NFL Mock Draft 2013: Joeckel, Warmack, Fisher crack the top five
Two days ago, Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner predicted he'd shut up detractors with Tuesday's workout at the NFL Scouting Combine. Score one for Milliner, who ran so well he solidified a spot near the top of the board.
Milliner will undergo shoulder surgery next month, but that won't keep him from attracting suitors. He's the best cornerback in a passing game, and that makes him valuable. It also makes him a top-5 pick in my first installment of this year's mock draft.
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1. Kansas City -- Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M: The Chiefs won't take a quarterback here, and coach Andy Reid likes linemen. This is the best tackle in the draft.
2. Jacksonville -- Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida: His stock is rising so fast most persons consider him one of the top players on the board. Jacksonville must repair a ruptured defense, and he'll help.
3. Oakland -- Chance Warmack, G, Alabama: Guards aren't supposed to go this high, but Warmack is special. He's a mauler who engulfs opponents, and the Raiders could use someone like that.
4. Philadelphia -- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama: He promised to impress with Tuesday's workout, and he did. He'll undergo a March 12 surgery for a torn labrum, then take two months to recover.
5. Detroit -- Eric Fisher, T, Central Michigan: At some point, the Lions must start grooming a replacement for Jeff Backus. There's not much separation between Fisher and Joeckel.
6. Cleveland -- Dion Jordan, LB, Oregon: The Browns are moving to a 3-4 and need an outside pass rush. Jordan is an attractive prospect with an intriguing skill set.
7. Arizona -- Bjorn Werner, DE, Florida State" He's considered the best defensive end in the business, and the Cardinals could use a bookend pass rusher with Calais Campbell.
8. Buffalo -- Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia: Granted, this is high for Smith, but the Bills reached before. They're not happy with Ryan Fitzpatrick and want someone to replace him. This is the guy.
9. N.Y. Jets -- Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas: The Jets could go almost anywhere with this pick, but with both their safeties unsigned I'd start here.
10. Tennessee -- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah: He shouldn't be here, but concerns about his heart may drop him. If he checks out, he's a steal at this position.
11. San Diego -- Lane Johnson, T, Oklahoma: It's no secret the Chargers' offensive line is a mess. Johnson can play right or left tackle, and protecting Philip Rivers must be a priority.
12. Miami -- Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: The Dolphins think they have a franchise quarterback. So get him a franchise wide receiver. This may be that guy.
13. Tampa Bay -- Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State: The Bucs play in the same division as Drew Brees and Matt Ryan, and they could lose their starting cornerbacks. Connect the dots.
14. Carolina --Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri: It's all about defense in Carolina where the Panthers must start winning to keep Ron Rivera around.
15. New Orleans -- Barkevious Mingo, LB, LSU: This spot probably is way late for him, but with the Saints going to a 3-4 he could fit in as the outside pass rusher they've been missing.
16. St. Louis -- Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia: He's small, and a scout I know once told me at his size "he better be able to walk on water." He can't, but he's explosive and productive and just what the Rams need in a third-down weapon.
17. Pittsburgh -- Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia: He shouldn't fall this far. He could be the best player in the draft, but concerns about his back make scouts nervous.
18. Dallas -- D. J. Fluker, T, Alabama: The Cowboys must -- absolutely must -- find more offensive-line help, and this is someone who could lock down their right-tackle position.
19. N.Y. Giants -- Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU: He's the most intriguing prospect in the draft, a Jason Pierre-Paul wannabe. The Giants can never have enough pass rushers, so he goes here ... for now.
20. Chicago -- Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame: Under Marc Trestman the Bears should set a franchise record for passing in Year One, and they could use a pass-catching tight end for Jay Cutler.
21. Cincinnati --Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia: He's a top-10 talent, but there are concerns about his character. The Bengals need linebackers, and character never seemed to bother them. That makes this a fit.
22. St. Louis -- Jonathan Cooper, G, UNC: The Rams need offensive line help, and Cooper is the second-best guard in the draft. He could go earlier, but is a perfect fit for St. Louis if he's here.
23. Minnesota -- Keenan Allen, WR, Cal: Figure on the Vikings taking the best wide receiver available to them, and this is the ticket.
24. Indianapolis -- Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State: The Colts drafted for offense last year. They must start on the other side now, and finding someone who can play inside or out is a start.
25. Seattle -- Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC: With Alan Branch unsigned, the Seahawks could use more help in the middle.
26. Green Bay -- Damontre Moore, LB, Texas A&M: Another guy who shouldn't fall this far. The Packers had all sorts of problems holding the edge vs. San Francisco. An upgrade is needed.
27. Houston -- Robert Woods, WR, USC: There must be someone to operate opposite Andre Johnson, and Woods' productivity is hard to ignore.
28. Denver -- Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama: Willis McGahee is just about finished. Knowshon Moreno has an uncertain future. There's an opening for a running back, and Lacy's the best on the board.
29. New England -- Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington: Figure any cornerback works for these guys. One of these days the Pats will find a cornerback in the draft that sticks.
30. Atlanta -- Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford: I don't know if Tony Gonzalez retires, but I know he's close. So find a suitable replacements, and Ertz fits the description.
31. San Francisco -- Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State: The secondary hurt San Francisco in the playoffs, particularly the cornerbacks, and help is needed.
32. Baltimore -- Kevin Minter, LB, LSU: Manti Te'o hurt his draft stock at the combine, and I can't see the Ravens going in his direction. At this point, Minter looks like the better prospect.
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