NFL Mock Draft 2013: B&T Editor’s Picks Post Super Bowl

November 17, 2012; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (92) lines up opposite Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Kirifi Taula (75) during the first half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

The mock draft season is upon us and with it comes the speculative disasters that are the pre-combine mocks.  We have no verifiable physical freaks who can wreak havoc from whatever position they are in and we have no quietly good players who slip because of poor showings (or not even showing up!) at the combine.

What we have is speculation based on college numbers and potential growth.  We have our gut feelings.  Here on B&T, writers like Jason Love have speculated about who the Jags could get in different scenarios.  We have yet to do an entire first round mock, though.  Other great sites like Walter Football, DC Sports, Hail Redskins Mock Database, and Sports Jabber Mock Draft Database have their mocks and other sites’ mocks constantly updated, check them out for more great NFL Draft info.

Fortunately, I am here to ease your desire to see a premature guess at who each team will take with their first round picks.  I’m not saying I’m right (It’s before free agency after all!), but hey, I could be.  Here are the picks from last time.

Let’s get to the picks!

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia (Previous Pick:  Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia)

• The Chiefs need help all over their roster but, with new coach Andy Reid, nothing defines their future quite like a quarterback.  Smith is the consensus top quarterback in the draft and should suit the Chiefs well under Reid.  Reid will want to attach his star to a young quarterback he trusts, and that man in Geno Smith.

2.  Jacksonville Jaguars

Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah (Previous Pick: Bjoern Werner, DE/OLB, Florida State)

• The Jags need help all along their defensive line, but Lotulelei will offer the best versatility on it.  The consensus top defensive tackle, the Jags go with the sure thing that frees up Tyson Alualu to go out wide on some downs opposite Jeremy Mincey or Jason Babin.

3.  Oakland Raiders

Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M (Previous Pick:  Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah)

• Moore is probably the best athlete out of the defensive ends coming out this year.  There have been some motivation concerns lately, but since when has Oakland cared about that?  Moore will be a standout end for the Raiders and could be the best value at number three.

4.  Philadelphia Eagles

Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M  (Previous Pick:  Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M)

• What happens when you give the keys to your offense to a young quarterback who gets plowed into the ground again and again?  David Carr. The Eagles need to protect young Nick Foles as they find out if he is the future of their franchise.  Joeckel just makes too much sense to let him slide past.

5.  Detroit Lions

Bjoern Werner, DE/OLB, Florida State (Previous Pick:  Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia)

• It will be tough for the Lions to pass on Werner who offers a ton of upside and will give them a versatile presence with which to disrupt NFC North passers Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers.  Werner will be a cornerstone to grow with this defense.

6. Cleveland Browns

Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia (Previous Pick:  Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M)

• The Browns aren’t sold on Brandon Weeden at quarterback, but I don’t see them picking up a replacement in the first round just one year after they picked the 28 year-old signal caller in the first round last year.  Jones offers a ton of potential for new head coach Chudzinski.

7.  Arizona Cardinals

Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan  (Previous Pick:  Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, Louisiana State)

• The desperate need along the offensive line trumps getting a quarterback or premium defender in Arizona.  The Cardinals are especially terrible at offensive tackle and Fisher is the next best thing after Joeckel.

8.  Buffalo Bills

Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State  (Previous Pick:  Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State)

• Walter Football made a pretty good argument as to why Glennon will be picked this high by the Bills.  Leave it to the Bills to pick a player that should be a second round talent in the top 10.  If the argument is correct, then I could see Glennon going to the Bills despite not having the appropriate value.  It helps that at this point the discussion for next best available player really begins to devolve.

9.  New York Jets

DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama  (Previous Pick:  DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama)

• With the Jets rumored to be shopping Darrelle Revis, they will need a top cornerback to replace Revis-island.  Milliner is the top corner in the draft and will fill in well.  He has the potential to make the loss of Revis – especially after a season when he was injured – a lot less noticeable.

10.  Tennessee Titans

Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas  (Previous Pick:  Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas)

• The Titans need help at safety.  While that need could be addressed at other points in either free agency, a good safety can really help in the increasingly competitive AFC South.  This will fill a major need and give decent value for a team that should be willing to jump at good talent.

11.  San Diego Chargers

Barkevious Mingo, De/OLB, Louisiana State (Previous Pick:  Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan)

• Mingo will allow new head coach Mike McCoy to focus on the offensive side of things more.  Stocking the defense with premium talent makes sense in order to alleviate some pressure from the struggling Philip Rivers.

12.  Miami Dolphins

Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State  (Previous Pick:  Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State)

• The Dolphins could use help in their secondary and a talent like Banks should help immediately.  He could be the defensive back that is the answer for Tom Brady and other division quarterbacks.

13.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State  (Previous Pick:  Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State)

• The Bucs really need defensive back help so don’t be shocked if they trade up to get either a safety or corner to ensure they have a man to fill in the void.  But at #13 it wouldn’t be shocking to see them reach for Rhodes.  A lot of college teams threw away from Rhodes so his numbers are not as pretty as some other top corner candidates, but the need may be too great for the Bucs to not go after him.

14.  Carolina Panthers

Johnathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State  (Previous Pick:  Johnathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State)

• The Panthers were run over in 2012.  Literally.  They desperately need help at the interior defensive line positions so Hankins simply makes the most sense here.

15.  New Orleans Saints

Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon  (Previous Pick:  Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, Louisiana State)

• Jordan will provide a better pass rush for the Saints.  They could use some more versatile playmakers that can help boost Sean Payton’s first year back after his suspension.

16.  St. Louis Rams

Chance Warmack, G, Alabama  (Previous Pick:  Chance Warmack, G, Alabama)

• Jeff Fisher will need a lot of help along his offensive line to turn Sam Bradford into the franchise quarterback he is supposed to be.  I trust that the Rams are on the up and up but they played beyond their talent through most of 2012.  Warmack will up the talent on the interior O-line.

Picks 17-32 on page 2