NFL Draft Net

NFL Mock Draft and Big Board updates are available today at NFL Draft Net. While it seems that with free agency going on a mock draft can be derailed in a matter of a Sunday afternoon signing, we wanted to have another look at the first round after the first week. The first wave of free agency (as well as trades and retirement) has caused 22 changes in this update.

1.5 Detroit Lions: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

Previous: Dion Jordan

Remember those recent years when the Lions were constantly mocked an offensive tackle? It appears that time has returned with the retirement of Jeff Backus. Johnson’s stock has been rapidly rising, which could make a good match. We are sure the Lions would much rather have Eric Fisher or Luke Joeckel to choose from if things would fall that way.

1.6 Cleveland Browns: Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon

Previous: Barkevious Mingo

The Browns have signed Paul Kruger and Quinton Groves at outside linebacker, but Jordan gives them the fierce rusher that they are lacking.

1.8 Buffalo Bills: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

Previous: No Change this update

No change, but a little disclaimer here. We know the Bills are going to take a QB, and it would be more favorable in the second round. Especially if they really did want Ryan Nassib. But we don’t feel that Geno Smith is getting out of the top 10 and we do not incorporate trades into the NFL Mock Draft. With that, Smith is going to the Bills as a last stop chance for a top 10 QB.

1.15 New Orleans Saints: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

Previous: Kenny Vaccaro

The Saints have been making efforts to keep who many perceive as average defensive players, or those that may not fit in the new 3-4,  on a defense that is supposed to be getting overhauled. While the Saints have been known to work with what they have (WR, LB, CB in recent years), there could have been more forethought to it. With one pick in the first two rounds, they may have been preparing for having to use that pick on the replacement for Jermon Bushrod. Left tackle is not a place to just work with who you have unless you feel Bushrod was expendable because you had the answer in house. We don’t feel this was the case and the Saints are in a bind.

See all of the NFL Mock Draft changes HERE.

We have also updated out Top 25 NFL Draft Big Board.

Free Agency is off and running in the NFL for 2013. Between the players choosing new homes and teams dealing in trades, the 2013 NFL Draft team needs are changing by the hour. Let’s have a look at some fo the early moves that will be shaking up the draft boards and mock drafts in the coming weeks.

Mike Wallace to Miami

As suspected, the Dolphins have obtained the services of Speedy Mike Wallace in Free Agency. This will give the fins a legit threat to help their young QB. We have mocked WR to the Dolphins in half of our updates. In the next update we will be going back to our first two mocks of the year and looking at Offensive Tackle as Jake Long is on his way out.

Jermon Bushrod to Chicago

The Saints are switching to a 3-4 and everyone is pushing a rush linebacker for them. The Saints have been indicating that they have guys on the roster (Wilson, Galette, Vilma) that can fill the role. It is apparent that the Saints were looking in-house anticipating there would be a greater need protecting Drew Brees. They don’t have a second round pick, so unless they magically come into cash, the 1st rounder may have to be OT.

This is a major signing for the Bears that should open them up to address Guard in the draft.

Martellus Bennett to Chicago

This will take Tyler Eifert off the possibility list (more than likely) for the Bears, but it puts him on the list for the Giants. Bear Pascoe cannot be looked at as the answer in New York.

Paul Kruger to Cleveland

Rush linebacker has been a popular pick for the Browns in the first round as well. It’s still a possibility, but this opens things up for Cleveland.

TRADES

Alex Smith to Kansas City

Yes, its old news, but the Smith trade becoming official is a reminder that the Chiefs are open to take the best player in the draft…regardless of what Brandon Albert thinks.

Percy Harvin to Seattle

In our last mock draft we gave the Seahawks Tavon Austin, imagining what kind of damage he could do. Well, the Seahawks went out and got the older version. We already had WR going to Minnesota before the trade, and it stays that way. Now they have extra picks to play with as well.

Our current two round Mock Draft will be updated soon, with the addition of the third round.

As we creep up on Free Agency, NFL Draft Net 2013 NFL Mock Draft has been updated, including a second round. While it seems like it is an effort that will soon be released when Free Agency begins on March 12th, it is nice to get a look at what needs can be filled in the second round. A cause of uproar with mock drafts can come from fans not seeing the positions they feel are a need addressed. Because the need was not addressed in the first round does not mean that it will not be addressed. Often when a team does not reach for a player of need in the first round, they can find a value at that position in the second. Something else to consider is that the team may have an apparent “need” they do not address because they already had a plan with someone on the roster to fill it. Anyway, I digress. Back to the Mock Draft. We will see many changes in the next week as team address needs in Free Agency.

Some of the changes in this update…

1.15 New Orleans Saints: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

Previous: Damontre Moore

We have had Vaccaro to the Saints in previous updates, and this time he returns again. The obvious choice of a pick would be an outside rusher for the new 3-4 Defense. Problem is that the prospects that fit the value are gone by this point. The Saints have to make this pick count since they won’t have a second rounder without some maneuvering. Vaccaro would plug right in to a needy secondary.

1.16 St. Louis Rams: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

Previous: Jonathan Cooper

Up until this point we have bounced around the Guard and Wide Receiver options at this first of two first round picks for the Rams. What we have not considered up until now is the prospect of the Rams taking Austin. With the idea of the departure of Danny Amendola, the Rams face an even larger need than they already had at WR. Factoring the loss of Steven Jackson, the Rams could use the addition of the dynamic and versatile Austin. Not only could he fill the void left by Amendola, many see him used like Percy Harvin is in Minnesota.

1.17  Pittsburgh Steelers: Damontre Moore, OLB, Texas A&M

Previous: Kenny Vaccaro

Oddly enough, we have the Steelers looking at some of the same needs as the New Orleans Saints with the 3-4 prospects. in our last update they took Vaccaro. This time around the Saints pass on Moore, falling to the needs of the Steelers at OLB. Moore’s unfavorable Combine performance has his stock falling a little. The Steelers, however, do not care about these things if they have done their work on a player. If Moore still fits their bill, he fits with them in the first round.

Check out the pre-free agency, two-round mock draft update HERE. As things take shape with free agency, a third round will be added in the next update. More commentary on the current update picks can be found on Twitter at @NFLDraftNet

NFL Mock Draft number four has been completed. There has been some shake up since the combine, with 25 picks changing since our last update. The biggest change is Geno Smith’s fall after the Chiefs made the move for Alex Smith. Of course, the largest fall has to have come from Manti Te’o. Here is how the top five play out…

1.1 Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

Previous: Geno Smith

1.2 Jacksonville Jaguars: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

Previous: Damontre Moore

1.3 Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

Previous: Star Lotulelei

1.4 Philadelphia Eagles: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

Previous: Luke Joekel

1.5 Detroit Lions: Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon

Previous: Bjoern Werner

Rounds two and three are coming up.

View the rest of the 2013 NFL Mock Draft

Commentary for this round will be on Twitter at @NFLDraftNet

ESPN reports that Andy Reid has hinted that the Kansas City Chiefs won’t force a Quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He emphasized that you have to take the best player that fits what you are trying to do. Of course they are taking offers for the pick. Thinking back, it has been quite a while since Reid has went all in on a QB with Donovan McNabb. Kevin Kolb (2nd) and Nick Foles (3rd) were not first round picks.

Watching the report makes it sound as if the Chiefs may lean toward taking their top player on the board despite need. With that, they would certainly look at free agency for a QB over what is on the roster. I have to say though, I don’t buy anything Reid says after he sat on Chris Mortensen’s bus two days before signing Mike Vick saying that they were not interested.