2013 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Monday, March 11, 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:

2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/20): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/15)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/26)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)

Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
There’s no way this pick is locked in yet, but it seems to be moving in that direction pretty rapidly with Luke Joeckel. Some speculated that the Chiefs would go with a defensive lineman or even a cornerback with this selection in the wake of Branden Albert’s franchise tag, but that’s no longer the case after right tackle Eric Winston was released Wednesday evening.

It’s unusual to pick a right tackle No. 1 overall, but this isn’t a typical situation. Albert was franchised, so he’ll be around for just one season. Joeckel could start at right tackle and then take over the blind side in 2014 and beyond. Also, there’s no guarantee that Albert will even be on the roster come September. Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star told Pro Football Talk that there’s a chance Albert will be traded this offseason. That would make lots of sense, given that the Chiefs just dealt two second-day selections to the 49ers.

There’s been some speculation that Kansas City might prefer Eric Fisher over Joeckel, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed that the Chiefs are very high on Joeckel. My own Kansas City source said the same thing to me. Also, Adam Schefter tweeted the following over the weekend (you can see this in the 2013 NFL Draft Rumors section: “After today’s Pro Day at Texas A&M, scouts believe it’s hard to imagine the Chiefs bypassing OT Luke Joeckel with No. 1 overall pick.”

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

1. Star Lotulelei or Sharrif Floyd, DT – Star Lotulelei could be the favorite right now if it wasn’t for his heart condition. It’s still unclear if this is a big issue or not. Sharrif Floyd has also been discussed.

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. This is much different than the Chiefs’ pick because Monroe could still be a Jaguar for at least two seasons via the franchise tag.
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, and now the consensus is that he will be a top-five lock. Some are even comparing him to J.J. Watt. 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. Dee 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.
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. Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB – Another pass-rushing possibility, should Lombardi ignore Jarvis Jones’ spinal issue.

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. With the 49ers and Seahawks having young signal-callers, the Cardinals could be feeling left out.

*** 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.
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 (according to agents) 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 two guards are expected to be chosen in the top 12. 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 the top cornerback available.
Tennessee Titans: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
The Titans desperately want DeMarcus Milliner, but they’ll probably have to trade up to get him. However, they’re unlikely to move up because they feel like they have too many needs. Thus, they’re a bit stuck if Milliner goes in the top nine.

I normally wouldn’t mock a guard (let alone two) in the top 10, but three things: 1) Chance Warmack is a rare talent who is regarded by some to be the top prospect in this class. 2) General manager Ruston Webster said he has no reservations about taking a guard this high. He also declared that he wants to upgrade the interior of his offensive line. 3) Again, this draft class stinks at the top, so if there were ever a year in which a guard could finally break thet top 10 again, this would be it. The consensus thinking is that both Warmack and Jonathan Cooper are expected to be chosen in the top 12.

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

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

2. Xavier Rhodes or Desmond Trufant. CB – More cornerback options.

Pick change; previously Desmond Trufant, CB
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 or Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB – San Diego may deem Barkevious Mingo (or Jarvis Jones if he checks out) 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. Jonathan Cooper or Chance Warmack, G – Two interior line options. The Dolphins need an upgrade here.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah
The poor Buccaneers want cornerback help, but the top 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 have cut Chris Gamble. They’ll need a new No. 1 cornerback.

2. Kenny Vaccaro, S – More safety help is needed.
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: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Danny Amendola is going to be testing the free agent market. If he signs with another team, the Rams will have to find multiple receivers.

Tavon Austin had a terrific Combine performance and is now in top-16 consideration. He would be a perfect replacement for Amendola in the slot.

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

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

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

Pick change; previously Chance Warmack, G

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.