Since we can't get into the draft rooms to see every team's board, we checked with those who have a strong knowledge of each NFL team, the writers assigned to cover them. Patriots Football Weekly polled beat reporters from every NFL city and compiled a 2013 mock draft with their opinions and comments.
The following Writers' Mock Draft appears in the April 9th edition of Patriots Football Weekly on newsstands now.
Pick | Team | Player | Pos. | School | Writer | Other needs |
1. | Kansas City Chiefs | Luke Joeckel | T | Texas A&M | Adam Teicher, Kansas City Star | ILB, S |
Writers Comments: This is an excellent chance for the Chiefs to secure their franchise tackle for the long term. | ||||||
2. | Jacksonville Jaguars | Sharrif Floyd | DT | Florida | Vito Stellino, Florida Times Union | QB, RT, DB |
Writers Comments:The Jaguars are desperate to upgrade their defensive line so Floyd would be a good fit, especially with no franchise QBs available in this draft.
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3. | Oakland Raiders | Dee Milliner | CB | Alabama | Bill Williamson, ESPN.com | S, DL, OL, TE |
Writers Comments:The Raiders would jump on Floyd here if available but they need talent at cornerback. Milliner would be a great start.
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4. | Philadelphia Eagles | Eric Fisher | T | Central Michigan | Dave Spadaro, Philadelphiaeagles.com | CB, WR, DL |
Writers Comments:A strong offseason has solidified Fisher's stock and the Eagles could use another piece for an offensive line that was decimated by injury in 2012.
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5. | Detriot Lions | Ziggy Ansah | DE | BYU | Chris McCosky, Detriot News | T, CB, WR, DT |
Writers Comments:The Lions choice here will be between the best pass rusher on the board and the third best left tackle. In this scenario, it's an easy call.
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6. | Cleveland Browns | Geno Smith | QB | West Virginia | Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer | WR, DL, DB |
Writers Comments:Not sure if the Browns would go with the quarterback here but if they don't somebody else will.
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7. | Arizona Cardinals | Chance Warmack | G | Alabama | Darren Urban, azcardinals.com | OLB, S, OL |
Writers Comments:At this point the Cardinals seem headed for an offensive lineman, and while tackle would be nice, Warmack has a chance to be a long-time Pro Bowler.
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8. | Buffalo Bills | E.J. Manuel | QB | Florida State | Chris Brown, Buffalobills.com | LB, CB, WR |
Writers Comments:Despite the addition of Kevin Kolb the Bills still need a long-term future QB. Manuel has flaws, but fantastic physical tools and intangibles.
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9. | New York Jets | Dion Jordan | OLB | Oregon | Rich Cimini, ESPNNewYork.com | G, TE, RB |
Writers Comments:The Jets desperately need an edge rusher for their pass rush, which needs an upgrade - especially if their best defender Darrelle Revis is traded.
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10. | Tennessee Titans | Barkevious Mingo | OLB | LSU | Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean | G, C, CB |
Writers Comments:The Titans ignored pass rushing help in free agency, so Mingo would fill a remaining need.
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11. | San Diego Chargers | Lane Johnson | T | Oklahoma | Michael Gehlken, San Diego Union Tribune | DB, DL, WR |
Writers Comments:Philip Rivers hasn't been protected well for years and the selection of Johnson should help correct that.
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12. | Miami Dolphins | Tavon Austin | WR | West Virginia | Ben Volin, Palm Beach Post | T, CB, TE, DE |
Writers Comments:The Dolphins still could use more playmakers to help Ryan Tannehill, and race to the podium to grab Austin, the most electrifying player in the draft.
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13. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Xavier Rhodes | CB | Florida State | Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.com | DT, OLB, TE |
Writers Comments:Bucs have a desperate need at CB after ranking last in pass defense. Even if they trade for Darrelle Revis, they need to add more than one CB.
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14. | Carolina Panthers | Sheldon Richardson | DT | Missouri | Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.com | CB, S, WR, T |
Writers Comments:Panthers haven't had much of a presence in the middle of the line since Kris Jenkins departed after the 2007 season. Richardson would fix that.
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15. | New Orleans Saints | Jarvis Jones | LB | Georgia | Pat Yasinskas, ESPN.com | T, DT, CB |
Writers Comments:Would give the Saints some much-needed athleticism at OLB as they make the switch to a 3-4 defense with new coordinator Rob Ryan.
