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How wide open is the 2013 NFL Draft? In Matthew Fairburn's latest mock draft, he had Sheldon Richardson going with the first overall pick. In mine, he's not in the top 15. The pending trade for Alex Smith leaves things wide open for the Chiefs. A defensive tackle like Richardson is as reasonable as an offensive tackle. It wouldn't even be a shock if the Chiefs were considering cornerback Dee Milliner at the top.
There is plenty to disagree with here. But it's not like that doesn't happen in the actual draft. So before you blindly rip anyone's mock drafts, try one yourself. Put one up in the comments and use this as an open thread.
On Monday, Fairburn and I will team up on a collaborative mock draft.
Pick | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
1. Kansas City Chiefs |
Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M |
OT | 6'6 | 306 | Sr. |
Now that it's nearly official that the Chiefs will be trading for quarterback Alex Smith, cross Geno Smith off for the Chiefs. The contemplation now is between Eric Fisher of Central Michigan and Joeckel. The higher-upside player, or the ready-to-go player? Trading for a veteran quarterback implies the Chiefs want to win quickly. Joeckel is better suited than Fisher to help them do so. |
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2. Jacksonville Jaguars |
Geno Smith, West Virginia | QB | 6'2 3/8 |
218 | Sr. |
When Jaguars general manager David Caldwell was in Atlanta, the team took quarterback Matt Ryan. Some considered it an early gamble, but it's surely paid off. Caldwell could see in Smith what he saw in Ryan. Don't forget, the Jags have some pieces on offense, but need a good quarterback. Blaine Gabbert may not be it. |
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3. Oakland Raiders |
Sharrif Floyd, Florida |
DT | 6'2 5/8 |
297 | Jr. |
Because of the unfortunate heart issues surrounding Star Lotulelei, teams drafting high may be scared to take him. Oakland is one of them. Add that to free agent Desmond Bryant being arrested and Tommy Kelly's possible release, and Oakland will be desperate for interior defensive linemen. Floyd was a star at the combine and has quickly risen into the top of the draft. Cornerback Dee Milliner may get some looks here as well. |
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4. Philadelphia Eagles |
Dion Jordan, Oregon |
DE | 6'6 1/4 |
248 | Sr. |
This was a pick I went with a couple weeks ago. It just fits. Jordan is the kind of all-around outside linebacker the Eagles need. He can drop in coverage and already knows proper hand usage as a pas rusher, where he should only improve. |
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5. Detroit Lions |
Dee Milliner, Alabama |
CB | 5'11 7/8 |
211 | Jr. |
The Lions need as much help on defense as possible, and Milliner secured a spot this high with his combine performance. While Detroit does have Chris Houston on one side, the Lions need talent on the opposite side. With the draft being deep on defense, the team can address line and linebacker later. |
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6. Cleveland Browns |
Barkevious Mingo, LSU |
OLB |
6'4 1/4 |
241 | Jr. |
With a switch to a 3-4 defense, the Browns need a difference maker at pass rusher. Mingo wasn't that last season because the LSU coaches instructed him to play more contain on the outside. Mingo has the skill set and potential to be a special player at outside linebacker. |
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7. Arizona Cardinals |
Eric Fisher, Central Michigan | OT | 6'7 | 307 | Sr. |
Because none of the quarterbacks distinguished themselves in Indianapolis, it would be unwise for the Cardinals take one in the top 10. Trade down and it's another story. But with the seventh pick, Fisher is now looking like a steal. He's the left tackle they don't have, no matter what Steve Keim may have said about Nate Potter at the combine. |
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8. Buffalo Bills |
Jarvis Jones, Georgia |
OLB | 6-2 | 245 | Sr. |
Much has been made of Jones' health issues, but he's a legitimate top 10 player in the draft this year. As an outside linebacker, he's proven he can get after the passer and can play the run. Buffalo's choice is completely up in the air. It wouldn't be a surprise to see them add a wide receiver, offensive tackle, quarterback or even a cornerback. Buffalo is as hard of a team to pin down as there is in the league. |
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9. New York Jets |
Chance Warmack, Alabama |
G | 6'2 | 317 | Sr. |
If the top pass rushers are off the board, the Jets should look at Warmack to help bolster the team's running game. The Jets are thin at guard and Warmack can be plugged in on either side for a decade. |
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10. Tennessee Titans |
Bjoern Werner, Florida State |
DE | 6'3 1/4 |
266 | Jr. |
The Titans could go a number of ways with the 10th pick. That could open them up to a trade back if someone wants to come up for offensive tackle Lane Johnson. But since we don't do trades in mocks, Werner is the choice. He's a dependable pass rusher who can stay in the game on run downs. Guard Jonathan Cooper and safety Kenny Vaccaro would likely get consideration from the Titans as well. |
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Team | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Stars |
11. San Diego Chargers |
Lane Johnson, Oklahoma | OT | 6'6 | 305 | Sr. |
