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, Nov. 21, 2012. Major changes in all 3 rounds.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

You can find the complete seven-round 2013 NFL Draft Order by clicking the link.

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)

Kansas City Chiefs: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
The Chiefs are terrible. They need to clean house and start over, as the awesome @saveourchiefs Twitter handle will tell you. They have to fire people in the front office, including Scott Pioli, who has done an awful job. They also need to find a franchise quarterback. Thanks to stupid plays, as seen on Monday night at Pittsburgh, they're currently projected to have a very early selection, which means they'll be in position to take Geno Smith.

Smith is now atop the mock again in the wake of Matt Barkley's struggles. Barkley injured his shoulder against UCLA, so his chances of revitalizing his stock are slim.

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.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia
I've been mocking a quarterback to the Jaguars for the longest time because it's been clear that Blaine Gabbert is a sunk cost. I argued that there was no way in hell Jacksonville could go into the 2013 season and sell its fans on Gabbert for another year.

However, two things have happened. First, Matt Barkley has completely fallen off and cannot be taken at No. 2 overall. And second, Chad Henne was brilliant at Houston. What the Jaguars can sell the fans on is Henne as a bridge to a young quarterback they take in Round 2. Thus, they'll be free to snag someone as talented as Jarvis Jones.

Jones would be a huge boost to a defense that has missed strongside linebacker Daryl Smith all year. Smith is a free agent, so if he's not re-signed, Jones would be a worthy replacement. He would function as Von Miller does in Denver, rushing the quarterback in obvious passing situations.

Pick change; previously Matt Barkley, QB
Cleveland Browns: Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame
Mel Kiper recently predicted that the Chiefs would take Manti Te'o No. 1 overall. While I disagree with that - they're almost forced to go with Geno Smith - I could see Te'o being selected in the top five. I never would have projected any non-pass-rushing linebacker to go this high in years' past, but things have changed. Consider:

1. With the new CBA, teams can focus on the top player available rather than positional value because rookies aren't making nearly as much anymore.

2. Many teams are using matchup-nightmare tight ends, so linebackers who can cover these tight ends are now much more prevalent.

3. Te'o is the best player available in a very weak class.

Te'o makes lots of sense for the Browns if Jarvis Jones is off the board. He could either play the middle, which would move D'Qwell Jackson to a more natural weakside position, or they could just station Te'o at strongside linebacker, where he would replace the soon-to-be-retired Scott Fujita.

Pick change; previously Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB
Carolina Panthers: Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah
I was told by a reliable source not to mock Fletcher Cox to the Panthers because they were satisfied with their current group of defensive tackles. Based on the 140 rushing yards they just surrendered to the Buccaneers, I highly doubt they'll feel the same way in April. Besides, Star Lotulelei is arguably the best player available, as he completely dominated USC's front in a recent matchup. He'd be a huge upgrade over what Carolina currently has at the position.
Oakland Raiders: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
The Raiders really miss Kamerion Wimbley, as Matt Shaughnessy struggles to put any pressure on quarterbacks - which would explain why they're dead last in the NFL with 11 sacks. Oakland needs to find a legitimate pass-rusher.

Damontre Moore recently said he plans on returning to school, but he did leave the door open by saying, "I'll look at it." What he'll see is everyone projecting him to be a top-five pick. That could prompt him to change his mind.
Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Is there any doubt that the Eagles have to upgrade their offensive line? Their tackle position is in shambles. Jason Peters recently tore his Achilles; Demetress Bell has been a bust signing; while King Dunlap simply sucks. Even if Peters comes back close to 100 percent, an upgrade could be made at right tackle, which would allow Todd Herremans to move back to his natural guard position.

Luke Joeckel had a slow start to his 2012 campaign, but he's improved tremendously lately, even stifling the LSU pass-rushers. He could easily go in the top five; a team could easily leap the Eagles and snag him at No. 5 or even No. 3. More on that in a bit.
St. Louis Rams: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
The Rams are in a tough spot. Taylor Lewan is a considerable step down from Luke Joeckel, but he's still the top player available who makes sense for them. Thus, St. Louis should consider moving up for Joeckel. The team has the extra picks to pull off a move like this, so it could leap the Eagles and move into No. 5. There is a chance the Panthers could take Joeckel as well, depending on what happens with Jordan Gross this offseason, so they may have to jump up to No. 3. The Browns would be more than happy to move down if Jarvis Jones is off the board.

