First mock for 2013. Enjoy. For more solid mock drafts, check out www.walterfootball.com.
1. Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
The Chiefs have taken care of their QB situation by trading for Alex Smith (or so they think). After franchising Brandon Albert and surprisingly releasing Eric Winston, it looks like they've opened up a spot for Fisher. This pick will likely come down to Fisher and Joeckel, but Fisher gets the nod due to his superior size and finishing ability in the run game.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Dee Milliner, DB, Alabama
The Jaguars have now released Rashean Mathis and Aaron Ross, and plan to let Derek Cox test free agency. They are probably going to be in need of some starters at corner, and Milliner would be a solid fit.
3. Oakland Raiders - Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
It's not looking like Richard Seymour will be back in Oakland this year, and Floyd brings a very similar skill set to their defensive line. Expect to see him playing the same role, lined up in multiple spots across the Raiders' defensive front.
4. Philadelphia Eagles - Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon
Chip Kelly grabs one of his favorite Ducks, and immediately plugs him into the same role in the Eagles' new hybrid defense. With a healthy Jason Peters returning, offensive line help can come in later rounds.
5. Detroit Lions - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
The Lions luck out here and rush to the podium to select Joeckel, viewed by many as the top prospect in the draft. Despite large needs at defensive end and in the secondary, they stick to their best player available strategy and have a solid set of young tackles to protect Stafford going forward.
6. Cleveland Browns - Ziggy Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU
The Browns need an edge rusher opposite Jabaal Sheard for their switch to the 3-4. Ansah has more upside than anyone in the draft, and also has the ability to play at the 5-technique spot. With new coordinator Ray Horton, this defense could be pretty dangerous earlier than most expect.
7. Arizona Cardinals - Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
New coach Bruce Arians may feel better about the Cardinals' O-line than most analysts, but there's no way he feels good about their quarterback situation. Arians will likely bring in a veteran to compete with Geno as he grooms him as the future franchise QB.
8. Buffalo Bills - Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
The Bills are obviously in the hunt for a new QB, but word is they are most likely targeting former Syracuse signal caller Ryan Nassib in the second round (or with a late first trade-up). Their new hybrid defensive scheme is a great fit for a player like Mingo, who has elite burst and violent hands. He will be lined up all over the formation.
9. New York Jets - Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
The Jets want to get back to being a smashmouth running team, and replace Brandon Moore with Warmack.
10. Tennessee Titans - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Most mocks have the Titans selecting a guard here, but there is much more value in taking Star. His combine medical issue could cause him to drop a bit, but it's unlikely he makes it out of the top ten.
11. San Diego Chargers - Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
Common sense. Their line was garbage last year, and Johnson has elite athleticism and a very high ceiling, as he is still learning the position.
12. Miami Dolphins - D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
I haven't seen Fluker slotted this high anywhere, but I think he brings a lot to the table. The man is simply a monster that can engulf pass rushers and crush people in the run game. If Jake Long walks in free agency, this could be a great spot for Fluker.
13. Tampa Bay Bucs - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
The Bucs are letting Roy Miller leave in free agency. Richardson is an elite talent and will be dangerous alongside Gerald McCoy.
14. Carolina Panthers - Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC
The Panthers grab one out of their backyard here, and finally shore up a position of dire need. Williams will create issues up front and clear some room for 2012 first round pick Luke Kuechly.
15. New Orleans Saints - Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
The Saints take a gamble on Jones' medical in order to land an elite building block for their new 3-4 defense.
16. St. Louis Rams - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
The Rams have a hole at safety and take the best one in the draft. Great fit. Vaccaro could be special.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jonathan Cooper, G, UNC
Despite spending high picks on O-linemen last year, it is still an area of need for the Steelers. Cooper will join 2012 first rounder David DeCastro, back from his knee injury, to give Pittsburgh one of the best guard combinations in the league.
18. Dallas Cowboys - Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia
The Cowboys are switching to Monte Kiffin's Tampa 2, and could use Ogletree in the Derrick Brooks role. The Cowboys have asked Sean Lee to take a pay cut, and Ogletree would be a much better fit for their new scheme.
19. New York Giants - Xavier Rhodes, DB, Florida State
The Giants always seem to have a lot of injuries in the secondary, and Rhodes is the second best corner in the draft. He has elite length and press ability in addition to solid athleticism. He should contribute immediately.
20. Chicago Bears - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
I'm really hoping the new Bears staff reaches for an O-lineman here, since the thought of the Lions having to defend Austin twice a year scares me. A lot.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
I'm obviously not as high on Werner as most analysts, but the Bengals end his slide at 21. With Geno Atkins creating havoc inside, Werner should clean up some gimme sacks on the outside.
22. St. Louis (WAS) - Keenan Allen, WR, Cal
The Rams have a definite need at wide receiver. While Cordarrelle Patterson has the most upside, Allen is a better fit for an accurate, weaker armed passer like Bradford. He will be a nice safety blanket for the young quarterback, especially if Danny Amendola leaves in free agency.
23. Minnesota Vikings - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
The Vikings have a need at wide receiver, especially with the Harvin situation growing messier by the day. Patterson has elite tools and could be dangerous down the road.
24. Indianapolis Colts - Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
The Colts nab my favorite player in the draft to play 5-technique in Chuck Pagano's attacking defense. Watch out for this kid.
25. Seattle Seahawks - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
The Seahawks need to put more weapons around Russell Wilson, and a giant, athletic tight end is a great place to start.
26. Green Bay Packers - Matt Elam, S, Florida
The Packers have a lot of holes on defense, especially now that Woodson has been sent packing. Elam is a bit undersized, but plays aggressively. I expect him to be good but injured often, like a Bob Sanders or Louis Delmas.
27. Houston Texans - Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
Owen Daniels is on the wrong side of 30, and the Texans could use another weapon at tight end.
28. Denver Broncos - Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
The Broncos get another weapon on defense. They could use some help in the secondary, but Short provides more value here.
29. New England Patriots - Desmond Trufant, DB, Washington
Trufant can take over for Aqib Talib, who should leave in free agency. Great bloodlines.
30. Atlanta Falcons - Blidi Wreh-Wilson, DB, Connecticut
The Falcons could be without Brent Grimes and have cut Dunta Robinson. Wreh-Wilson is a good pickup at this spot.
31. San Francisco 49ers - Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
The Niners need a replacement for Ricky Jean-Francois. Hunt is quite the physical specimen, but needs to learn to play lower.
32. Baltimore - Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
Is there a mock draft out there that doesn't have Baltimore drafting an inside linebacker? I give Minter the lean over Te'o here, and not because he likely dates real, living people. He is a better fit for their scheme and is the best inside backer in the class at taking on blocks.
Round 2
33. Jacksonville Jaguars - Tank Carradine, DE, FSU
The Jaguars take a risk on Carradine's medical and pick up a strong pass rusher... which they desperately need.
34. San Francisco 49ers - Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
The Niners end Te'o's slide at 34, and add to their already ridiculous talent on defense.
35. Philadelphia Eagles - Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse
Chip Kelly gets a very athletic O-lineman for his offense, who falls to the second round due to his T-rex arms. Pugh may kick inside depending on the injury situation.
36. Detroit Lions - Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
Safety is the Lions' biggest hole -- especially now that it appears Delmas will be leaving. Going into 2013 with Don Carey and John Wendling starting at safety is not an option, and the Lions grab a guy who has first round potential.