Jericho4854 Pre Free Agency: Round 1 (Round 1)

1 - KC: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
KC has very few needs now that they have a legit QB before the draft. I see no reason to resign Brandon Albert to a huge deal when they could easily get Joeckel with the first pick. Some people are starting to like Eric Fisher more because of the combine, but Joeckel faced decidedly more impressive competition than Fisher did in college, so he's still #1.

2 - JAX: Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
This dude lit up the combine. His 4.6 40 with his 6'6 250 lb frame is scary. And he's not just a physical specimen. He was a productive pass rusher in college as well as having ability in the run. He has defensive end size with the ability to cover, so Jax could use him in all kinds of alignments. He is a day 1 contributor.

3 - ARI: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
*TRADE* Eric Fisher's stock continues to climb after his fantastic combine. Like I said, some are thinking he could overtake Joeckel at the top pick since he showed more athleticism, so AZ makes a bold move to secure an elite blindside protector. Levi Brown can shift inside where he is more suited so the line improves in 2 positions.

4 - PHI: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Dee Milliner is not worth a 4th overall pick regardless of Philly's CB situation. Reaching for positions of need is how teams consistently stay in the top 10. Floyd has skyrocketed up draft boards over the last few weeks and does actually fill a need. How about that? The Eagles are shifting to a 3-4 but don't exactly have the personnel for it. If Jordan were still available, he'd certainly go here. With the ties to Chip Kelly, it makes too much sense. But Floyd would make an excellent 3-4 DE.

5 - DET: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
Avril is expected to go get overpaid with another team and Vanden Bosch was already released, so DE is a huge need. Werner is a solid all around defensive end who can collapse the pocket from the outside and defend the run. He is by no means the final piece, but he will be an important one in getting Detroit back in the playoffs, probably when Stafford turns 30. Werner is slipping in mocks, but I'm not prepared to let him get past Detroit with the top tackles off the board.

6 - CLE: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
Switching back to a 3-4, the Browns need a guy to create pressure from the outside. He's still a project, but he blew people away at the combine. There are concerns if he can transition from having his hand in the dirt every play to a stand up linebacker, but he certainly has the physical capability. With coaching, he could be the last piece to make the Browns D elite. Geno may go here, and it would make all the sense. But I think they should give Colt and Weeds a chance to battle it out.

7 - OAK: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
*TRADE* There have been reports that the Raiders are very interested in Geno, which makes a ton of sense. Carson Palmer may have been the best player on the Raiders last year, but that doesn't really say much. Vinny Testaverde could have been the best player on the Raiders last year. Palmer is also near the end of his career. Geno isn't a finished product as everyone knows, so he could sit for a bit and eventually win the job off Palmer. Geno has all the tools to be a franchise QB.

8 - TB: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
*TRADE* With several CB needy teams coming up, Tampa moves up to secure this years consensus top prospect. Milliner isn't a special talent. I have high standards to regard one as "special.' Dee does do a lot of things very well. He uses his size in coverage well and is one of the better run supporting corners this year. Tampa would be foolish to enter 2013 with the group of corners they have now, especially in a division with Brees, Ryan, and Newton.

9 - NYJ: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
This is a terrible year to need an immediate upgrade at QB. The team can't release Sanchez or they'll take a $17mil cap hit; no wonder Mike Tannebaum was put to pasture. Recent reports have linked Patterson to the Jets, including a mock draft from Mike himself. He may have been fired, but he probably knows a thing or two about the Jets' thinking. Patterson is all upside. He is a physical specimen who can develop into an elite receiver. If the Jets can't get a QB, they can get weapons for one

10 - TEN: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
The Titans would be foolish to go with another player here. Warmack is a can't miss guard prospect who would be the best since Faneca to come out had it not been for DeCastro last year. Locker and CJ2K need blocking to be effective and you won't find a better option than Warmack. He has a nasty streak that I love and he pushes guys around like their children. It's rare to find an impact guard, but he's it.

11 - SD: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
The Chargers luck out and get the best remaining LT prospect. Rivers has been abused by opposing defenses for too long. They foolishly signed the chronically injured Jared Gaither to protect his blind side, a guy who's never played more than 11 games in a season. Getting protection and at least one more receiving threat this draft is a must for a team that wants to stay competitive. If Rivers can't get his act together with Johnson protecting him, SD may be looking for a QB early next year.

