem is, that he is an elite player at a not so elite position. You simply do not see Guards being taken in the top ten, but with the lack of elite talent at the top of this draft, it is hard to see the Titans not taking Warmack.

11. San Diego Chargers -Lane Johnson OT, Oklahoma (Mike)

It was almost a guarantee last season that when Phillip Rivers dropped back, he was going to get hit. The Chargers o-line was atrocious. The unit ranked 23rd in the league last season in pass protection. Lane Johnson is the best available tackle on the board, and has a higher ceiling than any other tackle in the draft.  Johnson, a former juco QB, clearly made the right choice by switching to the offensive line. Johnson is still raw, but with some good coaching, could eventually turn into a Pro-Bowl quality LT.

12. Miami Dolphins- Jonathon Cooper, OL, North Carolina (Phil)

After the best offensive tackles in the draft have been taken, the Fins need to grab the best guard available. Losing Jake Long hurt the team a lot. Their offensive line was already a disaster, let alone losing one of the best tackles in the league. They’ll need a young, consistent blocker to help establish a run game (especially after losing shifty Reggie Bush) and protect the helpless body of their franchise quarterback and future of the team.

13. New York Jets (via Tampa Bay) – Xavier Rhodes, CB, FSU (Earl)

Revis Island is relocating to Tampa Bay. So naturally the Jets will draft a CB. No shot the Jets brass does anything here to HELP the atrocious offense.  So getting another possible stud CB seems like the logical thing.  Rhodes is a big physical CB who loves to play press coverage. 6’1” 210 lbs is great size. In a division that has just added Mike Wallace , he would be a decent fit for a team that is going to try to win every game 3-0. Rhodes is coming off a knee injury that ended his 2011 season and also had a hand injury in 2009. He’s not great in zone coverage or covering slot WR’s. He’s the type of guy to cover the #1 guy on the outside.

14. Carolina Panthers – Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah  (Hasib)

This is a steal. The only reason Star has dropped so low is because of a viral infection which threw off red flags on his echocardiogram. There’s no way he drops this far into the draft. If he does, Carolina will be doing cartwheels. Dude has star potential (no pun intended) and when you add the fact that one of the few games I saw of them last year, Andre Brown rang em up for 113 yards on the ground, they probably could use some help up the middle. I mean, it’s Andre Brown, guys.

15. New Orleans – Jarvis Jones DE/OLB, Georgia (Dan)

The Saints are making the move to the 3-4 defense next season, and they need an elite pass rushing outside linebacker to help hide holes that they have in the secondary. Jones fits that description. He was arguably the best player on the field for a great Georgia defense that has many NFL prospects. The reason Jones has slipped is he has spinal stenosis. He is certainly a risk, but if he stays healthy, and there are no complications with his spine, this pick will be a steal.

16. St. Louis Rams – Tavon Austin, WR, WVU (Mike)

The Rams receiving core was already weak enough before the departure of their top receiver Danny Amendola. WR is their biggest need in the draft, and they have a chance to pick the top wide out in the class in Austin.  Austin is the perfect slot receiver. He is lightning fast and fits perfectly into St. Louis quick hit offensive scheme. He has the physical tools and potential to turn into Wes Welker 2.0.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame (Phil)

The Steelers have a clutch target in Tight End Heath Miller, but he may not be ready to start the 2013 season after tearing two ligaments in his knee to end his 2012 campaign. Big Ben LOVES passing to big targets, most notably Tight Ends. Heath Miller was easily his clutch target in the red zone and end zone last season before getting hurt. They acquired Matt Spaeth from the Chicago Bears this off-season but Spaeth has proven to be a guy who drops balls, lacks speed, and isn’t the most consistent–unless it’s consistently bad. With losing Mike Wallace, Ben needs some targets to get the deed done. Hopefully one outside of a nightclub bathroom.

