1st Round Mock Draft – December 19th, 2012
By Jason Love
2013 NFL Mock Draft — 1st Attempt
Nov 24, 2012; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Bjoern Werner (95) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half of the game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Gators defeated the Seminoles 37-26. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
The assumption here is the Jags stick to a 4-3. I’m using the CBSsports NFL 2012 Draft rankings. Now, on to the Mock. . .
- Kansas City – Geno Smith, QB – Kansas City needs a QB and has to pull the trigger here.
- Jacksonville – Bjoern Werner, DE – Jags need to continue trying to improve their pass rush. Werner is an all-around prospect who does everything well. Babin is a stop gap for a year or two with a favorable contract. Mincey is a decent player that also just signed a new contract. Branch will be a second year player and Lane and Chick have dealt with injuries. If Werner can create “some” disruption, the whole line will benefit. The talent at the top of the draft is strong in defensive ends, so another pick could be any one of the top flight DE’s.
- Oakland – Jarvis Jones, OLB – Oakland needs linebackers and dynamic playmakers. If Jones is medically cleared, he could bolster the Raiders’ defense.
- Philadelphia – Luke Joeckel, OT – Philly’s line has stunk this year, getting Mike Vick killed and Foles hounded constantly. Foles seems to have some talent, but it would be better utilized if he wasn’t always on the run.
- Carolina – Star Lotulelei, DT – Carolina needs another DT after wasting 2 picks on DT’s a couple of years ago. Lotulelei can help Carolina’s linebackers do a better job.
- Tennessee – Taylor Lewan, OT – Locker needs better protection and Johnson needs bigger holes. Lewan should help in that department.
- Arizona – Matt Barkley, QB – This may not be Barkley, but it will be a QB. Arizona is terrible, TERRIBLE, on offense.
- Detroit – Dee Miliner, CB – Detroit still can’t stop the pass and would benefit from having a #1 corner.
- San Diego – Johnthan Banks, CB – San Diego has some holes that they need to fill and Banks seems like as good a fit as any.
- Buffalo – Manti Te’o, LB – Buffalo spent a boatload of money last year on the defensive line and a top draft pick for their back four. Two years after letting Posluszny go, the Bills are looking for some linebackers to make better use of their defensive line. Te’o immediately steps in and helps.
- Miami – Demontre Moore, DE/OLB – Miami has a decent defense which could use even more pass rush help. Moore offers upside that could plug in across from Wake and give the Dolphins a formidable rush.
- Cleveland – Dion Jordan, DE – Jordan has great measurables and average production. His off the charts physical skills are too much to ignore and the Browns take the plunge, improving an already relatively solid front 4.
- New Orleans – Johnathan Hankins, DT – New Orleans can’t stop anyone. A defensive tackle is as good a place to start as any.
- Tampa Bay – Chance Warmack, OG –The Bucs have dealt with injuries along their offensive front and would be remiss to miss out on a dominating guard who could pave the way for Muscle Hamster…
- New York (Jets) – Barkevious Mingo, OLB – The Jets could always use pass rushing OLB’s, Mingo fills the role admirably.
- St. Louis – Jake Matthews, OT – St. Louis’ last draft was just short of amazing and they could continue on the right path by solidifying their offensive line. A WR could work here too, but I’d take an OT first.
- Cincinnati – Kenny Vacarro, S – Cincinnati did a good job reclaiming The Eraser from the Jaguars scrap heap, but could use another safety in the backfield. Bengals are on the cusp of being a very good team.
- St. Louis (f/Washington) – Keenan Allen, WR – Boom. With their next pick, the Rams pick up their new #1 receiver. The Rams are starting to seem legit… now if the Rams could just keep Bradford healthy…
- Dallas – John Jenkins, NT – Needless to say, with the travesty involving the backup Dallas NT and the practice squad player, the Cowboys could be looking for a big man in the middle. Jenkins is a player that could plug the middle for the Cowboys for the next 10 years.
- Minnesota – Alec Ogletree, LB – Minnesota’s defense has really started to go downhill. Ogletree is a powerful player that could firm up the middle of the Minnesota defense.
- Pittsburgh – CJ Mosley, LB – The Steelers always need LB’s, it’s their bread and butter. A DE or NT for the 3-4 could also be a choice.
- Seattle – Sheldon Richardson, DT – The Seahawks have an already good defense, but their DTs are getting old and becoming free agents. Richardson provides a youth injection while improving the pass rush.
- Chicago – Eric Fisher, OT – The Bears need to fix their offensive line. Anyone who’s watched their games knows this.
- New York (Giants) – Sam Montgomery, DE – The Giants are wily and could get a great complement to their already potent DE rotation.
- Indianapolis – Barrett Jones, OG – If Luck had even more time to throw, they wouldn’t even need to run the ball.
- Green Bay – Jonathan Cooper, OG – Their OL stinks. Rodgers needs more time to get the ball out.
- Baltimore – Eric Reid, S – Lewis and Reed may be done. They need some defensive youth.
- San Francisco – Sylvester Williams, DE – The 49ers’ defense is extremely good but needs some depth along their aging DL.
- Denver – Ezekial Ansah, DE – A great athlete who offers a very high upside. If he pans out, Derek Wolfe could kick back inside which would help the interior of the defensive line and Ansah would give an already potent pass rush even more weapons with which to sack the quarterback.
- New England – Kawann Short, DT – A good talent that can help an already relatively young defense. However, this pick is pure speculation as New England does what New England does, because Jaguars…
- Atlanta – Giovani Bernard, RB – Michael Turner is done. He stinks. They desperately need a RB to help with their play action passing attack.
- Houston – Jesse Williams, DL – Their DL is old and needs an infusion of youth. Williams offers schematic versatility and can play all over their line.
And now for the rest of the Jags picks…
2. Xavier Rhodes, CB – Aaron Ross has stunk. Mathis is a FA and seems to have lost a step. If Rhodes is still available, he could immediately be plugged in as a starter opposite to Cox. He is a good cover corner that excels in press coverage.
3. Mike Glennon, QB – If Glennon is still available at the top of the 3rd (I doubt that he will be, maybe Dysert or Bray instead?), the Jaguars should take him. He offers great size and arm strength and could definitely be brought in to compete with Gabbert and Henne next year. Seeing as QB’s are no longer the massive risks that they used to be, drafting a QB every year should be a must (or at least every other year, a good backup QB could easily be used as trade bait, see Rob Johnson).
4. Jelani Jenkins, OLB – Coming off of a season ending foot injury, Jenkins could fall a bit on draft day, but no further than the 4th round (unless something pops up). He has speed to burn, plays in a downhill style, and exhibits good pass coverage skill. If Jenkins declares for the draft, he will be a good replacement for Clint Session. He could be a draft day steal.
5. Kenjon Barner, RB – He might be built more as a WR, but he could be a great complementary player to whoever the primary running back is in 2013. He has lots of speed and could be used in a similar role as Dexter McCluster, starting in the backfield and then flexing out wide, which would open up the playbook for whoever is playing quarterback.
6. Manase Foketi, OT – A massive man who could end up being a mauler at right tackle. He could come in immediately and compete with Bradfield and if Britton is still around (doubtful), him too.
7. Cornelius Washington, OLB/DE – From what I’ve read he’s a physical freak but can’t play the run very well. He sounds like a project and a potential DPR in the interim. Why not? He’s a 7th rounder.
FA Acquisitions
1. Delanie Walker, TE/H-Back
2. Michael Johnson, DE
3. Sebastion Vollmer, OT
– Jason Love