Either way, the Rams need a tackle. Jason Smith was benched in favor of Barry Richardson and subsequently traded for turnstile Wayne Hunter. 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.

Like Joeckel, Lewan has improved enough this season to move up draft boards.

Pick change; previously Manti Te'o, LB
Buffalo Bills: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama
General manager Buddy Nix, who is generally forthcoming about his offseason plans, told the media that he plans on drafting a franchise quarterback. This could occur in the second round, however, because there aren't any signal-callers worth taking this high. Plus, Ryan Fitzpatrick has played well enough lately to convince Buffalo to bring him back another year.

If the Bills eschew Matt Barkley, they could go with yet another SEC defensive back. They have major issues at the cornerback position, as Aaron Williams has been a bust thus far. Pairing DeMarcus Milliner with Stephon Gilmore would perhaps give Buffalo one of the best pair of corners in the league.

Pick change; previously Tyler Wilson, QB
San Diego Chargers: Johnathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State
Johnathan Hankins is way too good to pass up here. Plus, it's not like the Chargers can't stand to find help on the defensive line. Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, who isn't very good to begin with, will be a free agent in March.
Miami Dolphins: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
The Dolphins go with the best player available. Cameron Wake is the only player on this roster who consistently gets pressure on the quarterback, and that simply can't be the case if you're trying to unseat Tom Brady and the Patriots in the AFC East.

Miami fans may want Keenan Allen, but Bjoern Werner is just too good to pass up, and he fills a need anyway, albeit a slightly lesser one.

Pick change; previously Keenan Allen, WR
St. Louis Rams: Keenan Allen, WR, California
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. Givens has caught an occasional deep pass, but Quick hasn't even been active in most games. Keenan Allen obviously has a much better chance of becoming a legitimate No. 1 target for Sam Bradford.

Pick change; previously Taylor Lewan, OT
New York Jets: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
All Jet fans want a quarterback right now, but unless the front office is fired, it'll probably stick with Mark Sanchez and/or Tim Tebow for one more season rather than starting over. They'll blame it on Sanchez not having weapons.

Well, this isn't exactly a weapon for Sanchez, but New York has to take the best player available this early. The Jets' inability to get to the quarterback needs to be fixed. Aaron Maybin was recently cut, while Calvin Pace has struggled for the most part.

Barkevious Mingo has also struggled at times this year, but his potential and 2011 production still makes him a top-15 projection.
Tennessee Titans: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
Tennessee definitely has bigger needs than a defensive end, but the NFL Draft is all about taking the best players available who makes sense, especially this early in the process.

The Titans have zero depth behind Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley, and in a division that features Matt Schaub and Andrew Luck, they need all the pass-rushing help they can get.

Pick change; previously DeMarcus Milliner, CB
Arizona Cardinals: Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Thanks to a poor senior campaign and a shoulder injury, Matt Barkley has fallen out of the top 10. He could even go later than this, but the Cardinals may take a chance on him. John Skelton has proven that he's not the long-term solution, while Kevin Kolb, who is also iffy, cannot stay healthy. Arizona needs a franchise quarterback, and Larry Fitzgerald, who generally has a say in whom his team drafts, may pull for Barkley.

Pick change; previously Eric Fisher, OT
Detroit Lions: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
The Lions' draft strategy is to pick the top player on their board. Will they do so if that happens to be a guard? Perhaps - they have to upgrade the interior of their offensive line.

Chance Warmack, who could easily go in the 15-20 range, is an outstanding guard prospect who would give Detroit a huge boost up front.
Cincinnati Bengals: Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
Geno Atkins is a monster in the interior, but the Bengals have to find pass-rushing help on the outside, especially with Michael Johnson set to hit free agency. Dion Jordan, who is having a monstrous 2012 campaign, is arguably the top player available, so Cincinnati can fill a big need with the top prospect on the board.

Pick change; previously Bjoern Werner, DE

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