2013 NFL draft: Pick-by-pick analysis

Written By kolimtiga on Jumat, 26 April 2013 | 10.49

Pick-by-pick results and analysis for Round 1:

Pick in Round 1; (overall pick); team; selection

1 (1) Chiefs: Eric Fisher, OT Central Michigan

Analysis: The new MAC daddy, Fisher becomes the highest-drafted player ever from the Mid-American Conference and first non-quarterback at No. 1 since T Jake Long went to the Miami Dolphins in 2008. Though he didn't typically face top-shelf competition, he more than held his own against Iowa and Michigan State last season before wowing scouts at the Senior Bowl. He might have just a bit more upside and nastiness than SEC-trained Luke Joeckel. If the Chiefs keep franchise-tagged OT Branden Albert, they'll enter the season with a solid set of bookends. If Albert is dealt, Donald Stephenson could step into the lineup unless Kansas City pursues a free agent such as Tyson Clabo.

PHOTO GALLERY: Every pick in the first round

2 (2) Jaguars: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

Analysis:New Jags GM Dave Caldwell seemingly takes the best player on his board - and two tackles top the draft for the first time ever - rather than addressing an anemic pass rush or spotty play under center or any number of areas on a deficient roster. Joeckel becomes an immediate friend to embattled third-year QB Blaine Gabbert and RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who's coming off a season-ending foot injury. With experience in pro-style and spread offenses for the Aggies, Joeckel should have no problem adjusting to whatever new Jacksonville offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch throws at him. The former bodyguard of Ryan Tannehill and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will likely start on the right side in 2013 but could switch to the blind side at any time, perhaps in 2014 if LT Eugene Monroe isn't re-signed.

3 (3) Dolphins (from Raiders): Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon

Analysis: Oakland GM Reggie McKenzie ships out the first Round 1 pick of his tenure - Oakland lost last year's first first rounder (and this year's second rounder) in the 2011 Carson Palmer deal made by ex-coach Hue Jackson - to stockpile some much needed picks to replenish his roster. And with five of the top 82 selections at the start of the night, Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland had the ammo to move up and gave McKenzie the 12th and 42nd choices in return. Miami had the ammo to move up. Miami spurns the opportunity to replace departed Jake Long to take Jordan, a rangy pass rusher who used to play tight end. He could stand to add a little weight, but he should be able to focus his talents as a pass-rush specialist out of the chute - much as Aldon Smith did for the 49ers in 2011 - behind starting defensive ends Jared Odrick and Cameron Wake, who will be happy to see fewer double teams with Jordan on the opposite flank.

4 (4) Eagles: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

Analysis: A converted tight end and quarterback, Johnson has rare athleticism for his position and may wind up as the best tackle of this draft in a few years. He should fit seamlessly into new coach Chip Kelly's high-velocity offense, which demands great movement skills from its linemen. In Johnson and Jason Peters, the Eagles probably have the most mobile tackle tandem in the NFL provided Peters' Achilles' is fully healed. Expect RT Todd Herremans to shift back to guard, his primary position from 2006 to 2010.

5 (5) Lions: Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU

Analysis: The Lions lost both of last season's starting tackles (Jeff Backus, retirement/Gosder Cherilus, free agency) and defensive ends (Kyle Vanden Bosch, released/Cliff Avril, free agency) but don't get a shot at one of the draft's elite tackles. So they take Ansah to bolster their pass rush. It helps that the Detroit coaching staff worked with the Ghana native during Senior Bowl week. He's extremely raw and has a very limited football background. But he enters a situation where he shouldn't see very many double teams if Lions DTs Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley continue to crush pockets from the inside. But D-line guru Jim Washburn has a big job molding Ansah into an NFL-ready player.

