2013 NFL Mock Draft: Defense dominates the first round

This latest 2013 NFL mock draft takes into account where players could be drafted so far in the process and takes in account the Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs trade.

The NFL Scouting Combine is over, and a lot of players shot up the board due to their performance.

Eddie Lacy dropped out of the first round due to opting out of the combine. Sharrif Floyd and Sheldon Richardson moved up into the top five due to strong combine performances and Star Lotulelei’s heart condition scare. Ziggy Ansah of BYU is definitely going in the top 15 after his strong Combine performance. Datone Jones of UCLA got into the bottom eight of the first round due to his combine performance. Tavon Austin of West Virginia has solidified a first round spot while DeAndre Hopkins is teetering on the edge of dropping into the second round after an average 40 yard dash. Tyler Eifert got into the bottom four after putting together a strong week at the combine.

1. Kansas City Chiefs select: Luke Joeckel offensive tackle Texas A&M

Dominant college player who never missed a game; does he have upside? The Chiefs will need protection for Alex Smith.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Sharrif Floyd defensive tackle Florida

Very quick and disruptive with lots of upside; only has one year of tape playing defensive tackle.

3. Oakland Raiders select: Sheldon Richardson defensive tackle Missouri

Dominant and versatile defense lineman; has character issues and can be exposed in the run.

4. Philadelphia Eagles select: Star Lotulelei defensive tackle Utah

Big bodied run stuffer with excellent quickness; heart condition could lead to an early career.

5. Detroit Lions select: DeMarkus Milliner cornerback Alabama

Best cornerback prospect in the draft and has all the tools; played in a Saban defense and is not a great tackler.

6. Cleveland Browns select: Dion Jordan outside linebacker Oregon

Solid three down linebacker with lots of upside; tweener that needs to add weight.

7. Arizona Cardinals select: Eric Fisher offensive tackle Michigan State

Fast riser with a lot of upside; hasn’t filled out his frame yet.

8. Buffalo Bills select: Geno Smith quarterback West Virginia

Polished pocket passer with all the tools for the position; does he have upside?

9. New York Jets select: Ziggy Ansah defensive end BYU

Freakish athleticism and lots of upside; has little football experience and lacks technique.

10. Tennessee Titans select: Chance Warmack guard Alabama

Safest pick in the draft and was a dominant college player; zone blocking scheme covers up negatives.

11. San Diego Chargers select: Lane Johnson offensive tackle Oklahoma

Freak athlete with lots of upside; needs to add strength and has little experience at tackle.

12. Miami Dolphins select: Jarvis Jones outside linebacker Georgia

Dominant college player and great pass rusher; spinal stenosis condition can end his career early.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Kenny Vaccaro safety Texas

Versatile and has the tools to do everything as a safety; needs to improve discipline and lacks burst in space.

14. Carolina Panthers select: Bjoern Werner defensive tackle Florida State

Flexible and natural pass rusher off the strongside; questionable motor and needs to improve discipline.

15. New Orleans Saints select: Johnathan Hankins nose tackle Ohio State

Big bodied run stuffer with strong hands; Not a pass rusher and gets fatigued too soon.

16. St. Louis Rams select: Keenan Allen wide receiver CAL

Excellent route runner and wills the ball to him; doesn’t have elite speed and not a great run blocker.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Barkevious Mingo defensive end LSU

Explosive pass rusher and his best fit is at 3-4 OLB; no experience in pass coverage and lacks ideal size.

18. Dallas Cowboys select: Jonathan Cooper guard North Carolina

Versatile athletic guard and great in pass protection; average size for a guard and has mental lapses in some games.

19. New York Giants select: Damontre Moore defensive end Texas A&M

Long armed pass rusher with quickness and excellent flexibility; needs to add bulk and not a lot of pass rush moves.

20. Chicago Bears select: D.J. Fluker offensive tackle Alabama

Huge well-built body and excellent run blocker; may lack ideal quickness for tackle and pass protection needs work.

21. Cincinnati Bengals select: Cordarrelle Patterson wide receiver Tennessee

Most explosive wide receiver in the draft; extremely raw, gives up in press coverage and can’t run routes.

22. St. Louis Rams select: Manti Te’o linebacker Notre Dame

Can be moved to the strongside and is a playmaker; doesn’t have ideal size or speed for the position.

23. Minnesota Vikings select: Johnthan Banks cornerback Mississippi State

Great ball skills and does virtually everything you ask of a corner; needs to get bigger and lacks discipline at times.

24. Indianapolis Colts select: Xavier Rhodes cornerback Florida State

Big size and excellent press coverage corner; can be exposed in zone coverage and lacks overall corner skills.

25. Seattle Seahawks select: Datone Jones defensive end UCLA

Active hands and unnatural agility for his size; needs to improve his ability to anchor and improve recovery rush.

26. Green Bay Packers select: Matt Elam safety Florida

Exceptional playmaker with great instincts; can be too complacent and too aggressive at times.

27. Houston Texans select: Tavon Austin wide receiver West Virginia

Explosive wide receiver and matchup nightmare in the slot; can only play slot due to size and durability concerns.

28. Denver Broncos select: Desmond Trufant cornerback

Excellent size and athleticism with ball skills; needs to improve technique and discipline.

29. New England Patriots select: DeAndre Hopkins wide receiver Clemson

Excellent route runner and great ball skills; speed is questionable and needs to improve blocking.

30. Atlanta Falcons select: Tyler Eifert tight end Notre Dame

Natural pass catcher and ability to make tough catches; has receiving tight end build and needs to improve blocking.

31. San Francisco 49ers select: John Cyprien safety Florida International

Can do everything you ask of a safety; lacks discipline and can be exposed in man coverage.

32. Baltimore Ravens select: Eric Reid safety LSU

Great all around safety and has large upside; can be too aggressive in coverage and not a solid tackler in space.

Free agency and Pro Days are soon to come that will shake up the draft. So stay tuned for updates in the future.

To see the entire 2013 NFL Mock Draft Database check out  Dcprosportsreport.com

James Cobern is a Featured Journalist for TPF and can be contacted at JCobern@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com.