2013 NFL Draft first round: Pick by pick analysis

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Fisher, LT, Central Michigan

Initial Reaction: No surprise here, he’s been rocketing up draft boards since Senior Bowl week showed the NFL universe that Fisher can play and dominate against elite competition.

How he fits: Day one starter at LT. Andy Reid knows how important it is to secure his QB’s blindside and has chosen Fisher to do the job.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M

Initial Reaction: Surprised. Eugene Monroe is a very good tackle and I’m not sure how well Joeckel fits on the right side. Very good player, but an interesting fit.

How he fits: Day one starter. Which side is the only question. Eugene Monroe is currently at left tackle, but may be more suited to play the strong side than Joeckel.

3. Miami Dolphins: Dion Jordan, DE/LB, Oregon

Initial Reaction: Shocker! Despite the entire football world pegging the Dolphins working a trade up to get Oklahoma LT Lane Johnson, the Dolphins moved up to get bookend pass rusher with Jordan teaming up with Cameron Wake.

How he fits: Not yet an everydown end. Jordan may wind up in a Von Miller role as a rookie, strongside linebacker on first and 2nd downs, hand in the dirt rushing the passer on 3rd down.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

Initial Reaction: Good move for Philadelphia, Lane Johnson has experience playing both tackle positions, and his athleticism is a perfect fit for Chip Kelly’s uptempo offense.

How he fits: If Jason Peters is healthy, Lane Johnson will play on the right side. RT Todd Herremans will move to RG and suddenly the Eagles questionable offensive line is becoming a strength.

5. Detroit Lions: Ezekial Ansah, DE, BYU

Initial Reaction: Fills a huge need for Detroit and hopes to be a far better pro than college player. Proto-type strongside end.

How he fits: Whichever side the decide to put him, he’ll be a day one starter. After losing Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch, the Lions have a glaring hole at DE that Ansah will help fill.

6. Cleveland Browns: Barkevious Mingo, LB, LSU

Initial Reaction: An explosive edge rusher added to the stable in Cleveland. Aggressive blitz happy DC Ray Horton has to be smiling ear to ear with an explosive edge rusher like Mingo.

How he fits: A pass rush specialist as a rookie, Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard are your current starters at the position. Sheard could ultimately be dealt for picks, but Cleveland more than likely realizes the importance of making life for QB’s miserable.

7. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Cooper, OG, UNC

Initial Reaction: No surprise here, Bruce Arians has talked of the importance of protecting his QB since the day he arrived. Carson Palmer, Rashard Mendehall, and Ryan Williams are all smiling with the addition of Cooper.

How he fits: He should slide in and start at LG next to Levi Brown and be a fixture in that line for years.

8. St. Louis Rams: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

Initial Reaction: Great pick. The most explosive and exciting player in the draft. Austin is smaller in stature but comes up huge every gameday.

How he fits: St. Louis has done a terrific Job surrounding Sam Bradford with talent. With Brian Quick and Chris Givens as the outside starters, Austin will step into the slot WR role. This St. Louis offense could be a force to be reckoned with.

9. New York Jets: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

Initial Reaction: The pick makes sense, but it’s a tough spot to put Milliner in. He’ll be unfairly compared to Revis from day 1 and the New York media is ruthless. Talented kid, good football player, but he’s in a tough position.

How he fits: He will be eased into the line up, partly because of a shoulder injury he’s rehabbing, but mostly because Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson are already in place. Eventually, Milliner could be a very good player, but this could be a long season for him.

10. Tennessee Titans: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

Initial Reaction: Safe pick, gives excellent protection for QB Jake Locker and helps pave the way for Chris Johnson and the Titans running game.

How he fits: He is your day 1 starter at RG. The Titans added Andy Levitre at LG in free agency and have strongly bolstered their offensive line.

11. San Diego Chargers: DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama

Initial Reaction: Solid pick. An absolute mauler in the running game. Mike McCoy needs to protect Philip Rivers and try and open up the running lanes for Ryan Matthews.

How he fits: Fluker steps in immediately at RT. King Dunlap is currently the blindside protector, so LT is still an issue. The running game will get a significant boost.

12. Oakland Raiders: DJ Hayden, CB, Houston

Initial Reaction: Without a devastating near fatal injury, DJ Hayden may have been the Raiders pick at #3.

