RANGA+ 1,210 Posted April 26, 2013 Just for the sake of discussion: Pick in Round 1; (overall pick); team; selection 1 (1) Chiefs: Eric Fisher, OT Central Michigan Analysis: The new MAC daddy, Fisher becomes the highest-drafted player ever from the Mid-American Conference and first non-quarterback at No. 1 since T Jake Long went to the Miami Dolphins in 2008. Though he didn't typically face top-shelf competition, he more than held his own against Iowa and Michigan State last season before wowing scouts at the Senior Bowl. He might have just a bit more upside and nastiness than SEC-trained Luke Joeckel. If the Chiefs keep franchise-tagged OT Branden Albert, they'll enter the season with a solid set of bookends. If Albert is dealt, Donald Stephenson could step into the lineup unless Kansas City pursues a free agent such as Tyson Clabo. 2 (2) Jaguars: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M Analysis:New Jags GM Dave Caldwell seemingly takes the best player on his board — and two tackles top the draft for the first time ever — rather than addressing an anemic pass rush or spotty play under center or any number of areas on a deficient roster. Joeckel becomes an immediate friend to embattled third-year QB Blaine Gabbert and RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who's coming off a season-ending foot injury. With experience in pro-style and spread offenses for the Aggies, Joeckel should have no problem adjusting to whatever new Jacksonville offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch throws at him. The former bodyguard of Ryan Tannehill and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will likely start on the right side in 2013 but could switch to the blind side at any time, perhaps in 2014 if LT Eugene Monroe isn't re-signed. 3 (3) Dolphins (from Raiders): Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon Analysis: Oakland GM Reggie McKenzie ships out the first Round 1 pick of his tenure — Oakland lost last year's first first rounder (and this year's second rounder) in the 2011 Carson Palmer deal made by ex-coach Hue Jackson — to stockpile some much needed picks to replenish his roster. And with five of the top 82 selections at the start of the night, Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland had the ammo to move up and gave McKenzie the 12th and 42nd choices in return. Miami had the ammo to move up. Miami spurns the opportunity to replace departed Jake Long to take Jordan, a rangy pass rusher who used to play tight end. He could stand to add a little weight, but he should be able to focus his talents as a pass-rush specialist out of the chute — much as Aldon Smith did for the 49ers in 2011 — behind starting defensive ends Jared Odrick and Cameron Wake, who will be happy to see fewer double teams with Jordan on the opposite flank. 4 (4) Eagles: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma Analysis: A converted tight end and quarterback, Johnson has rare athleticism for his position and may wind up as the best tackle of this draft in a few years. He should fit seamlessly into new coach Chip Kelly's high-velocity offense, which demands great movement skills from its linemen. In Johnson and Jason Peters, the Eagles probably have the most mobile tackle tandem in the NFL provided Peters' Achilles' is fully healed. Expect RT Todd Herremans to shift back to guard, his primary position from 2006 to 2010. 5 (5) Lions: Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU Analysis: The Lions lost both of last season's starting tackles (Jeff Backus, retirement/Gosder Cherilus, free agency) and defensive ends (Kyle Vanden Bosch, released/Cliff Avril, free agency) but don't get a shot at one of the draft's elite tackles. So they take Ansah to bolster their pass rush. It helps that the Detroit coaching staff worked with the Ghana native during Senior Bowl week. He's extremely raw and has a very limited football background. But he enters a situation where he shouldn't see very many double teams if Lions DTs Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley continue to crush pockets from the inside. But D-line guru Jim Washburn has a big job molding Ansah into an NFL-ready player. 6 (6) Browns: Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU Analysis: The Browns opt for a pass rusher rather than upgrade their secondary. Mingo also needs to bulk up, and AFC North teams will doubtless run at him at every opportunity in 2013. But he'll also put some stress on Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger and Andy Dalton and gives Cleveland a nice young duo of edge players along with free agent addition Paul Kruger. If the Browns keep the heat on enemy QBs, their shortcomings in coverage won't be as glaring. However, Mingo better pan out since the franchise's new regime opted for him rather than a deal that might have recouped the second-round pick lost when WR Josh Gordon arrived via last year's supplemental draft. 7 (7) Cardinals: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina Analysis: Arizona needed tackle help, but Cooper is a very nice consolation prize and should solidify an O-line that will also be better with T Levi Brown back from a triceps injury that cost him the 2012 season. Cooper ought to keep new QB Carson Palmer fairly clean while providing daylight for recently signed RB Rashard Mendenhall. 