The Student News Site of Gannon University since 1947

THE GANNON KNIGHT

The Student News Site of Gannon University since 1947

THE GANNON KNIGHT

The Student News Site of Gannon University since 1947

THE GANNON KNIGHT

NFL Mock Draft 2013: In the trenches

No., Team           Player        Position              School

1. Kansas City    Luke Joeckel      OT          Texas A&M

Analysis: The Chiefs choose the draft’s premier offensive lineman to protect their new franchise QB Alex Smith.

 

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2. Jacksonville   Dee Milliner      CB           Alabama

Analysis: The Jaguars aren’t short on needs, and even QB Blaine Gabbert’s job isn’t safe, but the Jacksonville secondary needs an infusion of young talent.

 

3. Oakland          Sharrif Floyd      DT           Florida

Analysis: The Raiders’ defensive line is in shambles after losing Richard Seymour and Desmond Bryant, so a top SEC run stopper fits the bill.

 

4. Philadelphia Dion Jordan        DE           Oregon

Analysis: Jordan may change from a Duck to an Eagle, but he’ll still be playing for Chip Kelly, and the Eagles need an explosive body on the defensive line.

 

5. Detroit             Ziggy Ansah        DE           BYU

Analysis: The Lions should grab one of the top offensive tackle prospects in Eric Fisher or Lane Johnson, but the departures of Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch will make Detroit call in Ansah for defensive line reinforcement.

 

6. Cleveland       Jarvis Jones        OLB        Georgia

Analysis: With Milliner and Jordan gone, the Browns may look to move back and pick up a second-rounder to make up for supplemental pick Josh Gordon. But if they stay at No. 6, look for them to add another linebacker to their 3-4.

 

7. Arizona            Chance Warmack             OG          Alabama

Analysis: The Cardinals have taken a chance on an aging Carson Palmer, but had better improve the line in front of him.

 

8. Buffalo            Deandre Hopkins             WR         Clemson

Analysis: The Bills have plenty of needs, but if the goal is for either Tarvaris Jackson or Kevin Kolb to lead the offense, Buffalo needs a dynamic threat.

9. N.Y. Jets          Eric Fisher           OT          Central Michigan

Analysis: The Jets have two first-rounders to play with after trading Darelle Revis. Fisher drops to No. 9 and right into a starting role defending Mark Sanchez.

 

10. Tennessee   Barkevious Mingo           DE           LSU

Analysis: After seeing several defensive linemen come off the board, the Titans jump on the best available at defensive end, and that’s the 6-foot, 4-inch Mingo.

 

11. San Diego     Larry Warford    OG          Kentucky

Analysis: Mike McCoy is the Chargers’ new head coach who will look to return QB Philip Rivers to an elite form. A fresh offensive guard goes a long way.

 

12. Miami            Lane Johnson    OT          Oklahoma

Analysis: The Dolphins have 11 total picks in the draft, including five in the first three rounds. Look for them to move up and select a tackle, or stay put and select a tackle.

 

13. N.Y. Jets (Tampa Bay)             Manti T’eo          LB           Notre Dame

Analysis: With the departure of one defensive superstar in CB Darelle Revis, T’eo takes his athleticism and off-the-field baggage to the NFL’s biggest stage.

 

14. Carolina        Tavon Austin     WR         West Virginia

Analysis: Austin’s familiarity with athletic option quarterbacks makes him a natural fit with Cam Newton and the Panthers.

 

15. New Orleans          Kevin Minter          ILB          LSU

Analysis: While the Saints and new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan need pass rushers, they won’t feel comfortable passing on Minter.

 

16. St. Louis        Cordarrelle Patterson    WR         Tennessee

Analysis: The Rams have two first-round picks, and you can bet one of them will fill a hole in their receiving corps, which was quaked by the losses of Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson.

 

17. Pittsburgh    Eddie Lacy           RB           Alabama

Analysis: The Steelers have a few positions to upgrade after veteran departures at wide receiver (Mike Wallace) and linebacker (James Harrison). But the Pittsburgh offense is at its best with a committee of talented running backs, and Lacy is the next piece.

 

18. Dallas             Kenny Vaccaro  S              Texas

Analysis: The Cowboys have aging Will Allen and several younger raw safeties in their defensive backfield. Vaccaro can bring both youth and talent to the questions at the position.

 

19. N.Y. Giants   Alec Ogletree    ILB          Georgia

Analysis: The top defensive linemen have been picked clean by this point, but the Giants can still fill a need at linebacker with a premier SEC athlete. And Ogletree won’t be New York’s only linebacker pick in the draft.

 

20. Chicago         Arthur Brown    ILB          Kansas St.

Analysis: The Bears would have preferred Minter or Ogletree, but their needs in the middle linebacker spot are too big to ignore.

 

21. Cincinnati    Joseph Randle  RB           Oklahoma St.

Analysis: The Bengals will draft a complement back to BenJarvus Green-Ellis to shore up the run game.

 

22. St. Louis (Washington)           Jonathan Cooper                             OG          North Carolina

Analysis: Fixing the hole at guard is in the cards, but reuniting Rams DE Jake Long with his brother Kyle Long (Oregon-OG) is not.

 

23. Minnesota   Keenan Allen    WR         California

Analysis: With two near adjacent picks, expect the Vikings to draft two playmakers, one on each side of the ball.

 

24.  Indianapolis                    Damontre Moore        DE           Texas A&M

Analysis: The Colts’ pass rush will have to establish a new identity without veteran Dwight Freeney.

 

25. Minnesota   Xavier Rhodes   CB           Florida St.

Analysis: At 6-foot, 2-inches, Rhodes is an imposing threat to his wideout assignments.

 

26. Green Bay    Montee Ball       RB           Wisconsin

Analysis: The passing game is never in doubt when QB Aaron Rodgers is in the huddle, but when will the Packers develop a versatile running game?

 

27. Houston        Chase Thomas   OLB        Stanford

Analysis: The Texans would like a wideout opposite Andre Johnson, but at this point, they’ll wait until the later rounds.

 

28. Denver          Marcus Lattimore            RB           South Carolina

Analysis: Aging Willis McGahee and Ronnie Hillman are the only backs under contract past 2013-14, as Knowshon Moreno looks like he’s in his last season with the Broncos.

 

29. New England          Bjoern Werner           DE     Florida St.

Analysis: Werner strengthens a Patriots pass-rushing attack still learning to walk.

 

30. Atlanta          Johnthan Banks                                CB           Mississippi St.

Analysis: Without Dunta Robinson, Brent Grimes or Chris Owens, the Falcons need secondary help, and might trade up to get it.

 

31. San Francisco         D.J. Swearinger     S              South Carolina

Analysis: The defending NFC champs need a suitable replacement for Dashon Goldson.

 

32.          Baltimore            Tyler Eifert         TE           Notre Dame

Analysis: Will the Ravens land the next Ray Lewis in this draft? The gleaming Lombardi Trophy says no. But Baltimore has been seeking an athletic tight end since the days of Todd Heap.

The 2013 NFL Draft starts Thursday at 8 p.m., with the first round taking place.

 

DAN KUBACKI

[email protected]

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