We hope you aren't sick of mock drafts, because SB Nation has plenty of mocking left to do between now and April 25.
In a change from the mock drafts we've been rolling out, this week's version features trades. Dan Kadar and I put our heads together to try and sort through the mess that is the 2013 NFL Draft. A few trades helped make the picture a bit easier to piece together. Here are the hypothetical trades used in this mock draft.
- Miami and Cleveland swap picks. The rest of the compensation is not relevant to this mock draft, but the Dolphins move up to secure one of the top offensive tackles.
- The Jets acquire the No. 13 pick from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as part of a Darrelle Revis trade. We're working under the assumption that this trade will go down before draft night.
- The Buffalo Bills move back into the first round via a trade with Green Bay to secure a quarterback.
Odds are even more trades will go down on draft night, but it's fun to experiment with the swapping of picks in mock drafts. For this mock, Dan handled the even picks, and I handled the odds. Here's the full first round.
Pick | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
1. Kansas City Chiefs |
Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M |
OT | 6'6 | 306 | Jr. |
The Kansas City Chiefs' choice with the No. 1 pick is far from set in stone. They have likely narrowed down their choices, with Luke Jockel, Eric Fisher and Dion Jordon appearing to be the most likely candidates. Joeckel still makes the most sense. He's rated higher on our board, and with the uncertainty surrounding Brandon Albert's future with the team, Joeckel would provide longterm stability at left tackle. |
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2. Jacksonville Jaguars |
Dion Jordan, Linebacker | DE/LB | 6'6 1/4 | 248 | Sr. |
Although we've been projecting Geno Smith to the Jaguars for a couple months, there is no certainty that's where they're going. One of the key spots in Gus Bradley's defense is the Leo, and Jordan would be so much better for the position than Jason Babin. |
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3. Oakland Raiders |
Star Lotulelei, Utah |
DT | 6'2 1/2 |
311 | Sr. |
Now that Star Lotulelei's heart has checked out, he should be the first defensive tackle off the board. While Sharrif Floyd is getting a lot of attention for this pick, Lotulelei has the size and versatility to play all over the defensive line in a three-man front. He would be the best choice for Oakland here. Star Lotulelei scouting report
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4. Philadelphia Eagles |
Geno Smith, West Virginia |
QB | 6'2 3/8 |
218 | Sr. |
How can a team drafting in the top five take a backup quarterback? Because starter Michael Vick is entering the final year of his contract. Multiple trusted reporters and analysts have been penciling in Smith to the Eagles, so it may not be smoke screen. |
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5. Detroit Lions |
Eric Fisher, Central Michigan | OT | 6'7 1/4 | 306 | Sr. |
For the past few months, Ezekiel Ansah has been our choice for the Lions. However, with Jeff Backus retiring and Eric Fisher being on the board with the No. 5 pick, the Lions will address the offensive line. Riley Reiff may be a better fit at right tackle long term, so finding a left tackle would be a wise move. |
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6. Miami Dolphins (TRADE with Browns) |
Lane Johnson, Oklahoma | OT |
6'6 |
303 | Sr. |
Miami moving up to take an offensive tackle seems like the most-obvious trade in the first round. Miss out on one of the top three left tackles and the Dolphins face an unenviable future of Jonathan Martin on the left side. The Dolphins have plenty of ammunition to trade up this high or higher. Lane Johnson scouting report |
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7. Arizona Cardinals |
Barkevious Mingo, LSU | DE/OLB | 6'4 1/4 | 241 | Jr. |
With the top three defensive tackles off the board, the Cardinals turn to the pass rush, securing arguably the most explosive edge rusher in this class in Barkevious Mingo. Mingo's production wasn't as impressive as some would have hoped in 2012, but if utilized more effectively, he could be dangerous. |
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8. Buffalo Bills |
Kenny Vaccaro, Texas | S | 6'1 | 215 | Sr. |
Did the Bills take themselves out of a pass rusher by signing Manny Lawson to a four-year deal? It's also no sure thing the team likes a wide receiver this high in the draft. This is early for Vaccaro, but there are fewer unknowns about his game than most other prospects in the first round. Kenny Vaccaro scouting report |
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9. New York Jets |
Tavon Austin, West Virginia | WR | 5'8 1/2 | 174 | Sr. |
The Jets are sure to be interested in a quarterback at some point on draft weekend, but with Geno Smith off the board, the Jets go another direction but still add an impact offensive player. Tavon Austin would give the Jets some much needed speed on offense provide a weapon for whoever they choose to start at quarterback. |
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10. Tennessee Titans |
Ezekiel Ansah, BYU | DE | 6'5 1/4 |
271 | Sr. |
If Ansah happens to be on the board when the Titans pick in the first round, they should run the pick to the podium. Ansah needs developmental time as a pass rusher, but his physical potential is limitless. Ansah could learn from Kamerion Wimbley before eventually starting opposite him.
