2013 NFL Mock Draft

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Walter of WalterFootball has been WalterFootball'ing since 1999'. Older Content is being kept around here. Thanks for reading.

Last update: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012. Major changes in all three rounds.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2013 NFL Mock Draft is loosely based on my 2012 NFL Power Rankings.

NFL Draft Recent Links:

2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 2/11): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (2/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25)

Cleveland Browns: Matt Barkley, QB, USC
The Browns are a disaster. Mike Holmgren probably won't be back next year, so the new regime will look to distance itself from Brandon Weeden, a move made by possible because of the new CBA. Weeden was much better at Cincinnati, but that can be attributed to Trent Richardson's presence. The point is that if the Browns are drafting No. 1 overall, Weeden didn't prove himself to be a capable starter in this league. In that case, the Browns would certainly look to draft Matt Barkley

The only issue is whether Barkley would actually agree to play for Cleveland, a la John Elway and Eli Manning. I guess it all depends on what sort of impression the new owner makes on the USC quarterback.

By the way, I'm doing this live because I thought it'd be fun to get instant feedback. I'm going to post my mock anyway, so why not do it this way? Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Tennessee Titans: Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU
The Titans have zero depth behind Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley - and we don't even know if Morgan is any good yet, though his career isn't looking too promising. If he continues to disappoint, the Titans will consider a defensive end early next April. Barkevious Mingo and Jarvis Jones are the top two players available, so Tennessee has to go that route. Mingo makes more sense based on the scheme and personnel.

Pick change; previously Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB
Oakland Raiders: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
The Raiders are a mess right now, and part of the problem is Carson Palmer, who simply lacks the arm strength to be successful in this league. If Oakland continues to lose and ends up with a top-three pick, there is no doubt that it'll take a quarterback. In fact, the Raiders may have to move up to No. 2 to ensure that they can obtain Tyler Wilson, much like the Redskins and Browns did last year with Robert Griffin and Trent Richardson, respectively.

Pick change; previously Jackson Jeffcoat, DE
Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State
It's difficult to mock for the Jaguars right now. If they finish with a terrible record, as expected, then Gene Smith could be fired, opening up a possibility for a quarterback to be taken. Perhaps Geno Smith could replace Gene Smith. But if Gene Smith is not fired, then someone like Johnathan Hankins would become a possibility. Hankins had a monstrous performance against California and has now inched ahead of Star Lotulelei.

Tyson Alualu has been a major disappointment thus far, but the real reason why Hankins makes sense is because Terrance Knighton will be a free agent this offseason. Jacksonville will obviously have big shoes to fill if it can't retain him.
Miami Dolphins: Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia
The Dolphins entered the 2012 offseason with a pass-rusher being one of their greatest needs. They drafted Olivier Vernon in the third round, but there's no telling if he can be a worthy complement to Cameron Wake; he hasn't played much in the first two games. If he doesn't show anything this year, Miami won't hesitate to pull the trigger on one of the three stud pass-rushers in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Jarvis Jones is a better fit for the 3-4, but he could be used similarly to Von Miller in Denver. He's just too good to pass up at this point.

Pick change; previously Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB
Indianapolis Colts: Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah
The Colts did a great job of finding a worthy supporting cast around Andrew Luck. They'll have to use the 2013 NFL Draft to improve their defense. That includes finding an upgrade at the nose tackle position. Antonio Johnson, the current starter, has been pushed around the first two games of the season.

Pick change; previously Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB
Minnesota Vikings: Keenan Allen, WR, California
The Vikings have to add more talent to complement Christian Ponder. They need an upgrade across from Percy Harvin, as Jerome Simpson is way too inconsistent to be a No. 2 receiver.
Kansas City Chiefs: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
It's pretty evident that the Chiefs will need to admit they were wrong and move on from Matt Cassel. He's just too limited to command a winning team in today's pass-happy NFL.

Kansas City may fall in love with the impressive Geno Smith; in fact, the front office may have to trade up to acquire him if he keeps dominating.

Pick change; previously Logan Thomas, QB
St. Louis Rams: Robert Woods, WR, USC
The Rams missed out on Justin Blackmon a few months ago. As the Jaguars traded ahead of them, Jeff Fisher reportedly slammed his glasses on the table. He went on to draft Brian Quick and Chris Givens, but neither has shown any signs of become a starting receiver in the NFL. Robert Woods obviously has a much better chance of becoming a legitimate No. 1 target for Sam Bradford.

Pick change; previously Star Lotulelei, NT
Cincinnati Bengals: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
The Bengals have just two players who can consistently get to the quarterback: Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap. They'll have to add someone across from Dunlap, especially considering that both Michael Johnson and Robert Geathers will be free agents in March.

Pick change; previously Eric Reid, S
Buffalo Bills: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee
Tyler Bray is back in my 2013 NFL Mock Draft! He'd be better served going back to school for another year, but as we've seen this summer, he doesn't make the best decisions in the world.

I think the Bills will have to talk themselves into making this pick. It's pretty apparent now that Ryan Fitzpatrick is way too limited to win consistently in the NFL - SMH at Buffalo's front office for not recognizing this sooner - so if the team wants to move forward and contend with New England on a yearly basis, it'll have to find a franchise quarterback.

I have to note that this is way too soon for Bray. I have him in the 30s on my big board. But quarterbacks go way too early. Just look at Ryan Tannehill at No. 8, Blaine Gabbert at No. 10 and Brandon Weeden at No. 22.

Pick change; previously Tyler Wilson, QB
New York Jets: Eric Reid, S, LSU
The Jets have spent most of the offseason signing old or injured safeties. Yeremiah Bell and LaRon Landry have predictably struggled through two games. Rex Ryan will have to find a more permanent solution at the position, which could mean spending this selection on the top safety in the 2013 class.

Pick change; previously Marcus Lattimore, RB
New Orleans Saints: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama
The Saints are surrendering 12 yards per pass attempt in the first two games of the season. That's easily good for last in the NFL, and to give you a good barometer for how embarrassing that is, the No. 31 team is in the nine range.

I know New Orleans has injuries to several cornerbacks, but the team needs a shutdown guy because it has to battle Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and Josh Freeman twice every year. Plus, DeMarcus Milliner is the top player available.

Pick change; previously Like Joeckel, OT
St. Louis Rams: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Jason Smith was benched in favor of Barry Richardson and subsequently traded for turnstile Wayne Hunter, so Jeff Fisher will probably search for a tackle next spring. Fisher played against the Texans twice per year when he was with Tennessee, and he watched Houston completely ruin David Carr's career by not building a competent offensive line around him. He won't want to make the same mistake with Sam Bradford.

Pick change; previously Brennan Williams, OT
Carolina Panthers: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
Steve Smith will turn 34 a couple of weeks after the 2013 NFL Draft. The Panthers will need to think about finding a new No. 1 wideout for the future. I'm also not a big Brandon LaFell believer, so an upgrade across from Smith wouldn't hurt.

Pick change; previously Brennan Williams, OT
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: David Amerson, CB, N.C. State
The Buccaneers decided they didn't like Morris Claiborne very much, so they traded out of the No. 5 spot in the 2012 NFL Draft and selected Mark Barron two picks later. They really need cornerback help, as you may know from Eli Manning's 510-yard performance, so they'll almost have to remedy that need at this juncture.

Go to 2013 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I've received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwith.

2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2

2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 3

2012 NFL Mock Draft