Sam Farmer’s 2013 NFL mock draft
Round 1 of the 2013 NFL draft is Thursday night, beginning at 5 PDT. Rounds 2 and 3 start at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Rounds 4-7 begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. Live television coverage will be on ESPN and NFL Network.
No., Team, Player, Pos., School, Comment
1. KANSAS CITY: Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M;
Eric Fisher could go first, but Joeckel has more big-game experience. If Andy Reid goes defense, it will be Star Lotulelei.
2. JACKSONVILLE: Eric Fisher, T, Central Michigan
Modern draft has never gone tackle-tackle, but making the sexy pick isn’t always a franchise maker. Big man’s draft.
3. OAKLAND: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Have lots of holes, especially along D-line. Have vacancies in secondary too, so it could be CB Dee Milliner.
4. PHILADELPHIA: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Secretive Chip Kelly could pull stunner and take WR Tavon Austin. If he passes on Dion Jordan, the Oregon DE could take a tumble.
5. DETROIT: Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU
Lions lost three starters on their offensive line, so they could take T Lane Johnson. Ansah is a raw but gifted pass rusher.
6. CLEVELAND: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Have only one solid corner in Joe Haden, so getting another is the most pressing need. Milliner is tops in this class.
7. ARIZONA: Lane Johnson, T, Oklahoma
Johnson might be the best tackle in draft. Chargers want him too, so don’t be surprised if they try to leapfrog Cardinals.
8. BUFFALO: Tavon Austin, WR, W. Virginia
A bold and controversial move would be Bills taking Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib, who might not last until second round.
9. N.Y. JETS: Barkevious Mingo, DE LSU
Desperately need someone who can bring pressure from the edge. Mingo fits scheme. It’s too high to take a QB here.
10. TENNESSEE: Jonathan Cooper, G, N. Carolina
Landed Andy Levitre in free agency, but need another guard. A pass rusher like Jordan would be tempting with this pick.
11. SAN DIEGO: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
If they stay put here, Chargers should be able to get one of the guards. Another option is less polished tackle Menelik Watson.
12. MIAMI: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Big corners are in vogue. Look how Seattle did with two of them. Not likely to be a top-shelf offensive tackle left here.
13. N.Y. JETS-a: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Some believe Jets will go defense-defense with two top picks, or trade down, but Eifert’s a talent who belongs in top 10.
14. CAROLINA: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Some scouts prefer Trufant over Rhodes. In division loaded with big, elite receivers, need another corner who can cover.
15. NEW ORLEANS: Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon
Opinions vary on Jordan, with some mocks putting him at No. 2. Long and lean but strength an issue. What will Chip do?
16. ST. LOUIS: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
Vaccaro is best among a lot of good safeties in draft. He might not make it past New Orleans, which needs playmaker.
17. PITTSBURGH: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
Might take an OLB such as Jarvis Jones, or S such as Matt Elam. But Lacy is a big, powerful back who fits their style.
18. DALLAS: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Cowboys need to start planning for future along the defensive line, and the massive Richardson would be a good start.
19. N.Y. GIANTS: Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia
With Mathias Kiwanuka at DE and Michael Boley gone, need an edge rusher. Guard Justin Pugh is a possibility too.
20. CHICAGO: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
With Brian Urlacher out of picture, need an inside linebacker, and Te’o is best available. Drafting for depth, otherwise.
21. CINCINNATI: D.J. Fluker, T, Alabama
Bengals have a vacancy at right tackle, and that’s Fluker’s side. Seems like a hand-in-glove fit if big man is still on board.
22. ST. LOUIS-b: Keenan Allen, WR, California
Added Jared Cook and have some promising young talent, but could use Allen or Tennessee’s Cordarrelle Patterson.
23. MINNESOTA: Eric Reid, S, LSU
Safety isn’t most pressing need, but Vikings like Reid’s range and playmaking skills. Could go inside linebacker here.
24. INDIANAPOLIS: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
Jones is a hard worker who would upgrade line that lost Dwight Freeney. Another team that could use Pugh on O-line.
25. MINNESOTA-c: Robert Woods, WR, USC
Woods a safer pick than Patterson, and USC standout’s stock has been on rise. With Percy Harvin gone, there’s a need.
26. GREEN BAY: Matt Elam, S, Florida
With Charles Woodson gone, need safety to pair with Morgan Burnett. Sleeper pick is UCLA back Johnathan Franklin.
27. HOUSTON: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
Have No. 1 receiver in Andre Johnson, but need a second threat. Might go defense if they’re confident there’s a WR later.
28. DENVER: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
Lacy is tempting if still available. If not, Hankins is massive space eater that Jack Del Rio likes anchoring his D-line.
29. NEW ENGLAND: Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida Int.
Safety raw but talented. Probably too early for Honey Badger, but Bill Belichick could roll dice on Tyrann Mathieu soon.
30. ATLANTA: Menelik Watson, T, Florida State
Watson is inexperienced but has potential. Also need a tight end to learn behind future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez.
31. SAN FRANCISCO: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
If Ertz is still around, a good fit for team that lost Delanie Walker. Might have to package picks to move up for a safety.
32. BALTIMORE: Kevin Minter, LB, LSU
With Ray Lewis retired, Minter would be a good fit. If USC receiver Woods is on the board, he also could be the pick.
a-from Tampa Bay; b-from Washington; c-from Seattle.
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