Colin Kapp

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2013 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

Final version for 2013.  This is, hands down, the most unpredictable draft I can remember.  Since I don't project trades, I wasn't able to find a good spot for any of the quarterbacks-- as I believe the only first rounder(s) will go in the latter third via trade.

This one presents a pretty tough situation for the Lions, as you will see below, and a slight drop for Sharrif Floyd.  As always, for more great mocks check out walterfootball.com.​  Be sure to visit the blog for post-draft thoughts and analysis.

1. Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

The draft is tomorrow, and yet we still don't know the first pick.  I'm sticking with Fisher, as I believe he is a better fit for their system and offers a bit more upside than Joeckel.​  Previously: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

The Jaguars expected Joeckel to go first, and quickly add the "safest" guy in the draft to help their rebuild.​  Previously: Dee Milliner, DB, Alabama

3. Oakland Raiders - Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

The Raiders could go in a few directions, but decide to add a versatile piece to the front three of their new 3-4 scheme.​  Previously: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

4. Philadelphia Eagles - Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

Chip Kelly should be the wildcard of this draft.  In this scenario, the Eagles opt to add a highly athletic left tackle to develop behind and eventually succeed Jason Peters.  Previously: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

5. Detroit Lions - Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

​This is one of the worst possible situations that could develop for the Lions.  In this case, Ansah is still on the board, but he's simply too much of a risk for a front office and coaching staff that needs to win now.  I believe Warmack would be the top player left on their board, and the Lions take the mauling guard over upside pass rushers in order to protect their (soon-to-be larger) investment in Matt Stafford.  Previously: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

6. Cleveland Browns - Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon

The Browns can't believe their luck, and take Jordan over Dee Milliner.  He immediately makes their new front seven more versatile and dangerous.  Previously: Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon

7. Arizona Cardinals - D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

The Cardinals are rumored to have a lot of interest in Fluker, and continue the run on offensive linemen in the top ten.  Previously: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

8. Buffalo Bills - Ziggy Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU

The Bills are currently engaged in a chess match with the Jets, and may have to take Ryan Nassib here if unable to move back.  If they plan to get their QB later, Ansah is a great selection for their new hybrid defense.  Mario Williams isn't a bad guy to learn from every day.  Previously: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

9. New York Jets - Dee Milliner, DB, Alabama

The Jets are now missing a number one corner, and take Dee Milliner off the board before he reaches Tennessee.  Previously: Ziggy Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU

10. Tennessee Titans - Jonathan Cooper, G, UNC

Mike Munchak, a former guard, is reportedly enamored with Cooper.  The Titans take him to shore up the other guard spot opposite Andy Levitre.  CJ2K thanks them.​  Previously: Jonathan Cooper, G, UNC

11. San Diego Chargers - Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

The top six offensive linemen are off the board, and the Chargers can't believe it.  There are a couple other positions they could address, but they opt to select the best playmaker in the draft.  Previously: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

12. Miami Dolphins - Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU

It is very likely the Dolphins will either trade for Brandon Albert or move up for one of the top two tackles.  In this scenario, they take Mingo to play opposite Cameron Wake on what looks to be a strong defensive line.  Previously: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU

13. New York Jets - Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

The Jets need a lot of help, but decide to add a playmaking receiver to help Mark Sanchez (or whoever ends up behind center this season).  Some are saying Patterson could fall out of the first round, but he simply has too much talent for one team not to gamble.  Previously: This pick belonged to Tampa Bay, who selected Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

14. Carolina Panthers - Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

First off, this slide is not representative of where I rank Floyd.  If the Raiders pass, he's not a great scheme fit for many of the teams that proceed them and drops a bit.  The Panthers are thrilled.  Previously: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

15. New Orleans Saints - Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

It's weird to see these upside guys with no production get selected before a pass rusher who owned the SEC last season.  Jones won't drop past Pittsburgh, so New Orleans takes him here in order to add a pass rusher to their new defense under Rob Ryan.  Previously: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia

16. St. Louis Rams - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

The Rams could try to wait until their next pick, but fear Vaccaro won't make it past the Cowboys.  He immediately upgrades their secondary.  Previously: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

17. Pittsburgh Steelers - D.J. Hayden, DB, Houston

The Steelers get a very solid kid that can step into the role vacated by Keenan Lewis.  Mayock has Hayden ranked higher than Milliner, but I don't see him being selected earlier.  Previously: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

