1. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M
Pick by reporter Joe Sarro
There was some speculation that the Chiefs would use the first pick to improve their defense because
they gave tackle Branden Albert the franchise tag this offseason. A defensive end would suite them well,
but Joeckel is too good to pass up at No. 1 overall. He had a great combine and pro day and Kansas City
would be crazy not to select him.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon
Pick by managing editor Tom Gallagher
The Jaguars have a new coach in Gus Bradley, who’s installing a new defense with a new philosophy.
The team had the NFL’s worst-ranked pass rush in 2012, registering just 20 sacks. Adding Jordan, an
explosive edge rusher, will certainly help remedy that.
3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Pick by reporter Chris Losey
The 6-foot-3, 297-pound Floyd can provide the bulk, power and speed that Oakland’s defense has lacked
in recent seasons. With the departures of veteran defensive linemen Richard Seymour, Desmond Bryant
and Tommy Kelly, it makes sense for the silver and black to go this route. Floyd has all the tools to step
in and start right away.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Pick by reporter Aubrey Gibert
The Eagles are seriously interested in Geno Smith after putting him through a workout before his pro
day. Head coach Chip Kelly and owner Jeffrey Lurie were in attendance and the move makes sense.
Kelly runs a similar up-tempo offense to the one Smith ran at West Virginia and he can sit a year behind
Michael Vick and learn the NFL game.
5. Detroit Lions: Eric Fisher, T, Central Michigan
Pick by reporter Bill Schutt
This scenario is perfect for Lions fans. I think Fisher can be better than potential No. 1 overall pick
Luke Joeckel. Fisher will start from day one, replacing retired offensive tackle Jeff Backus. Quarterback
Matthew Stafford will sleep better this offseason knowing Fisher is a member of the Lions. Fisher is
exactly what the Lions need, and will instantly make the Lions a better offensive team.
6. Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Pick by executive editor Brandon Schlager
If Dee Milliner somehow falls to No. 6, the Browns will sprint to the podium. The All-America cornerback
makes a case for the top player overall this draft and would immediately upgrade a dismal Cleveland
secondary.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
Pick by associate sports editor Chris Dierken
Arizona’s offensive line was the worst in the NFL last year. The Cardinals led the league in sacks allowed,
and were last in rushing yards. Johnson is an ideal fit to come in and start at left tackle from day one.
8. Buffalo Bills: Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Pick by sports editor Aaron Garland
The Bills won’t gamble and hope a targeted longed-for franchise QB falls to the second round. The
appeal of Barkley is the intangibles he brings, specifically leadership. He headed a team knee-deep in
NCAA sanctions and scandal for four years, insisting on staying at and guiding USC back to national
relevancy. Sounds like the right man for the gig, eh, Bills fans?
9. New York Jets: Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU
Pick made by reporter Joe Sarro
New York has a lot of options with this pick. There’s a high possibility it will trade down after receiving
another first-round pick for Darrelle Revis. If they do make a selection, a nice asset to the team would be
Ansah. The 6-foot-6 inch, 270-pound Ansah brings the size and speed that can help Rex Ryan’s defense.
10. Tennessee Titans: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Pick by managing editor Tom Gallagher
The Titans addressed some of their major needs with savvy, expensive moves in free agency, allowing
them to focus on other areas in the draft. With Dee Milliner off the board, this is a no-brainer for
Mike Munchak, whose defense ranked in the bottom five in both passing yards allowed and passing
touchdowns allowed in 2012.
11. San Diego Chargers: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Pick by reporter Chris Losey
The Chargers are in desperate need of a playmaker after a season of being ranked 31st in total offense.
With the departure of wideout Vincent Jackson prior to last season, quarterback Philip Rivers has been
left with limited viable options to throw to. Austin has good vision and hands, and could prove to be just
what San Diego’s offense needs to return to near the top of the league.
12. Miami Dolphins: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
Pick by reporter Aubrey Gibert
After spending an extravagant amount of money in free agency this offseason, the Dolphins come into
the draft really with one true need – offensive tackle, after losing Jake Long to the St. Louis Rams. But
with the rumors of the Dolphins looking at Kansas City tackle Brandon Albert and two second round
picks to dangle, I think the Dolphins look to get a deal done with Kansas City. That would allow Miami to
take the best player available in Vaccaro.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
Pick by reporter Bill Schutt
Tampa Bay takes the best player available. Warmack surprisingly falls out of the top 10 and slips into the
Bucs’ hands. A team can never have too many good offensive linemen and this is a situation coach Greg
Schiano can handle. Warmack will push current starting offensive guards Carl Nicks and Davin Joseph for
playing time. The Alabama product is a monster in the interior and would instantly improve the running
game for Doug Martin and company.
14. Carolina Panthers: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Pick by executive editor Brandon Schlager
Once one of the favorites to be selected first overall, Star Lotulelei would be a no-brainer for Carolina at
No. 14. He’d fill a huge gap in the middle of the Panthers’ defensive line.
15. New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
Pick by associate sports editor Chris Dierken
The Saints need help at every position on their defense, and the fact that Mingo went to school in
Louisiana will help ease the transition. Mingo should help improve the Saints’ pass rush, which finished
25th in the league last year.