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16. | St. Louis Rams | Matt Elam | S | Florida | Howard Balzer, The Sports Xchange/101sports.com | WR, RB, DT |
Writers Comments:Both starting safeties from 2012, Quintin Mikell and Craig Dahl, are gone and this is the best value with Tavon Austin off the board.
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17. | Pittsburgh Steelers | D.J. Fluker | T | Alabama | Aaron Wilson, Baltimore Sun | OL, TE, LB |
Writers Comments:They could use a tackle and like Alabama players. Fluker is a road-grader, and would be a nice fit in AFC North, as would G Jonathan Cooper.
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18. | Dallas Cowboys | Jonathan Cooper | G | North Carolina | Todd Archer, ESPNDallas.com | S, DL, WR |
Writers Comments:The Cowboys need all the help they can get on the offensive line and Cooper would be just the second first-round OL since Jerry Jones took over.
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19. | New York Giants | Bjoern Werner | DE | Florida State | Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News | LB, OL, CB |
Writers Comments:With Osi Umenyiora gone and Justin Tuck on a downward spiral, the Giants need a young pass rusher to take some pressure off Jason Pierre-Paul.
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20. | Chicago Bears | Desmond Trufant | CB | Washington | Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune | LB, G |
Writers Comments:GM Phil Emery has put the pick up for sale, announcing he wants to trade down. If Bears stay put, look for them to add a building block on defense.
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21. | Cincinnati Bengals | Kenny Vaccaro | S | Texas | Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com | LB, OL, DB |
Writers Comments:Bengals look to shore up secondary for a developing defense and Vaccaro could be a step in that direction.
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22. | St. Louis Rams | Star Lotulelei | DT | Utah | Howard Balzer, The Sports Xchange/101sports.com | RB, WR, CB |
Writers Comments:Rams would be thrilled if Lotulelei drops this far. Assuming his heart issue is not a concern, he would be a steal at this point.
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23. | Minnesota Vikings | Cordarrelle Patterson | WR | Tennessee | Mel Kiper, ESPN.com | WR, LB, DB |
Writers Comments:Vikings badly need a WR and in Patterson they get maybe the highest-upside projection on the board. Patterson is electric with the ball in his hands.
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24. | Indianapolis Colts | Keenan Allen | WR | California | Mike Chappell, Indianapolis Star | DL, CB, S |
Writers Comments:The Colts would love to add some weapons for Andrew Luck and Allen is as well-rounded a receiver as there is in this draft.
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25. | Minnesota Vikings | Kevin Minter | LB | LSU | Mel Kiper, ESPN.com | WR, LB, DB |
Writers Comments:Vikings have a huge need at middle linebacker and Minter could step in and play immediately. Manti T'eo and Alec Ogletree are possibilities as well.
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26. | Green Bay Packers | Margus Hunt | DE | SMU | Bill Huber, Packer Report | S, TE, WR |
Writers Comments:The Packers are looking for length up front and the 6-8 native of Estonia provides that and a lot of upside - not to mention 17 blocked kicks.
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27. | Houston Texans | DeAndre Hopkins | WR | Clemson | John McClain, Houston Chronicle | T, OLB, ILB |
Writers Comments:The Texans desperately need some weapons on offense and Hopkins will take some of the pressure off an aging Andre Johnson.
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28. | Denver Broncos | D.J. Hayden | CB | Houston | Mel Kiper, ESPN.com | RB, DL, S |
Writers Comments:Hayden has shot up draft boards thanks to some excellent pre-draft workouts and the Broncos will jump at the chance to improve secondary.
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29. | New England Patriots | Datone Jones | DE | UCLA | PFW Staff | WR, CB, DT |
Writers Comments:A bit of a 'tweener but his upside could cause the Patriots to take a look. Jones isn't a pure pass rusher but he can be effective in that role.
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30. | Atlanta Falcons | Kyle Long | OL | Oregon | Mel Kiper, ESPN.com | DE, OL, TE |
Writers Comments:Long is a very good athlete with power who gives the Falcons options with his experience playing guard and tackle.
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31. | San Francisco 49ers | Eric Reid | S | LSU | Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com | DL, CB, TE |
Writers Comments:The Niners still need some help in the secondary even with the acquisition of Nnamdi Asmougha and Reid should help replace Dashon Goldson.
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32. | Baltimore Ravens | Alec Ogletree | LB | Georgia | Aaron Wilson, Baltimore Sun | LB, OL, S |
Writers Comments:The Ravens lost some personnel on defense but Ozzie Newsome is used to replenishing through the draft. Ogletree is the next in a long line.
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