18. Dallas Cowboys - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

The Cowboys have an old defensive line, and no true 3-technique for Monte Kiffin's scheme.  Richardson should be a perfect fit.  Previously: Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC

19. New York Giants - Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State

​Carradine showed last Saturday that his recovery from ACL surgery is going well, and likely earned himself a spot in the first round.  Great fit for the Giants, and solid value at this spot.  Previously: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

20. Chicago Bears - Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

The Bears made some linebacker signings, but need youth and depth.  Ogletree is an athletic freak and will not escape the first round despite his character concerns.  Previously: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

21. Cincinnati Bengals - Matt Elam, S, Florida 

The Bengals need safety help, and Elam gets the nod over Jonathan Cyprien since they tend to favor players from bigger programs.  Previously: Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

22. St. Louis Rams (WAS) - DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

The Rams have had two visits with Hopkins in the last week-- same as with Brian Quick last year before they selected him at the top of the second round.  He could definitely be the pick here.  Previously: Quinton Patton, WR, LA Tech

23. Minnesota Vikings - Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC

The Vikings rebuild the Williams wall.  But, really, it's a good fit.  Previously: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

24. Indianapolis Colts - Xavier Rhodes, DB, Florida State

The Colts could use a corner, and Rhodes has the length and speed to provide good value here.  Previously: Xavier Rhodes, DB, Florida State

25. Minnesota Vikings (SEA) - Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State

The Vikings have a ​vacancy at inside linebacker, and Brown is a highly athetlic 'backer with great instincts.  Previously: Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU

26. Green Bay Packers - Jonathan Cyprien, S, FIU

Cyprien reminds some scouts of the Packers' Morgan Burnett.  Cyprien can fill the safety spot vacated by Charles Woodson opposite Burnett.​  Previously: Jonathan Cyprien, S, FIU

27. Houston Texans - Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

I'm seeing a lot of Eifert going in the top fifteen, and I simply don't think that will be the case come Thursday.  The Texans could use some youth and depth at tight end, and grab the red zone threat Domer.  Previously: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

28. Denver Broncos - Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

I am really high on Jones, and he could easily go higher than this.  He provides good value for the Broncos in this spot, and can help the committee effort to replace Elvis Dumervil's production.  Previously: Matt Elam, S, Florida

29. New England Patriots - Demond Trufant, DB, Washington

The Pats are a candidate to trade back for a team looking for a QB.  If they stay put, which is rarely the case, Trufant is a solid Belichick-style addition to their secondary.  Previously: Desmond Trufant, DB, Washington

30. Atlanta Falcons - Jamar Taylor, DB, Boise State

The Falcons are rumored to have interest in moving up, perhaps for a pass rusher like Mingo.  If picking in their original slot, Jamar Taylor would be a solid add to help fill their need at corner.  Previously: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

31. San Francisco 49ers - Eric Reid, S, LSU

Opinions vary pretty widely on Reid, but the Niners take him to play in Dashon Goldson's vacant safety spot.  Previously: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama

32. Baltimore Ravens - Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame

Te'o squeezes into the first round.  The Ravens reportedly would be pleased to have him if available, and they get their wish in this scenario.  Previously: Jamar Taylor, DB, Boise State

Round 2

33. Jacksonville Jaguars - John Jenkins, DT, Georgia

Gus Bradley grabs a big body to play inside next to free agent acquisition Roy Miller, which allows Tyson Alualu to shift to the strong defensive end spot (Red Bryant in Seattle).  Previously: John Jenkins, DT, Georgia

34. San Francisco 49ers (KC) - Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

It's tough to project these Niner picks, as they are a team likely to be on the move.  They currently have eleven picks, and there's no way some of those would make the roster.​  Hunt provides depth along the defensive front, and can develop behind Justin Smith.  Previously: D.J. Hayden, DB, Houston

35. Philadelphia Eagles - Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford

Chip Kelly and the Eagles grab an offensive weapon in Ertz, who should make a nice red zone option for Michael Vick.  Previously: Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State

36. Detroit Lions - Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

The Lions continue to pick "safely," and end Werner's slide at the top of the second round.  He would provide solid rotational depth on a defensive line that substitutes frequently, and could eventually take over at Kyle Vanden Bosch's vacant right end position.  Previously: Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State

Thanks for reading, and please let me know your thoughts in the comments!​