16. St. Louis Rams: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee.
Pick by sports editor Aaron Garland
Patterson struggles with route-running and getting separation, but his astounding raw athletic ability
is enough to convince the Rams he is a potential superstar who can aid in furthering Sam Bradford’s
development. I’m sure every Rams fan would still rather have RGIII.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Pick by reporter Joe Sarro
Someone has to fill the shoes of James Harrison and who better to do it than the leading NCAA Division
I sack-getter in 2012. Jones, who recorded 14.5 sacks last year, brings impetus to any defense with his
playmaking ability. The only downfall in Jones is his durability. If he can stay healthy, he is Pro Bowl
material.
18. Dallas Cowboys: Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina
Pick by managing editor Tom Gallagher
Jerry Jones traded up for Morris Claiborne at the 2012 draft. It’s possible that he may do the same this
year to select top guard Chance Warmack or another player he really likes. If he stands pat, Jonathan
Cooper would be a nice consolation prize in helping to keep Tony Romo – fresh off signing a new
contract – healthy.
19. New York Giants: D.J. Fluker, T, Alabama
Pick by reporter Chris Losey
Fluker, who paved the way for the likes of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson at Alabama, could give
New York what they need to become that ground-and-pound team that won them a Super Bowl in 2008.
Fluker is an athletic tackle who is a powerful run-blocker and can sustain blocks very well. Getting him
would solidify the Giants’ offensive line and augment their running game.
20. Chicago Bears: Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia
Pick by reporter Aubrey Gibert
The loss of future Hall-of-Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher leaves the Bears with a huge hole at
linebacker. Since the run on offensive line has passed, I see this pick being Ogletree, who could’ve been
a top-15 pick had it not been for off the field concerns.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Matt Elam, SS, Florida
Pick by reporter Bill Schutt
Getting Elam fills a big need at strong safety for the Bengals. Elam is great in the run support and is
known as a big hitter. He was a captain on his Florida team and can bring leadership to the Bengals
secondary. Though considered slightly undersized for a safety at 5 feet 10 inches tall and 202 pounds, he
plays a bigger game than his size suggests.
22. St. Louis Rams: Eric Reid, FS, LSU
Pick by executive editor Brandon Schlager
After selecting a receiver with their first pick, the Rams’ second needs to be one that upgrades the
defense – namely, the secondary. Eric Reid is simply the best safety remaining and could develop into a
big playmaker for a St. Louis team that has been desperate for one.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Keenan Allen, WR, California
Pick by associate sports editor Chris Dierken
Minnesota has a glaring need at wide receiver after trading Percy Harvin to Seattle in the offseason.
Allen will provide a big target for Christian Ponder in the red zone and in short-yardage situations.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
Pick by sports editor Aaron Garland
Many teams have cooled off on Werner after many viewed him as a potential top-10 pick early this
offseason. Still, Werner has a relentless motor and an innate ability to get to the quarterback. Getting
him here presents great value for a team looking to replace the production left behind by Dwight
Freeney.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame
Pick by reporter Joe Sarro
Known for selecting Notre Dame players, Minnesota can be a great fit and home for Te’o. He can bring
great leadership to a defense that is in need of another linebacker. Te’o had over 100 tackles and seven
interceptions as a senior last year and don’t forget he was nearly the Heisman Trophy winner for 2012.
Te’o can be a huge steal for any team this late in the first.
26. Green Bay Packers: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
Pick by managing editor Tom Gallagher
Green Bay could go in several directions, but with how this draft board fell, Lacy makes the most sense
for the Packers, who still don’t have a running threat to aid Aaron Rodgers’ passing attack.
27. Houston Texans: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
Pick by reporter Chris Losey
The Texans need another receiving option for quarterback Matt Schaub with no clear No. 2 receiver and
All-Pro wideout Andre Johnson frequently injured. Hunter fits the mold as that No. 2 guy and possibly
take over for Johnson, who turns 32 in July, when his career ends. Hunter has a set of reliable hands,
good speed, and is a big target in the red zone. Houston can’t lose with this pick.
28. Denver Broncos: Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
Pick by reporter Aubrey Gibert
With few holes to fill on Peyton Manning’s team, I see the Broncos going with a defensive end to
compensate for the departure of Elvis Dumervil. Replacing his 11 sacks from a year ago should be
Denver’s first priority.
29. New England Patriots: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Pick by reporter Bill Schutt
The Patriots are lucky to have Richardson fall to them at the back end of the first round. Richardson was
supposed to be a top-15 pick and is considered to be one of the best defensive line prospects in the
draft. Bill Belichick and company always finds value late in the first and Richardson is someone who can
be current defensive tackle Vince Wilfork’s replacement in the future.
30. Atlanta Falcons: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
There’s a contingent of draft experts who insist Tyler Eifert may make his way into the top 15. But if he
does fall to the end of the round, what better situation for Eifert than to learn under one of the best? If
the comparisons to Rob Gronkowski turn out to be accurate, the Falcons have themselves a steal.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Pick by associate sports editor Chris Dierken
The 49ers don’t have many holes, but their secondary could use some reinforcements. San Francisco
has enough depth that they don’t need Trufant to play right away, and he will be given plenty of time to
develop.
32. Baltimore Ravens: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
Pick by sports editor Aaron Garland
The defending champs need to justify trading away an instrumental piece to their playoff run, Anquan
Boldin. Taking Hopkins will give the new $120-million man, Joe Flacco, a player who can at least rival
Boldin’s abilities. Hopkins had 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior last year, and more often than
not, gaudy numbers at his position translates into production on the pro level.