The 2013 NFL Draft is set to begin shortly and if the rumors are true it will certainly be entertaining as there are a number of teams looking to make moves. Here’s a look at the first 10 picks of the draft and what might happen if those franchises choose to stay put.
First Round no.1: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Rumors are swirling that the Kansas City Chiefs prefer Fisher over Luke Joeckel. Either way it will be a great pick and provide protection for newly acquired quarterback Alex Smith.
First Round No.2: Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon
An interesting dilemma for the Jacksonville Jaguars is whether to take an offensive linemen to help protect whoever will start at quarterback or to take a pass rusher. With running back Maurice Jones-Drew back and healthy for the franchise, it’s almost certain that a defensive player will get taken.
Jordan arguably the best outside linebacker in the draft recorded 44 tackles with 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and forced three fumbles in 2012, he was even more impressive in 2011 registering 42 tackles and 13 tackles for a loss, along with 7.5 sacks and forced a fumble.
At 6’6″ even if he is unable to get to the quarterback can use his wingspan to knock down passes.
First Round No.3: Sharif Floyd, DT, Florida
Floyd had 46 tackles including 13 for loss in 2012 and he also had three sacks and a forced fumble. Was outstanding during the combine and has a chance to be a difference maker right away for the Oakland Raiders.
First Round No.4: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Last season it was a struggle for the Philadelphia Eagles to protect Michael Vick and Nick Foles. The offensive line allowed 48 sacks. allowing 48 sacks. If Joeckel gets taken by the Chiefs, then the selection will become Fisher. Either way can’t go wrong by taking one of the two best tackles in the draft.
First Round No.5: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
The Detroit Lions lost Cliff Avril to the Seattle Seahawks who led the team with 9.5 sacks in 2012 and in February Kyle Vanden Bosch got released. Meaning that Ansah is the likely pick here.
For BYU he was in on 62 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, broke up nine passes, recorded an interception and forced a fumble.
First Round No.6: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
It’s likely the Cleveland Browns will overlook the recent surgeries performed on Milliner and take him with the sixth selection in the draft. In 2012 he recorded 54 tackles, two interceptions, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 20 passes broken up, forced a fumble and recovered one. The season before he had three interceptions, 27 tackles, one tackle for loss and nine passes broken up.
First Round No.7: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
There wasn’t much of an offensive line last year for the Arizona Cardinals a team that allowed 58 sacks and that is the reason four different quarterbacks started in 2012. Johnson had a superb combine and is arguably right up there as one of the best offensive tackles in the draft.
First Round No.8: Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Last year Barkley got the chance to declare early and yet decided to stay at USC. That move didn’t go too well for him and his season got ended by an injury. Still he is arguably the best quarterback in the draft and that is why the Buffalo Bills will take him. In 2012 he threw for 3,273 yards, completed 63.6 percent of his passes, sacked only 14 times, a long of 83 and threw 36 touchdowns to 15 interceptions.
His 2011 season was better when he completed 69.1 percent of his passes, threw for 3,528 yards, had a long of 82, sacked eight times and threw 39 touchdown passes to seven interceptions.
First Round No.9: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan supposedly loves the athleticism of Mingo and in 2012 he registered 38 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three passes broken up and a forced fumble. During the 2011 season he recorded 46 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two passes broken up and forced a fumble.
First Round No.10: Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina
Even with the signing of Andy Levitre to improve the offensive line the Tennessee Titans will take Cooper a versatille player who can also play center. Though he turned down a chance to play in the Senior Bowl he impressed at the combine.