At this point, the Chargers would be fortunate to see Johnson still on the board. He had a star-making combine, running a 4.75 40-yard dash and looking athletic in drills. He could be the franchise left tackle the Chargers have needed for a long time. |
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12. Miami Dolphins |
Xavier Rhodes, Florida State |
CB | 6'1 1/2 |
210 | Jr. |
At 6'2 and running a 4.42 40, Rhodes just looks like a Miami cornerback. With Sean Smith possibly on his way out, the Dolphins' need for a quality cornerback is high and Rhodes is a solid value. We've often associated the Dolphins with a wide receiver, but there are cracks in each of the top players at the position. |
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13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame | TE | 6'5 1/2 |
250 | Jr. |
If the top two cornerbacks are taken before Tampa picks, look for the Bucs to be another team trying to trade back. If they stay at this spot, Eifert is a smart choice. Josh Freeman needs a dependable receiving target, and Eifert is easily the best tight end in the class.
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14. Carolina Panthers |
Star Lotulelei, Utah |
DT | 6'3 | 311 | Sr. |
Even if concerns about Lotulelei's heart are true, this may be as far as he falls. He's the exact type of defensive tackle the Panthers need. He has the power and bulk to take on multiple blocks and can make the entire defensive line better. |
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15. New Orleans Saints |
Ezekiel Ansah, BYU |
OLB/DE | 6'5 1/4 |
271 | Sr. |
The potential Ansah possesses is as great as any player in the draft this year. He may be best as a five-technique end, but has the athleticism to play linebacker as the Saints move to a 3-4 defense. |
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16. St. Louis Rams |
Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina |
G | 6'2 1/8 |
311 |
Sr. |
Like many other offensive linemen in the draft this year, Cooper has been a fast riser. Some think he's a possible top 10 player, so the Rams may be lucky to land him with their first pick in the draft. Wide receivers have been an option for the Rams here, but the depth of the position is much better than guard. |
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17. Pittsburgh Steelers |
Jesse Williams, Alabama |
DT | 6'4 | 320 | Sr. |
Pass rushers have been popular choices for the Steelers because of James Harrison's age and Lamarr Woodley's injuries last season. But with the top pass rushers gone, finding a nose tackle to replace Casey Hampton should be just as important. |
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18. Dallas Cowboys |
Sheldon Richardson, Missouri |
DT | 6'2 1/2 |
294 | Jr. |
Richardson needs to go to a team where he can split gaps and use his athleticism to get up the field. As Dallas moves to Monte Kiffin's 4-3 defense, Richardson looks like a perfect fit. Dallas needs defensive tackles and a right tackle. If not a player on the defensive side, a player like D.J. Fluker or Alabama will get a long look. |
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19. New York Giants |
Tank Carradine, Florida State |
DE | 6'4 | 276 | Sr. |
This pick, first popularized by SB Nation's own Matthew Fairburn, makes sense. The only reason Carradine wasn't considered a first-rounder before was due to health. But he assured us at the combine he'd be ready to work out before the draft. If you think Ansah fits what the Giants look for in defensive ends, don't think differently about Carradine. In fact, Carradine is more polished as a pass rusher and nearly as athletic. |
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20. Chicago Bears |
Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State |
DT | 6'2 7/8 |
320 | Jr. |
The Bears may lose Henry Melton in free agency and need to add talent at defensive tackle. Hankins may not have had a good combine showing, but he was the focal point of Ohio State's defense last season. He's a good talent that can play various spots on the line. |
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More: Complete NFL Draft coverage
Team | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Stars |
21. Cincinnati Bengals |
Damontre Moore, Texas A&M |
DE | 6'4 1/2 |
250 | Jr. |
It's true, Moore had a poor combine. And it's true that he's not a pure speed rusher from the edge. But Moore is relentless in his pursuit and plays the run well. With Michael Johnson facing free agency, Moore could be a nice fit on the right side. |
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22. St. Louis Rams |
Kenny Vaccaro, Texas |
S | 6'0 | 214 | Jr. |
The last piece the Rams need to fill out their stellar defense is safety. Vaccaro remains the best one in the draft this year. Again, no wide receiver. The position is just too deep this year. |
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23. Minnesota Vikings |
Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee |
WR | 6'3 | 205 | Jr. |
Wide receiver has been a pretty standard choice for the Vikings, and for good reason. Percy Harvin has quickly become a distraction, and the team needs a target on the outside. Patterson has exciting ability and can be a good vertical threat for Christian Ponder. |
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24. Indianapolis Colts |
Desmond Trufant, Washington |
CB | 5'11 5/8 |
190 | Sr. |
Vontae Davis is fine on one side for the Colts, but the team needs an upgrade opposite him. Trufant secured a spot in the first round with his showing at the combine. The Colts will look at right tackle or front seven defenders here as well.