18. Dallas Cowboys – Sheldon Richardson, DT,  Mizzou (Earl)

The Cowboys are switching to the 4-3 on defense after Rob Ryan got shitcanned, and crypt keeper Monte Kiffin took over. The ‘Boys Pro-Bowl NT Jay Ratliff is breaking down, Josh Brent’s BAC is still at .12 after killing teammate Jerry Brown in a DWI crash, and Jason Hatcher is vastly undersized for a tackle. From BloggingTheBoys.com “The 6’2″, 294 pound Richardson moves incredibly well for a big man. At Missouri’s pro day, he ran a 4.71 second 40-yard dash and contributed 4.59 second short shuttle and 7.33 second three-cone drill times. His speed and quickness are evident on the field, where Richardson demonstrates light feet and an impressive first step that he uses to jump into the backfield in a hurry, easily beating reach-blocks and working his way through double-teams. But his game isn’t solely comprised of speed; he also plays with leverage and power”

19. New York Giants – Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington (Hasib)

Some mocks I’ve seen have the Giants taking an offensive lineman or a linebacker. The Giants don’t touch those guys in the first round. I really wanted Eifert because the Cruz situation is really worrying me and Eifert can be that in the seams guy if Cruz leaves after next year. I also was thinking about Kenny Vaccaro because of the departure of Kenny Phillips and the fact that the Giants like to run a lot of 3 safety formations. Decided to pick Desmond Trufant because the Giants couldn’t cover a pool in the winter last season. The man is an elite athlete and can cover? Sign me up.

20. Chicago Bears- Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia (Dan)

If this is the pick for the Bears in the 1st round, all Chicago fans should be very happy. The Bears could use some help on the offensive line, and I considered North Carolina G Jonathan Cooper, but I think Ogletree is the best traditional LB in this draft, and is a possible replacement for Brian Urlacher in the middle. Ogletree instantly becomes one of the fastest linebackers in the game, and has great coverage skills as a former safety. He has all of the athletic ability in the world, but he probably needs to put on a few pounds if he is going to man the middle linebacker spot in the NFL. He does struggle a bit shedding blockers in run defense, but his athletic ability makes up for it more often than not. If he does not put on the weight, Ogletree has the talent to play the OLB in a 4-3. I just think if the Bears take him here, they are wanting him to be the man in the middle.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Keenan Allen, WR, CAL (Mike)AJ Green is an absolute stud, but the rest of the Bengals’ receiving core is weak. Mohammed Sanu showed flashes of his potential last season, but couldn’t stay healthy. Andy Dalton regressed last season, but part of that was due to his lack of weapons. After Green, his next two best targets, Sanu and Gresham, both missed extended periods of time. Allen has good size for a wideout and has been productive in each of his three years at Cal. He instantly steps in as a starter for Cinci and takes the pressure and double teams off Green.

22. St. Louis Rams (From Washington)- Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama (Phil)

Lose one stud running back, gain one. Surprised Lacy fell this far in the draft.  So Jeff Fisher and the Rams add a beast in the backfield. Though Lacy has been held back from preseason workouts due to a hamstring injury, he’s going to bounce back bigger and stronger than ever. Having over 1300 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground in an injury plagued senior year is impressive. Over 1200 and 19 TDs as a sophomore, 1800 and 27 TDs as a junior, Lacy displays consistency with his sheer dominance–as if the National Championship game this year wasn’t evidence enough. Eddie is clearly the best running back in the draft and the Rams are ecstatic to have him. Run Eddie, Run.

23. Minnesota Vikings – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee (Earl)

With the Bengals being the Bengals, the Vikings were ecstatic to grab the #1 WR in the draft.  When the Vikings traded Percy Harvin, they knew they needed to get a big time WR early.  Patterson will be called upon to fill the void.  With great size (6-2 216 lbs) and good speed (4.40 40-yd), he is the type of playmaker Minnesota needs to help AP.  Don’t think that Patterson is just a pass catcher either.  Last season he had 25 carries for 308 yds and 3 TD’s.  He looks like the perfect fit to replace Harvin.