8 (8) Rams (from Bills): Tavon Austin, WR West Virginia Analysis: The Rams clearly entered the night needing wideout and safety help but weren't in position to get a prime prospect at No. 16 or 22. So they jump up to Buffalo's spot to get Austin. The dynamic playmaker only weighs 175 pounds, but typifies a new NFL which puts a premium on speed, versatility and the ability to play in space. Austin should immediately fill the shoes of departed Danny Amendola and serve as QB Sam Bradford's top target. Austin can work out of the slot, backfield or in the return game. He should be a terror in the Edward Jones Dome. The 49ers and Seahawks won't be the only tough outs in the NFC West. 9 (9) Jets: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama Analysis: Though they had two first-round picks, the Jets missed out on Austin and the top pass rushers, who all would've filled obvious gaps. But they had another void after dealing all-pro CB Darrelle Revis to the Buccaneers, and coach Rex Ryan can never have enough corners. Milliner will team with Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson to give the Jets another tough trio to combat Tom Brady, and also a revitalized Dolphins passing game in the AFC East. On the downside, Milliner will be saddled with unfair comparisons to Revis from the moment he dons green and white. 10 (10) Titans: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama Analysis: Support QB Jake Locker's development or address the worst defense in franchise history? The Titans opt for the former, and Warmack — regarded in some circles as the draft's best pure football player — should only flourish under the tutelage of head coach Mike Munchak, a Hall of Fame guard himself. The additions of Warmack and free agent Andy Levitre (along with all-pro caliber LT Michael Roos) immediately thrust Tennessee's O-line into the league's upper echelon. Perhaps it again makes Chris Johnson a 2,000-yard back. 11 (11) Chargers: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama Analysis: A once-stacked San Diego roster fell into disrepair in the final years under deposed general manager A.J. Smith. None of the draft's elite blockers fell into the hands of new GM Tom Telesco, but Fluker is no slouch. He probably doesn't have the feet to protect QB Philip Rivers' blind side, but he should hold down the fort on the right side for a decade. Rivers has committed 47 turnovers over the past two seasons, and former coach Norv Turner laid much of the blame at the feet of a subpar O-line. 12 (12) Raiders (from Dolphins): D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston Analysis: The initial first-round call of the McKenzie era finally reaches the podium, and the GM goes with the fast-rising Cougar. Hayden ran a sub-4.4 40 at his pro day after he was nearly killed by a practice collision last year that sheared a blood vessel in his heart. He joins a secondary that hasn't been the same since Nnamdi Asomugha left after the 2010 season. Hayden is charged with defending Peyton Manning and Rivers as a rookie, but you can bet he's more than happy to be alive for such opportunities. 13 (13) Jets (from Buccaneers): Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri Analysis: This is the only selection the Jets acquired from the Bucs in this draft as part of the Revis swap (they'll likely pick up a third rounder in 2014). And new GM John Idzik makes a Mike Tannenbaum-esque move as New York takes a defensive lineman in Round 1 for the third consecutive year (Muhammad Wilkerson, 2011; Quinton Coples 2012). Richardson seemed to project as a better fit in a 4-3 defense, and this could signal more four-man fronts for a unit that will be more closely monitored by head coach Rex Ryan after the loss of coordinator Mike Pettine to Buffalo. The bigger takeaway could be the decision by Idzik not to add offensive firepower for regressing QB Mark Sanchez, who watched his top tailback, tight end and both starting guards leave in free agency. 14 (14) Panthers: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah Analysis: The Carolina D-line is suddenly scary with pass rushing demons Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy flanking Lotulelei, who could also suck up blocks in front of defensive rookie of the year MLB Luke Kuechly. Matt Ryan, Drew Brees and Josh Freeman won't like this pick as the heat will be coming from every direction. Had Lotulelei's heart been pumping at full efficiency at the combine, he might've gone off the board much earlier. 15 (15) Saints: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas Analysis: A year after gaining an NFL record 7,474 yards, the Saints surrendered a record 7,042 in their Bountygate-besmirched 2012 season. But rather than tinker with a front seven that's converting to a 3-4 scheme, New Orleans goes for the draft's best safety in Vaccaro. He has range to cover tight ends like Tony Gonzalez and Greg Olsen and won't be afraid to put a lick on the Steven Jacksons and Doug Martins of the world. The Saints seemed set at safety with former first-rounder Malcolm Jenkins and two-time Pro Bowler Roman Harper. With no Round 2 pick — more bounty fallout — Vaccaro will probably be the only immediate starter New Orleans gets in the draft. 