2013 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Wednesday, March 6, 2013. Major changes in all 5 rounds.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

You can find the complete seven-round 2013 NFL Draft Order by clicking the link.

NFL Draft Recent Links:

2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/16): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/15) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/23)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)

Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
I mentioned all of the options here in my recently published Kansas City Chiefs’ No. 1 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft page. I have a poll on there, and despite the Branden Albert tag, Luke Joeckel is still the favorite. Here’s why he makes sense (I’m copy-pasting):

Just because the Chiefs franchised Albert doesn’t mean the two left tackles are out of the picture. Albert has a 1-year deal in place. After that, he’s gone unless Kansas City signs him to a long-term contract. That could happen, but Albert has a history of back issues. Would the Chiefs be willing to give him a big deal with that in mind?

There’s also a chance Albert will be dealt. The Chiefs lost two second-day selections in the Alex Smith deal, so it would be wise for them to recoup those picks. They can easily trade Albert to a team in need of a tackle that won’t have a chance to take Joeckel, Eric Fisher or even Lane Johnson. The Kansas City Star’s Sam Mellinger said there’s a chance it’ll happen. The Bears and Colts come to mind as possible trading partners.

Even if Albert isn’t moved anywhere, he could always slide inside to guard. He recently told the media that he has no desire to do this, but he does have experience at the position, having played it in Virginia. The Chiefs have a massive hole at one of the guard positions, so this could be a short-term fix.

The greatest point is that Kansas City’s front office has said all along that it plans on drafting the best player available. What if that’s Joeckel? A franchise left tackle would be a valuable asset, so is Andy Reid willing to throw that away because of a one-year deal with a lineman who has back problems?

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Star Lotulelei, DT – Star Lotulelei would be the heavy favorite right now if it wasn’t for his heart condition. It’s still unclear if this is a big issue or not.

2. Eric Fisher, OT – As discussed, the other left tackle possibility.

By the way, I’m doing this live because I thought it’d be fun to get instant feedback. I’m going to post my mock anyway, so why not do it this way? Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon
New head coach Gus Bradley met with the NFL Network crew during the Senior Bowl. He told them that one of the things he learned under Pete Carroll was to build the team on speed. Dion Jordan certainly fits the bill there, as he was one of the most explosive athletes at the Combine.

Jordan, who is definitely one of the top players available, fits Bradley’s defense perfectly in the Leo position. Given that he’s drawn comparisons to Aldon Smith, Jordan would improve the team’s last-ranked pass rush. He would also be able to drop into coverage and defend tight ends – and that is key because the Texans and Colts both use multi-tight end sets.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Star Lotulelei, DT – Star Lotulelei would be a great fit in Bradley’s defense. He’d also fill a huge need next to Tyson Alualu. Unfortunately, his heart condition keeps him from being the projected pick for now. 2. Luke Joeckel/Eric Fisher, OT – Eugene Monroe is entering his walk year. The Jaguars could address their big need at right tackle now and then move Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher to left tackle later if they can’t retain Monroe for some reason.
Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Mike Mayock rated Sharrif Floyd above Star Lotulelei prior to the Combine, and he wasn’t the first to do so. There’s a ton of buzz about Floyd, with some of the ESPN and Scouts Inc. analysts ranking him in the top 10 of their big boards. He has so much upside and versatility that he could end up being a top-five pick. It’s possible that the Raiders would view him as the best player available. Of course, this is much more of an obvious pick in the wake of Lotulelei’s heart condition.

Floyd makes a ton of sense from a needs staindpoint. Richard Seymour’s contract has been voided. Meanwhile, Tommy Kelly is a bum who doesn’t care about winning. He’s a thug who has played so sluggishly this year in the rare instances when he wasn’t trying to injure the opposing quarterback, so there’s no chance he’s going to see a penny of his $6.5 million salary in 2013. He’s as good as gone, and 15-year-old head coach Dennis Allen lost all respect in the locker room for not cutting him after the opener.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Dion Jordan, DE – Only the Jaguars had fewer sacks than the Raiders this past year. The pass rush must improve.

