2013 NFL Mock Draft: 3 rounds worth of predictions

The Kansas City Chiefs are starting to throw up mixed signals in regard to their intentions with the No. 1 pick. That's typical of this time of year. After trading a second-round pick to obtain Alex Smith, it's tough to see the Chiefs sinking more resources into the quarterback spot. Some will debate that Eric Fisher is a better tackle prospect than Luke Joeckel, and a case can certainly be made. Joeckel ranks higher on our board and is probably NFL-ready enough to kick Brandon Albert to the right side.

Luke Joeckel scouting report

When a team needs a quarterback, that is the team's biggest need. GM David Caldwell has said the Jaguars will be a needs-based team in the draft, but without any history, it's tough to tell just how the new front office will draft. Blaine Gabbert has not inspired enough confidence to convince the Jaguars to pass on the best quarterback prospect in the 2013 class. West Virginia's Geno Smith has big potential, and if Caldwell sees him as a franchise guy after spending time with him in Morgantown, he will pull the trigger. Jacksonville will also try to trade down, but we're leaving trades out of this mock.

Geno Smith scouting report

Sharrif Floyd has been the popular pick for the Raiders in mock drafts, but with the news that Star Lotulelei's heart is healthy, he takes this spot. Lotulelei is a more versatile prospect than Floyd and presents the greater upside. He can play virtually anywhere on the defensive line and dominates the point of attack. To those that say this draft lacks top end talent, I point to Loutlelei.

Star Lotulelei scouting report

The Eagles offensive line is largely dependent on Jason Peters, who is coming off another major injury. Eric Fisher has solidified his place in the top five picks; it's just a matter of which team will draft him. Teams could be looking to trade ahead of the Lions to secure Fisher, but ultimately, the Eagles could use the talent up front.

Eric Fisher scouting report

Since the Senior Bowl, the Detroit Lions' connection to Ezekiel Ansah has been a popular one. With the two top tackles off the board, Ansah remains the most logical choice. He's a high upside player that fills a huge need.

Ezekiel Ansah scouting report

During Michael Lombardi's tenure in Oakland, the team drafted defensive backs early and often. Given the amount of money Cleveland sank into the pass rush in free agency, the Browns should be able to address the cornerback spot on draft day. Dee Milliner and Joe Haden would form quite the tandem.

Dee Milliner scouting report

The Cardinals will have to choose whether they want to reach a bit and secure a potential franchise left tackle or draft one of the top defensive playmakers to fill a need at outside linebacker. Dion Jordan may not last this long, but if he does, Arizona should not hesitate.

Dion Jordan scouting report

This is my first curveball. The Bills are going to address the quarterback position early in this draft, as made evident by the number of pre-draft visits the team has used on the position. I considered Tyler Wilson with this pick, but ultimately, I think the Bills will wait until Day 2 for a quarterback. Instead, they add Tavon Austin, arguably the most explosive playmaker in the draft.

Tavon Austin scouting report

The Jets are sure to be interested in a quarterback at some point on draft weekend, but the pass rush should take priority given the value on the board. Barkevious Mingo has the length and first step to be a dominant edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme. Rex Ryan desperately needs to infuse some life into his front seven.

Barkevious Mingo scouting report

Kamerion Wimbley and Derrick Morgan have become a solid tandem at defensive end for the Titans, but the team needs to beef up the depth chart with more pass rushers. Not only would Bjoern Werner provide the team depth, but he may become the team's most talented edge rusher.

Bjoern Werner scouting report

Some think the Chargers won't be able to sit tight at 11 and secure the services of Lane Johnson. Time will tell, but in this version of my mock, San Diego lucks out. Johnson has tons of upside and should be able to provide some stability to the Chargers' offensive line in due time.

Lane Johnson scouting report

The Dolphins have done a lot in free agency and could be positioning themselves for a trade down (or up if they really want a certain player). With the best offensive linemen gone, getting another weapon for Ryan Tannehill would be a wise move. Wide receiver signing Mike Wallace won't do a lot for Miami in the red zone, so Eifert could be the perfect security blanket.

Tyler Eifert scouting report

Whether it’s a player like Rhodes or Desmond Trufant, cornerback has to be the top first-round priority for the Buccaneers. Chances are this pick could get flipped for Darrelle Revis. If it is and the Jets are picking here, cornerback may be the 13th pick in the draft regardless.

