2013 Mock Draft 1.0

I'm rolling out my first mock draft. Only the last four spots are yet to be determined. As always when you have a QB your hoping several QBs are taken early. All QBs are wildcards. I honestly think there's a small chance no QB gets taken in the first round. That's never the case. Usually someone supposedly "reaches" for a QB. Jake Lock and Christian Ponder draft is a great example.

KC Chiefs

Do the Chiefs think Geno Smith is their franchise QB? They actually have a decent team, but they desperately need a QB. I'll be shocked if they don't take a QB here. Whether their convinced they have an all prowl QB.

The Pick
-Geno Smith

Possibilities
-Luke Joeckel
-QB

I don't think there are a lot of choices.If they like a QB better then Smith then obviously he'll be the pick. Smith made some great throws and is multidimensional. Jarvis Jones is supposedly too much of a risk. I truly think this pick is either Luke or Geno.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars want a QB. When teams want a QB they tend to draft their choice as early as they can. When it comes to these picks you just can't think logically. Well I'm going to think logically for now. Maybe the Jags try to get a QB out on the market. They still need someone that can be flashy.

The Pick
-Jarvis Jones

Possibilities
-DE
-Luke Joeckel
-QB

I think Luke is the right pick, but I don't think that's whose name will be called. In fact I don't think he'll be considered too much. A lot of people have Jarvis falling down. I think he's someone who is going to kill it at the combine. When people stop chattering and put on the game film teams are going to fall in love with him. Now if teams find something wrong with his mental state they will stay away. I have Bjoern Werner as the next best DE.

Oakland Raiders
Pick
-Star Lotulelei

This really should be a no brainer. They may consider a QB or Luke Joeckel, but Star is a stud and they need him. He's not a sexy pick. I think this guy can be one of the greats. These guys win more games then people realize just because they don't get on the stat sheet as much doesn't mean anything.

Philadelphia Eagles

I want to pick another QB here. This is such a toss a pick. Especially with a new head coach coming in. If Geno Smith is here I'd be shocked if he wasn't the pick. What kind of Guy does Chip Kelley want? Luke Joeckel makes sense here. Coaches are just as biased as any human being.

Pick
-Matt Barkley

I know it doesn't make sense. Eagles need a QB. Chip is going to want his guy. He's seen Matt for years and might be biased towards him. He had one bad year. I think most people have Mike Glennon and probably Tyler Wilson ahead of Barkley. Otherwise this pick will be a DE, QB, or Luke.

Detroit Lions
Pick
-Luke Joeckel

If this is the case which it probably won't be this is a no brainer. I struggle thinking how Joeckel could drop this far. Last year I said the same thing about DeCastro and the Lions passed on him. For those of you wondering we already have a LT. Reiff is better at RT. Be nice to have 3 tackles. This would make the Cherilus decision easier. This is an ideal situation and actually realistic if they get Luke. Reiff wasn't better then Backus, Luke is. Luke LT and Reiff RT would be pillars for years to come. Backus would kick out Peterman and play LG. None of the CBs in this drafts are deserving of a top five pick. Lions need to not reach. Now I don't agree with the best player available model. If there was a top 5 CB I'd probably want him over Luke. I think Luke is the best guy in this draft. If Luke isn't here which is likely. It's going to be a DE.

Browns

I think they really want to build their offense.

Pick
Bjoern Werner

Most people have Werner and Damontre Moore interchangeable. There's just not many offense of players you can draft over the DEs unless you need a QB.

Arizona Cardinals

They desperately want a Trent Richardson. I think they like their defense a pass rusher is a possibility. Most poeple have Moore gone. If he's a available I think they'll struggle passing on him. If they like a QB they'll take him though.

Pick
-Mike Glennon

Buffalo Bills
Pick
-Tyler Wilson

They signed several free agents last year. They expected more.If they want a QB they're going to take one.

NY Jet
Pick
Damonte Moore

They'll draft on the defensive side. Moore is a top five pick possibly. They'd be happy with him. Jarvis Jones would be their ideal guy. Dion Jordan is also a possibility. Barkevious Mingo is a better fit for them so he could also be the picked.