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Team | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
11. San Diego Chargers |
Dee Milliner, Alabama | CB | 5'11 7/8 | 201 | Jr. |
The Chargers need to find a left tackle, but the value doesn't match the need with this pick. Lucky for them, Dee Milliner is still on the board, and San Diego could use some youth in the secondary. |
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12. Cleveland Browns (TRADE with Dolphins) |
Xavier Rhodes, Florida State | CB | 6'1 1/2 |
210 | Jr. |
The benefit the Browns have of trading down to the 12th pick is that they can still land a top cornerback, or even a tight end like Tyler Eifert. In this scenario, they can take Rhodes, the second-best cornerback in the draft this year. If he doesn't work out at corner, the Browns desperately need a safety next to TJ Ward and Rhodes would fit. |
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13. New York Jets (TRADE with Buccaneers) |
Chance Warmack, Alabama | G | 6'2 1/2 | 317 | Sr. |
In another draft trade, the Jets wind up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers first round pick as part of a Darrelle Revis trade. With two top-13 picks, the Jets fill two big needs on offense, the second being guard. Chance Warmack is a monster on the interior and would further upgrade New York's run blocking. |
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14. Carolina Panthers |
Sharrif Floyd, Florida | DT | 6'2 5/8 |
297 | Jr. |
There's nothing wrong with Floyd. The only reason he may fall this far in the draft is due to needs. Floyd is a very good player, and the Panthers should be happen to get him to stop the run. He's agile enough to rush the passer as well. |
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15. New Orleans Saints |
Sheldon Richardson, Missouri |
DT | 6'2 1/2 |
294 | Jr. |
Switching to a new 3-4 defense, the Saints need to add some pieces to the front-seven. Sheldon Richardson could play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme and has the impact potential New Orleans needs up front. The secondary is also in dire straights, but Richardson's value is too much to pass up. Sheldon Richardson scouting report |
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16. St. Louis Rams |
Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina | G | 6'2 1/8 | 311 | Sr. |
With Tavon Austin and Kenny Vaccaro off the board, the Rams could put the focus on the offensive line with the 16th pick. If they can get Cooper with the 16th pick, it would help them continue the rebuild up front. Cooper is an athletic guard who can get out on the move, but he's strong enough to stay line. |
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17. Pittsburgh Steelers |
Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee | WR | 6'1 7/8 | 216 | Jr. |
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18. Dallas Cowboys |
D.J. Fluker, Alabama | RT | 6'4 5/8 |
339 | Jr. |
If the draft falls this way, the Cowboys would be in a difficult situation. All the best defensive tackles and Kenny Vaccaro are gone. It may come down to a trade, Fluker or a safety like Jonathan Cyprien. Despite signing Doug Free to a big deal, Fluker is a much better player. He's a power tackle with underrated pass blocking skills. |
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19. New York Giants |
Tank Carradine, Florida State | DE | 6'4 1/4 | 276 | Sr. |
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20. Chicago Bears |
Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame | TE | 6'5 1/2 |
250 | Jr. |
The Bears may have added Martellus Bennett in free agency, but the team could still double up at the position in one offseason. Eifert is athletic enough to line up outside the tackle box and fast enough to stretch the seam. He's a good value with the 20th pick as well.