2. Geno Smith, QB – There’s been speculation that the Raiders have taken a liking to Geno Smith. If the Chiefs pass on him, another AFC West team could draft him.
Philadelphia Eagles: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
There’s no question the Eagles have to upgrade their offensive line. Their tackle position is in shambles. Jason Peters tore his Achilles; Demetress Bell was released after being a bust signing; while King Dunlap simply sucks. Even if Peters comes back close to 100 percent – a tough challenge, considering his weight – an upgrade could be made at right tackle, which would allow Todd Herremans to move back to his natural guard position. Eric Fisher would then become the heir apparent to Peters on the blind side.

This pick was a close call between Eric Fisher and Dee Milliner, but I’m giving the edge to the former for two reasons: 1) No cornerback has been picked in the top four since Charles Woodson in 1998. Milliner is a very good prospect, but he’s not as talented as Morris Claiborne, who went sixth last year. 2) The right tackle position must be addressed because Philadelphia restructured the contract of its mobile quarterback. Finding a right tackle is more paramount for the Eagles than it is for most teams because they have to protect their signal-caller’s blind side.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Star Lotulelei, DT – The Eagles cut Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson, so they need help next to Fletcher Cox. Lotulelei’s heart needs to check out, however.

2. DeMarcus Milliner, CB – A cornerback hasn’t been chosen in the top four since Charles Woodson in 1998, but that trend could be broken this year because of the lack of talent atop the class. The Eagles need corner help with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie hitting free agency and Nnamdi Asomugha likely to be released.

Pick change; previously Sheldon Richardson, DT
Detroit Lions: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
The Lions’ M.O. is to take the top player available. That would be Dee Milliner in this situation. Cornerbacks usually don’t go in the top five unless they are top-notch elite prospects, but this draft class is so horrendous at the top that Milliner could easily go No. 4 or 5.

It seems like Detroit has needed cornerback help for ages; general manager Martin Mayhew even admitted that he’s looking for one. He could finally put an end to that by selecting Milliner.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Ezekiel Ansah, DE – The Lions cut Kyle Vanden Bosch and could be losing Cliff Avril in free agency. The coaching staff got a close look at Ezekiel Ansah at the Senior Bowl.

2. Eric Fisher, OT – Gosder Cherilus is a free agent, so a right tackle (and future left tackle) is needed if Riley Reiff moves inside.
Cleveland Browns: Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU
The Browns need to improve their pass rush. Jabaal Sheard led the team in sacks with only seven. Juqua Parker-Thomas was next with six, and he’s a 35-year-old free agent.

Ezekiel Ansah, who is a top-10 pick according to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, makes sense from a scheme perspective. Michael Lombardi learned from Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick, who both prefer larger rush linebackers. Ansah (271 pounds) dwarfs most of the other pass-rushers. He also possesses unbelievable upside, which will intrigue the Browns.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Dion Jordan, DE/OLB – Another pass-rushing possibility, should Dion Jordan fall to No. 6. Lombardi will likely want to bolster this group.

2. Dee Milliner, CB – The Browns need cornerback help across from Joe Haden with Sheldon Brown hitting free agency.
Arizona Cardinals: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Geno Smith is definitely in play at No. 7 overall. He fits Bruce Arians’ vertical offense perfectly. Plus, he’ll fill the biggest need on Arizona’s roster.

John Skelton just put on one of the worst quarterbacking performances of all time in Seattle, while Kevin Kolb, who is also iffy, cannot stay healthy. Oh, and let’s not forget Ryan Lindley, who might just be even worse than Skelton. They all made Brian Hoyer look like the second coming of Kurt Warner, as Hoyer was actually capable of getting the ball to Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd.

Arizona needs a franchise quarterback, and Fitzgerald, who generally has a say in whom his team drafts, will pull for one in the first two rounds.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Eric Fisher, OT – Eric Fisher’s the no-brainer pick if he makes it to No. 7.

