2013 NFL Draft: Favorite Picks Of The First Round
By Mike Dyce
Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (Florida) as the twenty third overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Last night was the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Everyone has a different opinion of the draft and a different perspective of the first round, so we had the NFL Spin Zone writers tell us their favorite picks from the first round of the NFL draft.
We also have our least favorite picks.
Favorite Picks:
Todd Frank: It’s easy to love the haul that the Vikings came away with. DT Sharif Floyd was thought to be a lock to go in the Top 5, and they also got great value with WR Cordarelle Patterson at #29 (after acquiring that pick from New England). Once considered the consensus top WR available, before Tavon Austin’s meteoric rise, Patterson should help fill the void left with the departure of Percy Harvin from Minnesota. On top of that, they also add CB Xavier Rhodes, who’ll they’ll certainly need to help defend against Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, and Jay Cutler if they hope to stay competitive in the NFC North.
I also thought the Cowboys should have grabbed Safety Jonathan Cyprien (or Safety Matt Elam, picked next by the Ravens) after they traded back from #18 to #31, especially considering they drafted a Center that most expected to be available in the 2nd or 3rd round.
Mike Dyce: I’m picking Sharrif Floyd (DT Florida) to the Minnesota Vikings at #23 as my favorite pick. Incredible value at that slot. Many had Floyd coming off the board in the top 10 or 15, no one expected him to slide that far down. This could wind up being one of the steals of this draft later.
The other pick I like is Cincinnati taking Tyler Eifert (TE Notre Dame) at number 21. This man was a force to be reckoned with at Notre Dame, and I think he’ll have a good solid career in the NFL. He’ll be a good compliment to Jermaine Gresham and another weapon for Andy Dalton. Could the Bengals win the AFC North this year?
Josh Carter: The Rams traded up for Austin and then traded back for Ogletree in the first. They trade up and get the player they need most then trade back to get the best linebacker in the draft to solidify the 2nd level of their defense, while picking up a 2nd 3rd round pick. Ogletree can also play a pass rushing outside guy too, as well as a big blitzing strong safety. In the Capital One Bowl he shined with 13 Tackles (9 solo), 3 TFLs and a sack, which was on par with his teammate who is more of a full time pass rusher, Jarvis Jones
The Minnesota Vikings were an honorable mention for me. The Vikings made a huge splash in the first round having a projected top 5 pick in an area of need fall to them in Florida defensive tackle, Sharrif Floyd and then filling another with a projected top 15 pick in the physical cornerback from Florida State, Xavier Rhodes. The Vikings also were looking to draft a receiver to pair with Jennings and traded up for Cordarrelle Patterson, a boom/bust receiver with not much experience in college but who shows potential to be the best of this class with proper development. This was a great pickup and will help the team immensely, but I’m not sure if it’s worth what Minnesota gave up to the Patriots (2nd,3rd,4th and 7th round). This was a lot to give up, given the other (and most of the time, safer, higher floor) receiver talent still on the board including Quinton Patton, Robert Woods, Justin Hunter, Keenan Allen and Terrence Williams.
David Miniel: I love the attention the offensive linemen received in the 1st round of this draft but I think MY favorite pick has to be Tyler Eifert out of Notre Dame to the Cincinnati Bengals. A smart move by the Cincinnati Bengals front office, A young team that has so many weapons on offense and defense to work with and plenty of cap space to play with, will be a dangerous team in the AFC in just a few short years. When I mean dangerous, I mean one of the best in that conference. I think they have a solid starter with Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, Andrew Hawkins, Brandon Tate mixed in with that young group of wide receivers and now Tyler Eifert and Jermaine Gresham at tight end. Those two will definitely become Daltons favorite targets in the red zone, I could see him having atleast 6-7 touchdown receptions this season. They brought in James Harrison to compliment this linebacking core lead by Ray Maualuga and Vontaze Burfict and could end up drafting another linebacker early in the 2nd round, who could stand out in this defense this season, later on in this draft. I truly believe in this team and know they will start winning playoff games with the additions they have made this season.