2013 NFL Mock Draft Picks 11-20 by Jason
11.San Diego (7-9) — — Lane Johnson, OT Oklahoma
The Chargers really need to address the offensive line because outside of Jay Cutler, no one gets as slaughtered in the pocket like Philip Rivers. Johnson was great in the Senior Bowl and his stock is rising after a great combine. This might be reach inside the Top 15, but with the depth of the defensive line class to replace Shaun Phillips, they need to address the biggest need and that is not to let Rivers get killed in the pocket.
12. Miami (7-9) — Xavier Rhodes, CB FSU
The Dolphins have next to nothing in the secondary and need to replace Sean Smith and will need to spend multiple picks on Day 1 and Day 2 to get something back there, even with the only really threat to them in terms of QB’s in the division is Tom Brady. Rhodes is a great defender with size, his speed might not be enough at the NFL level, but he is smart enough in coverage to be able to viable #1 option for the Dolphins.
13. Tampa Bay (7-9) — TRADE TO NEW YORK JETS (for Darrelle Revis) — Sheldon Richardson, DE/DT Missouri
There is no way Tampa is going to hold on to this pick, they need to address the worst secondary in the NFL and if you have a chance to get the best CB in the league, you pull the trigger. With this pick, and possibly a later 2014 pick going to the Jets, I anticipate them to spend more picks on re-tooling the defensive with this deep defensive line draft. Richardson is a beast up the middle and can play off the corners, if needed, and is almost as quick as Sharrif Floyd. Floyd may have more athletic ability, but Richardson put up better numbers.
14. Carolina (7-9) — Star Lotulelei, NT Utah
Prior to the combine, Lotulelei was a sure fire top 5 pick, but a lot of teams are going to pass on him unless he has an amazing work out prior to the draft or has multiple tests done to confirm there are indeed no issues. A lot of teams the same teams drafting in the top half of the draft always seem to be drafting there because they let prospects slip to good teams and the Panthers are on the verge of being a great team. They got torched on the ground last year and need to add someone and Lotulelei would be a great addition in a place like Carolina that is in a smaller market and has some quality, young core players that he could eventually develop into a leader for this team. The Panthers could also look to add secondary help, especially at safety, but they can address on Day 2.
15. New Orleans (7-9) — Damontre Moore, DE/LB Texas A&M
The Saints are switching to a 3-4 and don’t have the right personnel for the switch, the top 3-4 players are already off the board and I really see the Saints not taking the risk on Jarvis Jones. Damontre Moore stock has been falling since his showing at the combine, but he is coming off a monster season and has the skills sets to be a quality starter in the NFL. Since the Saints had to forfeit their 2nd round pick this year (Bounty Gate), they would best served to trade down to draft Moore (maybe Cincinnati) and try to land an extra Day 2 or 3 pick.
16. St. Louis (7-8-1) — Kenny Vaccaro, S Texas
The Ram’s would have loved to see Tavon Austin be on the board here to replace Danny Amendola, but they have bigger needs on the offensive line and in the secondary. They have nothing of note at the safety position and Vaccaro is the top rated player at this position and will provide an instant upgrade to what they have got.
17. Pittsburgh (8-8) — Jarvis Jones, DE/LB Georgia
The Steelers really need to find a replacement for James Harrison and Jarvis Jones is an amazing athlete that should be a top 5 pick if it wasn’t for his previous spine injury, which is going to scare a lot of teams off, but he is a very high reward type player and at this point in the draft, he is worth taking a risk on at this point in the draft.
18. Dallas (8-8) — Jonathan Cooper, OG/C North Carolina
Well they just spent an ungodly amount to keep a 33 year old Tony Romo at the helm, so you might as well protect him the best you can and the Cowboys need to upgrade at guard and center and Cooper can play both positions. They have needs on the defensive end with Monte Kiffin taking over, but if they can upgrade the line and give Romo time in the pocket, they have chance to compete next year. Expect multiple offensive line picks early in this draft for them and I wouldn’t be shocked to see them make a run at Brandon Albert after the draft.
19. New York Giants (9-7) — Bjoern Werner, DE FSU
The Giants are always good at finding value picks and they need to find some depth at the DE position with Justin Tuck entering FA next year. Bjoern Werner is a beast and a had great season at FSU, his stock is going to fall because of a bad combine and should fall after the Top 15, but fits the Giants defensive scheme and his solid in run defense and continues to develop his strength.
20. Chicago (10-6) — Arthur Brown, LB Kansas State
The Bears need to spend multiple picks on upgrading the offensive line in this draft, but with them losing some LB depth, they need to go after Arthur Brown who’s stock is rising and could be the replacement for Brian Urlacher because their defense is the real reason why the win games because even with protection, Cutler is going to force throws he shouldn’t.