Archived Mock Draft (Steve): 10/23

Archived Mock Draft (Steve): 10/23

*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 and Big Board

1. Kansas City Chiefs: QB Geno Smith, WVU-

-The Chiefs are going to be in the market for a new starting quarterback next year, and despite a few recent set backs, Geno Smith appears to be the top one in next year’s class. The Chiefs have a strong rushing attack, offensive line and a number of nice weapons which should make Smith’s transition fairly easy.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia

-The Jaguars pass rush has been non-existent this season, and that is after re-signing Jeremy Mincey and drafting Andre Branch in the 2nd round. Jacksonville has a chance to get the best pass rusher in this draft in Jarvis Jones and it is a chance they should not pass up.

3. Cleveland Browns: DE Bjoern Werner, FSU

-The Browns have gotten their fair share of sacks this season, but they’ve struggled to maintain consistent pressure on the quarterback. Adding a guy like Werner who is a great pure pass rusher would definitely help. Overall though it is tough to figure out what direction the Browns will go in, until we see how some of their young players perform.

4. Carolina Panthers: DT Jonathan Hankins, Ohio State

-The Panthers are in disarray right now, and although the offense is the bigger culprit, the team has invested too many high draft picks and big money contracts on that side of the ball. Carolina could use a big time defensive tackle, and will land a very good one in Hankins with this pick.

5. Oakland Raiders: QB Matt Barkley, USC

-Though they could consider trading back, I think the Raiders will take a quarterback if they have one of the top two guys on the board when they select. Barkley could be the quarterback of the future that clearly Carson Palmer is not. He could legitimately restart the rebuild in Oakland and set them up for the future.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

-The Buccaneers would love to add Joeckel, which would allow them to move their solid LT Donald Penn to RT where he shoudl thrive. This is the type of selection that will improve two positions, which will also have a big impact on both the air and ground attacks.

7. Tennessee Titans: DE Sam Montgomery, LSU

-Sam Montgomery has been phenomenal this year and would be a nice addition to a Titans defense that is lacking playmakers in the front seven. Montgomery is good against the run, but he really shows up as a pass rusher.

8. Buffalo Bills: DT Star Lotulelei, Utah

-This is a weird spot for the Bills to pick, as it is probably too early to go quarterback (with Barkley and Smith off the board), and they could target a couple different areas. While LB Manti Te’o is a legit option, I think adding Star Lotulelei to the interior would be huge. It’s not their biggest need, but I really like what he’d bring to their line.

9. Detroit Lions: CB Dee Millner, Alabama

-The Lions have to add to the secondary with this pick, Milner is the top corner on the board and should be an instant starter for Detroit.

10. Indianapolis Colts: LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

-The Colts could use a lot of help on the defensive side of the football, but I can’t see them passing on Te’o for another position. Manti Te’o can have the impact of Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher, and would be the perfect fit for this defense.

11. New Orleans Saints: OLB/DE Damontre Moore, Texas A&M

-The Saints defense is not generating pressure on the quarterback and that needs to be an immediate fix.

12. New York Jets: QB Tyler Bray, Tennessee

-Maybe slightly high for Bray, but the Jets are going to be desperate to get a quarterback this year. Bray maybe needs a year to develop, but has a bright upside.

13. St. Louis Rams: OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M

-Jeff Fisher knows what having a Matthews on the offensive line can do for an offense, when he coached HOF Bruce Matthews. If he has a shot to add his son, Fisher would be crazy to pass up on that choice.

14. Arizona Cardinals: QB E.J. Manuel, FSU

-This could be considered a reach or surprise pick, but we keep seeing more teams take chances on quarterbacks with this new rookie wage scale. Manuel has big play ability and his mobility would give the Cards another look.

15.St. Louis Rams (via Washington): G Barrett Jones, Alabama

-This might be a bit of a surprise to take two offensive linemen in the first round, but it represents a huge need. Adding Matthews and Jones, would give the Rams to potential star offensive linemen, and Sam Bradford peace of mind.

16. Miami Dolphins: WR Keenan Allen, Cal

-This is a bit of a fall for Allen, but he hasn’t necessarily shown himself elite  yet. Also, most teams have other pressing needs ahead of wide receiver.