24. Indianapolis Colts – Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas (Hasib)

The Colts defense was abysmal last year. They couldn’t cover Sports Illustrated even if they had Kate Upton’s boobs. They should go with the best safety on the board here. He has middle of the first round value so it’s a surprise to me that he fell here.

25. Minnesota Vikings- Arthur Brown LB, Kansas State (Dan)

For me this pick was between Arthur Brown and Manti Te’O. I decided to go with Brown because of his elite athleticism. The biggest knock on Brown is his size, at 230 pounds. While, he is a bit undersized, he definitely does not play like it. He has surprising strength for a player of his size, incredible speed for a linebacker, and is a solid fundamental tackler. I think he fits in perfectly as an outside linebacker for the Vikings 4-3 defense.

26. Green Bay Packers – Margus Hunt, DE, SMU (Mike)

The Packers really wanted Eddie Lacy here, but he’s gone so they look to upgrade their pass rush. Green Bay just signed Clay Matthews to a huge new contract, and they need someone on the other side of the line to create some pressure on the QB.  Hunt is humongous (6’8″ 280 lbs), and is a rare pass rush threat from the 3-4 DE spot. He’s big enough to take on two lineman himself, but more importantly, is good enough at finding the QB that others teams have to respect him. This gives Matthews 1 on 1 rushes on the other side, which is exactly what the Packers want.

27. Houston Texans –  DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson (Phil)

It’s not a secret, the Texans need another wide receiver threat. For years, they’ve relied soley on Andre Johnson in the air, and most of the time, that ends poorly due to his durability issues. Hopkins only stands at 6’1, but his body size (and room for bulking up in NFL training) and big ‘ol hands can enable him to bully DB’s on the outside. He’s been compared to Roddy White after having a very productive career at Clemson and his draft stock is higher than ever. With Austin and Patterson off the board, DeAndre might just be the perfect compliment opposite of Andre Johnson.

28. Denver Broncos – Bjoern Werner, DE,  FSU (Earl)

Elvis has left the building, and someone has to replace him.  Werner lead the ACC with 13 sacks and had 18 tackles for loss.  Werner has good get-off quickness and bend to beat blockers off the snap.  Shows outstanding football awareness, reading the ballcarrier and batting down passes at the line of scrimmage.

29. New England Patriots – Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State (Hasib)

These fools need to shore up their secondary right quick. Kyle Arrington is slated to be their starting cornerback right now. Not impressed. Maybe one of these days, you guys can beat the Giants.

30. Atlanta Falcons – Robert Alford, CB, Southeastern Lousiana (Dan)

The Falcons have a huge need at corner, and with all the obvious guys taken at the position, I decided to dig a little deeper. Alford is a guy that has shot up draft boards recently. He has elite athleticism and decent size for a corner. Since it is such a position of need, and Atlanta is stacked at so many other positions, I feel like they can afford to reach for a guy they like.

31. San Francisco 49ers – Jonathan Cyprien, SS, FIU (Mike)

The 49ers don’t have any real glaring needs. However, they lost pro-bowl safety Dashon Goldson in free agency to Tampa Bay and Cyprien is the best available safety at this point of the draft.

32. Baltimore Ravens- Manti Te’O, LB, Notre Dame (Phil)

The Baltimore defense has fallen apart and then completely redone (possibly upgraded) this off-season. One thing remains, the middle is nonexistent like Te’O’s girlfriend (had to do it one last time). Manti lacks size and speed, but he has the quickness and awareness to read plays and slow down offenses. With the training staff and coaching of the more modest Harbaugh, he is sure to bulk up and become a force to be reckoned with. The Ravens also have some great veteran leadership on ‘D’ to make this kid a star. He’s had a rough few months, but look for Te’O to come into the league with a chip on his shoulder after being manhandled by Eddie Lacy and company and worked by a self-proclaimed sexually disturbed man pretending to be his girlfriend.