2013 NFL Draft: Final Mock Draft – 4 Rounds
By Peter Smith
Round 2
33. Jacksonville Jaguars – Johnathan Hankins, DT Ohio State
The Jaguars could opt to add a quarterback here as with basically every pick in the draft but the biggest thing they need is talent. After working with Red Bryant in Seattle, he adds the guy who is the most like him in this year’s draft in Hankins. He projects to be a disruptive nose guard who can collapse the pocket and rush the passer and with Jordan already in the fold, the defensive front is looking much better.
34. San Francisco 49ers – Eric Reid, S LSU
With the loss of Dashon Goldson in free agency, the 49ers continue looking to upgrade their secondary by adding Eric Reid. Reid is a tremendous free safety with great instincts for coverage and how teams are attacking him. He is also willing to go up and lay the wood but he needs to be better with his form. Between Reid and Banks, the 49ers’ secondary is in terrific shape.
35. Philadelphia Eagles – Kyle Long, OL Oregon
The reason the Eagles felt comfortable not picking an offensive lineman in the first round is because they were willing to bet that Kyle Long would be available in the second.Long can come in and compete for a guard spot or more likely kick outside to the right side and move Todd Herremans in to guard with a long term possibility of ending up as the left tackle. In an offense so focused on pace, they need guys who can play a ton of snaps and be effective and there might be no better fit for Long in the NFL than with his former head coach.
36. Detroit Lions – Sam Montgomery, DE LSU
This pick comes down to adding a defensive end or possibly a corner. The pick came down to choosing between Montgomery or Alex Okafor. Okafor might be a slightly better fit for a wide-9 scheme, but Montgomery has far more talent and upside. The Lions bet on upside and give their defensive line another potential impact player
37. Cincinnati Bengals – Giovani Bernard, RB North Carolina
The obvious choice appears to be Alec Ogletree and they could certainly go that route, they really want to help the running game. They have a strong offensive line in place and want to take pressure off of their quarterback, Andy Dalton. Bernard is a tremendous running back talent that is a great fit in the West Coast System they run as a runner or pass catcher. The combination could result in an early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
38. Arizona Cardinals – E.J. Manuel, QB Florida State
It is clear the Cardinals do not have their long term answer at quarterback on the roster. The last two quarterbacks Bruce Arians worked with were Andrew Luck and Ben Roethlisberger, who are similarly built and athletic players like Manuel. The presence of Palmer allows them to develop him at their own pace, but Manuel could be a great fit there, especially with a better offensive line in place.
39. New York Jets – Kevin Minter, ILB LSU
The Jets continue their defensive overhaul by adding a man in the middle to play next to David Harris. Minter is a fantastic inside linebacker prospect that has good range and instincts for stopping the run. Rex Ryan has the tools to really make this defense dominant again.
40. Tennessee Titans – Larry Warford, G Kentucky
This completes the overhaul of the guard position with Levitre on the left side and Warford coming in on the right side. The Titans should have an overpowering offensive line that can protect Jake Locker and give Chris Johnson the holes to make plays in the running game.
41. Buffalo Bills – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Tennessee
Patterson could end up going early in the first round or sliding like has here. It is going to be a challenge to develop him correctly and be smart with how they do it. However, the combination of Geno Smith and Stevie Williams along with C.J. Spiller make this an intriguing offense if Doug Marrone can make all of the pieces work.
42. Miami Dolphins – Menelik Watson, OT Florida State
The Dolphins are looking to upgrade their left tackle position and Watson, while still slightly raw, can come in and compete for that job immediately. If he can play as some suspect, the Dolphins have a tremendous set up for Tannehill.
43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kawann Short, DT Purdue
Finding a more permanent solution next to Gerald McCoy is going to be key for the Bucs and Short has some issues with consistency, but he can dominate football games in stretches. With the rest of that front four, he could really have big impact and create opportunities for them.
44. Carolina Panthers – Sylvester Williams, DT North Carolina
Continuing to add to their defensive tackle position, the Panthers add their 3-tech who can move around and do a few different things. He has terrific snap anticipation and can make plays in the backfield, but he will be truly special if he can improve his ability to shed blocks. Suddenly, the Panthers defensive line is a major problem for the opponents.
45. San Diego Chargers – Terron Armstead, OT Arkansas-Pine Bluff
The Chargers need a left tackle but adding Cooper at guard gives them a little bit of flexibility on how to do it. Armstead is a freakish athlete who needs to continue developing but he could be a fantastic player to protect the blind side and having Cooper as a safety blanket next to him should only help.
46. St. Louis Rams – Alec Ogletree, ILB Georgia
The talented but inconsistent linebacker slides a bit but finds a home in a great situation with the Rams. Ogletree steps in to play outside linebacker next to James Laurinaitis and gives them added speed and range to the position. If the Rams can get all these talented young guys to play, their defense is an impressive one.