6 (6) Browns: Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

Analysis: The Browns opt for a pass rusher rather than upgrade their secondary. Mingo also needs to bulk up, and AFC North teams will doubtless run at him at every opportunity in 2013. But he'll also put some stress on Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger and Andy Dalton and gives Cleveland a nice young duo of edge players along with free agent addition Paul Kruger. If the Browns keep the heat on enemy QBs, their shortcomings in coverage won't be as glaring. However, Mingo better pan out since the franchise's new regime opted for him rather than a deal that might have recouped the second-round pick lost when WR Josh Gordon arrived via last year's supplemental draft.

7 (7) Cardinals: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina

Analysis: Arizona needed tackle help, but Cooper is a very nice consolation prize and should solidify an O-line that will also be better with T Levi Brown back from a triceps injury that cost him the 2012 season. Cooper ought to keep new QB Carson Palmer fairly clean while providing daylight for recently signed RB Rashard Mendenhall.

8 (8) Rams (from Bills): Tavon Austin, WR West Virginia

Analysis: The Rams clearly entered the night needing wideout and safety help but weren't in position to get a prime prospect at No. 16 or 22. So they jump up to Buffalo's spot to get Austin. The dynamic playmaker only weighs 175 pounds, but typifies a new NFL which puts a premium on speed, versatility and the ability to play in space. Austin should immediately fill the shoes of departed Danny Amendola and serve as QB Sam Bradford's top target. Austin can work out of the slot, backfield or in the return game. He should be a terror in the Edward Jones Dome. The 49ers and Seahawks won't be the only tough outs in the NFC West.

9 (9) Jets: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

Analysis: Though they had two first-round picks, the Jets missed out on Austin and the top pass rushers, who all would've filled obvious gaps. But they had another void after dealing all-pro CB Darrelle Revis to the Buccaneers, and coach Rex Ryan can never have enough corners. Milliner will team with Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson to give the Jets another tough trio to combat Tom Brady, and also a revitalized Dolphins passing game in the AFC East. On the downside, Milliner will be saddled with unfair comparisons to Revis from the moment he dons green and white.

10 (10) Titans: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

Analysis: Support QB Jake Locker's development or address the worst defense in franchise history? The Titans opt for the former, and Warmack - regarded in some circles as the draft's best pure football player - should only flourish under the tutelage of head coach Mike Munchak, a Hall of Fame guard himself. The additions of Warmack and free agent Andy Levitre (along with all-pro caliber LT Michael Roos) immediately thrust Tennessee's O-line into the league's upper echelon. Perhaps it again makes Chris Johnson a 2,000-yard back.

11 (11) Chargers: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

Analysis: A once-stacked San Diego roster fell into disrepair in the final years under deposed general manager A.J. Smith. None of the draft's elite blockers fell into the hands of new GM Tom Telesco, but Fluker is no slouch. He probably doesn't have the feet to protect QB Philip Rivers' blind side, but he should hold down the fort on the right side for a decade. Rivers has committed 47 turnovers over the past two seasons, and former coach Norv Turner laid much of the blame at the feet of a subpar O-line.

12 (12) Raiders (from Dolphins): D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

Analysis: The initial first-round call of the McKenzie era finally reaches the podium, and the GM goes with the fast-rising Cougar. Hayden ran a sub-4.4 40 at his pro day after he was nearly killed by a practice collision last year that sheared a blood vessel in his heart. He joins a secondary that hasn't been the same since Nnamdi Asomugha left after the 2010 season. Hayden is charged with defending Peyton Manning and Rivers as a rookie, but you can bet he's more than happy to be alive for such opportunities.

13 (13) Jets (from Buccaneers): Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

Analysis: This is the only selection the Jets acquired from the Bucs in this draft as part of the Revis swap (they'll likely pick up a third rounder in 2014). And new GM John Idzik makes a Mike Tannenbaum-esque move as New York takes a defensive lineman in Round 1 for the third consecutive year (Muhammad Wilkerson, 2011; Quinton Coples 2012). Richardson seemed to project as a better fit in a 4-3 defense, and this could signal more four-man fronts for a unit that will be more closely monitored by head coach Rex Ryan after the loss of coordinator Mike Pettine to Buffalo. The bigger takeaway could be the decision by Idzik not to add offensive firepower for regressing QB Mark Sanchez, who watched his top tailback, tight end and both starting guards leave in free agency.