If Cam Newton is going to thrive, the Panthers need to continue to surround him with weapons. Steve Smith isn't getting younger, so Carolina would be well served to add some youth at the position. No receiver in this draft brings the upside to the position that Patterson does. A lot of people have been clamoring for a defensive tackle here, but we all did the same thing last year, and look how that turned out.

Cordarrelle Patterson scouting report

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.

The Rams need to address safety early, and with the Cowboys and the Bengals picking behind them, this is the best spot to do it. Kenny Vaccaro is a flawed prospect in some ways, but his athleticism is such that he could be an immediate weapon is used properly.

Kenny Vaccaro scouting report

All of a sudden, the Steelers need to add another weapon for the passing game. DeAndre Hopkins is our top-rated wide receiver, and Pittsburgh gets him in the middle of the first round. This is solid value for a player that can come in and start right away opposite Antonio Brown.

DeAndre Hopkins scouting report

The Cowboys could desperately use a safety here, but the depth at the position in this draft could allow them to wait until the second day. The offensive line is the bigger issue, and the value Chance Warmack presents is too much to pass up.

Chance Warmack scouting report

Tank Carradine plans to run through a workout for scouts before the draft. That should solidify him as a top-20 pick. We've slotted Carradine to the Giants since the combine and workout won't change it now.

Tank Carradine scouting report

The Bears aren't done revamping the offensive line. At least, they shouldn't be. Jonathan Cooper is arguably the draft's best guard and can play both guard positions as well as center. He's well worth a first-round pick.

Jonathan Cooper scouting report

I'm still under the assumption that the Bengals get a deal done with Andre Smith. If not, this pick becomes D.J. Fluker. That leaves Cincinnati open to go after Cyprien, a talented safety prospect that can run and hit. Another wide receiver or a running back could get some consideration with this choice, but Cyprien could have a bigger impact on the team.

I know the Rams have been pegged for a wide receiver with one of their first-round picks in nearly every mock draft, but D.J. Fluker would help round out the rebuild of St. Louis' offensive line. Plus, day two should be filled with capable wide receivers.

The Vikings get a nice value here thanks to the Carolina Panthers passing on defensive tackle for wide receiver. Sharrif Floyd is a top-15 player, but he is also the third-best defensive tackle on my board. This is about as low as I could see him falling, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him come off the board at No. 2 overall.

Sharrif Floyd scouting report

Indianapolis needs a productive pass rusher for its 3-4 defense, and the most productive 3-4 linebacker in the class falls to them at pick No. 24. Jarvis Jones isn't a perfect prospect, but he has the motor and snap anticipation to make plays.

Jarvis Jones scouting report

The Vikings have shown plenty of interest in Manti Te'o, but Arthur Brown is the better linebacker prospect. If Minnesota managed to come away from the first round with Floyd and Brown, the front seven would be in solid shape for the foreseeable future.

I can't think of a better fit for Manti Te'o. He needs to play in a 3-4 defense, and he needs to go to a place where the media won't be all over his every move. This move makes sense for the Packers as well. Just go back and watch the team's playoff loss to the 49ers. Linebacker is a big need for them, and Te'o would be a nice fit.

The Texans need to find a capable receiver across from Andre Johnson. Keenan Allen only slides this far because of a knee injury that ended his season early. He's one of the most talented receivers in the draft, and would slide into the starting lineup right away.

Damontre Moore has suffered quite the fall from grace, but it's not entirely unwarranted. He struggled in the pre-draft process, and his play this fall wasn't as impressive as others at his position. The Broncos get a solid value, and maybe Moore will thrive playing alongside his former teammate, Von Miller. After losing Elvis Dumervil, Denver needs to add a defensive end.

Here's a new name to keep an eye on. Blidi Wreh-Wilson is quickly becoming one of my favorite cornerbacks in this class the more I watch him. I think the end of the first round could be the start of a run on cornerbacks, and with New England spending plenty of time at Wreh-Wilson's pro day, he could sneak into the back half of the first round.

The Falcons continue the run on cornerbacks with Desmond Trufant, who many believe is a much better player than Wreh-Wilson. I respectfully disagree, though both are quality, first-round caliber prospects.

The 49ers need to replace Isaac Sopoaga, who left in free agency. While most view Jesse Williams as a nose tackle, he's much more than that and has the ability to play in the multiple looks that the 49ers use on defense.

The Ravens have a few holes to fill after losing multiple players to free agency. Finding a fixture on the offensive line should be a high priority in Baltimore, though, and Menelik Watson is the type of high upside player the Ravens love.