In my second and final mock of the 2013 NFL draft, I’ve done
something I’ve never done before – I’ve predicted trades. I had some fun with this, and hopefully I get
at least one of them right. Here’s how I
think things will go down Thursday night:
1) KC – Luke Joeckel (T, Texas A&M)
No change. They could
take Fisher instead, and it wouldn’t surprise me.
2) JAX – Dion Jordan (DE, Oregon)
This one is reportedly down to Jordan and Eric Fisher. I’m not saying they won’t take Fisher at #2
to play RT, but it would surprise me a little.
3) DET (via OAK) – Eric Fisher (T, Central
Michigan)
Raiders get #3 for #5 and R3 pick
Our first trade has the Lions moving up two spots to secure
the second tackle in the draft. Fisher
has the shortest college-to-pro physical relocation of this year’s class.
4) ARI (via PHI) – Lane Johnson (T, Oklahoma)
Eagles get #7, R3, and future late round pick
The Cardinals have been pretty quiet on the trade front, but
I’m thinking their new regime will look to move up with Johnson in mind. The cost to, finally, obtain a solid LT is
relatively cheap.
5) OAK – Ezekiel Ansah (DE, BYU)
Floyd gets the mocked to the Raiders 99.99% of the time, but
I’m going with an anticipated swerve. DE
is in about as bad a shape as DT, so I’m thinking that taking an end who can
move inside to tackle in pass rushing situations like Ansah would be a wise way
to go.
I’ve gone through a few scenarios with the top five, and the
only other players that I think have a chance of going this high are Lotulelei
and Floyd (big lean to Lotulelei).
6) CLE – Dee Milliner (CB, Alabama)
Milliner and Joe Haden make a strong pair of corners.
7) PHI (via ARI) – Star Lotulelei (DT, Utah)
Chip Kelly would love to get a guy who can man multiple
positions up front defensively.
8) CAR (via BUF) – Tavon Austin (WR, West Virginia)
Bills get #14, R3, and R4
The Panthers make the first bold move of the weekend, moving
up 6 spots to take the draft’s most explosive offensive talent. They’re still looking for another receiving
weapon, and they won’t do any better than Austin.
9) NYJ – Jarvis Jones (OLB, Georgia)
With the first of their two (for the moment) first round
picks, the Jets add the mercurial
10) TEN – Jonathan Cooper (OL, North Carolina)
Pairing Cooper with free agent signing Andy Levitre should
pretty much shut Chris Johnson up.
11) SD – DJ Fluker (OL, Alabama)
The Chargers need OL help about as bad as anyone, and Fluker
gives them a guy who can play RT and probably RG if needed.
12) MIA – Tank Carradine (DE, FSU)
In what might be the biggest surprise pick so far, the
Dolphins take the “other” pass rusher from FSU.
I’ve already mentioned that I’m bigger on Tank than Werner, and it
really shouldn’t surprise folks if he does indeed go this high. Vaccaro would be my other choice here as a
Patriots TE neutralizer (not that that’s the only reason to take him).
13) SF (via NYJ) – Sheldon Richardson (DL, Missouri)
Jets get #31 and #34
The Niners make the second bold move of day one, moving up
in the draft to address possibly their biggest need. Here they get a guy who can play alongside
Justin Smith for now and replace him in the future.
14) BUF (via CAR) – Ryan Nassib (QB, Syracuse)
He’s not that much less of a reach here, but the Bills
probably won’t want to mess around and risk someone else moving up to take
him.
15) NOR – Kenny Vaccaro (S, Texas)
New Orleans
needs to get with the program and get better on the back end. Whether or not it’s Vaccaro, they’re
definitely going defense with this pick.
16) STL – Sharrif Floyd (DT, Florida)
Yes, I know this looks extremely low for the guy that seemed
to be cemented into the third overall slot, but shit happens. Just ask Brady Quinn. Floyd would look great next to Brockers on
that DL.
17) PIT – Tyler Eifert (TE, Notre Dame)
He’s a perfect Heath Miller replacement, and it’s not out of
the realm of possibility that he’s already taken by now.
18) DAL – Chance Warmack (G, Alabama)
Dallas
has quite a few needs, and they address one of them while getting great value.
19) ATL (via NYG) – Xavier Rhodes (CB, FSU)
Giants get #30, R3, and future pick
Atlanta
is rumored to be big on moving up for a cornerback, and they strike here.
