Pittsburgh’s 2012 3rd round draft pick was in the midst of a solid rookie-preseason until his knee was absolutely shredded in the Steelers’ final game against the Panthers last August.  The former Miami Hurricane not only tore his ACL and LCL ligaments on that fateful evening, but he even dislocated his knee cap and sustained damage the peroneal nerve as well.  The injury was so gruesome that doubt and debate still linger regarding whether or not Sean will even be able to make his N.F.L.-debut.

Recently, Pittsburgh’s linebackers coach Keith Butler stated during a “Draft Weekend” interview that it would be “miraculous” if Spence ever returned to the field.  On the other hand, head coach Mike Tomlin chimed in last week on the subject and said that Spence’s recovery is on schedule.

Debate over Spence aside, I believe that the bigger issue at hand right now is that the Steelers’ lack experienced depth at inside linebacker.  Due to this fact, Pittsburgh’s defense could be in a world of trouble if something happens injury-wise to Larry Foote or Lawrence Timmons this fall.

Exactly how bereft of experienced depth are the Steelers at the inside linebacker position at the moment though?

Well, I certainly hate to be a “Negative Nancy,” but I think that all of us in “Steeler Nation” need to hope that both Foote and Timmons can play and start all 16 regular season games this year with the kind of depth the team possesses behind them at the moment:

Sylvester is now entering his 4th year in the league. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Stevenson Sylvester

While some of you readers might be comfortable that the Steelers have four-year veteran Stevenson Sylvester behind Foote and Timmons, let me ask you the following question:

How much confidence does the franchise have in a player who they did not even bother to RFA tender when the free agency period began?

 

Over his three year career with the Steelers, Sylvester (6’2″ 231 lbs.) has been mainly a special teams player and only logged one career start at inside linebacker.  I understand that it was difficult for Stevenson to get on the field over the last three years (22 career tackles) with veterans like Timmons, Foote, and James Farrior in front of him.

I for one cannot blame the coaching staff’s lack of confidence in Sylvester.  I mean, the guy struggled on special teams last year and was not even RFA tendered this past spring!  As Butler alluded to in an interview on “Draft Weekend,” 2013 will essentially be Sylvester’s last chance to prove himself to the coaching staff that he can be a capable backup and a possible starter at inside linebacker.  While Stevenson is currently the #1 backup option behind Timmons and Foote, he will nevertheless have some competition for said spot over the coming months.

Vince Williams

Although Williams was drafted in the 6th round and the Steelers passed on more talented prospects like Arthur Brown and Khaseem Greene earlier in the draft, I still believe that the former Seminole has the tools to be an effective backup and potential developmental starter at the professional level.

A two-year starter in college, Williams racked up a combined 113 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss during his junior and senior seasons.  A squat, yet large-framed (6’1″ 250 lbs.) individual as well, Vince is a “downhill” linebacker who is at his best when he supports the run and can attack in the trenches.  While Williams’ pass-coverage skills and agility in pass-coverage are less than stellar at this point in his career, he was not on the field very much on passing-downs in college.  Thus, there is at least some hope that with some possible weight-shedding and a developmental period that Williams can improve in said area.

While the upside and tenacity are there with Williams, he is almost assuredly destined for special teams duty as a rookie.  I for one do not consider that to be a bad thing either, especially because the coaching staff will need to determine whether or not the former can be a potential “three-down linebacker” at the professional level.  Plus, the complex defensive scheme that Dick LeBeau employs usually requires players to sit for a year or two and learn on the bench.  For now though, I guess we can get excited about Williams possibly laying out opposing return men on special teams.

Marshall McFadden

McFadden has paid his dues over the last couple of years on Pittsburgh’s practice squad, and his knowledge of the defensive scheme could lead to him receiving a long-look as a backup linebacker in the preseason.

After going undrafted and unsigned during his first year out of college, the former South Carolina State Bulldog was signed shortly after the 2011 season ended.  Since that time, McFadden has been shuttled on-and-off of the team’s practice squad, and he failed to play a regular season down for the Steelers as a rookie.

To his credit, Marshall performed well enough during the 2012 preseason (15 tackles ranked 2nd on the team) to earn a practice squad contract with the team last year.  He definitely has the size to play between the tackles (6’1″ 233 lbs.), and the coaching staff obviously feels comfortable keeping him around for another tryout period.  Thus, if he can continue to improve he should be in the mix to push his competition vying for backup and special teams roles.

Brian Rolle

Brian Rolle definitely interests me the most out of all the players I will list today, particularly because he has the most professional starting experience of any of Pittsburgh’s backup linebackers.  During his rookie campaign of 2011, Rolle actually received a good deal of playing time with the Eagles.  Although injuries and poor-play forced him into the lineup, the former Buckeye played in all 16 regular season games and started 13 of them.  Overall, Brian managed to rack up 51 tackles and he even returned a fumble recovery 22 yards for a touchdown.

