2013 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting First Round

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

It is time for the 2013 NFL Mock Draft. The first round kicks off on Thursday night, April 25, starting at 8:00 p.m. EST on both the NFL Network and ESPN. NFL.com will also live-stream the event for fans on the Internet. There will also be a Draft Open Thread here at StormininNorman.com starting Thursday at 2:00 p.m. EST.

The draft lasts seven rounds, but all eyes are pinned on the first night as teams grab players they hope will be their franchise saviors over the next decade. Whether they get a Ryan Leaf or a Peyton Manning won’t be known for awhile, but at least for now, the fans can cheer or jeer the players their favorite teams grab in the first round.

With that said, let’s jump into the 2013 NFL Mock Draft first round picks.

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT

With no skill players shining in the 2013 NFL Draft, the men in the trenches should go early and often. There is no way the Chiefs don’t draft Texas A&M Aggies offensive tackle Luke Joeckel with the first overall pick in the draft. The guy is a beast and the Chiefs have to find a way to protect their quarterbacks.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, DE/LB

The Jaguars need more help than almost any team in the NFL, but it looks like the player they take with the first overall pick will be Oregon Ducks DE/LB hybrid player Dion Jordan. He had a great showing at the NFL Combine and is a good fit with the defense that the Jags seem to be developing.

3. Oakland Raiders – Sharrif Floyd, DT

This is assuming the Raiders don’t trade the third pick away. Honestly, the biggest need for the Raiders defense is the defensive backfield, even after picking up Mike Jenkins and Tracy Porter. The player they need to draft here more than any other is Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Dee Milliner. Oakland rarely ever makes the smart pick and will probably take Florida Gators defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd. He is a good player, but not the greatest need.

4. Philadelphia Eagles – Eric Fisher, OT

The biggest need for the Philadelphia Eagles is at the offensive tackle position. The best at the position will be gone by this point, so the Eagles will need to look for the next best fit a the position, which in this case should be Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher.

5. Detroit Lions – Lane Johnson, OT

The biggest need for the Detroit Lions comes at offensive tackle, the third team in the Top 5 who need help there. With both Joeckel and Fisher gone, the best player comes from what seems like the Lions’ favorite school. Last year, the Lions brought in three Oklahoma Sooners rookies and this year they should add another with Lane Johnson.

6. Cleveland Browns – Dee Milliner, CB

Cleveland is still looking for their franchise quarterback, but there are no real first round quarterbacks in the 2013 NFL Mock Draft. They also need a cornerback, and if Dee Milliner can somehow slip past the Oakland Raiders, who really need him, he will end up with the Browns.

7. Arizona Cardinals – Ezekiel Ansah, DT

Carson Palmer is the new starting quarterback in Arizona, and now they have to find a way to protect him. The offensive line needs a complete overhaul and it needs to start with a solid first round lineman that can anchor the unit. If either Lane Johnson or Eric Fisher falls this far, the Cardinals should take them. I don’t think they will and that means they take another position of need, defensive tackle.

8. Buffalo Bills – Chance Warmack, OG

A lot of people see the Buffalo Bills overreaching and taking quarterback Geno Smith with this draft pick, but this is way too high to reach for a bubble quarterback. If they take Smith, they are hurting their 2013 NFL Draft opportunities. A better pick here would be an offensive guard to protect new QB Kevin Kolb.

9. New York Jets – Barkevious Mingo, OLB

The New York Jets need a quarterback, a better running back, a quality number one receiver, and now a franchise cornerback to replace Darrelle Revis. They did get the 13th pick to go with this one, so they should get something. The best fit for the Jets at this spot is OLB Barkevious Mingo, and should help improve last year’s disappointing defense.

10. Tennessee Titans – Jonathan Cooper, OG

Tennessee needs big time help on the offensive line and signed Andy Levitre to work one of the OG positions, and they should fill in the second in the 2013 Mock NFL Draft. That player should come in the form of North Carolina Tar Heels OG Jonathan Cooper.