Archived Mock Draft (Willy): Round 1 (9/21)

Archived Mock Draft (Willy): Round 1 (9/21)

*Please Note: You’re looking at an archived post! Links to Steve’s most recent mock drafts are below.

Steve Shoup’s Updated 2013 NFL Mock Draft

Updated 2013 NFL Mock Draft Round 1 | Round 1 Picks 17-32 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 |

Picks: 1-16, 17-32 Also Check Out Fanspeak’s NFL Draft Blog

-Draft Order based on Fanspeak’s Power Rankings

1. Oakland Raiders- QB Matt Barkley, USC

-The Raiders look to be in for a long season, and should begin their rebuild with a quarterback next season. Carson Palmer is not the same Carson Palmer who looked to be a true franchise quarterback with the Bengals. He could though still serve as a one year mentor to Matt Barkley.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars- OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia

-The Jaguars are a team that needs a lot, but they can’t pass up taking the top player on the board and best pass rusher in this class. Jones should quickly become an impact pass rusher for the Jags, an area this team lacks.

3. Cleveland Browns- OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU

-The Browns could use another edge rusher to complement Jabaal Sheard, Mingo is neck-and-neck with Jones, making this a win-win situation for the Browns. Cleveland’s defense has been getting better and better and Mingo could be the final piece to match some of the other elite defenses in the AFC North.

4. Kansas City Chiefs- QB Geno Smith, WVU

–Geno Smith is flying up draft boards and for good reason, he has been almost perfect this season and very much proving himself to be an NFL caliber quarterback. He’d go to a great situation in Kansas City with a strong offensive line, receivers and rushing attack.

5. Minnesota Vikings-WR Robert Woods, USC

–Keenan Allen will deserve some consideration, but Robert Woods appears to be the best wide receiver in college football. Allen may have more big play ability, but Woods is more NFL ready, and will give Christian Ponder a target that he’s been lacking.

6. Indianapolis Colts- DT Jonathan Hankins, Ohio State

-The Colts need a man in the middle of their new 3-4 and this draft has couple good nose tackle prospects. Hankins probably has a slight edge, and should fit in well in the Colts scheme.

7. Tennessee Titans- DE Bjoern Werner, FSU

-The Titans could look offensive line here, but I think they will add a pass rusher to improve their defense which has struggled to get after the quarterback. Werner is a very impressive pass rusher and looks to be a plug and play guy.

8. Miami Dolphins- WR Keenan Allen, Cal

-The Dolphins need to come away from this draft with a big play receiver, and that is exactly what Allen brings to the table. He’d be a perfect target for Ryan Tannehill, and could jump start the Dolphins passing attack.

9. Seattle Seahawks- DT Star Lotulelei, Utah

-The Seahawks could maybe reach for a wide receiver, or draft a guard like Barrett Jones to improve their offense, but I think they will go value here. Lotulelei is arguably a top 5 prospect and could have a big impact on their line. With Alan Branch and Jason Jones free agents there will be some snaps available for Lotulelei to take over.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

-Donald Penn is a good tackle, but not a star. He’d be better suited at right tackle where he could be more dominant. Joeckel is the best tackle prospect in this class and should be considered a steal for the Buccaneers at the 10th pick. A 2013 line of Joeckel, Carl Nicks, Jeremy Zuttah, Davin Joesph, and Penn could perhaps be the most talented in the NFL, and will make Doug Martin a very happy man.

11. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins)- OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan

-The Rams rebuild looks to be ahead of schedule, but they are still lacking an offensive line. Scott Wells should be back and fine next year, and Roger Saffold looks solid (though perhaps a move to RT would benefit him. Bring in Taylor Lewan who is more raw than a Jake Long, but has elite LT upside. If the Rams can start winning some battles in the trenches imagine how good Sam Bradford could be?

12. Buffalo Bills- QB Tyler Bray, Tennessee

-The Bills will probably look to replace Ryan Fitzpatrick in this draft and a high upside guy like Tyler Bray makes a lot of sense. Bray could grow with the young weapons the Bills have assembled to give them a very bright future.

13. New York Jets- QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

-It’s about time for the Mark Sanchez era in New York to come to an end, so adding a quarterback would be wise. Wilson doesn’t always play up to his potential, but if he were a bit more consistent he’d be challenging Matt Barkley and Geno Smith for the top quarterback spot.

14. Carolina Panthers- DT Kawann Short, Purdue

-The Panthers defensive tackles have been their weakness the last couple of years and should be their target with this pick. Short would be a nice addition as he’s a very active lineman who gives opposing interior linemen headaches.

15. New Orleans Saints- DE Sam Montgomery, LSU

-This could be a down year for the Saints, but on the positive side they could get a top 15 talent. Sam Montgomery is just that as he’s nearly as good as a pass rusher as his LSU teammate Mingo. New Orleans defense struggles to get after the quarterback, which is why a pass rusher like Montgomery is key.

16. St. Louis Rams- OG Barrett Jones, Alabama

-This would probably not happen, but adding Barrett Jones after already drafting Taylor Lewan would be a genius move for the Rams. Their offensive line would go from perhaps their weakest unit, to maybe their strongest. Making both Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson far more effective. Though they still have some defensive needs, St. Louis could essentially focus the rest of their draft on that side of the ball.