Christmas Day 2013 NFL Mock Draft part 1

   

The Kansas City Chiefs select:
Geno Smith | QB | West Virginia
 
Geno Smith is the pinnacle of the 2013 Quarterback class, and a better option both in the short and long term than those likely to be available in Free Agency or via trade. Kansas City has the talent around him to be better immediately as long as they can limit his role initially. The long-term offense built around a dynamic running attack and Geno Smith is promising.
 

The Jacksonville Jaguars select:
Luke Joeckel | OT | Texas A&M
 
The Jaguars could choose to go Defense, but if Joeckel is on the board, I think they’ll strongly consider this option. Luke Joeckel is trending toward the consensus number one player, and his addition would aid the Jaguars immediately. Eugene Monroe, who has been very good as well, can slide to Right Tackle to make the Offensive Line a strength.
 

The Oakland Raiders select:
Star Lotulelei | DT | Utah
 
Richard Seymour is as good as gone, and Tommy Kelly should probably follow him. Lamaar Houston isn’t playing very well, but Oakland can’t revamp their entire roster in the offseason. Star Lotulelei is not an elite Defensive Tackle prospect, but he’s the sort of dominant player on the inside that will help the box scores of other players.
 

The Philadelphia Eagles select:
Jake Matthews | OT | Texas A&M
 
I mocked a Defensive End to the Eagles three weeks ago, but Trent Cole and Brandon Graham have been playing better since the Eagles scrapped the Wide-9 scheme. Left Tackle isn’t a need next year with Jason Peters returning, but Jake Matthews is a long-term Left Tackle prospect. He’ll play immediately at Right Tackle, while Todd Herramans can slide inside to guard.
 

The Detroit Lions select
Bjoern Werner | DE | Florida State
 
Even if the Lions do make schematic changes to their defense, there just isn’t enough talent to consistently succeed. Only two Defensive Ends remain under contract for next season, and Kyle Vanden Bosch could be a cap-casualty as the Lions are looking to piece together funds to resign Louis Delmas and Chris Houston. Bjoern Werner has elite upside and is the best pass rusher in the country in my opinion, but questions about his motor and desire, especially in the running game, won’t go over well in Detroit.
 

The Cleveland Browns select:
Demontre Moore | DE | Texas A&M
 
Cleveland has really struggled to generate a pass rush. Without a second round pick, Cleveland will have to make this draft pick count. They’ll have options at Wide Receiver to aid emerging star Josh Gordon in Free Agency, but a pass rusher will be harder to come by.
 

The Arizona Cardinals select:
Dion Jordan | OLB | Oregon
 
The Cardinals have needed an Offensive Tackle for years, but if Luke Joeckel or Jake Matthews aren’t on the board, I don’t think they’ll reach. Jordan is a good pass rusher with incredible athleticism for a 6’7 defender, adding to an already athletic and long defense. His ability to drop into coverage is astounding for someone his size.
 

The Buffalo Bills select:
Manti Te’o | LB | Notre Dame
 
I’ve been going back and forth between Te’o and Matt Barkley here. The addition of a Quarterback would help out the Offense, but there just isn’t any depth at Linebacker with Anthony Barr and CJ Mosley deciding to stay in school. A lack of an Inside presence is sabotaging the Bill’s defense, and Te’o will make a difference.
 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select:
Dee Milliner | CB | Alabama
 
The Buccaneers are terrible against the pass. They traded their best Corner Aqib Talib and the signing of Eric Wright has been disappointing at best (and, because of his suspension, the Buccaneers can probably get out of that outrageous contract.)
 

The New York Jets select:
Barkevious Mingo | OLB | LSU
 
The Jets are married to Mark Sanchez unless they can find someone incredibly cheap to start in front of him. (Like Russell Wilson and Matt Flynn.) I think the Jets are discovering that Greg McElroy isn’t the option, and you’re not going to find a cheap Quarterback here. Needs at Right Tackle, Running Back, Wide Reciever, and Tight End remain on the offense, but it’s much more likely the Jets will add to their defense again, especially if they retain Rex Ryan. Barkevious Mingo is a much better pass rusher when standing and will benefit from moving away from the line of scrimmage and playing in space more often. I think his athleticism suggests he’ll be able to drop into coverage at a moderately acceptable level.
 

The Tennessee Titans select:
Chance Warmack | OG | Alabama
 
The Titans could be moving on from Mike Munchak, making this one of the more realistic landing spots for rookie Quarterbacks (Although I believe Jake Locker still has Franchise Quarterback potential.) In their current situation, Guard is a need. Steve Hutchinson is still playing well, but Deuce Letui is not. The Titans have to open bigger holes for their running game; the offense would drastically improve if they could attack defenses with play action.
 

The Carolina Panthers select:
Sheldon Richardson | DT | Missouri
 
There are some issues with “baggage” away from the field, or Richardson would be in consideration for the number one overall pick. He’s an athletic marvel at his size with elite range for the position, strength at the point of attack, and is the most natural interior pass rusher in the country. His ceiling is higher than Star Lotulelei’s.
 

The San Diego Chargers select:
Eric Fisher | OT | Central Michigan
 
San Diego’s biggest need is at Left Tackle. Eric Fisher is a bit of a reach according to my draft board, but he’s worth a first round selection and is the best bet remaining on the board to be a Left Tackle immediately.
 

The Miami Dolphins select:
Keenan Allen | WR | California
 
I still think Keenan Allen would be in the top 5 if he had a better Quarterback at Cal. Allen has natural hands and runs good routes, but Allen will make his money after the catch.
 

The St. Louis Rams select:
Cordarelle Patterson | WR | Tennessee
 
Has as much upside as any Wide Reciever in the country, but doesn’t have the polish you look for. Patterson could have been in the discussion for the top five next season with a strong Senior campaign, but will be taken early regardless. He’s an incredible athlete with strong hands, but needs to work on route-running.
 

The Pittsburgh Steelers select:
Johnthan Banks | CB | Mississippi State
 
Troy Polamalu has been losing range for the last three years; he can no longer pick up the slack from the mediocre Corners the Steelers throw on the field opposite Ike Taylor.