While Rolle showed some promise as a rookie, his 2012 season was downright dreadful.  The linebacker not only lost his starting job to Akeem Jordan before the regular season began, but he was also passed over on the team’s depth chart by Jamar Chaney when Jordan sustained an injury early last year.  Unfortunately, the benching was not the worst thing that happened to the linebacker last year.  Rolle was actually released by Philadelphia midway through the season due to his poor play on special teams.

Last season’s issues aside, Rolle could be in the running to be Timmons’ backup at the “Mack” spot on the weakside over the next few months.  Brian however will have to learn to fight off blocks better against interior linemen and also must learn pass-cover consistently if he wants to nail down a backup gig.  Most of all though, Brian will have to prove that he can play well on special teams if he wishes to stick around, because Pittsburgh’s coaches are unlikely to carry a backup linebacker who is unable to contribute on the special teams coverage units.

Kion Wilson

Like McFadden, Wilson has been on and off of N.F.L. practice squads over the last couple of seasons.  Wilson (6′ 230 lbs.) was signed by the Chargers in the spring of 2010 after he went undrafted.  After one year on San Diego’s practice squad, Wilson signed with Carolina in 2011.  During his first two pro seasons, Kion only suited up for a total of eight games.

Last season, Wilson failed to play a regular season down with any N.F.L. team after he was cut by the Panthers when the preseason came to a close.  It will be an uphill climb for Wilson to earn a roster spot this year, and he will really have to shine for the Steelers to bring him aboard to their 53-man roster.  I just do not see how he can leap frog McFadden, Rolle, and Williams for a job unless he is an absolute force on special teams.

Final Thoughts

I for one will be interested to see how the depth chart behind Timmons and Foote eventually shakes out once the preseason ends.  It will definitely be a competitive battle between the four aforementioned players, and it would not surprise me if undrafted rookies Alan Baxter and Terence Garvin receive some work at inside linebacker this summer as well.

Overall though, one of my biggest fears regarding the upcoming season is that either Foote or Timmons will be sidelined for extended periods and that Pittsburgh will be forced to turn to one or more of these unproven players before they are ready to contribute.  While some of these players could very well surprise in 2013, the fact is that Pittsburgh’s defense will probably be at a tremendous disadvantage if any of the backups are pressed into duty at some point this fall.

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Players Stats Provided By: ESPN.com

Players Contract Info. Provided By: Spotrac.com

Granted, I’ll admit that Jones’ medical history and poor Pro Day workout make the move a bit of a calculated risk.  But I believe that the selection itself was a smart gamble, and Jarvis was a terror off of the edge during his collegiate career.  As I stated before, the Steelers needed help at outside linebacker, and Jones could very well emerge into yet another fantastic pass-rusher for the “Black and Gold.”

Now that Day 2 of the draft is upon us, I thought that I would discuss my thoughts on what Rounds 2 and 3 have to offer for Pittsburgh’s brass.  Thankfully for Colbert & Co., a large amount of talented players at positions of need will still available for them to choose from in Rounds 2 and 3 this evening.

Potential Round 2 (#48 overall) Selections

Inside Linebackers

Arthur Brown (Kansas State), Sio Moore (Connecticut), Kevin Minter (Louisiana State)

Brown would be a solid 2nd Round pick for the Steelers. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

With only one inside linebacker selected in the 1st round (Alec Ogletree), the Steelers could be primed to fill a dire need with a talented player at #48 overall.  I actually mocked Arthur Brown to Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago (at #25 overall after a projected trade), and I believe that he would be a perfect addition to the Steelers’ defense next to Lawrence Timmons.  Although Brown is a bit on the shorter side (6′ 241 lbs.), he is well-built and was tenacious player for Kansas State during his two year stint as a starter.  Brown is a tough defender between the hashes, and he recorded up 201 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, and 3 interceptions over the last two seasons combined.

If Kevin Minter slides to #48 overall and Brown is off the board, I would hope that the Steelers would consider him.  The former Bayou Bengal was a “tackling machine” last year as he recorded 130 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks in 2012.  The squat-framed, yet athletic linebacker (6′ 246 lbs.) packs a wallop as a tackler, has enough agility to potentially hold his own in pass-coverage, and projects well to develop into an effective strongside-inside linebacker in Pittsburgh’s defense, and he has the tools to be a perfect candidate to take over for Larry Foote once he calls it quits.

If the Steelers elect to take a more versatile prospect than Brown or Minter, they could target Sio Moore (6’1″ 245 lbs.) of Connecticut.  I mocked Moore to Pittsburgh earlier this week, and the Steelers invited the athletic linebacker to Pittsburgh for a private interview earlier in the draft process.  Moore is coming off of a solid 2012 campaign in which he racked up 72 tackles, 8.0 sacks, and 15.5 tackles for loss.  The Huskies took advantage of Sio’s unique skill-set during his career, and they lined him up at inside linebacker, outside linebacker, and even along the line of scrimmage as a pass-rusher.  Dick LeBeau and Keith Butler value versatility, and he could very well be Pittsburgh’s pick in Round 2 or Round 3.

Cornerback/Free Safety

Johnthan Banks (Mississippi State)

While cornerback is not necessarily an immediate need, Colbert & Co. could employ a “B.P.A.” strategy and take a chance on an athletic and versatile defensive back in the form of Johnthan Banks of Mississippi State.

I’m a bit surprised that the 2012 Jim Thorpe award winner’s stock has slipped so much since the 2012 regular season ended.  But teams are apparently concerned with Banks’ speed, and I guess they would prefer to take other cornerbacks before him.  Banks however would be a perfect fit as a zone-scheme cornerback or even a free safety (a position he played as a freshman at Mississippi State) in Pittsburgh’s defense.  Johnthan’s tall frame (6’2″ 185 lbs.), solid ball skills (16 career interceptions), and ability to mix it up in the run-game (125 Tackles the last two seasons) could make him too good to pass up at #48 overall.

Safeties

Phillip Thomas (Fresno State), D.J. Swearinger (South Carolina), Johnathan Cyprien (Florida International)

With Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark nearing the end of their careers’ and Robert Golden the only depth presently behind them, I believe that Pittsburgh will take a safety at some point in Round 2 or Round 3.

If Phillip Thomas is available at #48 overall, I believe that the Steelers could take the former Fresno State ball-hawk.  Thomas led the FBS-division in interceptions last year with 8, and did so after he spent the entire 2011 season sidelined with a broken leg.  While Phillip is known more for his ability to make plays on balls in the air, he can definitely hold his own against the run and has the type of frame (6’1″ 208 lbs.) and tackling ability (2012: 84 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss) to possibly switch to strong safety.

I was a bit surprised that Johnathan Cyprien fell out of the 1st Round, especially after many people (including me) had him pegged anywhere from #21 to #32.  Regardless, I’m happy to see that the strong safety is still available and could be a potential selection for the Steelers.  Last season, Cyprien enjoyed a solid 2012 season with the Golden Panthers (93 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 4 interceptions), and his stock rose significantly during the offseason period.  Although Cyprien is not as agile as Matt Elam is in pass-coverage, he does possess decent size (6′ 217 lbs.), and would be a solid “in-the-box” type of strong safety.

Although I like Thomas and Cyprien, count me in as somebody who would like to see D.J. Swearinger lacing them up for the “Black and Gold.”  A tenacious hitter, Swearinger would be a solid strong safety in Pittsburgh’s defense, and his ability to tackle (2011: 80 tackles, 2012: 79 tackles) and support the run would make him a valuable chess-piece for Dick LeBeau to utilize.  D.J. made 6 interceptions, forced 4 fumbles, recovered another 2, and started 33 games for the Gamecocks over the course of his collegiate career.  Although he isn’t the biggest (5’10″ 208 lbs.) or fastest safety in this draft class, his nastiness and skill-set are exactly what Pittsburgh’s secondary needs.

Running Backs

Giovani Bernard (North Carolina), Johnathan Franklin (UCLA)

While I believe that Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman are both solid “situational battering rams” and backups, the Steelers could still stand to use a more athletic running back to compliment their big bruisers.  Two running backs in particular come to my mind who could add an extra dimension to Pittsburgh’s offense, Giovani Bernard and Johnathan Franklin.

The Steelers took a particular interest in Franklin, and the organization even invited him to town for a pre-draft interview.  I’ve talked at length about Franklin over the last four months as a potential Steeler draft pick, and he definitely has a number of things going for him at the moment.  Johnathan is coming off of a career year at UCLA, and the running back rushed for 1,734 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught 33 passes for 323 yards and another 2 scores.  Franklin is a decent sized one-cut back (5’10″ 205 lbs.) who can gain the tough yards inside the tackles as well as go outside the hashes and make plays.  Although Franklin is not a “burner” in terms of his raw speed and had some issues with ball security, the Steelers could take a chance on him in Round 2.

While I like Franklin as a potential addition to Pittsburgh’s offense, I would be incredibly happy to see the Steelers take Giovani Bernard on Day 2 of the draft.  Although Bernard only played two seasons at North Carolina, he was a multi-purpose weapon for the Tar Heels.  On the ground, Bernard racked up a combined 2,481 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns over the last two years.  If that wasn’t impressive enough, Giovani was an accomplished pass catcher and recorded 92 grabs for 852 yards and 6 touchdowns during that span.  Heck, Bernard even took 2 punts back for scores last season as well!  If the former Tar Heel’s small frame (5’8″ 202 lbs.) causes teams to pass on him, Pittsburgh’s brass would be wise to step in and acquire him.

Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen (California), Justin Hunter (Tennessee), Robert Woods (Southern California)

I for one am a bit shocked that Keenan Allen, Justin Hunter, and Robert Woods still remain available, but I won’t complain.  In fact, I’m downright stoked that the Steelers might have a shot at drafting one of these three pass-catchers.

I actually projected Justin Hunter to go to the Steelers in Round 1 (at pick #31) in my final mock draft from Thursday, and I believe that a wide receiver like the former Volunteer could really help Pittsburgh’s passing game.  Last season, it was Hunter, not Cordarrelle Patterson, who was Tennessee’s most productive receiver (73 catches, 1,083 yards, 9 touchdowns).  The most amazing part of Hunter’s season was the fact that he did what he did only one year after he sustained an ACL injury.  While some might consider Hunter to be a bit raw and inconsistent, his frame (6’4″ 196 lbs.) and ability to stretch the field would make him a welcome target for Ben Roethlisberger.

Keenan Allen did not do himself any favors with a poor pro day performance, and the PCL injury he sustained last year sure didn’t help his case either.  Nevertheless, the former Golden Bear receiver was one of the Pac-12′s most productive pass-catchers over the last two seasons  (2011: 98 catches, 1,343 yards and 6 touchdowns, 2012: 61 catches, 737 yards, and 6 touchdowns).  Allen can not only play flanker, split end, and in the slot, he has some reliable hands, and is a large target who can make any quarterback happy to look for in the red zone.  While Allen’s raw speed might be an issue for some, he is too talented of a prospect to pass up at #48 overall in my opinion.

Like Allen, Robert Woods was one of the Pac-12′s most productive pass-catchers over the last two seasons.  And just like Allen, Woods’ stock has dropped due to injury concerns (ankle), and his dip in production last season (2011: 111 catches, 1,292 yards, 15 touchdowns to 2012: 76 catches, 846 yards, 11 touchdowns) did not help him either.  Woods however is a receiver who has solid speed, can run crisp routes, and has a good pair of hands.  At 6′ 201 lbs., the former Trojan has a decent sized frame, and definitely has the potential to help Pittsburgh’s receiving corps.

When we look back at this draft in five or 10 years…we might view it as one of the worst we’ve seen in some time. – Anonymous N.F.L. executive (4-24-13)

While I will agree that the 2013 draft class is not as “top heavy” with elite talent as the “Class of 2012,” “worst” is definitely not an adjective that I would use to describe this year’s crop of players.

In fact, I believe that that year’s draft class could be ripe for the plundering in the middle rounds for teams and scouting departments who can take advantage of the depth that this year’s class has to offer.  While the talent at a position like quarterback is not necessarily “elite” by any stretch of the word, this year’s draft class possesses a solid amount of depth at other positions which the Steelers will need to address over the coming seasons.

Colbert will hopefully be ready to lead a successful draft process. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t believe me?  Here are just a few examples:

Strong Safety

I would like to call Day 2 of this weekend’s draft “Safety Day” because six to ten safeties might go off the board during Rounds 2 and 3.  If Kenny Vaccaro does not make it to #17 overall, or the Steelers simply aren’t that interested in him, Pittsburgh shouldn’t fret.  In fact, they might be better off to wait for some players who have the potential to flourish in their defensive scheme.

As long as Phillip Thomas’ once-injured leg is good-to-go, I would be happy to see the Steelers draft him as a potential strong safety late in Round 2 or early in Round 3.  A terrific ball-hawk with some decent tackling skills, Thomas recovered from his broken leg in 2011 to post some terrific numbers last year.

Shamarko Thomas of Syracuse could be in play as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 selection for Pittsburgh as well.  Although small in stature, the former linebacker plays with a combination of tenacity and speed that reminds me quite a bit of former Pro Bowler Bob Sanders.  If Thomas’ height causes him to slide, I would love to see the Steelers take him to fill their need at strong safety.

Another post-Round 1 favorite of mine is D.J. Swearinger of South Carolina.  While Swearinger does not possess blazing speed or significant size, he more than makes up for those deficiencies with terrific instincts and the ability to de-cleat anybody, at any time, and anywhere on the field.

If the Steelers elect to go the “developmental route” at safety, I hope that they have their sights set on J.J. Wilcox of Georgia Southern.  While Wilcox is definitely inexperienced as a defensive back, the raw athleticism and instincts are there for the former slotback.  A year behind Polamalu and Clark and under his position coach Carnell Lake would benefit him greatly, and the Steelers could always take advantage of his kick and punt returning abilities until he is ready to see the field on defense.

Inside Linebacker

As I pointed out a couple of months back, the Steelers might be wise to wait on an inside linebacker on “Draft Weekend.”  Make no mistake, if Pittsburgh acquired Arthur Brown early, I would be downright stoked.  But if Colbert & Co. play the “waiting game,” there will be a large number of guys available for them to take on Day 2 and early Day 3 to groom behind Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons.