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25. Seattle Seahawks |
Datone Jones, UCLA |
DE | 6'3 7/8 |
283 | Sr. |
This was a pick I went with last week and like it. Jones would fill a vacancy left by free agent Jason Jones. The UCLA product can play inside and outside. Despite being a Bruin, he's the kind of player Pete Carroll would covet up front. |
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26. Green Bay Packers |
Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International |
S | 6'0 1/4 |
217 | Sr. |
With Charles Woodson being released, the Packers need to find a free safety who is smart in coverage and can tackle. After playing in obscurity at FIU, Cyprien has made the most of the offseason process and has firmed up his spot in the first round. |
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27. Houston Texans |
Arthur Brown, Kansas State |
MLB | 6'0 | 241 | Sr. |
This is the same pick from my last mock. Brown may not have worked out in Indianapolis, but he still helped himself coming in at a bulkier 241 pounds. He would pair nicely next to Brian Cushing because he can drop in coverage and sniff out the ball in a hurry. |
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28. Denver Broncos |
Kevin Minter, LSU |
MLB | 5'11 7/8 |
246 | Jr. |
Although Minter didn't have impressive timing numbers, he's a cleaner pick than someone like Alec Ogletree. There are no character issues with Minter and he's more pro ready.
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29. New England Patriots |
DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson |
WR | 6'1 | 214 | Jr. |
Hopkins isn't the biggest or fastest wide receiver in the draft. But he has the best hands of any wider receiver in this class and knows how to get open. Hopkins has good body control to make tough catches at the sideline.
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30. Atlanta Falcons |
Alex Okafor, Texas |
DE | 6'4 1/2 |
264 | Sr. |
This pick has been Sam Montgomery for about a month, but after he admitted to taking games off against easy teams, he could fall in the draft. While it made for a great interview, it was a poor admission. Okafor is the next end up. He was often overlooked at Texas, but he's a solid pass rusher that can play the run and pass. A running back or tight end can be found later in the draft. | ![]() |
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31. San Francisco 49ers |
Margus Hunt, SMU |
DT | 6'8 1/8 |
277 | Sr. |
This is a little high for Hunt, but the 49ers have enough draft choices this year (15!) to take some gambles. Hunt could be an excellent understudy for Justin Smith. Let him learn and bulk up for a season and be a 295-pound force in 2014. |
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32. Baltimore Ravens |
Manti Te'o, Notre Dame |
MLB | 6'1 1/4 |
241 |
Sr. |
Until there is some indication that either Te'o will go higher or the Ravens don't want him, I'm sticking solid on this one. You know the drill. Ray Lewis wasn't quite as active in his latter years and Te'o should be able to fill his role. |
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Special thanks to Bud Elliott of SB Nation Recruiting and Tomahawk Nation for the mock draft layout.
More in the NFL:
• NFL Combine's biggest winners and losers
• The best (and we mean worst) quotes from the Combine
• The Chiefs' options for the top pick
• This is a fake column: Te'o can't outrun past
• Why every city is awful for NFL free agents