How he fits: Hayden should start immediately in Oakland opposite of Tracy Porter or Mike Jenkins. The Raiders have a lot of work to do on that defense, Hayden is a great start.

13. New York Jets: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

Initial Reaction: A surprise as the first DT off of the board, Sheldon Richardson to the Jets is a very interesting fit. 3 first rounders the past 3 seasons spent on 3-4 DE’s.

How he fits: Richardson will make an early impact as an interior pass rush specialist. With Quinton Coples and Muhammed Wilkerson at the DE positions. This could be foreshadowing a move to a 4-3 in the near future.

14. Carolina Panthers: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

Initial Reaction: Great pick. Once considered a top 5 lock, Lotulelei has dominant potential.

How he fits: He’ll start next to Sione Fua, Star will keep Luke Keuchly and Jon Beason clean while hopefully creating one on one opportunities for Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy.

15. New Orleans Saints: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

Initial Reaction: Nice pick for the Saints, new DC Rob Ryan likes versatile safeties and Vaccaro is that.

How he fits: He should start immediately opposite of Malcolm Jenkins and gives Rob Ryan a versatile pair of players to attack opposing offenses with.

16. Buffalo Bills: EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State

Initial Reaction: Another shocker! Manuel leap frogs Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, and Marrone’s former QB Ryan Nassib to become the first QB off of the board.

How he fits: Kevin Kolb will start the season but I’m sure that Manuel will not only be nipping at his heels, but he’ll have a package of plays that he will run as a part of the weekly gameplan.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia

Initial Reaction: Of course. In typical Steeler fashion, Pittsburgh lets James Harrison go and replaces him with the most productive pass rusher in the country who happens to be a perfect fit in their defensive scheme and a Harrison clone.

How he fits: He should start fairly early opposite of Lamarr Woodley. The Steelers have quietly reassembled their front 7 and have a nice nucleus of young talent to continue their elite level of play.

18. San Francisco: Eric Reid, S, LSU

Initial Reaction: Surprised that they traded up for Reid, but clearly Jim Harbaugh and Co. thought very highly of the talented Tiger safety.

How he fits: Reid looks as though he’ll be stepping in for the departed Dashon Goldson opposite of Donte Whitner. He’ll compete with free agent addition Craig Dahl.

19. New York Giants: Justin Pugh, OG/T, Syracuse

Initial Reaction: Solid pick. Pugh is a tough and versatile lineman who excels in pass pro. His technique and great feet will suit him well as the newest addition to Eli Mannings OL.

How he fits: Pugh is versatile. He will most likely start at LG but could also be the back-up swing tackle. Underrated player.

20. Chicago Bears: Kyle Long, G/T, Oregon

Initial Reaction: Shocked. Long was a reach this early in round 1. The talented, yet troubled player is a bit of a project, but the Bears OL situation is pretty grim.

How he fits: He’ll battle for either OG spot, but ultimately could be tried at LT. He has the frame and athleticism to thrive at either tackle spot. How quickly he develops will be interesting.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

Initial Reaction: Did not expect this pick with Jermaine Gresham and Orson Charles already in Cincinnati, but the Bengals took what was most likely their top player available for Andy Dalton.

How he fits: Jermaine Gresham is your starter, but he and Eifert form a pair of TE’s who are capable inline players with move potential. Aj Green, Eifert, Gresham, and young WR’s Marvin Jones and Mohammed Sanu are quite a group for Andy Dalton to throw to.

22. Atlanta Falcons: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

Initial Reaction: Makes sense. Very good pick given the state of the CB position in Atlanta. Trufant has been a steady performer and riser this off-season.

How he fits: Day 1 starter. He started 47 games at Washington and has NFL bloodlines with brother Marcus Trufant a former first round pick. After losing Chris Owens and Brent Grimes, Atlanta still needs help.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

Initial Reaction: Great pick. So much talent and potential on Sharrif Floyd the Vikings could very well have gotten the steal of the draft.

How he fits: He has a very good chance to start next to Kevin Williams on day 1. When lining up against the Vikings new front line, having to deal with Jared Allen, Kevin WIlliams, and now Sharrif Floyd will make for rough Sundays for NFC North QB’s.

