2013 NFL Mock Draft: Geno Smith's rapid rise

For the first time this draft season, I have the Kansas City Chiefs selecting Luke Joeckel. While the team franchised Branden Albert, that is not a guarantee that he will be with the team next season. Even if he is, he will only be on a one-year deal. Joeckel is arguably the top prospect in the draft.

Luke Joeckel scouting report

The Jaguars sent the full court press on West Virginia's pro day last week, presumably to see Geno Smith. Coach Gus Bradley, general manager David Caldwell, offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch and three prominent front office members all made the trip to see the quarterback in person. That's either an elaborate smoke screen or the Jaguars have serious interest in Smith. Given that quarterback is the biggest need on Jacksonville's roster, Smith would make a ton of sense. He's the sure fire top quarterback in this class and has the skill set to be a franchise guy.

Considering the state of Oakland's front-seven, this pick could go any number of directions. Sheldon Richardson grades out as the top defensive tackle on the board, and that's a huge position of need for the Raiders. He could play in multiple spots on the defensive line in multiple alignments. Richardson is a disruptive interior pass rusher who would bring some attitude to Oakland's trenches.

Sheldon Richardson scouting report

The Eagles aggressively tried to patch up the offensive tackle position through free agency but have come up short to this point. Eric Fisher makes sense at No. 4. There's no guarantee that Jason Peters will be fully recovered from his Achilles injury

Ezekiel Ansah has been my pick at this spot for the last month or so. With the Lions having a huge need at defensive end, and the coaching staff having a chance to work closely with Ansah at the Senior Bowl, this pick makes too much sense.

Ezekiel Ansah scouting report

The Browns went out and spent big money on Paul Kruger to get after the passer from the outside linebacker spot. They could still add a young player at that position, but addressing the cornerback position would make more sense. Dee Milliner also represents solid value at this spot.

Offensive line and quarterback are the two biggest needs for Cardinals, but pass rush isn't far behind. Barkevious Mingo represents the best player on the board at this stage.

Barkevious Mingo scouting report

New Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has expressed an interest in finding players that can get after the quarterback in a number of different ways. Oregon's Dion Jordan fits the bill. He can play SAM linebacker in a 4-3 or rush linebacker in a 3-4. Either way, he's a special talent with big time speed and impressive bend around the edge.

Dion Jordan scouting report

The run on rush linebackers continues with the Jets, who are desperate to upgrade the position. Jarvis Jones should check out medically, and if he does, he is a top 10 pick. He doesn't quite have the length or burst that Jordan and Mingo show, but he is a productive player with a high motor.

Jarvis Jones scouting report

The Titans have improved the pass rush, but Derrick Morgan has left something to be desired. With Bjoern Werner, one of the best 4-3 defensive ends in the draft, still available in this mock draft, Tennessee has to pull the trigger.

Bjoern Werner scouting report

The Chargers need to address the offensive line early in the 2013 NFL Draft. Some may think Lane Johnson is a reach at this spot, but after the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, he has earned this pick.

Lane Johnson scouting report

The Dolphins just shelled out a ton of money for free agent wide receiver Mike Wallace. That doesn't rule out a wide receiver for this pick, but it certainly gives Miami some freedom to look elsewhere. Cornerback is another big hole on this roster, and Xavier Rhodes is our No. 2 cornerback. He's got the upside to be the draft's best at the position.

Xavier Rhodes scouting report

With the top two cornerbacks off the board and Roy Miller leaving in free agency, defensive tackle should be in play for the Buccaneers at No. 13. Star Lotulelei would be the best player in the draft if not for concerns over his heart. If he checks out medically, he will go much higher than this on draft day.

Star Lotulelei scouting report

The Panthers will be hoping that one of the top three defensive tackles fall to them in the first round. Sharrif Floyd is our No. 3 defensive tackle and he slips to this pick in this version of the mock draft. The Panthers need talent on the interior of the defensive line. Floyd would be a good place to start.

Sharrif Floyd scouting report

The New Orleans Saints signed cornerback Keenan Lewis and brought back linebacker Junior Galette. Neither signing rules out cornerback or rush linebacker in the first round, but the with the top prospects at each position off the board, the Saints could address another huge need, safety. Kenny Vaccaro is one of the top players on the board and would make a ton of sense.

Tavon Austin has hit a home run in the pre-draft process. While we have DeAndre Hopkins as the top wide receiver in the draft, Austin provides an element of explosion that the Rams severely lack on offense.

Tavon Austin scouting report

Damontre Moore seems to have the motor and movement skills to play in space in a 3-4 defense. I wasn't a fan of him in the 4-3 this last season, and his lack of strength showed up at the combine. A 3-4 team like the Steelers could find a way to make use of him, though.

The Cowboys' offensive line really hindered them last season. Tony Romo did his best to escape from behind the constant pressure from opposing defenses, but the interior of Dallas' offensive line needs an upgrade. Enter Chance Warmack, the best offensive guard in the draft.

Chance Warmack scouting report

Tank Carradine will be the buzz of April if he manages to work out for scouts before the draft. Prior to his injury, he was the best pass rusher in this draft class, but the torn ACL will cause him to drop.

The Bears found their left tackle in free agency, now they need to buk up the interior of the offensive line. Lucky for them, Jonathan Cooper slides to pick No. 20.

Jonathan Cooper scouting report

If the Bengals don't bring back Andre Smith in free agency, they will have some issues at right tackle. D.J. Fluker may never be a left tackle in the NFL, but he has the skill set to be a solid right tackle right away.

The Rams landed Jake Long in free agency, freeing them up to address wide receiver and the secondary in the first round of April's draft. John Cyprien could sneak into the end of the first round. On tape, few safeties showed the range he displayed on a weekly basis at Florida International.

After losing Percy Harvin, the Vikings need to find a wide receiver in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. DeAndre Hopkins is the top player on our board at the position, but Cordarrelle Patterson has more upside.

Cordarrelle Patterson scouting report

The Colts did so much in free agency that it's tough to tell which route they will go in the draft. Despite over paying for linebacker Erik Walden, I think Indianapolis will try to find a young pass rusher for its 3-4 defense. Jamie Collins, a Dan Kadar favorite, could sneak into the first round after blowing up the combine.

The Vikings now have a pair of first-round picks and should be able to fill two big needs in the first round. Jesse Williams is a load to handle on the inside and would help Minnesota revamp its run defense.

Jesse Williams scouting report

Arthur Brown is the draft's best linebacker. After blowing up his pro day, proving he was healthy and putting his athleticism on display despite adding 10 pounds, Brown won't last too long on draft day.

The draft's top wide receiver falls to the Houston Texans, who just so happen to have a huge whole in the lineup across from Andre Johnson. This is a perfect fit.

The Elvis Dumervil fiasco creates a big need for the Broncos at defensive end. Datone Jones is one of the most versatile defensive linemen in this year's draft and could be a solid addition to Denver's front seven.

The Patriots managed to bring back Aqib Talib, which should hold them over in the secondary. The team needs wide receivers, though. Bill Belichick hasn't been the best at drafting wideouts lately, but one of the draft's top talents at the position falls to him in the late first in this mock. He can't pass that up.

Keenan Allen scouting report

Logan Ryan has the upside to land in the first round. He plays the game with a physical edge and seems to fit the 49ers' philosophy on defense. Should he be available at this pick, San Francisco should take a long look.

Logan Ryan scouting report

Manti Te'o will need to find a home in a 3-4 defense to have success in the NFL due to his lack of range. The Ravens lost two inside linebackers this offseason and could address the position early on during draft weekend.

Manti Te'o scouting report