The Justin Bales 2013 NFL Mock Draft

 The following Mock Draft is courtesy of Justin Bales. Be sure to follow him on twitter @DraftTerritory and his upcoming web site fully dedicated to covering the NFL Draft.

 
The 2013 NFL Draft has an immense amount of potential for trades to happen in the first round. We all saw how wide open the door was for trades last year under the new rules and signing limitations. Teams are willing now more than ever to move up for a player because the draft spot has a limitation on the amount of money that player can make. Rumors have gone around about multiple teams wanting to trade down and a few wanting to trade up to get a specific player. I have included trades that I believe have a high potential to happen. Also, I have put picks that I believe are reaches in RED and I have put picks that I believe are steals in GREEN. Below each pick, I will have a short explanation behind the reason that I believe the team will select that player. Also, I will have one other option that the team could draft because this year is so wide open to teams making different picks.

–

Jan 4, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckle, OT, Texas A&M

The Chiefs are trying to trade Brandon Albert and if they accomplish this, they will have a huge whole at left tackle. Add the fact that Luke Joeckle is the best player in the draft and this pick works out great for both sides. I see Joeckle as a better pick here because he has played tremendous in the SEC, which has been known to have the best defenses in the nation. He is a player that is ready to play now and should easily be the first player off the board.

Other option: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon

The Jaguars ranked dead last in sacks (20) last year and need and immediate upgrade. Dion Jordan will provide rush off the edge and is the exact type of fit Gus Bradley loves in his defense. Dion Jordan is a player ready to make an impact on day one for an organization and it looks like the new staff is finally ready to take this team in a new direction.

Other option: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

3. Oakland Raiders – Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida

The Raiders should look to trade down, because it would be absolutely ridiculous to take Shariff Floyd this high. I strongly believe that he is the man the Raiders will target, but who would trade up when they know Oakland is going to select someone that they don’t want? In other words, the Raiders saying they will target another player is a smokescreen to get others to try to trade up. Shariff Floyd fits the Raiders who just lost two big defensive linemen. Although I don’t agree with Floyd being taken this high, it could pan out for the Raiders.

Other option: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

4. Philadelphia Eagles – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

The Eagles have obvious holes on the offensive line. Besides a lack of talent, their best lineman is coming back from a serious injury. Eric Fisher will provide another big body for the backs to run behind. He is also the better run blocker of the top two tackles, which is what Chip Kelly is now looking to do. Eric Fisher will provide an immediate starter and help to the Eagles line.

Other option: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

5. Detroit Lions – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

The Lions need to upgrade their pass defense and Dee Milliner is the best corner in the draft this year. He is a big, physical player that will be an instant starter and could eventually become a premier shut down corner one day. He has tremendous upside and has the talent to be a top five selection. He played in the SEC, which is a defensive division, and shut down many wide receivers. He also has played on the big stage multiple times, so I don’t believe a transfer to the NFL and playing in the spot light will affect this kid very much.

Other option: Ziggy Ansah, OLB/DE, BYU

6. San Diego Chargers – Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

TRADE. I believe the Chargers will trade up ahead of the Cardinals to draft the third best tackle in the draft. Lane Johnson hasn’t had that much playing time at tackle, which may cause concern, but it also proves that he may have the highest ceiling of any tackle in the draft. Lane Johnson is a freak of nature being a former quarterback and defensive end, before making the shift to offensive tackle. He provided a big lift for Oklahoma and it a solid pass protector.

Other Option: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

7. Arizona Cardinals – Ziggy Ansah, OLB/DE, BYU

The Cardinals can use a huge upgrade at OLB, which I believe Ansah is. He is a natural pass rusher and hasn’t been playing football for long. His ceiling is unbelievably high and I love him at this pick. He is athletic enough to jump into Arizona and start from day one, but will continue to grow and learn the tricks of football. He could become a top OLB in the NFL in a couple years. I believe this is a great pick for the Cardinals because they are taking the best player available, but also upgrading a huge need.

Other Option: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

8. Buffalo Bills – Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse

I believe this could potentially be the biggest reach in the entire draft. There are rumors saying that if the Bills try to trade down, the Jets will scoop up Ryan Nassib. I don’t believe those reports at all and I think even the first two rounds are too high for Nassib. There is an obvious connection between him and Doug Marrone from back at Syracuse, but Marrone needs to realize that this isn’t the time to take his college signal caller.

Other Option: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

9. New York Jets – Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU

The Jets need a bunch of positions, but a pure pass rusher is at the top of the list. It doesn’t matter how many playmakers they bring into the offense, they won’t win with Mark Sanchez under center. The only hope they have is if they shut out all of their opponents and that is what Mingo will help with. His stock is on the rise and I love this pick right here. He will contribute by putting the opposing quarterback on his back a significant amount, during his rookie season. Pressuring the quarterback will also help the whole losing Revis situation. Cornerbacks that play on a team with a good pass rush seem to play better than if they have to cover for days.

Other Option: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

10. Tennessee Titans – Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

The Titans need a corner that can get physical at the line of scrimmage and can get his hands and disrupt the timing of the receiver’s route. Six games a year they face big, physical wide receivers (Johnson, Blackmon, Wayne) that can throw the Titans corners around the whole game. Xavier Rhodes will be able bring a physical presence to the Titans defense. He also has the potential to become a shut down corner and would create depth at the position as well.

Other Option: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina