Mock Draft: Top 5 Picks
In just two days time, all the eyes of the football universe will be on New York City and the 2013 NFL Draft, where teams hope to instantly improve their championship odds, while fans hope their favorite teams select the next franchise stud.
The 2013 class is notably short on big names, especially compared to last year, but that doesn’t mean this year’s top picks won’t have as drastic and as immediate an impact as the best players from the 2012 class. Though there will certainly be some meaningful and significant picks later on the draft, today we’ll look at the top 5 projected selections as team’s look to fill their biggest needs.
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
After a 2-14 finish a year ago, there’s no doubt that the Chiefs have more than a few leaks to plug, but for them, most of the problems stem from a lack of quarterback protection. That’s why they’ll almost assuredly go after one of the three premier tackles in this draft and based on what we’ve heard from analysts, the one they like the most seems to be former Aggie Luke Joeckel.
The selection of Joeckel will likely not excite the Kansas City faithful, but it’s the right move to go with a tackle, especially since that’s a position where this class has a wealth of talent. Of course, the Chiefs could go with Lane Johnson or Eric Fisher – the other top tackles in the 2013 draft – with the first overall pick, but after seeing Joeckel keep Johnny Football’s jersey clean all of last year, he seems like the guy Kansas City will trust in protecting their quarterbacks.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Eric Fisher, OT, Central MichiganÂ
A lot of experts are thinking the Jaguars will go with Oregon’s Dion Jordan with the second overall pick and they very well could, but I think after seeing Joeckel go first, they’re going to want to get their hands on one of these stud tackles before they are gone. And second best on the list is Central Michigan product Eric Fisher.
The Jaguars are another team with needs at almost every position and if they are smart, they are going to want to sure up that offensive line for whatever quarterback ends up under center (probably Blaine Gabbert). Jordan would be a great versatile addition to the defense, but if they pass on Fisher, they aren’t going to get another shot at that kind of caliber lineman again, until next year because they’ll probably finish among the bottom of the league again.
3. Oakland Raiders – Lane Johnson, OT, OklahomaÂ
Another lineman? Crazy right? Well, that’s what this draft is loaded with and tackles are what these bottom-feeder teams need. The Raiders also need to find some consistency in the run game and with protecting the QB and with Joeckel and Fisher off the board, they’ll be forced to go with Johnson, the last of the three premier tackles in the 2013 class. Since the Raiders need some help in the run game as well, they could even turn to guard Chance Warmack out of Alabama. However, most scouts and experts have him going much later in the first round.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon
With the Jags potentially passing on Jordan, it would make perfect sense for the Chip Kelly and the Eagles to scoop him up at number four. After all, they need a defensive game changer and former Oregon coach Kelly is all too familiar with Jordan’s pass rush and coverage capabilities. It could be a match made in heaven if everything goes as expected.
5. Detroit Lions – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
The Lions could be looking for a lineman as well, but with the top three gone, they may turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball, where they need plenty of help as well. And after Jordan goes at either No. 2 or No. 4, there’s no question that Milliner is the best defensive player left on the board. He is a ball hawk with great coverage skills and that’s just what the Lions need competing in the same division as Aaron Rodgers.
