2013 NFL Mock Draft - Post-Combine Update

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With the NFL Scouting Combine in our rearview mirror and school’s pro days underway, I have updated my 2013 NFL mock draft, which is still at three rounds.

[The plan is to add Round 4 this week with the next update.]

Here is my updated 2013 NFL mock draft:

1. Kansas City Chiefs (draft history) – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

With a 2-14 record, the Chiefs did not win much this year, but they did win the tie-breaker over the Jaguars for the first overall pick in this year’s draft.

Neither Matt Cassel nor Brady Quinn is the long-term answer at quarterback for the Chiefs. The Chiefs passers combined to throw a league-low eight touchdowns and finished second behind the Cardinals for most interceptions thrown (20) last year. Unfortunately for the Chiefs (or any other quarterback-needy team), there is no stud quarterback in this year’s draft like Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III last year.

While it appears they gave up a bit too much, the Chiefs traded their second-round pick (34th overall) this year and a conditional third-round pick (that could become another second-rounder) in 2014 to the 49ers for Alex Smith.

If the Chiefs are unable to re-sign left tackle Branden Albert, who is scheduled to become a free agent on March 12th, then this pick should be Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel, the consensus top prospect on our big board.

Not only does Texas A&M have Johnny “Football” Manziel, the Heisman Trophy winner, they had college football’s best pair of bookend tackles. With the move to the SEC, the Aggies faced their share of elite pass rushers and talented defensive linemen and Joeckel more than held his own.

Playing on the left side with the son of Hall-of-Famer Bruce Matthews on the right side, Joeckel possesses the prototypical size and athleticism you would want in a left tackle. While his run blocking is solid, Joeckel really excels as a pass blocker due to his agility and quick feet.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (draft history) – Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU

No team had fewer sacks than the Jaguars (20.0) last season.

With Mingo, the Jags get a pass rusher loaded with potential and tremendous explosiveness. Mingo ran a 4.58 forty at the NFL Scouting Combine, which was second among the defensive line group.

Unfortunately with Mingo, however, they also get a player that saw his year-over-year production dip. Mingo ranked first on LSU and third in the SEC in tackles for loss (15.0) and finished as a second-team All-SEC selection in 2011 as a sophomore. This year, however, Mingo had only 4.5 sacks, which was tied for second on the team, and 8.5 tackles for loss, which was fourth.

[Related: See more results from the NFL Scouting Combine here.]

3. Oakland Raiders (draft history) – Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida

Floyd lead the Gators in tackles for loss for a defense that ranked sixth in college football in rushing defense (96.6 yards allowed per game) and seems to be a lock as a top-five pick at this point.

Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour is due to become an unrestricted free agent and Floyd should help fill the void. In my previous update, I had Utah’s Star Lotulelei in this spot. With his medical red flag, it’s hard to envision him going this high until there is more clarity around the heart condition.

The Raiders ranked 28th in the NFL in scoring defense (27.7 points allowed per game).

4. Philadelphia Eagles (draft history) – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

During Senior Bowl practices, no prospect was more impressive than Fisher regardless of position. At 6-8 and 305 pounds, Fisher is the top senior left tackle prospect in this year’s draft class.

In addition, Fisher was more impressive than Joeckel at the combine and it’s certainly possible that Fisher, the No. 2-ranked prospect on our big board, could leapfrog Joeckel and even become the top overall pick in April.

With Nnamdi Asomugha due to earn $15 million next year and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie set to become a free agent in 2013, it’s possible the Eagles consider Alabama’s Dee Milliner here as well.

5. Detroit Lions (draft history) – DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

The secondary is clearly the weakest unit of the Lions defense and three of their top four corners are due to become free agents in 2013: Chris Houston, Drayton Florence and Pat Lee.

Milliner, who was the top-ranked cornerback prospect out of high school, led the country in passes broken up (20) and was tied for first in passes defended (22). As a team, the Crimson Tide allowed only seven passing touchdowns while intercepting 19 passes last season.

When he ran a 4.37 forty at the combine, Milliner solidified himself as a top-five pick in the draft despite needing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.

6. Cleveland Browns (draft history) – Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon

Recruited as a wide receiver and having switched from tight end to defensive end only two seasons ago, Jordan (6-7, 243 pounds) is a little raw but he’s an explosive athlete with plenty of upside. Jordan played outside linebacker in 2012 and even covered the slot receiver at times for Oregon.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Jordan, who also needed surgery for a torn labrum like Milliner, goes higher than this and as high as No. 2 overall.

7. Arizona Cardinals (draft history) – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

The Cardinals certainly lack elite, or even mediocre, quarterback play with the quartet of Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer, but their offensive line allowed a league-worst 58 sacks last season.

Therefore, I think this pick comes down to Geno Smith or Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson.

Through the first five games of the season last year, (Geno) Smith played the quarterback position as well as it could possibly be played. Leading the Mountaineers to a 5-0 start, Smith threw for just shy of 400 yards per game, 24 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Since then, however, the Mountaineers lost five of their final eight games although they won their last two before losing to Syracuse in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl (full bowl results). During that span, Smith threw 18 touchdowns and six interceptions.

8. Buffalo Bills (draft history) – Chance Warmack, G, Alabama

Considered the top guard prospect by many, Warmack is considered to be one of the safest prospects in this year’s draft. Like with Joeckel and Fisher, however, there are plenty of folks who think Jonathan Cooper is a better guard prospect than Warmack.

That said, the Bills have used their franchise tag on safety Jairus Byrd, which means that guard Andy Levitre is likely to walk via free agency.

See rest of mock: Picks 9-16 | Picks 17-32 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Picks by Team

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