20) CHI – Arthur Brown (LB, Kansas State)
Great fit on a team with few immediate needs.
21) CIN – DJ Hayden (CB, Houston)
The Bengals did draft Dre Kirkpatrick last year and do still
have Leon Hall, but they’re reportedly smitten with Hayden and realize you need
more than two corners in today’s game.
22) STL (via WAS) – DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Clemson)
Bradford finally gets a
viable weapon on the outside. Hopkins is my second
favorite receiver in this draft.
23) MIN – Sylvester Williams (DT, UNC)
As Kevin Williams’ career winds down, the Vikings must find
another difference making defensive tackle.
24) IND
– Barkevious Mingo (OLB, LSU)
I mistakenly yet inexcusably left Mingo out of my first mock. Damn.
This may still look low for Mingo, but reviews on this guy are all over
the place. It wouldn’t surprise me at
all if he goes a lot higher or even lower than this.
25) MIN (via SEA) – Cordarrelle Patterson (WR, Tennessee)
They dealt Harvin the Seahawks, but adding Jennings and Patterson this offseason upgrade
the passing game.
26) GB – Margus Hunt (DE, SMU)
The Packers are reportedly looking to get bigger and more
physical across their roster, and Hunt is right up their alley.
27) PHI (via HOU) – EJ Manuel (QB, FSU)
Texans get #35, R4, and future pick
Again I mock Manuel to the Eagles, but this time they have
to move up for him. I think there’s a
really good chance he goes on the first day.
28) DEN – Bjoern Werner (DE, FSU)
He has no business going this low in the draft, but he could
slide quite a bit given that he’s likely solely a 4-3 end and those teams
picking in the middle of round one have several higher priorities. Great get for Denver.
29) NE – Jamar Taylor (CB, Boise State)
They’ve reportedly long been big on Taylor and would be happy to see him
here. I also see this or the 28th
pick as the spots the Bucs will target for a trade back into R1 with an eye on
a pass rusher. Should either Hunt or
Werner still be in play when the Patriots go on the clock, don’t be surprised
if the Bucs acquire this selection. I
clearly prefer Werner to Hunt.
30) NYG (via ATL) – Datone Jones (DE, UCLA)
Even with Kiwanuka moving back to end, they only have the
fading Justin Tuck to pair with JPP. Jones
is the versatile defensive lineman the Giants love.
31) NYJ (via SF) – Geno Smith (QB, West Virginia)
I have never been a believer that Smith belonged in the top
part of this draft, and it seems like NFL teams agree. The Jets get a passer with the first pick
acquired from the Niners.
32) BAL – Quinton Patton (WR, LA Tech)
The Ravens end R1 by taking my favorite receiver in the
draft. I think Patton would be a great
fit with Flacco and across from Smith.
Round 2
33) JAX – Matt Barkley (QB, USC)
Whether it’s Barkley being selected or the Jaguars doing the
selecting, I think a QB will be the first pick of day two. I’m not a Barkley guy, but if he’s who scouts
think/hope he is, he should have no problem taking Gabbert’s job.
34) NYJ (via SF) – Zach Ertz (TE, Stanford)
They address the loss of Keller with the draft’s second best
TE.
35) HOU (via PHI) – Menelik Watson (T, FSU)
Watson replaces Winston at RT, and the Texans acquire a R4
pick for a guy I think they’re targeting at #27.
36) DET – Justin Hunter (WR, Tennessee)
They still have nothing across from Calvin Johnson. Hunter gives them a playmaker who will
actually require defensive attention.
37) CIN – Jonathan Cyprien (S, FIU)
I tried for find a spot for him in R1, but I just couldn’t. Great value here.
38) ARI – Damontre Moore (OLB, Texas A&M)
If they don’t take a passer like Barkley or Glennon, my
money is on a pass rusher. I think Moore is much better off
as a pass rushing linebacker rather than 4-3 end.
39) NYJ – Larry Warford (G, Kentucky)
After adding Jarvis Jones, Geno Smith, and Zach Ertz, the
Jets address a weakness on the OL.
40) TEN – Desmond Trufant (CB, Washington)
This may seem really low for Trufan, but I wouldn’t be
shocked if Hayden and Taylor go ahead of him and force him down the board a
bit.
41) BUF – Justin Pugh (OL, Syracuse)
With Levitre leaving, guard is a need, so why not get your
new QB’s collegiate mate?
