Mocks drafts before free agency make little sense. For example, now we know the Falcons likely won’t take a tight end, running back or defensive end in the first round.
Because the free-agency dust has settled, here’s a new look at the first round:
1. Kansas City: Luke Joeckel, LT, Texas A&M. The Chiefs could look to trade out of the top spot. "Luke Joeckel is the best left tackle in the draft, and we have several good left tackles," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said.
2. Jacksonville: Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon. He impressed executives by working out at the combine with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
3. Oakland: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida. His stock has been on the rise and can anchor the revamped Raiders defense. General manager Reggie McKenzie was at Georgia's Pro Day to watch linebacker Jarvis Jones.
4. Philadelphia: Eric Fisher, LT, Central Michigan. He's been rising after a strong showing at the combine.
5. Detroit: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama. He's the top cornerback in the draft.
6. Cleveland: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia. Some have him dropping after a poor workout at Georgia's Pro Day.
7. Arizona: Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU. He has big-time pass-rushing ability. He had 15 sacks and 29 tackles for losses over three seasons.
8. Buffalo: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia. He has the physical stature at 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds and has a big arm. "He had a disappointing second half of the season," Kiper said. "There are issues about what type of quarterback he can be."
9. New York Jets: Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU. He stole the show at the Senior Bowl by flashing some pass-rushing ability and didn't disappoint with a strong combine showing.
10. Tennessee: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama. The Westlake High product can help the Titans immediately.
11. San Diego: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma. He started his college career as a quarterback.
12. Miami: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina. He was selected first-team All-American and All-ACC. He also won the ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy.
13. Tampa Bay: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia. The Bucs get another weapon to help quarterback Josh Freeman.
14. Carolina: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia. The Panthers are remaking their defense and Ogletree is a nice fit.
15. New Orleans: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah. He had a strong showing at his Pro Day after a heart condition kept him from working out at the NFL combine. Lotulelei lifted 225 pounds 38 times, according to NFL.com draft analyst Gil Brandt. The 38 reps would have tied SMU's Margus Hunt and Missouri Southern State's Brandon Williams for the most by any defensive linemen at the combine.
16. St. Louis: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee. He's a bit raw and needs to refine his route-running, but the Rams need some weapons. "He's got potential and freakish talent," Kiper said.
17. Pittsburgh: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri. He ran a blazing 4.81 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Missouri's Pro Day. Richardson was rated the top defensive lineman in the nation as a high school senior, but had to start his career in junior college.
18. Dallas: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama. He's been working out in metro Atlanta.
19. New York Giants: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas. The G-Men attempt to improve the back end of their defense.
20. Chicago: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame. The Bears need a safety valve for Jay Cutler. With Eifert, he'll have someone to throw to when Brandon Marshall is double-covered.
21. Cincinnati: D. J. Hayden, CB, Houston. Suffered a near fatal injury in practice when he tore the large vein — the inferior vena cava — that carries blood from the lower half of the body back to the heart.
22. St. Louis: Bjoern Werner, DE, FSU. He was raised in Berlin, Germany. Some have him rated as a top-five pick. He's not as athletic as some of the other ends, but he has a high motor.
23. Minnesota: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina. Played for the Tar Heels after spending two seasons at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. He started turning hands after an impressive week at the Senior Bowl.
24. Indianapolis: Xavier Rhodes, CB, FSU. He's 6-1, 210 and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds. NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks compares him to Seattle's Brandon Browner. "He's a tenacious defender with a rugged playing style that alters the way receivers run their routes on the perimeter," Brooks said.
25. Minnesota: John Jenkins, DT, Georgia. He weighed 370 pounds during the season and has dropped more than 40 pounds. He showed surprising quickness and athleticism during a long Pro Day workout.
26. Green Bay: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama. A bit of a projection here since he hasn't worked out for NFL scouts as he recovers from a hamstring injury. The star of the national title game will run April 11.
27. Houston: Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame. He's a good scheme-fit for the Texans.
28. Denver: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M. He's dropped after a poor showing at the combine.
29. New England: Menelik Watson, OT, FSU. He's massive at 6-5, 310. He projects as a right tackle.
30. Falcons: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington. He's a big and athletic corner at 6-0, 190. He ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
31. San Francisco: Matt Elam, S, Florida. They need someone to replace Pro Bowler Dashon Goldson, who signed with Tampa Bay in free agency. Elam was a big-hitter for the Gators.
32. Baltimore: Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU. The Ravens have to fortify their defense in the draft after the retirement of Ray Lewis and the loss of Dannell Ellerbe in free agency. Minter, who played at Peachtree Ridge, ran a strong 4.67 in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day after running 4.81 at the combine. He also improved his vertical jump from 33 inches to 34.5.
About the Author