2. Chance Warmack, G – Guards don’t go in the top 10, but this year is different, as previously stated.

Pick change; previously Eric Fisher, OT
Buffalo Bills: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
General manager Buddy Nix, who is generally forthcoming about his offseason plans, told the media that he plans on drafting a franchise quarterback. He also said that he desperately wants a big wide receiver across from Stevie Johnson. With Geno Smith off the board, Cordarrelle Patterson would become the favorite at No. 8 overall.

Johnson’s the only downfield play-maker on Buffalo’s offense, so Patterson makes a ton of sense. Patterson is very raw, and he normally wouldn’t be a top-10 prospect. However, this draft class is awful at the very top, so Patterson has a legitimate shot to be picked eighth or ninth. Patterson doesn’t have much collegiate experience, but he’s a dynamic athlete who has drawn comparisons to Julio Jones.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Geno Smith, QB – It’s hard to imagine Nix passing on Geno Smith if he’s available.
New York Jets: Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina
Yes, yes, I know, interior linemen don’t go in the top 10. But please keep this in mind: A) With Rex Ryan making the decisions and the new general manager being just a cap guy, the Jets are stupid enough to do something like this. B) Jonathan Cooper might be their top available prospect, having gotten a very close look at him when they scouted Quinton Coples last year. C) The top of this draft class stinks, so a guard could sneak in around this range. D) Cooper fills a huge need on the interior of the offensive line.

Oh, and nothing else really makes too much sense; Bjoern Werner is a worse reach at No. 9 than a guard is, while the Jets have eschewed smaller, stand-up pass-rushers like Barkevious Mingo under Rex Ryan. New York is in a tough spot in this scenario, so it might just take the best player remaining on its board.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR – Mike Tannenbaum was recently fired because he put the Jets in an awful cap position, but given that he’s a recent, former employee, he almost definitely has some inside information about the team. He mocked Cordarrelle Patterson to New York in a 10-team mock draft a few days ago, and the other NFL Network panelists followed suit.

2. Ezekiel Ansah or Bjoern Werner, DE/OLB – The Jets need a lot of things, including a top-notch pass-rusher.

3. Desmond Trufant or Xavier Rhodes, CB – If the Jets trade either Darrelle Revis or Antonio Cromartie, they’ll definitely consider Milliner if he’s available.

Pick change; previously Cordarrelle Patterson, WR
Tennessee Titans: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
It seems like a cornerback prospect rises up boards and is taken way earlier than expected almost every year. It happened last April with Stephon Gilmore. I think it could be Desmond Trufant this spring. Trufant had a fantastic 2012 campaign and followed that up with a stellar Senior Bowl. He then erased any speed concerns with a 4.38 40-yard dash at the Combine (with a fantastic 1.47 10-yard split).

General manager Ruston Webster is very familiar with Washington’s program, as he picked Jake Locker in the 2011 NFL Draft. Trufant would fill a huge need; the Titans were interested in drafting a highly ranked cornerback at No. 20 back in April, but neither Gilmore nor Dre Kirkpatrick fell to them. They’ll have more luck in the 2013 NFL Draft. Alterraun Verner will be entering his contract year in 2013, so Tennessee will need a new starter if it can’t retain him. Besides, the Titans need to fix their 24th-ranked pass defense.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. DeMarcus Milliner, CB – I guarantee that Milliner will not make it past the Titans, should he fall for some unexpected reason.

2. Chance Warmack, G – Webster said he has no reservations about taking a guard this high. Chance Warmack would fill a huge need.

Pick change; previously Chance Warmack, G
San Diego Chargers: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
I usually don’t have teams reach for need unless it involves the quarterback position. However, Lane Johnson had a terrific Senior Bowl and followed that up with a great Combine, so this isn’t really considered a reach anymore.

The Chargers could be forced into making this selection anyway. Philip Rivers appears to be regressing, but it’s impossible to tell if that’s the case because he’s getting slaughtered behind a pathetic offensive line. San Diego cannot, under any circumstances, enter the 2013 season with Jared Gaither as its starting left tackle. He’s just way too injury-prone and unreliable.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB – San Diego may deem Barkevious Mingo to be the best player available. He’d make a ton of sense as a replacement for free agent Shaun Phillips.

2. Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper, G – The Chargers also have to upgrade the interior of their offensive line.
Miami Dolphins: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
The Dolphins dealt Vontae Davis to the Colts the previous offseason. Now, it’s looking like they will lose Sean Smith to free agency in the wake of applying the franchise tag to Randy Starks.

Cornerback has become a huge need for Miami. The position already had to be addressed even when Smith was on the team, but now the Dolphins have to find two new corners this offseason.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Lane Johnson, OT – It’s looking less likely that Jake Long will be back in Miami. If he leaves, the Dolphins will have to find a bookend for Jake Long.

2. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR – Cordarrelle Patterson may not make it to Miami. If he does, he’ll be considered if the front office misses out on all of the top free-agent wideouts.

Pick change; previously Bjoern Werner, DE
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah
The poor Buccaneers want cornerback help, but the top three players at the position are all off the board. If this were to happen, Tampa Bay would look at the top prospect available, and that could definitely be Star Lotulelei.

Lotulelei is a total wild card right now. He wasn’t allowed to work out at the Combine because of a heart condition. It could be something serious, but it could also be insignificant. Hopefully it’s the latter. I think I’ll slot Lotulelei around here until I have more information.

There’s no doubt that Lotulelei would fill a huge need next to Gerald McCoy. Roy Miller, the incumbent starter at that spot, is not expected to be back because he’s a free agent.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Desmond Trufant or Xavier Rhodes, CB – Tampa Bay is desperate for cornerback help.

2. Lane Johnson, OT – The Buccaneers have shown interest in Lane Johnson. Right tackle Demar Dotson is entering his contract year, while left tackle Donald Penn, who struggled down the stretch, is owed about $18 million over the next three years.
Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
I was told by a reliable source not to mock Fletcher Cox to the Panthers because they were satisfied with their current group of defensive tackles. Based on the rushing yardage they surrendered to Bryce Brown and Jamaal Charles at the end of the year, I highly doubt they’ll feel the same way in April.

Sheldon Richardson is definitely on the Panthers’ radar, as Steve Smith recently told the media that he wants his front office to draft the Missouri product. Richardson would fill a huge hole on Carolina’s defensive line.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Desmond Trufant or Xavier Rhodes, CB – The Panthers will be cutting Chris Gamble sometime soon. They’ll need a new No. 1 cornerback.

2. Kenny Vaccaro, S – More safety help is needed.

Pick change; previously Kenny Vaccaro, S
New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
The Saints fired Steve Spagnuolo and announced that they are moving to a 3-4 defense. A new scheme doesn’t mean they’ll be able to fix their old problems, however. They still need to find a top pass-rusher to make things easier for an overmatched secondary. Barkevious Mingo makes a ton of sense here as one of the top prospects available.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB – Another pass-rushing option for the Saints’ new 3-4.

2. Star Lotulelei, NT – Brodrick Bunkley is currently slated to be the team’s nose tackle. New Orleans may not view him as a viable option for the position. If that’s the case, Star Lotulelei will be considered if he checks out medically.
St. Louis Rams: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
The Rams desperately need to upgrade their offensive front. Jeff Fisher said it as much – he defended Sam Bradford recently by saying the blocking needs to get better up front. Expect St. Louis to make multiple upgrades to the offensive line this offseason.

I’d hate the idea of slotting two guards in the top 20, but Chance Warmack is the top player available. Besides, if Mike Iupati could go No. 18 overall a few years ago, Warmack can definitely be taken No. 16 overall.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Jonathan Cooper, G or Lane Johnson, OT – It’ll be tough for the Rams to pass on Lane Johnson if he’s available. Jonathan Cooper also makes sense.

2. Kenny Vaccaro, S – St. Louis’ front office has stated that it wants to improve the safety position.

Pick change; previously Jonathan Cooper, G/C

Go to 2013 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.