12 - MIA: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
This pick is predicated upon how much they weigh their needs. Rhodes is expected by many to leapfrog Jonathan Banks in the draft. He brings comparisons to Richard Sherman and had a great combine, running two sub 4.4 unofficial 40 times. Receiver is of course a possibility, but this draft is deep in talent. Rhodes is head and shoulders above most other prospects.

13 - BUF: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
*TRADE* Buffalo could easily reach for a QB here, but are any so good they could justify passing on Austin? Austin has risen his stock as much or more than any receiver. Once a fringe first rounder, he very well could come off the board before 20. Experts can't decide if he compares to Harvin or Welker; that should tell you enough about this guy. He should open things up for Steve Johnson and be a Swiss army knife type player for the offense.

14 - CAR: Kenny Vaccaro, SS, Texas
Word has it that the Panthers are enamored with Vaccaro, and with good reason. He is the total package at safety. Besides his measurables, he's great in coverage and run support. He'd be an instant upgrade to nearly any team and should be a day 1 starter for Carolina.

15 - NO: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
The Saints are switching to a 3-4. They currently lack a true nose tackle and Sedrick Ellis is a UFA anyway. Star was projected as high as number one or two overall, but his heart problem could scare many teams off. He can be a Haloti Ngata type player for New Orleans who is more than a space eater, but a play maker who can get penetration and is powerful at the point of attack. They had a historically bad defense last season. To change that, they need to start up front.

16 - STL: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Jeff Fisher has said that Bradford's inconsistent play can be attributed to the line. We mockers of course read too much into everything coaches say and conclude they will address the position early. 2 guards in the top 20 seems like a stretch, but Cooper is worth it. Plus he may not be available with the Rams' next pick. He is more athletic than Warmack and is a plug and play guard that will allow Bradford to actually step up in the pocket every once in a while as well as open rushing lanes.

17 - PIT: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Jones' spine has affected his stock a lot more than anticipated, but there is no way he falls past the Steelers. Harrison will not take a paycut and may be released due to his injuries and ineffectiveness. Jones is the best 3-4 OLB prospect this year. He was the sack king of college ball the last 2 seasons. He plays the run well, is decent in coverage, and forces fumbles. This is a match made in heaven for Steelers fans. With Jones and Woodley on the outside, turnovers won't be a problem anymore

18 - DAL: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
Moore's stock is way down after the combine. There were many reports before the combine that many teams didn't even have a first round grade on him at all. His measurable are rather disappointing for a top prospect, but you can't argue production. The tape shows a football player who gets after people with rooom to grow. Anthony Spencer is a free agent, so Dallas needs someone across from Demarcus Ware. These two should create sacks in bunches.

19 - NYG: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
I don't like putting the same matches in back to back mocks, but Sheldon Richardson is too good a prospect to drop further and the Giants' need at DT is too much to ignore. This is a great match for both of them. The Giants are about to have only one DT on the roster, and he's a 7th round pick from last year. Richardson is an athlete at DT which is hard to find. He's great in pursuit and strong at the point of attack.

20 - CHI: Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
The Bears really want a receiver to pair with Brandon Marshall, but this draft is deep and the drop off isn't that much from this pick to the second round. Ogletree is a great fit for 4-3 outside linebacker. He's super athletic and accels in coverage and against the run. He has some character concerns, being charged with midemeanor theft and a DUI. But his talent is undeniable. We saw that Urlacher is in fact human over the last few seasons. Briggs will reach that point sooner rather than later.

21 - CIN: Margus Hunt, DE, Southern Methodist
Hunt's combine may push him into the 1st round. He's about the opposite of pro-ready, but players like Ansah and Patterson have gone much higher based purely on upside. He has a dominant line around him, so he should produce. Michael Johnson was just franchised, but if they can't work out a long term deal, Hunt will have a year under his belt. He IS boom or bust, but Marvin Lewis is known for being a great defensive mind. If there's one coach who can get the most out of Hunt, it's him.