Of all of the projected post-Round 1 inside linebackers, Sio Moore is probably my favorite due to his versatile skill-set. Although Moore was an outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, he was used in many different capacities at Connecticut.  Moore can not only hold play the run well, but he can also pass-rush effectively and has the ability to hold his own in pass coverage.

Like Moore, Khaseem Greene of Rutgers could also be an option for the Steelers in either Round 2 or Round 3.  A bit on the shorter side, Greene is a former safety who would definitely give a team like Pittsburgh some much needed help in sub-packages in pass-coverage.

If the Steelers are looking for help at weakside-inside linebacker, they could take a chance on either Zaviar Gooden of Missouri or Jelani Jenkins of Florida.  When healthy, both Jenkins and Gooden were productive players for their respective programs, and both will likely be be available for the Steelers to take late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 of “Draft Weekend.”

With Larry Foote likely at the end of his Steelers career though, Pittsburgh could take a chance on a more physically imposing inside linebacker like DeVonte Holloman of South Carolina or Jonathan Bostic of Florida.  Holloman, a former safety, has a surprising amount of athleticism for a player of his frame,.  Bostic on the other hand is a tackling-machine who should fit in well on the strongside in a 3-4 scheme.

Wide Receiver

I know that most members of “Steeler Nation,” including myself, would like to see the team address their wide receiver needs in Round 1.  While opinions differ on which wide receiver would be the best fit (DeAndre Hopkins, Cordarrelle Patterson, Keenan Allen, Justin Hunter, etc.), the team needs to find another weapon for Ben Roethlisberger, and I’m not sold that two-thirds of the self-dubbed “Young Money Crew” will do anything spectacular this season.

Luckily for the Steelers, this year’s draft class will feature a large amount of wide receivers who should be available for them to select in Rounds 2-5.  Moreover, this group of pass-catchers are pretty diverse when it comes to their skill-sets and how they can help a passing attack.

If the Steelers are looking for a deep-threat to replace Mike Wallace, they might want to target Markus Wheaton of Oregon State or Terrance Williams of Baylor.  If they would prefer to add a more well-rounded pass-catcher with a high football I.Q. and solid route-running ability, Robert Woods of Southern Cal might be a solid choice in Round 2.  If Colbert & Co. would like to invest in a player with a similar skill-set to Anquan Boldin, Chris Harper of Kansas State could be an option in Round 4.  Or if the team would rather see Emmanuel Sanders at the “X” position this year, slot guys like Ryan Swope of Texas A&M, Josh Boyce of Texas Christian, Stedman Bailey of West Virginia, or even Tavarres King of Georgia could players for them to target.

As I stated before, the Steelers could very well go in the “wide receiver” direction in Round 1 tomorrow.  But I for one will not lose too much sleep if Colbert & Co. elect to wait to fill their need, because the “wide receiver cupboard” is definitely not “bare” once Round 2 begins.

Final Thoughts

I’ll be the first one to admit that this year’s draft class is one of the weakest in the last decade regarding the “elite” talent near the top, or lack thereof.  But you know what, readers?  It’s the same draft class for all 32 franchises.  In fact, I will guarantee that at least two to three teams will make out like bandits this year, exploit the market inefficiencies on Days 2 and 3, and the proceed to collect and develop some mid-Round gems who can make their teams better.

As I have explained at length over the last four months, if there was any draft in which the Steelers should trade back in Round 1 to stockpile picks later on, it would be the upcoming one.  If Colbert & Co. can stay patient and reamin confident in their draft board, talent will find them on Day 2 and early on Day 3.  While some teams could be fretting, reaching, and making mistakes, the stage could very well be set for Pittsburgh’s veteran front office to take advantage of this year’s underrated talent pool.

At least, I hope that the Steelers’ brass can take advantage.  Otherwise, the rebuilding process could continue for an even longer period than most of us anticipate at the moment.

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For now though, let’s get on to the Mock:

Round 1

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel OT (Texas A&M)

Kansas City’s brass could instantly upgrade their situation at offensive tackle with Texas A&M’s former blind-side protector.  The 6’6″ 306 lb. Joeckel was the 2012 Outland Award winner, a 2012 consensus All-American, and a three-year starter for the Aggies (39 Games, 39 Starts).  While the nimble Joeckel is not a “road-grading” type of tackle, his quick feet and sound blocking technique will help him develop into a fantastic blind-side pass-protector for years to come.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Geno Smith QB (West Virginia)

If the Jaguars are done with the “Blaine Gabbert Experience,” then they might want to target a quarterback on Day 1 or Day 2 of the Draft.  The strong-armed, accurate, and athletic former Mountaineer (2012: 369 for 518 (71.2%), 4,205 yards, 42 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions) would give the franchise at least some hope at the quarterback position.  Jacksonville sent a large amount of people to Smith’s workouts, and it would not shock me if they made him their choice in Round 1.