42) KC (via MIA) – Kevin Minter (LB, LSU)
Dolphins get Branden Albert
I’ve got the Chiefs picking up this pick in exchange for the
disgruntled Branden Albert. Minter
addresses the hole next to Derrick Johnson.
43) TB – Darius Slay (CB, Mississippi State)
Yes, I’m aware he reportedly has a meniscus issue at the
moment, but I’m not scared off. Along
with Ertz, Slay was one of my two R2 options in my first mock. What I think I know – NT and TE are secondary
or even tertiary considerations in the second round. The Bucs don’t appear to value these
positions highly. That would tell me
they’re not going to trade up for Ertz, and they’re unlikely to draft Hankins
or Williams.
I think I can safely narrow this one down to CB, DE, and
LB. I like Ogletree, but I’m not sure
Schiano does. He and Arthur Brown are
the only LBs I’d be interested in here.
I don’t see a pass rusher worth on the board worth this pick, hence my
supposition that the Bucs may indeed move up into the back side of R1 for
Werner or Hunt.
Ideally they move down 5-10 picks here, still get Slay, and
add recoup a draft pick. Slay gives them
another starting caliber corner to pair with Revis. Wright restructured and looks to return for
at least one season, but I’m not convinced he’ll play like a starter after last
season’s craptastic performance and missed time. As much as I like Leonard Johnson, we need to
have another corner on the roster capable of consistently beating boundary
receivers.
Remaining Buccaneer Picks
I have a couple of slight changes with these remaining
picks.
R3 – Stedman Bailey (WR, West Virginia)
I still want a third receiver with more upside than the
talent on the current roster. Bailey
also gives them a presence in the middle of the field that is lacking due to
the Bucs’ lack of urgency at the TE position.
Again, DT Brandon Williams is my fallback option with this pick.
R4a – Christine Michael (RB, Texas A&M)
As we saw at Rutgers and
last year with the Bucs, Schiano is very committed to the ground game. Martin is the unquestioned starter, but you
know Schiano wants to have someone behind Martin capable of handling the load
should the situation present itself.
Sucker Punch and Leonard don’t fit that description.
R4b – Ty Powell (LB, Harding)
Powell was one of my R4 picks last time, and I’m still
buying. He played DE at Harding but has
the skill set to shine at SLB in this scheme. I’m very impressed with his
agility and footwork for a guy who’s 6-2, 250. He has experience as a
safety, and it shows with his impressive change of direction in coverage.
Powell had 8.5 sacks as a senior and would give the Bucs another needed pass
rushing presence.
If the Bucs don’t go CB in R2 or R3 then I would go back to
my previous R4 selection of Will Davis from Utah State
in one of these spots. I’m still high on
Dion Sims (TE, Michigan St),
but as I mentioned above, I’m not convinced the Bucs value the position all
that highly.
R5 – Montori Hughes (DT, Tennessee-Martin)
I had Hughes as a R6 pick in my first mock, but his stock is
climbing. He has all the measurables you
look for in an interior difference maker, but he’s yet to put it all together
consistently on the field. I’d like to
think professional coaching can help.
R6a – Quanterus Smith (DE, Western
Kentucky)
R6b – Armonty Bryant (DE, E Central
Oklahoma)
We wrap things up by grabbing two pass rushers. Other than Cornelius Washington (Georgia) I’m
not big enough on any of the mid-round options to address this position
sooner. Like a couple of current Bucs,
Smith is coming off an ACL injury, so he’d fit right in. This is the only reason he may go this
late. I like him cutting his teeth as a
situational pass rusher. As I mentioned
last time, I see Bryant fitting the Michael Bennett role of a strong side end
with the ability to move inside and apply pressure from the tackle
position.
Summary
R1 – Darrelle Revis (CB, Jets)
R2 – Darius Slay (CB, Mississippi State)
R3 – Stedman Bailey (WR, West Virginia)
R4a – Christine Michael (RB, Texas A&M)
R4b – Ty Powell (LB, Harding)
R5 – Montori Hughes (DT, Tennessee-Martin)
R6a – Quanterus Smith (DE, Western
Kentucky)
R6b – Amonty Bryant (DE, E Central
Oklahoma)
The haul –
Two starting corners
A third receiver and missing middle of the field weapon
A compliment to Martin with the talent to be “the guy”
An athletic, pass rushing SLB
Three defensive linemen with a lot of upside
Go Bucs!