47. Dallas Cowboys – Justin Pugh, OT Syracuse
There is a lot of buzz about potentially having Fluker end up on the Cowboys but it seems like they are favoring a more athletic offensive line. Their interest in Eric Winston seems like an indication of this and Pugh gives them a guy who would likely come in and play at right tackle but gives them flexibility as a potential guard as well.
48. Pittsburgh Steelers – Markus Wheaton, WR Oregon State
The Steelers let Mike Wallace walk and have the guy who looks the most like him fall right into their laps. Wheaton is a terrific wide receiver prospect that can stretch the field but is a good yards after catch threat as well. Roethlisberger makes the most out of a guy like Wheaton and his ability to stretch the field deep and he could have a major impact early.
49. New York Giants – Jamar Taylor, CB Boise State
The Giants have used a lot of picks on the secondary, but they seem like they could still use help there. Taylor is a tenacious defender against the run who can play great man coverage as well. Still needs a little bit of development, especially with his ball skills, but he could be an asset to that team and push to start early.
50. Chicago Bears – Gavin Escobar, TE San Diego State
The Bears have decided the tight end might be a viable way to go and have signed Martellus Bennett. Two is better than one in Chicago and Jay Cutler has really thrived with taller receivers, so they add Escobar to give them more size and a great receiving threat. His style of play and fluidity is reminiscent of Tony Gonzalez and he could be a great player, but needs to improve his blocking.
51. Washington Redskins – Matt Elam, S Florida
Elam has the talent and physical tools to be a tremendous safety in the league and can play at either spot. It is all about consistency and making the plays that are there for him. He is either a guy just about to break out or just an inconsistent player. The Redkins desperately need help on the back end and hope he is about to break out.
52. Minnesota Vikings – Darius Slay, CB Mississippi State
With the loss of an institution in Antoine Winfield to the Seahawks, the Vikings could use a talented replacement. Slay is a little raw but he has tremendous physical tools and brings a great attitude against the run. He could develop into one of the best corners in the class and upgrade the Vikings secondary.
53. Cincinnati Bengals – Khaseem Greene, OLB Rutgers
The signing of James Harrison should not impact their draft at all and they could definitely use a talented weak side linebacker that can help them in coverage. Greene would give them the ability to move Burfict to his natural spot in the middle, move Greene to the weak side, and have Harrison/Maualuga play the strong side in various situations. More importantly is the fact that it would be Greene and Burfict in nickel.
54. Miami Dolphins – Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB Connecticut
The Dolphins have shown a preference for bigger corners and Wilson gives them a ton of length as well as good abilities in coverage. He is also a good run defender; certainly better than teams give him credit.
55. Green Bay Packers – David Amerson, CB N.C. State
With the loss of a future Hall of Famer in Charles Woodson, the Packers could opt to add another playmaker who could contribute at corner but more likely as a safety. Amerson is an incredible ball hawk and causes turnovers. He may get beat but he will cause turnovers. And he is a more natural safety than corner, so he should be an impact player on the back end.
56. Seattle Seahawks – Bennie Logan, DT LSU
The Seahawks are a stacked team with few holes at this point but they could help at defensive tackle and at right tackle if the value is right. Logan is an impressive 3-tech who can use his speed and quickness to attack gaps and be disruptive. He is just one more guy that can come in and attack the quarterback.
57. Houston Texans – Matt Barkley, QB USC
Matt Schaub is not a great quarterback and the Texans should be looking to for another one that can compete for the job somewhere in this draft. Barkley has the advantage of being able to come in and contribute immediately but they might opt for someone with perhaps more upside.
58. Denver Broncos – Eddie Lacy, RB Alabama
The Broncos have had a running back by committee since Manning arrived with decent results, but they could use a real threat at the position. Teamed with the up and comer, Ronnie Hillman, the Broncos could offer a balanced attack and have someone that can get yards late in the year and in the playoffs.
59. New England Patriots – Robert Woods, WR USC
Woods can play outside or line up in the slot. He is a great route runner with fantastic feet that should be able to make an impact immediately for the Patriots. He will have a chance to end up being the #1 receiver in New England right out of the gate even if he is not the #1 target.
60. Atlanta Falcons – Alex Okafor, DE Texas
The Falcons need to bolster the defensive end position, especially when it comes to rushing the passer and Okafor can line up and sprint off the edge to attack the quarterback. He has a knack for causing fumbles on quarterbacks as well.
61. San Francisco 49ers – Marcus Lattimore, RB South Carolina
With the amount of picks the 49ers have, they have the ability to possibly reach a little bit for a potential superstar talent like Lattimore. They could afford to put him on the PUP list, let him get healthy and then have him for the stretch run at the end of the year if they want.
62. Baltimore Ravens – Da’Rick Rogers, WR Tennessee Tech
The loss of Anquan Boldin opens up a spot for a receiver and Rogers has a ton of talent to be a player similar to Boldin. Rogers has some off the field concerns to be vetted and some issues with a small catch radius, but he could end up being a great threat for them with size and strength.