Tennessee Titans

Pick
DeMarcus Milliner

They wanted a CB last year. Gilmore and Kirkpatrick were gone. You have Milliner who is more refined and then you have Banks who has size but is very raw.

San Diego Chargers
Pick
Barkevious Mingo

I think they'll look at this as a steal. He fits their team. They could use Banks or Jonathan Hankins is a possibility. If they like Eric Fisher they'll take him.

Miami Dolphins

They are going to retain Jake Long. Everyone thinks with a bad draft class they're going to take a chance on a WR. Keenan Allen should be the guy if that's the case. Cordarrelle Patterson is an option, but  I don't see it. Personally I think they try to get a TE and move down. Someone is going to want someone and move up. This is a good spot to do it. I just struggle seeing it.

Pick
Keenan Allen

Tampa Bay Bucs
Pick
Johnthan Banks

They need a CB. They passed on Morris Claiborne last year by trading out. Now Talib has been traded.

Carolina Panthers
Pick
Ezekial Ansah

This guy is a freak more of a 3/4 guy. He's expected to wow at the combine.

New Orleans Saints
Pick
Xavier Rhodes

Not getting much love, but I really like him. Fast good ball skills CB. I think his ball skills are underrated.

St. Louis Rams
Pick
Eric Fisher

They need to get Bradford some help. All the Junior LTs staying in school this pick is easier.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick
Manti Te'o

Manti doesn't have the physical attributes that you love, but he's a leader and that projects him as a mid first rounder. I don't think #catfish is going to affect him.

Dallas Cowboys
Sheldon Richards

I think with them moving to a 4-3 DT is a very likely pick.

NY Giants
Kenny Vaccaro

They like their safeties, but they don't have a stud. DE makes sense. There's Dion Jordan and Sam Montgomery. Osi is a free agent and Tuck had a down year. DE made sense. I think they'll retain Osi and like Tuck. They don't want to draft someone they don't see on the field much. They're not the Lions.

Chicago Bears
Chance Warmack

Tackles tend to go before guards. Warmack and Barrett from Bama have projected as a mid first rounder, but their position tends to move them down. Lane Johnson the tackle out of Oklahoma is a likely pick, but OL is probably it.

Cincinnati Bengals
Dion Jordan

Likely to be on the defensive side. Kenny Vaccaro is a likely pick. They might like Sam Montgomery more also.

St. Louis Rams
Tyler Eifert

More help for Bradford. Give him the best TE supposedly in the draft. The rams have drafted very well lately. Which means we tend to agree. I think they know they can get one of these WRs later

Minnesota Vikings
Jesse Williams

They need a DT. They're more likely to draft a WR, but I think the obviousness of Kevin Williams' age at 33 and they don't have anyone next to him right now as it is. Who knows who they like best. Johnathan Jenkins is another DT. The WR would probably be Patterson.

Indianapolis Colts
Johnathan Hankins

I think this pick has to be on the defensive side pretty much anywhere

Seattle Seahawks
John Jenkins

They need a DT. They may want to give Russell another weapon as well. Zach Ertz at TE is a possibility too.

Green Bay Packers
Zach Ertz

They're going to need to replace Finley who is 90% gone.

Houston Texans
Kevin Minter

They could use a stud ILB. Otherwise I think it would be a WR.

Denver Broncos
Sharrif Floyd

They could use help on the interior defensive side. They didn't get who they wanted. A team relying on Manning may give him more weapons.

New England Patriots
Tavon Austin

This guy had a great year. I don't think they'll go for Patterson. Safety like Matt Elam is a possibility.

Atlanta Falcons
Bennie Logan

Keep in mind this isn't a great draft class. There is some good DEs. The Falcons need a DT desperately.

San Francisco 49ers
Corey Patterson

I like Terrance Williams more, but Patterson is supposedly the guy. I think if it's not a WR they'll draft a rush OLB

Baltimore Ravens
Matt Elam

Ed Reed is getting up in age. They pick 32 I think he'll retire. There is somethign about going out on top. Especially with Ray gone.


Crazy illogical run on QBs. Lions drafting a position back to back years in a row. Probably draft another WR in the second round, they need one.

