2013 Mid-Season First Round Mock
*Picks Based Off Standings Entering Week 10*
Kansas City (1-7) – Geno Smith, QB, WVU
Reason: The Chiefs are terrible. I mean, really terrible. They need to blow up the organization from top to bottom, and on the field it starts with the quarterback. A lot of people have Matt Barkley going here, but they need a playmaker to lead this offense. That’s what Smith can, and will, do for this team.
Jacksonville (1-7) – Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia
Reason: This won’t be a popular pick among fans in Jacksonville as most feel the team needs a quarterback. However, Jones is the best defensive player in this draft, and will make an immediate impact on a Jags defensive that needs help.
Cleveland (2-7) – Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah
Reason: The Browns are a lot better than their record indicates. They are right in games until the final quarter, but then their defense gets tired. They need to add depth in the front seven, and can get a future star by taking the stud out of Utah. Cleveland is heading in the right direction.
Carolina (2-6) – Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
Reason: The Panthers are still trying to replace Julius Peppers who left via free agency two years ago. After Jones, Werner is the best DE there is.
St. Louis – from Washington (3-6) – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Reason: The Rams are on the upswing, but they need to protect their quarterback. Sam Bradford gets hit way too much, and taking the best offensive lineman available is a good step towards stopping that problem.
Tennessee (3-6) – Johnathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State
Reason: The Titans have a lot of problems on defense, but an anchor in the middle of the line is what’s needed the most. It’s a toss up, in my opinion, as to who is the top NT in this draft, Hankins or John Jenkins from UGA.
Cincinnati (3-5) – Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
Reason: The Bengals are in trouble in the linebacking corp, especially on the inside. Rey Maualuga has been awful this season, and shouldn’t be starting. The Bengals nab the best linebacker in the country with this pick
Oakland (3-5) – Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Reason: The Raiders need to start thinking about a replacement for Carson Palmer. And why not grab another USC quarterback to do that. Barkley can sit under Palmer for a year or two, and will give the Raiders a franchise QB for the next 10 years.
Buffalo (3-5) – Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
Reason: The Bills cannot go into next season with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their only option at quarterback. They need to take a QB in this draft, and although 9th is a bit high to take Wilson, there is no way he falls to them in the second round. Wilson has all the tools to be a franchise quarterback, he just has to stay healthy.
Philadelphia (3-5) – Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
Reason: The Eagles are one of the worst teams in the NFL at protecting the quarterback. Taking an OL here helps that problem a bit, but they still need better linemen.
New York Jets (3-5) – Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
Reason: The Jets defense just isn’t what it was a few years ago. They need someone who can compliment Wilkerson on the line. They need to start getting younger and they take the third DE in this draft to help that cause.
Dallas (3-5) – John Jenkins, NT, Georgia
Reason: Dallas needs some line help. D-Ware can’t do it all on defense, and getting a potential Top-10 pick at this junction is just what the Cowboys need.
New Orleans (3-5) – Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
Reason: The Saints defense is awful. When you have the worst defense in the NFL, it’s expected that you take a defensive player with your first pick. After the three best DEs go in the first 11 picks, the Saints take the best DE available.
St. Louis (3-5) – Keenan Allen, WR, California
Reason: The Rams missed out on Justin Blackmon last year when the Jaguars traded up to pick him. They won’t miss out this time on the best WR in the draft. St. Louis nabs Sam Bradford’s new number one target.
Arizona (4-5) – Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Reason: Arizona is another team with protecting the QB issues. Drafting an offensive linemen is the logical choice at this spot.
San Diego (4-4) – Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
Reason: San Diego has a lot of issues, mainly with coaching, however they need someone other than Antonio Gates who can catch a football without the use of “Stick-um”. They just miss out on Allen, but get a good consolation prize.
Miami (4-4) – Robert Woods, WR, USC
Reason: Ryan Tannehill has been better than advertised for the Dolphins. Now, they need to get him some talent around him. Woods provides Miami with a deep threat who isn’t afraid to get hit.
Tampa Bay (4-4) – DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama
Reason: The Bucs traded Aqib Talib to the Patriots and will need to get another corner. Milliner is the best one in the draft and falls to them at 18.
Detroit (4-4) – Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU
Reason: The Lions don’t Need a defensive end, but Cliff Avril’s injury issues scares the Lions into making this pick. Plus, you never know if the team will keep Kyle Vanden Bosh around.
Minnesota (5-4) – Kewann Short, DT, Purdue
Reason: Pat Williams retired. Kevin Williams up there in age. The Vikings need to get a new, young anchor on their DL. Short is the best one left and could become a very solid player for a Vikings team still trying to rebuild their defense.
Seattle* (5-4) – Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
Reason: Russel Wilson has proven that he can be this team’s starters for years to come. Sidney Rice is finally starting to play at the level that was expected of him when he signed with the team. Now, they need to get a weapon opposite of Rice.
Pittsburgh* (5-3) – Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
Reason: Ike Taylor just hasn’t played well this season which leaves the Steelers having to really consider a corner here.
Indianapolis* (5-3) – Slyvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
Reason: The Colts have vastly overachieved this season. Taking the best defensive player available to improve their still questionable defense is the only logical choice here.
Green Bay* (6-3) – Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Reason: A lot of people say the Packers need to grab a RB in the draft. I feel they can address that need better via free agency. With the team likely to let Jermichael Finley go in the offseason, taking a sure-handed tight end here that can provided them with another red zone threat is the right choice.
Denver* (5-3) – Sheldon Richardson, DE, Missouri
Reason: The Broncos defense is good, but they only play well in spurts. Adding some depth on the line should help them when they need to rest starters.
New England* (5-3) – Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
Reason: New England hit a home run, and then some, with the pick of Chandler Jones. Now, they look to do it again with Dion Jordan who could start opposite Jones right away.
New York Giants* (6-3) – Alex Okafur, DE, Texas
Reason: Osi Umenyiora is likely gone, Justin Tuck is having a down year, and the Giants love pass rushers. Adding Okafur should make an already dangerous pass rush even deadlier.
San Francisco* (6-2) – Eric Reid, S, LSU
Reason: The only real need the 49’ers need on defense is Safety help. Donte Whitner can’t cover a tight end if the TE was stationary. Reid should come in an compete for the starting job right away.
Baltimore* (6-2) – Alex Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
Reason: The injury to Ray Lewis really makes the Ravens think about the future of the position for when he retires. Taking Ogletree here and letting him learn from arguably the best MLB in the game would be the smartest decision the powers that be make in Baltimore.
Chicago* (7-1) – Dallas Thomas, OT, Tennessee
Reason: It’s like a broken record, but here is another team who can’t protect the qb. Taking the best tackle available should make Jay Cutler a bit happier in Chi-Town.
Houston* (7-1) – Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma
Reason: The rich get richer here. Jefferson goes to a perfect situation in Houston and fits right in with one of the NFL’s top defenses.
Atlanta* (8-0) – Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama
Reason: Atlanta doesn’t really have any glaring holes, so adding a linemen who can play all three positions on the offensive line is a good choice here.