TST 2013 Mock Draft, Mk II, Pt 2

 

Kawann Short to Denver… please?

Yesterday evening saw some shuffling of the pack at the top of my 2013 pre-combine mock draft. WVU signal caller Geno Smith not only dropped out of #1, but out of the top half entirely, calling into question whether a QB will be taken in the first at all (trades notwithstanding).

The movement left not one, but two Texas A&M Aggies atop the pile from opposite sides of the ball, and only two Alabama players. Half of my top 16 came from SEC schools, which is insane when you begin to think about it.

But we must roll on to find the needs of the Steel City:

17. Pittsburgh (8-8): Matt Elam, S, Florida
(Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas)
I don’t think Troy Polomalu is around forever, so with Vaccaro now gone the Steelers take the next best safety (unless one of the pass-rushers falls).

18. Dallas (8-8): Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina
Like San Diego with Rivers and Chicago with Cutler, it’d be interesting to see how Tony Romo performs behind a competent O-line.

19. New York Giants (9-7): Manti Te’o ILB, Notre Dame
(Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State)
The football community seems to be responding sympathetically to Te’o, and I believe a good interview will propel him back into the top 20.

20. Chicago (10-6): DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama
(Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia)
There has to be some way to keep Jay Cutler healthy for 16 games, right? How about employing a lineman or two?

21. Cincinnati* (10-6): Alex Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
(Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU)
Ogletree’s DUI takes him off the Bears’ radar, but that kind of thing never bothered the Bengals, who will snap him up.

22. St. Louis – from Washington* (10-6): Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
(Cordarelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee)
Safety is a pretty ugly need for the Rams, and whilst this is a bit of a reach I don’t like any other prospective pick here.

23. Minnesota* (10-6): Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
(Jesse Wiliams, DT, Alabama)
Some people have Floyd as a top five pick ahead of Lotulelei, but I have him as the third best DT on this board.

24. Indianapolis* (11-5): Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
The Colts will probably need to add a couple of corners this offseason. Banks is a good fit to start with.

25. Seattle* (11-5): Jonathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
A middle rusher and run-stuffer could be the difference maker for the Seahawks’ already decent defense.

26. Green Bay* (11-5): Barrett Jones, C, Alabama
(Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame)
Jones was an under-rated cog in the Tide BCS dynasty, and could start as center day one for the Packers.

27. Houston* (12-4): Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
The Texans have Brian Cushing and… who? Adding another ILB to their defense will give them some bite.

28. Denver* (13-3): Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
(Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida)
I still cry out for the Broncos to draft a solid DT in the first round. Hopefully, this year will be the year, even if it’s a reach.

29. New England* (12-4): Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
(Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia)
After a solid Senior Bowl, Trufant moved up boards, and with Alfonzo Dennard seemingly headed to prison this is a good fit.

30. Atlanta* (13-3): Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
(Kawann Short, DT, Purdue)
Pressure, pressure, pressure. What the Falcons lack. Okafor is a sack-getting edge-rusher.

31. San Francisco* (11-4-1): Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
(Matt Elam, S, Florida)
Imagine for a moment what Colin Kaepernick would do with a genuine deep-threat. Scary, isn’t it?

32. Baltimore* (10-6): Eric Reid, FS, LSU
I like symmetry, so I’m not changing this pick. With Ed Reed hitting the open market, the Ravens simply add another Reid.

Yes, I know. In reality we’re not going to get through the entire first round without a QB being taken for the first time since 1996, but there’s none that deserves to be taken.

As a result, tonight’s second round will see the floodgates open. But who ends up where? You’ll have to read to find out!

 A ThorpesSportingThoughts Original

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