24. Indianapolis Colts: Bjoern Werner, DE/LB, Florida State

Initial Reaction: A surprise as Werner wasn’t typically thought of as a 3-4 OLB. Werner is a smart and instinctive player who can make an immediate contribution for Chuck Pagano’s defense.

How he fits: Werner will battle with new additions Lawrence Sidbury and Erik Walden to be the starting OLB opposite Robert Mathis.

25. Minnesota Vikings: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Initial Reaction: Good pick. Rhodes has as much potential as any corner in the draft and has the size/speed/athleticism combination that is hard to find in a corner.

How he fits: Should battle Josh Robinson, Chris Cook, and AJ Jefferson for one of two starting CB spots. Could make an impact from day 1.

26. Green Bay Packers: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA

Initial Reaction: Under the radar pick. Datone Jones is a very good player who does everything well. Safe and solid player.

How he fits: He might not be stout enough to start in the base defense right away, but he is talented and explosive enough to make an early impact in pass rush situations.

27. Houston Texans: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

Initial Reaction: Another solid pick. Hopkins adds some much needed offensive firepower to bolster the passing game and further support QB Matt Schaub.

How he fits: Hopkins is NFL ready and should step into the #2 WR role opposite of Andre Johnson. A terrific route runner and great hands will benefit the offense early.

28. Denver Broncos: Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC

Initial Reaction: Smart move by John Elway, Williams provides some help inside and improves a Denver pass rush that is still among the elite in the NFL.

How he fits: Will become part of the DT rotation with Kevin Vickerson and Terrance Knighton, and should team up with Derek Wolfe as interior rushers on passing downs.

29. Minnesota Vikings: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

Initial Reaction: Boom or bust personified. Cordarrelle Patterson is an explosive and versatile threat who could help replace some of that playmaking ability that Percy Harvin brought to Minnesota.

How he fits: He’ll be a gadget player his first year as he gets more comfortable in the NFL game. Greg Jennings and Jerome Simpson will be the starting WR’s and Cordarrelle Patterson will move around to create mismatches and boost the return game.

30. St. Louis Rams: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

Initial Reaction: Great pick. Jeff Fisher has never been shy about drafting character concerns and tabbed the athletic Georgia LBer to pair with James Laurinaitis.

How he fits: He’s your starting weakside linebacker. The strength that St. Louis has on the DL, with Laurinaitis in the middle and one of the better cornerback duo’s in the league, St. Louis is making moves toward serious contention.

31. Dallas Cowboys: Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin

Initial Reaction: Nice player, poor value. The Cowboys passed up on some serious talent at multiple positions to draft a player they could’ve likely had a round later.

How he fits: Frederick should start on day 1. He’d better. Jerry Jones said that protecting Tony Romo was their #1 priority and they have held true to their word.

32. Baltimore Ravens: Matt Elam, S, Florida

Initial Reaction: Excellent pick. Elam is one of the most exciting and impactful safeties in the draft.

How he fits: Elam should step into the departed Ed Reed’s spot next to Michael Huff. After losing both starting safeties to start the off-season, the Ravens have done an excellent job in re-stocking the safety position.

Day 1 Draft Winners:

1. St. Louis Rams

The Rams traded up for Tavon Austin to finally give Sam Bradford a dynamic playmaker at WR. Alec Ogletree will be a terror in that line-up.

2. Minnesota Vikings

Sharrif Floyd fell right into their laps, Xavier Rhodes should start early, and Cordarrelle Patterson has through the roof potential and versatility.

3. Oakland Raiders

Targeted DJ Hayden at the start of the day and was able to drop down, add a 2nd round pick and still get their guy. Well done.

Day 1 Draft Losers

1. Dallas Cowboys

Travis Frederick is a nice player, but was horrible value. Dallas could’ve added Sharrif Floyd at #18 and gotten Frederick in round 2.

2. San Diego Chargers

I like DJ Fluker, but with the Chargers lost the race for Lane Johnson when the Raiders #3 pick became the trade up spot. The Raiders were wise to not deal with a division rival and let the Chargers get their LT.

3. The 2013 QB Class

Outside of the very happy EJ Manuel, the entire QB class is disappointed and losing sleep over what might happen on day 2. Geno Smith had a nightmare green room experience.