16 (16) Bills (from Rams): E.J. Manuel, QB Florida State Analysis: Manuel becomes the first passer off the board, bypassing the more-hyped Geno Smith and Ryan Nassib, the former Orange quarterback who seemed a natural to reunite with ex-Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone in Buffalo. But Manuel has all the skills a modern offensive coordinator would want: arm strength, mobility and smarts. But other than RB C.J. Spiller and WR Stevie Johnson, the Bills don't have many weapons to assist Manuel, though that could change Friday given they now own two second rounders. GM Buddy Nix might have more time to expand the arsenal before Manuel even plays given Buffalo can roll with Kevin Kolb this season while the rookie adapts to the pro level. 17 (17) Steelers: Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia Analysis: This seemed like a natural fit assuming the Steelers were comfortable with Jones' poor offseason workouts and medical (stenosis) issues, and apparently they were. Jones had 14.5 sacks for Georgia in 2012 but will now be charged with replacing James Harrison. Jones should enable LaMarr Woodley to remain effective on the left side assuming he rebounds after a disappointing 2012 season. 18 (18) 49ers (from Cowboys): Eric Reid, S, LSU Analysis: The Niners entered the night with a league-high 13 picks but couldn't possibly use them all on a roster already laden with talent. So they surrender a third-rounder to Dallas in order to jump for the LSU star, who will try to take over at free safety after all-pro Dashon Goldson took the money and ran to Tampa in free agency. A great scenario for Reid, who merely has to play within himself on one of the league's toughest defenses. 19 (19) Giants: Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse Analysis: Maybe not a buzzy choice, but it's hard to question the track record of GM Jerry Reese. Pugh played tackle for the Orange but may start out at guard in New York. The Giants' O-line has been getting long in the tooth, and Pugh offers a long-term (if not immediate) solution. He'll have excellent mentors in OL David Diehl and OG Chris Snee, either of whom might be eventually displaced by Pugh. Starting LG Kevin Boothe, who recently got just a one-year deal, should also have his antennae up. 20 (20) Bears: Kyle Long, OG, Oregon Analysis: Another member of the Long clan enters the NFL. Kyle is the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long and brother of Rams DE Chris Long. Kyle eschewed football for baseball as a youngster before resurfacing on the gridiron with the Ducks. Jay Cutler's protection issues — 148 sacks suffered in 56 regular-season starts with the Bears — could be a thing of the past since Chicago has also signed LT Jermon Bushrod, G Matt Slauson and TE Martellus Bennett, who's also an excellent blocker. 21 (21) Bengals: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame Analysis: A bit of a surprise that Cincy goes for the tight end given 2010 first-rounder Jermaine Gresham is already on the roster. But the Bengals' recent postseason failures have proven the offense needs more pop and can't solely rely on WR A.J. Green. Eifert and Gresham could be quite a couple in a league that's increasingly featuring double-tight sets. Expect to see Eifert work quite often out of the slot, an area the Bengals have struggled to address, and become a prized target of QB Andy Dalton. 22 (22) Falcons (from Redskins through Rams): Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington Analysis: Thomas Dimitroff crafts a deal with Rams GM Les Snead, his former lieutenant. The Falcons have made some intriguing moves in free agency — RB Steven Jackson, DE Osi Umenyiora — but the cupboard was awfully bare at cornerback after the departures of Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes. Trufant is made to order and should start immediately. He can play outside or in the slot and remedies a problem for a team clearly in Super Bowl-or-bust mode. 23 (23) Vikings: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida Analysis: The Vikings use their first selection of the night to end the free fall of Floyd, who was slotted at No. 3 in many mock drafts, including USA TODAY Sports'. Floyd should benefit from the wisdom of veterans Kevin Williams and Jared Allen, who have 19 combined NFL seasons. Playing alongside such cagey players, Floyd, who excels as an interior pass rusher, should make an instant impact as a rookie. Not good news for other NFC North teams, who all have some measure of concern on their respective offensive lines. 