NFL Mock Draft 2013: 9 Days Away, The Top Five Shake Up

November 17, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd (73) points against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 23-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Just a week and a half left, give or take a few days, until the NFL Draft.  Mocks are flying out left and right.  Will teams focus on needs, will they go with the Best Players Available?  The questions and mystery abound, but until the actual thing we don’t really know.  Fortunately we can giv you some good guesses here at B&T.

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

Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan (Previous Pick:  Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M)

• Fisher is competing with Luke Joeckel as the top tackle in this year’s draft.  While I think there is some space between Joeckel and Fisher, Kansas City may be tempted to go with the guy they think can play either side more effectively while they figure out what to do with Branden Albert.

2.  Jacksonville Jaguars

Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M  (Previous Pick: Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon)

• The Jags don’t seem sold on an offensive lineman at number two overall, but if Joeckel is available they’ll take him.  There is a very small chance that Joeckel makes it past the Chiefs, but he’s a talent the Jags won’t let slide to number three.

3.  Oakland Raiders

Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida  (Previous Pick:  Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida)

• 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

Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon (Previous Pick:  Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan)

• The Eagles are in a period of transition and Jordan, as a “tweener,” provides major flexibility as the defense is overhauled.  Jordan will excel in whatever system he is put in, he is so athletic.

5.  Detroit Lions

Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU (Previous Pick:  Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU)

• Ansah is a beast and is still growing into football.  I think the Lions like what he offers and they will be able to utilize him as a three down player from the get-go.  He is an athletic freak and is up to the task transitioning to NFL speed.

6. Cleveland Browns

Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU (Previous Pick:  Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB)

• Whether the Browns can pick up Ansah or Mingo, they’ll get one or the other and they’ll be happy for it.  I like Mingo’s speed in the pass rush game but may have a lower ceiling than Ansah.  He has a tendency to over-pursue, but he will be a force to be reckoned with after some NFL coaching.

7.  Arizona Cardinals

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

• 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:  Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia)

• 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

Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah  (Previous Pick:  Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia)

• There aren’t any heart issues to worry about after all.  Lotulelei may never recover his draft stock, however.  The Jets should be pleased to be getting arguably the best defensive tackle in the draft all the way at number nine.

10.  Tennessee Titans

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

• 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:  Lane Johnson, OT, Okalahoma)

• 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

Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri  (Previous Pick:  Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida)

• Richardson is a commanding force in the middle of the defensive line and that’s exactly what the Panthers need.  Carolina was literally run over all last season and Richardson could solve that problem.

15.  New Orleans Saints

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

• 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:  Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia)

• 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