14 (14) Panthers: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

Analysis: The Carolina D-line is suddenly scary with pass rushing demons Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy flanking Lotulelei, who could also suck up blocks in front of defensive rookie of the year MLB Luke Kuechly. Matt Ryan, Drew Brees and Josh Freeman won't like this pick as the heat will be coming from every direction. Had Lotulelei's heart been pumping at full efficiency at the combine, he might've gone off the board much earlier.

15 (15) Saints: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

Analysis: A year after gaining an NFL record 7,474 yards, the Saints surrendered a record 7,042 in their Bountygate-besmirched 2012 season. But rather than tinker with a front seven that's converting to a 3-4 scheme, New Orleans goes for the draft's best safety in Vaccaro. He has range to cover tight ends like Tony Gonzalez and Greg Olsen and won't be afraid to put a lick on the Steven Jacksons and Doug Martins of the world. The Saints seemed set at safety with former first-rounder Malcolm Jenkins and two-time Pro Bowler Roman Harper. With no Round 2 pick - more bounty fallout - Vaccaro will probably be the only immediate starter New Orleans gets in the draft.

16 (16) Bills (from Rams): E.J. Manuel, QB Florida State

Analysis: Manuel becomes the first passer off the board, bypassing the more-hyped Geno Smith and Ryan Nassib, the former Orange quarterback who seemed a natural to reunite with ex-Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone in Buffalo. But Manuel has all the skills a modern offensive coordinator would want: arm strength, mobility and smarts. But other than RB C.J. Spiller and WR Stevie Johnson, the Bills don't have many weapons to assist Manuel, though that could change Friday given they now own two second rounders. GM Buddy Nix might have more time to expand the arsenal before Manuel even plays given Buffalo can roll with Kevin Kolb this season while the rookie adapts to the pro level.

17 (17) Steelers: Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia

Analysis: This seemed like a natural fit assuming the Steelers were comfortable with Jones' poor offseason workouts and medical (stenosis) issues, and apparently they were. Jones had 14.5 sacks for Georgia in 2012 but will now be charged with replacing James Harrison. Jones should enable LaMarr Woodley to remain effective on the left side assuming he rebounds after a disappointing 2012 season.

18 (18) 49ers (from Cowboys): Eric Reid, S, LSU

Analysis: The Niners entered the night with a league-high 13 picks but couldn't possibly use them all on a roster already laden with talent. So they surrender a third-rounder to Dallas in order to jump for the LSU star, who will try to take over at free safety after all-pro Dashon Goldson took the money and ran to Tampa in free agency. A great scenario for Reid, who merely has to play within himself on one of the league's toughest defenses.

19 (19) Giants: Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse

Analysis: Maybe not a buzzy choice, but it's hard to question the track record of GM Jerry Reese. Pugh played tackle for the Orange but may start out at guard in New York. The Giants' O-line has been getting long in the tooth, and Pugh offers a long-term (if not immediate) solution. He'll have excellent mentors in OL David Diehl and OG Chris Snee, either of whom might be eventually displaced by Pugh. Starting LG Kevin Boothe, who recently got just a one-year deal, should also have his antennae up.

20 (20) Bears: Kyle Long, OG, Oregon

Analysis: Another member of the Long clan enters the NFL. Kyle is the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long and brother of Rams DE Chris Long. Kyle eschewed football for baseball as a youngster before resurfacing on the gridiron with the Ducks. Jay Cutler's protection issues - 148 sacks suffered in 56 regular-season starts with the Bears - could be a thing of the past since Chicago has also signed LT Jermon Bushrod, G Matt Slauson and TE Martellus Bennett, who's also an excellent blocker. 
 

By: Nate Davis/USA Today

Gannett/USA Today


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