2013 NFL Draft Predictions – Projected Top 10 Picks: Another Super Bowl is in the books, and while the Baltimore Ravens celebrate, the rest of the league is already focusing on April’s draft. Let’s be real, Baltimore’s front office has already turned its attention to the draft, as well. After all, the Senior Bowl is already over and combines and pro days are just around the corner. While I’m not going to start pounding out daily mock drafts just yet, it’s always fun to take an early look at the top 10 on the heels of the Super Bowl. Plenty will change in the next couple of months as free agents sign and players are cut and the stocks of prospects rise and fall, but for now, here is an initial projection for the 2013 NFL Draft.
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Geno Smith, Quarterback, West Virginia
Is there a quarterback in the draft worth taking No. 1 overall? Maybe not, but Kansas City has a new coach in Andy Reid, and the Chiefs ranked dead last in passing yards and points per game last season. I’m sure the Chiefs will shop this pick to try to get Smith and an extra pick or two, but if they can’t trade down, the strong-armed, accurate QB fills the team’s biggest need and gives Reid a franchise player to build his regime around.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Damontre Moore, Defensive End, Texas A&M
Jacksonville had the fewest sacks in the NFL last year by a wide margin, and a potent pass rush is a most in today’s pass-happy league. Moore has the blend of size, strength and speed that teams look for in a pass rusher these days, and he posted 12.5 sacks for the Aggies last year. The Jaguars need someone that can make big plays on both sides of the ball, and Moore fills that need for a defensive unit that was arguably the least explosive in the league last year.
3. Oakland Raiders: Star Lotulelei, Defensive Tackle, Utah
With his ability to consistently take on multiple blockers and still make plays behind the line of scrimmage, even teams that don’t necessarily have a glaring need at DT would be happy to have Lotulelei. For a team like Oakland that finished second-last in sacks last year and got gashed by rookie rusher Doug Martin for 251 yards, his ability to stop the run at the point of attack and get pressure on QBs up the middle makes Lotulelei the easy choice.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Joeckel, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M
Yes, Chip Kelly is going to be looking for explosive, speedy offensive players to fit his system, but even he knows a strong foundation up front to pave the way is a must. This is especially true for a Philadelphia offensive line that was horrible last year. Joeckel showed last season he could handle SEC pass rushers while run and pass blocking for dual-threat, Heisman-winning QB Johnny Manziel. With Jason Peters expected back from injury, adding Joeckel will immediately give the Eagles two pillars at the tackle spot for Kelly to build his offense around.
5. Detroit Lions: Bjoern Werner, Defensive End, Florida State
Defensive ends Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril both looked past their prime last year for a Detroit unit that ranked in the bottom half of the league in sacks. A poor pass rush just isn’t going to cut it in a division with Aaron Rodgers and to a lesser extent Jay Cutler. Werner showed last year he could be a productive pass rusher despite facing double teams in the absence of the injured Brandon Jenkins. In fact, he finished third in the country with 13.0 sacks. Werner’s non-stop motor and raw strength will be a welcomed addition to the Lions’ defensive front.
6. Cleveland Browns: Ezekiel Ansah, Outside Linebacker, BYU
Cleveland is probably going to give its young core of offensive players at least another year to develop, and in the meantime, the Browns need to bolster their defense as much as possible to compete in a division that has put five teams in the playoffs the last two years, including this year’s Super Bowl champions. Ansah helped the Cougars allow the third-fewest points in the country last year, and his stock is soaring after impressing scouts at the Senior Bowl. He can play outside linebacker in a 3-4 or of the end in a 4-3, and more importantly, Ansah has the potential to be the playmaker that takes a solid unit to the next level.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Eric Fisher, Offensive Tackle, Central Michigan
Outside of Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona really doesn’t have much on offense. A new QB or a running that doesn’t get hurt would help, but the Cardinals have to upgrade their offensive line first. Arizona allowed 58 sacks a year ago, and its two main running backs averaged a dismal 2.7 and 3.2 yards per carry. Fisher was already a top-10 prospect, and he solidified his status with a strong Senior Bowl. Keeping their signal-caller upright and opening up some running lanes is the first step to reviving their offense, and the Cardinals will make the first step towards doing both by adding Fisher.
8. Buffalo Bills: Tyler Wilson, Quarterback, Arkansas
The Buffalo front office has mentioned multiple times that they need a franchise QB, and if they are going to get one in April, they have to gamble with their first pick. Wilson makes the most sense because he comes from a pro-style system and should be able to play as a rookie. His senior year was lost because of the Bobby Petrino fiasco at Arkansas, but he was brilliant as a junior. Wilson also showed above average mobility and good decision making at the Senior Bowl and was considered by most scouts the best QB there. Wilson doesn’t necessarily have the most upside, but he isn’t a complete project either. With decent talent at the skill positions already, Buffalo doesn’t need a QB that will be ready in two or three more years. They need a player like Wilson that can hit the ground running.
9. New York Jets: Barkevious Mingo, Defensive End, LSU
While Jets fans are calling for the head of Mark Sanchez, the sharp decline in the Jets’ defensive numbers is probably the biggest reason this team has underperformed in the past two seasons. When New York went to back-to-back AFC title games, the defense was stuffing the run and sacking opposing QBs. Last year, the Jets had the sixth-fewest sacks in the NFL and the seventh-worst rush defense. Mingo’s freakish athleticism and his combination of strength and speed could be just what the doctor ordered. He is a bit raw, but the Jets need to get back to dominating the line of scrimmage, and Mingo has the potential do that as well as any player in this draft.
10. Tennessee Titans: Johnathan Hankins, Defensive Tackle, Ohio State
The Titans allowed the most points in the NFL last year, and they also had the ninth-worst rush defense. In other words, Tennessee needs all the help it can get on the defensive side of the ball. Starting with the point of attack isn’t a bad strategy, and Hankins is a mountain of a man that can absorb double teams and move the pile. Granted, he didn’t consistently show the ability to make plays in the backfield on his own, but he does have the ability to take over games at times. In the meantime, he will make life easier on his teammates on almost every snap by taking on multiple blockers and helping the Titans win in the trenches.
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