3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd DT (Florida)

Tommy Kelly and Desmond Bryant are no longer with the Raiders, so an enormous hole exists at defensive tackle.  Floyd (6’3″ 297 lbs.) has become of the draft’s hottest commodities as of late, and he played both defensive end and defensive tackle at Florida.  Last year, Floyd played his best football last season on the interior as he displayed a surprising combination of agility, power, and quickness for a man his size.  Overall, Sharrif notched 46 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and a team-leading 13.0 tackles for loss during his junior season, and should garner interest from teams who employ 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes in Round 1.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Star Lotulelei DT (Utah)

Now that the Eagles are switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme, they would best served to acquire an athletic 5-technique who can also chip in for some gap-clogging in the trenches between the guards too.  Despite being double-teamed and keyed on for much of the season, Lotulelei (6’2″ 311 lbs.) was a 1st Team All-Pac-12 performer in 2012 as he amassed 42 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 11.0 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries.  If the Chiefs, Jaguars, and Raiders shy away from Lotulelei due his heart issue, the Eagles might still snatch him up in a “Best Player Available” scenario.

5. Detroit Lions: Eric Fisher OT (Central Michigan)

Gosder Cherulis left for Indianapolis as a free agent, and veteran Jeff Backus just recently retired.  If the Lions want to rebuild their offensive line accordingly, they might be wise to target Eric Fisher at #5 overall.  The 6’7″ 306 lb. Fisher was a 1st team All-MAC performer last season, and also possesses some versatility to his game.  Although he played most of his collegiate career at left tackle, Eric did start games at right tackle and right guard earlier in his career with the Chippewas.  So even if Fisher doesn’t pan out on the blind-side, Detroit’s coaching staff could find another place for him along their porous offensive line.

6. Miami Dolphins: Lane Johnson OT (Oklahoma)

(Trade w/Cleveland: Swap 1st Round picks (#6 overall) and (#12 overall), Miami sends 2nd Round pick (#42) to complete deal)

The Dolphins need a tackle to take the place of Jake Long, and Miami could opt to trade up into the top 10 for Lane Johnson.  The former Sooner (6’6″ 303 lbs.) is an intriguing prospect who played quarterback in high school and at junior college, and spent time at tight end and defensive end in Norman as well.  For the last two years though Johnson has manned both the right (12 starts) and left (11 starts) tackle spots, and has the potential to be a stable pass-protector down the road at either the left or right tackle positions.

7. Tennessee Titans: Dee Milliner CB (Alabama)

(Trade w/Arizona: Swap 1st Round picks (#7 overall) and (#10 overall), Tennessee sends 3rd Round pick (#70) to complete deal)

The Titans have issues at in terms of depth at cornerback, and it might be wise for them to trade up a couple of spots to ensure that can they acquire the best one of the draft class.  Milliner (6′ 200 lbs.) had a terrific 2012 season as he logged 22 passes defended over the team’s 14 games, and added 54 tackles and 2 interceptions to his statline during the Crimson Tide’s national championship season.  DeMarcus also is more than willing to mix it up in the run game, and has the size, speed, and man-coverage skills to be a solid starting cornerback.

8. San Francisco 49ers: Dion Jordan DE/OLB (Oregon)

(Trade w/Buffalo: Swap 1st Round picks (#31 overall) and (#8 overall), San Francisco sends two 2nd Round picks (#34 & #61) to Buffalo in exchange for 5th Round pick (#143) to complete deal)

The 49ers have 13 draft picks, and are primed to make a move up into Round 1 this month.  San Francisco could use another athletic pass-rusher to compliment Aldon Smith, and their front office might be interested in Dion Jordan if he falls this far down the draft board.  Last year, Jordan (6’6″ 248 lbs.) put up 44 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and forced 3 fumbles.  In addition to his ability to rush the passer, Jordan is extremely competent in pass-coverage and playing in space as well. As long as he recovers well from his recent shoulder surgery, the former Duck will be a top 10 pick.

9. New York Jets: Ezekiel Ansah DE/OLB (Brigham Young)

2012 1st Round pick Quinton Coples (5.5 sacks) and 2011 1st Round pick Muhammad Wilkerson (5.0 sacks) did a fine job last season as they supplied heat from their 5-technique defensive end spots.  Unfortunately, the Jets lack speed outside of Coples and Wilkerson, and desperately need a pass-rushing threat at outside linebacker.  Ezekiel Ansah has turned heads throughout the offseason, and should be a top 10 pick when “Draft Weekend” rolls around next weekend.  Despite the fact that Ansah is newer to the game of football, the 6’5″ 271 lb. defensive end had a fine 2012 season as he made 62 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks during his first year as a starter with the Cougars.