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More: Complete NFL Draft coverage
Team | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
21. Cincinnati Bengals |
Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International |
S | 6'0 1/4 |
217 | Sr. |
The Bengals have to add a safety early in the 2013 NFL Draft, and the value is right with the No. 21 pick. John Cyprien has the balanced game to play either safety spot and make an impact. |
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22. St. Louis Rams |
DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson |
WR | 6'1 | 214 | Jr. |
If the Rams miss out on Tavon Austin with the 16th pick, they shouldn't rush to take a wide receiver with that spot. A good one will be there with the 22nd. That's the case here. Hopkins isn't a pure playmaker like Austin, but he's our top wide receiver in the draft this year. He's a natural on the outside and has excellent hands. |
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23. Minnesota Vikings |
Keenan Allen, California |
WR | 6'2 | 206 | Jr. |
After trading away Percy Harvin, the Vikings desperately need to find weapons in the passing game for Christian Ponder. Keenan Allen didn't help himself at his personal pro day, running in the 4.7-second range, but on tape he is a first round player. |
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24. Indianapolis Colts |
Jarvis Jones, Georgia |
DE/OLB | 6'2 |
245 | Jr. |
This may be the furthest Jones has dropped in any of our mock drafts. As we put the mock together, it was hard to find a fit for him. The Colts would be fortunate to see him there with the 24th pick in the draft. He's a natural fit as a 3-4 linebacker and could be used in the same way Chuck Pagano used Terrell Suggs in Baltimore. |
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25. Minnesota Vikings |
Arthur Brown, Kansas State | LB | 6'0 | 241 | Sr. |
The Vikings will be looking to add a linebacker early in the draft. Arthur Brown grades out better than any player at the position and has the versatility to play a few different positions in Minnesota's 4-3 defense. Arthur Brown scouting report
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26. Buffalo Bills (TRADE with Packers) |
E.J. Manuel, Florida State |
QB | 6'4 5/8 |
237 | Sr. |
The cost to move up to get a quarterback could be the Bills' second- and third-round picks. But if they hit on a quarterback, no one will ever remember. The question then becomes which of the quarterbacks to take. The Bills can afford to take a quarterback to develop because of the Kevin Kolb signing. Manuel is the choice because he has the best tools. He may not be around at pick 41. |
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27. Houston Texans |
Menelik Watson, Florida State | OT | 6'5 1/8 |
310 | Jr. |
The Texans need will be looking to upgrade the right tackle spot at some point during the draft. Menelik Watson has worked his way into first round consideration and has the athleticism to excel in Houston's zone-blocking scheme. |
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28. Denver Broncos |
Alec Ogletree, Georgia | LB | 6'2 1/2 |
242 | Jr. |
Although he's had off-field problems, Ogletree is the kind of linebacker the Broncos need. He's fast and active. He's not as advanced of a run stopper as Manti Te'o or Kevin MInter, but can drop in coverage and move sideline to sideline with ease. |
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29. New England Patriots |
Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Connecticut |
CB | 6'0 3/4 | 195 | Sr. |
Blidi Wreh-Wilson may be a surprise to some, but he's a name to keep an eye on late in the first round. A run on cornerbacks could start in this range of the draft, and the Patriots have shown some interest in the Connecticut defensive back. He's flying under the radar, but Wreh-Wilson is in the mix in the second tier of cornerbacks. |
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30. Atlanta Falcons |
Bjoern Werner, Florida State |
DE |
6'3 |
266 | Jr. |
As the draft plays out, it will be interesting to see what the Falcons do. Following the release of Tyson Clabo, the Falcons could be after a right tackle like Fluker or Watson. So much so that they could trade up. We didn't execute a trade for the Falcons because they also need a pass rusher. Werner is sliding some here, so he's a moderate steal with the 30th pick. |
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31. San Francisco 49ers |
D.J. Swearinger, South Carolina |
S |
6'0 |
212 | Sr. |
D.J. Swearinger would add an element to San Francisco's secondary that was lacking a year ago. He's a ball-hawking heavy hitter the coverage and recognition skills to dominate either safety spot. |
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32. Baltimore Ravens |
Matt Elam, Florida | S | 5'10 |
206 | Jr. |
For just about every mock draft we've done since December, the Ravens' pick has been designated for a middle linebacker. Although the Rolando McClain signing doesn't necessarily stop Baltimore from going linebacker, it does slightly lessen the need. After middle linebacker, the Ravens need a player to replace Ed Reed. Elam isn't as good in coverage, but he can set the tone in the back four with his ability to run and hit. |
Fallers: Jesse Williams, Desmond Trufant, Johnathan Hankins, Datone Jones, Damontre Moore
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