22 - STL: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
St. Louis could go offense with a receiver or offensive lineman or go with any position on defense. I say go with the guy who will protect your QB. Bradford has suffered from a lack of surrounding talent his whole career. Things are finally starting to turn around and you'll never hear an argument from me against protecting your signal caller. Fluker has all the physical attributes to be a great right tackle. With a bit of coaching, he will certainly be better than anyone they have now

23 - MIN: Keenan Allen, WR, California
Allen's lack of participation in the combine hurt his stock for now, but his Pro Day should at least cancel it out. The Vikings have needed more receiving threats even before the Harvin drama. He's isn't expected to be traded, but neither was Carson Palmer. Ponder needs to take a step forward in his third season and giving him a tall playmaker like Allen will surely help. He isn't really elite at anything, but his all around ability will make his career a successful one.

24 - IND: Khaseem Greene, OLB, Rutgers
Some may regard this as a reach. This draft's elite talent dries up pretty quickly. There aren't any "wow" prospects left, so GMs should ask, who available can help us win the most games. I think Greene is that answer for the Colts. They are currently lacking a true 3-4 OLB. Although he's only been playing the position for 2 seasons, he has shown a knack to be around the ball, is a good tackler, and flows naturally from sideline to sideline.

25 - SEA: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
Where Russell Wilson improved every week last season, his receiving corps couldn't keep up. Rice is always hurt and while Tate showed some of his potential, he scares nobody. Hunter and Patterson make up two of the most physically gifted receivers in the draft. His ability to go after the ball in the air is reminiscent of Randy Moss, as are many of his measurables. For Russell Wilson to continue to develop, he needs better weapons on offense. Hunter's ceiling is as high as any receiver this year

26 - GB: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Green Bay needs to address their defense, but I get the feeling they'll be doing what Indy did with Manning. Give their QB enough weapons so he can bail them out. Jermichael Finley could have been the league's best, but his drops and injuries have put him out of favor in GB. If he returns next season, it will be a shock. Eifert locked himself into the top TE spot with his combine. He has everything you want in a tight end. Hands, speed, size, blocking, and most importantly production.

27 - HOU: Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Matt Schaub has peaked. He is still a good quarterback, but he is also 31 and has missed significant time throughout his career dealing with injuries. He was on the fringe of the elite for a couple seasons, and likely has plenty in the tank. Barkley won't have to step in right away so he can sit for a few season and take over when Schaub and the Texans part ways or when he beats Schaub out. Let's not forget he could have been #3 overall last year.

28 - DEN: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
The Broncos have needed an interior presence for quite some time now. They drafted Derek Wolfe who's played very well, but he's spent most of his time on the end, only moving inside on pass situations. Hankins is the top NT prospect and John Fox likes big bodies on his defense. Hankins is a space eater by every definition of the word. He has a great anchor and was one of the reasons OSU had such a good season. If his technique can get coached up a bit, he can be as dominant as Vince Wilfork.

29 - NE: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Trufant's stock started its way up during Senior Bowl week. This is a corner who can lock down a receiver if he adds a little bulk and learns to use his frame in man coverage. He is one of the better corners in run support this year and shows good instincts when reading routes. New England has spent high pick after pick trying to figure out their secondary. Their safeties were once a weakness, but are on the rise. It's isn't clear if they'll keep Talib though. They need an impact corner.

30 - ATL: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
The Falcons just released John Abraham who had been as consistent as they come. They need someone to replace that productivity. Jones goes about his football business like a true professional, underrated in today's NFL. Jones is an impressive physical specimen, ripped at 270 lbs. He has the versatility to kick inside as well. He has an elite first step and could even become a playmaker at the unheralded 3-4 DE spot. Atlanta will get a relentless pass rusher with decent upside.

31 - SF: Jonathan Cyprien, SS, Florida International
The outlook for this kid just keeps getting better and better. Once a mid 3rd round prospect, Cyprien has put himself in first round conversation. The 49ers are stacked all over the place, but not at safety. One gave up more TDs than any other safety this year and other could be a cap casualty. Cyprien lined up all over the place for FIU. He plays with physicality and good instincts. He should fit right in with that great defense.

32 - BAL: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
Ladarius Webb is coming off his second major knee injury, Cary Williams is a free agent, and they jury is still out on Jimmy Smith. In today's pass happy NFL, you can't have enough good corners. With so much uncertainty at this point, Banks would be a solid if not great pick. He won the 2012 Jim Thorpe award for best defensive back in the nation. Because of his tall lean frame, he may end up at safety which is another need for the Ravens with Ed Reeds future up in the air. Banks is a steal at 32