10. Arizona Cardinals: D.J. Fluker OT (Alabama)

(Trade w/Tennessee: Swap 1st Round picks (#7 overall) and (#10 overall), Tennessee sends 3rd Round pick (#70) to complete deal)

Arizona’s offensive line surrendered a League high 58.0 sacks last year, and tackles Bobby Massie and D’Anthony Batiste looked lost at multiple points during the 2012 campaign.  If the Cardinals want to shore up the right tackle position, they could take D.J. Fluker in Round 1.  Fluker started 36 games during his three years with the Crimson Tide, and is one of the more experienced offensive tackles in this year’s draft class.  Keeping Carson Palmer healthy is a high priority, and the addition of a massive 6’5″ 339 lb. road-grader should help to do just that.

11. San Diego Chargers: Barkevious Mingo OLB (Louisiana State)

The Chargers need to improve their pass-protection, and their pass-rush.  If Lane Johnson is not available at #11, look for San Diego to try and upgrade their pass-rush.  Sporting a 6’4″ and 241 lb. frame, Mingo possesses a tremendous amount of speed (4.58 40 yard dash) and agility (6.84 3-cone drill) off of the edge which should help him translate well to the professional level.  The biggest issues with Mingo however deal with how raw his skill-set is, as well as his limited production (4.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss) with the Bayou Bengals last season.  Questions aside, Mingo’s athletic ability and upside should make him a lock to go somewhere in the top 15.

12. Cleveland Browns: Tavon Austin WR/SB/KR (West Virginia)

(Trade w/Miami: Swap 1st Round picks (#6 overall) and (#12 overall), Miami sends 2nd Round pick (#42) to complete deal)

The Browns need a speedy pass-catcher to team with Greg Little and Josh Gordon, and they might be wise to take a long look at Tavon Austin in Round 1.  Not only did Austin top the 100 catch mark during his junior season, he had an even more productive senior campaign last fall as he recorded 114 grabs for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns.  An accomplished ball-carrier as well, Tavon also was effective in the run-game as he rushed for an incredible 643 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2012.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Xavier Rhodes CB (Florida State)

Even though the Buccaneers are bringing back Eric Wright at a discounted price, the team’s secondary is still a bit of a mess.  If Darrelle Revis does not head to Tampa Bay, the Buccaneeers’ brass will probably look for a cornerback early in this year’s draft.  Xavier Rhodes (6’1″ 210 lbs.) was a 1st Team All-ACC cornerback as he racked up 39 tackles and 3 interceptions during the 2012 season as the most talented player in the Seminoles’ defensive backfield.  A team can never have too many effective cornerbacks in today’s N.F.L., and Rhodes is terrific in man-coverage situations because he can use his physical stature to his advantage.

14. Carolina Panthers: Cordarrelle Patterson WR (Tennessee)

Cam Newton could use more weapons, and the Panthers might take Cordarrelle Patterson if he falls all the way to #14 overall.  The 6’2″ 216 lb. junior was a phenomenal kick returner and wide receiver at the junior college level before he came to Knoxville this past year, and did Cordarrelle ever make a splash in 2012.  On the year, Patterson caught 46 passes for 778 yards and 5 touchdowns, rushed for 308 Yards and 3 touchdowns, and returned 1 kickoff and 1 punt for touchdowns.  Although his skill-set is still developing, Patterson’s upside will undoubtedly be too high for some team in the top 15 to pass on him.

15. New Orleans Saints: Jarvis Jones OLB (Georgia)

The Saints could stand to acquire a 3-4 pass-rusher this offseason.  New Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan could be intrigued to take former Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones.  Although Jones’ “spinal stenosis” condition and poor Pro Day workout could scare scouts away, some teams in need of an athletic pass-rusher are sure to be willing to gamble on the former Bulldog.  Last season, Jones (6’2″ 245 lbs.) racked up 24.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks, and would be a bargain for the Saints if he falls all the way down to #15 overall.

16. St. Louis Rams: Kenny Vaccaro FS/SS (Texas)

The Rams lost Craig Dahl in March, thus a replacement at the free safety position must be found, and found quickly.  Vaccaro (6’1″ 218 lbs.) was the Longhorns’ leading tackler last year (104) and added 4.0 tackles for loss, forced two fumbles, and made 2 interceptions as well.  A two-and-a-half year starter at Texas (31 Starts, 50 games), Vaccaro played both free and strong safety during his collegiate career, and is also adept at helping with coverage in the slot in “big nickel” packages too.