Lions Second Round Possibilities

-Barrett Jones Center
-Tony Jefferson Safety
-Xavier Rhodes CB (he could fall anywhere)
-Stedman Bailey WR - if you have to draft a WR this is the guy. He could be a 3rd rounder


3rd Round

-William Gholston De
-Jamar Taylor CB
-Bacarri Rambo S
-Tyrann Mathieu CB


The Lions don't have a 4th rounder.

What Happened?

The Lions are one year removed from the playoffs. This year we won a whopping 4 games. A long ways from the playoffs. This is what I think happened this year.

Schedule

Almost 3 teams in the division went to the playoffs and two did. 9/16 were games against playoff teams. I'm not sold on the Vikings. The teams that aren't in the playoffs aren't very good teams minus the Bears. Clearly something with the Eagles wasn't working. Lost to two rookie qbs. The schedule wasn't easy, but it wasn't extreme. It certainly wasn't the reason for the collapse.

Offense

Our offense was a major factor to our losses. We were supposed to be a sub par defense and high potent offense. First of all the offense of line played fantastic. Ranked first in adjust sack rating and just above middle of the pack 15th in adjusted line yards (run blocking). The Lions passed the ball more then anyone in history and ranked only behind the Saints in pass yards. Now the Lions use the passing game as an extension of the running game which worked well. Clearly running out of the shotgun did not. Offense clearly did not wake up till the 4th quarter too many times. I don't know how to explain that. I do know what I watched. I watched several 3rd and shorts that weren't converted for simple reasons. So many games lost because of dropped balls. Calvin had too many. Pettigrew was the contributor of too many drops and too many fumbles. Good thing about Pettigrew in todays game it is rare to have a guy like Scheffler who is a pass catching TE and Heller who is a run blocking TE. Now to the running game. We were missing out on our home threat RB. We averaged 100.8 yards per game. For a team that throws the ball a lot I don't think that's bad. Mikel Leshoure is a good powerful back. Bell was a home run. Which unless it's an Adrian Petersen or a Calvin Johnson I think WR and RBs really are a dime of a dozen. It's just position I think it's a waste to draft early like we do every year. Our other 3rd down problem after two runs of a total of five yards, Stafford misses a wide open WR by a mile. For you that watched every game you know what I'm talking about. Good pocket wide open WR for the first and it was usually an air mail. I think that Stafford has to be lazy in practice and is lackadaisical in his throwing motion. I hate talking about throwing motions, but there are superior ways to throw the ball. Stafford made some great throws under pressure on the run, but he missed throws a third string QB in the NFL shouldn't miss. Stafford also threw 17 interceptions. I hate the TD to interception ratio. A team that can pound the ball in it really isn't fair. The Lions ran the ball better down in the redzone. Stafford clearly threw too many interceptions.

To sum things up. Turnovers, lack of third down conversions, and lack of consistency.

Defense

I thought the defense played well. Maybe it's expectations. I do think the anointed best front four played mediocre. 20th in sacks and 16th in run defense. On stats I'd almost say that the offense running game was better performers then the front four defense. This front four was suppose to be the best. Maybe the sacks were mediocre because of the patchwork secondary. I think the qb had time to throw it. Front four were undisciplined in their rushing lanes. Wide 9 is made for getting to the QB. They were offsides a lot. They had every advantage to get their individual sacks. One thing that we struggle with is blitzing. Which was rare, but our LBs and CBs didn't blitz well. The LBs overall were inconsistent. At times the play side LB would be selfish and try to make the play and worst part is they didn't turn the RB back inside towards the help and mainly Tulloch. The front seven were consistent tacklers. They missed a few, but it happens. It's nothing like it was a couple of years ago. I thought the CBs really overachieved. Houston had one game. Other then that he played 15 starting quality games. I said he was a number 2 guy and he may have proved me wrong. We need better play out of our safety. Considering how many points the offense simply gave up on turnovers the defense played great.

Special Teams

Absolutely awful. I don't even want to talk about it.

Injuries

This is everyone's excuse. Injuries are apart of the game. Deal with it.