24 (24) Colts: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State Analysis: Indianapolis goes defense a year after rebuilding the other side of the ball. Werner was a defensive end for the Seminoles but will probably stand up in the Colts' 3-4 scheme while replacing franchise sacks leader Dwight Freeney. The Colts used their second rounder to acquire CB Vontae Davis last summer, so Andrew Luck will have to hope the O-line reinforcements added in free agency can better protect him. 25 (25) Vikings (from Seahawks): Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State Analysis: Rhodes joins Chris Cook as another big-bodied corner in a secondary charged with defending monstrous receivers such as Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall on a regular basis (not to mention the fleet of wideouts Green Bay rolls out). Look for Rhodes to stay on the outside while 2012 third-rounder Josh Robinson assumes the duties of cap casualty Antoine Winfield in the slot. 26 (26) Packers: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA Analysis: Little surprise that GM Ted Thompson opts to wait and fill his hole at running back and continues to reload a defense that he overhauled in the 2012 draft. With D-linemen B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett both currently unsigned beyond 2013, Jones provides an insurance policy while adding more depth to a team that enlisted Jerel Worthy in the second round a year ago. Thompson has plenty of time to get a good runner (and maybe a safety or blocker) Friday. 27 (27) Texans: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson Analysis: Finally, the Texans grab an intriguing wingman/heir apparent for Andre Johnson, who will be 32 this season. Hopkins' legs have enough juice to make him dangerous on the boundaries while Johnson, TE Owen Daniels, and RB Arian Foster work the hashmarks and the flat. GM Rick Smith has now given QB Matt Schaub every arrow he could ask for in his quiver. If it's not put-up-or-shut-up time in Houston yet, it will be in 2014. 28 (28) Broncos: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina Analysis: The Broncos add some beef inside alongside recently resigned Kevin Vickers and free agent addition DT Terrance Knighton. Williams may not offset the pass rush loss of DE Elvis Dumervil, but he could generate push up the middle that helps free both LB Von Miller and DE Derek Wolfe on the outside. And remember, this team could still reel in DE Dwight Freeney at some point. But Williams is a talent who helps now while serving as a long-range building block. 29 (29) Vikings (from Patriots): Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee Analysis: With yet another vault back into the first round — that's five Round 1 choices since 2012 — the Vikes clearly telegraph their intention to win immediately even though QB Christian Ponder remains an unproven commodity. However he's suddenly got two formidable pass catchers on the outside in electric Patterson and free agent addition Greg Jennings, who will surely be asked to take the rookie under his steady wing. Patterson may have a limited role in 2013, but he should every chance to win in man coverage since RB Adrian Peterson, Jennings and even TE Kyle Rudolph will garner for more defensive attention. Meanwhile the Patriots, who began the draft with just five picks (two of them in Round 7), create another windfall for themselves by picking up three additional choices, including Minnesota's second-, third- and fourth-round selections. With Minnesota off the clock until Saturday, it seems Manti Te'o is headed elsewhere. 30 (30) Rams (from Falcons): Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia Analysis: Ogletree has caused some headaches off the field, but he can also create quite a bit of havoc on it. He should immediately line up next to MLB James Laurinaitis and should roam freely behind a D-line that already features three first rounders. And this is yet another classic case of Jeff Fisher (and Snead) rolling the dice on a player who broke the law (DUI) and team rules while with the Bulldogs. St. Louis' gamble on CB Janoris Jenkins in 2012 has panned out nicely so far. 31 (31) Cowboys (from 49ers): Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin Analysis: Unable to upgrade the middle of their offensive line or pick up Longhorns star Vaccaro to fix their issues at safety, Dallas drops down and winds up with Frederick, a center who wasn't projected as a first rounder in most circles. However, it's rarely a bad idea to pick a Badgers blocker, especially given the Cowboys' difficulties running he ball in 2012 (next to last in the league). 32 (32) Ravens: Matt Elam, S, Florida Analysis: The Ravens retool at safety rather than opting for Te'o or a wide-bodied nose tackle. Elam will probably leave the ball-hawking to newly-signed Michael Huff, but the rookie could replicate some of the hard-hitting play Bernard Pollard provided the past two seasons. And with 11 picks still in his holster, Baltimore GM Ozzie Newsome is well-equipped to make a bold move Friday if he chooses. 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Sacks98 28 Posted April 28, 2013 Was it that this class wasn't very good which is why the Dion Jordan pick wasn't questioned by Kiper and some other draftniks? I remember Schneider getting destroyed for taking Irvin with the 15th pick because he was just a pass rush specialist. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NY Diehard 26 Posted April 28, 2013 Dion Jordan isn't just a pass rusher though, he's excellent dropping back in coverage as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sacks98 28 Posted April 28, 2013 Dion Jordan isn't just a pass rusher though, he's excellent dropping back in coverage as well. So you think at 248 pounds he can play well against the run with a similar slim body like Irvin? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NY Diehard 26 Posted April 28, 2013 Where did I say something about his run defense? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
