2013 NFL Mock Draft: Thanksgiving Edition

Happy Turkey Day everyone. Another week of the NFL season is in the books. Can you believe it is already 12 weeks down? It seems like just yesterday we were speculating on last year’s NFL Mock Drafts, now we are a blink away from the 2013 class.

With so much of the season behind us a lot of things are becoming clear. There are some NFL teams that are good and a TON that are just down right mediocre at best. It’s one of those seasons where you are either good or really bad.

This draft we are going to see a lot of teams take pure talent over need, as they should. Since this class is defense heavy you’ll see a ton of those guys go early.

But how early and to whom? We’ll you’ll have to read the full draft below to find out:

1. Chiefs: Smith, Geno QB West Virginia
It finally happened. Geno Smith has taken the #1 spot in my mock draft. Why? Well, Matt Barkley has had another “eeeh” type of game, and to top it off he’s gotten injured. People are beginning to turn to Smith as the only elite passer in this class. Whoever is the top QB the Chiefs have to take him.

2. Jaguars: Jones, Jarvis OLB Georgia
I am beginning to believe the Jaguars aren’t going to pick a QB at all in this draft. QB Blaine Gabbert is on IR and there are reports they are actually excited about Henne. If all of that is true and Jax really likes their QB depth chart.. then Jarvis Jones it is.

Sorry Jarvis.

3. Browns: Teo, Manti ILB Notre Dame
People are saying Manti could be the #1 pick in this class. I moved him up about as far as I can, which is the #3 overall selection to Cleveland. I doubt the Browns are going to pass on him and with Phil Taylor coming back to form, this defense might actually be feared in years to come.

4. Panthers: Milliner, Demarcus CB Alabama
Every other draft you’ll see will have a DT here, and I did before I revised this. I get the chance to see Carolina every weekend on television and I can tell you that this team’s #1 NEED on defense is a defensive back. Whether that is a safety or corner they absolutely cannot win with the lack of talent in their defensive backfield. Captain is playing admirable… but he is a bright spot on a very bad unit.

5. Raiders: Lotulelei, Star DT Utah
The Raiders won’t hesitate to grab a dominate defender if one falls to them. Yes, Carson needs competition but I think they will open the QB spot up for Pryor to compete.

6. Eagles: Joeckel, Luke OT Texas AM
When Andy Reid is fired, he can take some of those offensive linemen with him. This unit is not getting it done, period. Mike Vick is hurt, Nick Foles is throwing for his life… I think we can write in Joeckel to the Eagles as a guaranteed pick.

7. Rams: Lewan, Taylor OT Michigan
The Rams have got to protect Sam Bradford.

8. Cardinals: Fisher, Eric OT Central Michigan
Kolb will be back, but will he get injured again? You can’t risk that.

9. Bills: Barkley, Matt QB USC
Barkley falls to the Bills. There are great concerns over his arm strength (that I don’t buy personally) and he just had another ok game. Combine that with a shoulder injury and that’s how he falls to Buffalo’s waiting arms.

10. Titans: Mingo, Barkevious OLB LSU
I just think the Titans are going to pick Mingo. I don’t know why, but this is the same team that picked Vince Young and Chris Johnson. There is a certain amount of that kinda flair to Mingo’s defensive game. I could see Bud calling this one from the top.

11. Jets: Moore, Damontre DE Texas AM
The LOLJets aren’t going to select a QB or release Tim Tebow, as they should do both and move on with their franchise… but they will select the best defender instead trying to revive the “ground and pound” and once again pick in the top 10. Sorry Jet fans.

12. Chargers: Allen, Keenan WR UCLA
Who is there to throw to on the Chargers? Danario Alexander came out of nowhere… but that’s just one game.

13. Dolphins: Hunter, Justin WR Tennessee
Brian Hartline is looking legit and so is Tannehill, but there is still room for a top tier WR.

14. Lions: Montgomery, Sam DE LSU
The Lions need a defensive back, but if they stay true to their draft board their pick would be Montgomery here.

15. Rams: Reid, Eric S LSU
Everything I have read has said that the Rams plan to leave this draft with Eric Reid, period. Same thing was said about Blackmon… I just hope Fisher doesn’t overplay his hand again…

16. Bengals: Werner, Bjoern DE Florida State
The Bengals could use a DE to replace Michael Johnson if he seeks big money elsewhere… that opens up the floor for Werner as the pick.

17. Cowboys: Hankins, Johnathan DT Ohio State
I don’t know if the Cowboys are excited or not about replacing Jay Ratliff but Jerry Jones is a smart drafter and great business man. If he sees an opportunity to bring on a stud to groom behind Ratliff he’d do it sooner rather than later.

18. Colts: Jenkins, John DT Georgia
The Colts can go a lot of ways. Definitely WR and RB are in play as well. I’ll plug in Jenkins for he time being, this pick will likely change in my next 2013 mock draft.

19. Vikings: Richardson, Sheldon DT Missouri
The Vikings are in need of a receiver to compliment Harvin and a replacement for Kevin Williams. With Richardson just staring at them, I don’t see how they wouldn’t go ahead and sure up that defensive tackle spot for the future.

20. Saints: Jordan, Dion DE Oregon
Sean Payton will be back. Job #1 is replacing as much of that defensive line as they can afford to.

21. Seahawks: Woods, Robert WR USC
Keep it real, Pete Carroll is going to draft who the heck he wants. He doesn’t care about what I or you think. Now Robert Woods is just a guess… that’s all this is.

22. Steelers: Fluker, DJ OT Alabama
After watching Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich go down I almost fear for Mike Adams’ career at this point… and he is only a rookie. I would not be surprised one bit if the Steelers decided to move on from him already. And with that said, DJ Fluker welcome back to the first round.

23. Buccaneers: Banks, Jonathan CB Mississippi State
Aqib Talib is a Patriot. Ronde will retire. This has to be a CB. Has to.

24. Giants: Warmack, Chance OG Alabama
Giant fans would like Eli to have a nice long career, so boosting the o-line is a priority.

25. Patriots: Williams, Terrance WR Baylor
The Patriots finally cut Deion Branch. It’s only a matter of drops/time until Brandon Lloyd gets his arrangements.

26. Broncos: Mosley, CJ ILB Alabama
Keith Brooking starts games for the Denver Broncos. In 2012. No lie.

27. Bears: Short, Kawann DT Purdue
The Bears are looking for an upgrade next to Paea. They send Okoye packing only to quietly bring him back…

28. Ravens: Ogletree, Alec ILB Georgia
It might be a career for Ray Lewis. If it is, the Ravens will NEVER replace him… but they will start the hard job of moving on from one of the greatest middle linebackers of all time.

29. Packers: Eifert, Tyler TE Notre Dame
Jermichael Finley actually scored a touchdown last week, but this pick will not change. The Packers aren’t paying him all that money next season. Eifert it is.

30. 49ers: Elam, Matt S Florida
Welcome to the first round Matt Elam. When you see this guy play, you see a 49er type of player. He flies around to the ball, hitting anything in the way. Even if it is his own teammates. You got to love that.

31. Falcons: Ansah, Ezekiel DE BYU
The Falcons finally did the honors for Ray Edwards. Zeek Ansah is going to be projected to go much, much, higher than this after he blows up the combine so this actually would be a steal.

32. Texans: Austin, Tavon WR West Virginia
Even if the Texans win the Super Bowl they will need some young blood at receiver. Andre Johnson is no spring chicken anymore.