NFL Mock Draft 2013: B&T Editor’s Picks 4 Weeks Out

Feb 23, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A

The NFL Draft is coming upon us quickly and there are only four weeks left until the real deal.  Mock drafts come and mock drafts go, but until the actual draft occurs we won’t really know who teams want to add to their roster.  The speculation never ends however, and with free agency slowing down we have a clearer picture of what positions teams will be focusing on.

Check out some other great sites like Walter Football, DC Sports, Hail Redskins Mock Database, and Sports Jabber Mock Draft Database who have their mocks and other sites’ mocks constantly updated, check them out for more great NFL Draft info.

Let’s get to it!

1. Kansas City Chiefs

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

• Joeckel is considered to be the top pick by many professional draftniks.  I wouldn’t put it past the Chiefs to trade out of this spot, but mock drafts rarely account for trades so they get Joeckel for now.

2.  Jacksonville Jaguars

Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon  (Previous Pick: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU)

• The Dion Jordan/Matt Barkley theory seems to persist and gain in feasibility each day as the other teams with quarterback needs early in the draft fill their holes with journeymen who are looking to prove something.  That opens the Jaguars up to take Jordan, the most fluid pass rusher available in the draft.

3.  Oakland Raiders

Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida  (Previous Pick:  Bjoern Werner, DE/OLB, Florida State)

• Floyd is a top talent and he should fall to the Raiders after the Jags addressed their interior defensive line in free agency.  The Raiders need an upgrade in the middle and Floyd is either the best or second best interior defensive lineman available in the draft.  With Star Lotulelei having a heart condition, the Raiders get Floyd.

4.  Philadelphia Eagles

Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan  (Previous Pick:  Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah)

• Michael Vick gets another year in Philadelphia and the Eagles will do everything to make sure he has a fighting chance to showcase his unique skill set and bring the team some glory in Chip Kelly’s first year.  Fisher is right up there with Joeckel as a top offensive tackle and he will be an immediate improvement for the Eagles.

5.  Detroit Lions

Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU (Previous Pick:  Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon)

• I really like Mingo’s athleticism over Ezekiel Ansah, even though they are pretty similar.  I think Mingo is slightly more polished and the Lions, who could take their pick of pass rush specialists at five overall, will go with someone who will be more effective immediately against NFC North quarterbacks.

6. Cleveland Browns

Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU (Previous Pick:  Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia)

• Ansah would be tough to let go at number six overall.  The Browns would get a young, raw pass rusher with the talent to be a major force for a team that needs help on the defensive line.  Ansah’s ceiling isn’t in view yet as he is still learning the game, but all the pieces are there to be a force for many years.

7.  Arizona Cardinals

Chance Warmack, G, Alabama  (Previous Pick:  Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia)

• Guards should be drafted early if they are good, and Warmack is good.  Really good.  The Cards could go with someone who would be second or third best at their position along the offensive line or defensive line or they could get the top-rated guard in Warmack.  I think they go with Warmack.

8.  Buffalo Bills

Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia  (Previous Pick:  Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State)

• Kevin Kolb is not the answer.  If Bills fans thought they won the lottery by getting Kolb, they’re wrong.  Smith will drastically improve the quarterback position for Buffalo and will likely beat Kolb out in competition.  They’ll be lucky to see him slide this far and they’ll be happy to take him.

9.  New York Jets

Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia  (Previous Pick:  Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU)

• I like what Jones provides and I think he could be a top-5 talent but has slid and never recovered after worries about his health took to the media.  Jones would be a massive improvement and immense help for the Jets.

10.  Tennessee Titans

Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina  (Previous Pick:  Chance Warmack, G, Alabama)

• Titans general manager Ruston Webster wants a stronger offensive line, and he’ll get it with Cooper.  It makes sense to take a talented, versatile interior lineman, especially since the Titans need to find out of Jake Locker really is the future.

11.  San Diego Chargers

Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma (Previous Pick:  Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan)

• Philip Rivers is hurting and he isn’t putting up Pro Bowl numbers anymore.  The problem lies with the offensive line and not with Rivers.  The Chargers need to protect him better and Johnson is a very talented offensive tackle.

12.  Miami Dolphins

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

• The Dolphins have a need to upgrade their secondary and Milliner would be a gift at 12.  This is an easy choice for a team that spent so much on offense during free agency.

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

Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah  (Previous Pick:  Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida)

• If not for a heart condition, Lotulelei would be a top-10 or top-5 lock.  Lotulelei has checked out fine since his echocardiogram scare at the NFL Scouting Combine so it wouldn’t be shocking to see a team take him in the top 15.  The Panthers were run over through 2012 and need help in the middle of the line.  Lotulelei could be a major asset for them.

15.  New Orleans Saints

Bjoern Werner, DE/OLB, Florida State  (Previous Pick:  Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU)

• Werner, mocked frequently to teams early in the draft before, has fallen out of favor as of late but is still a premier talent.  He isn’t as athletic as his fellow DE/OLB prospects but he plays sound football and is still learning the game.  I like what I’ve seen out of him and the Saints need younger pass rushers on defense.

16.  St. Louis Rams

Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia  (Previous Pick:  Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina)

• There’s no way Austin slips past the Rams.  Austin had a superb Pro Day and looks the part of the perfect replacement for free agent casualty Danny Amendola.  The Rams will be happy to have one of the best, if not the best, skill players in the draft to help quarterback Sam Bradford.

Picks 17-32 on page 2