For now though, let’s get on to the Mock:

Round 1

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel OT (Texas A&M)

Kansas City’s brass could instantly upgrade their “tackle situation” with Texas A&M’s former blind-side protector.  The 6’6″ 306 lb. Joeckel was the 2012 Outland Award winner, a 2012 consensus All-American, and a three-year starter for the Aggies (39 Games, 39 Starts).  While the nimble Joeckel is not a “road-grading” type of tackle, his quick feet and sound blocking technique will help him to be a fantastic blind-side pass-protector for years to come.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dion Jordan DE/OLB (Oregon)

Although the Jason Babin signing helped towards the end of last year, Jacksonville’s brass would be wise to bolster their pass-rush at some point in this month’s draft.  The Jaguars ranked dead last in the league with a total of 20.0 sacks last fall, and they could not create consistent pressure off of the edges.  Last year, Jordan put up 44 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and forced 3 fumbles, and has a unique frame (6’6″ 248 lbs.), and an athletic skill-set (surprisingly in pass-coverage) which could make him an attractive option for the Jaguars to target at #2 if he recovers well from his recent shoulder surgery.

3. Oakland Raiders: Shariff Floyd DT (Florida)

Tommy Kelly and Desmond Bryant are gone, and the Raiders need help at defensive tackle.  Floyd (6’3″ 297 lbs.) has become of the draft’s hottest commodities as of late, and he played both defensive end and defensive tackle at Florida.  Last year, Floyd played his best football last season on the interior as he displayed a surprising combination of agility, power, and quickness for a man his size.  Overall, Sharrif notched 46 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and a team-leading 13.0 tackles for loss during his junior season, and will garner interest from teams who employ 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes in Round 1.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Star Lotulelei DT (Utah)

Now that the Eagles are switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme, they would best served to acquire an athletic 5-technique who can also chip in for some gap-clogging in the trenches.  Despite being double-teamed and keyed on for much of the season,  Lotulelei (6’2″ 311 lbs.) was a 1st Team All-Pac-12 performer in 2012 as he amassed 42 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 11.0 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries.  If teams shy away from Lotulelei due his heart issue, the Eagles might still snatch him up in a “Best Player Available” scenario.

5. Detroit Lions: Ezekiel Ansah DE (Brigham Young)

Detroit will likely need some serious help at defensive end position if they wish to create any pressure off of the edge in future seasons.  Cliff Avril left for a new deal in Seattle, and Kyle Vanden Bosch was just recently released too.  Ezekiel Ansah has turned heads throughout the offseason, and could inevitably find himself in the top 5 when “Draft Weekend” rolls around this month.  Despite the fact that Ansah is newer to the game of football, the 6’5″ 271 lb. defensive end had a fine 2012 season as he made 62 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks during his first year as a starter with the Cougars.

6. Miami Dolphins: Dee Milliner CB (Alabama)

(Trade w/ Cleveland: Swap 1st Round picks (#6 overall) and (#12 overall), Miami sends 2nd Round pick (#42 overall pick) to complete deal)

While the Dolphins need an offensive tackle to add to the mix, I for one could see them trading up to select Dee Milliner if he falls past the Lions at #5.  I would not be sold on Brett Grimes after his Achilles injury, plus the team has lost Sean Smith and Vontae Davis over the last two years.  If the Dolphins wish to challenge New England and Tom Brady, then they must upgrade their situation at cornerback pronto.  Milliner (6′ 200 lbs.) had a terrific 2012 season as he logged 22 passes defended over the team’s 14 games, and added 54 Tackles and 2 Interceptions to his statline as the Crimson Tide won the national championship.  The cornerback prospect is also willing to mix it up in the run game, and has the size, speed, and man-coverage skills to be an effective starter at the professional level.

7. Arizona Cardinals: Eric Fisher OT (Central Michigan)

Arizona’s offensive line surrendered a League high 58.0 sacks last year, and Bobby Massie and D’Anthony Batiste looked lost at the tackle positions numerous times in 2012.  If the Cardinals want to have insurance in case their starting left tackle leaves, they could elect to go the “safe route” and take Eric Fisher at #7 overall.  The 6’7″ 306 lb. Fisher was a 1st Team All-MAC performer last season, and also possesses some versatility to his game.  Although he played most of his collegiate career at left tackle, he did start games at right tackle and right guard earlier in his career with the Chippewas.  So even if Fisher doesn’t pan out on the blind-side, Arizona’s coaching staff could find another place for him along their porous offensive line.

8. Buffalo Bills: Geno Smith QB (West Virginia)

Even though the franchise signed Kevin Kolb, I cannot see how Buffalo’s brass would view him as any sort of long-term answer.  In the event that Geno Smith (6’2″ 218 lbs.) falls to Buffalo at #8 overall, I believe that the Bills’ new head coach Doug Marrone will be interested in acquiring him.  The strong-armed, accurate, and athletic former Mountaineer (2012: 369 for 518 (71.2%), 4,205 Yards, 42 TD’s, and 6 INT’s) would be a nice fit in Marrone’s offense as the Bills begin the long process of rebuilding, and also give the franchise a young and talented signal-caller to build around over the coming seasons.

9. New York Jets: Cordarrelle Patterson WR (Tennessee)

2013 could be the “Last Stand” for both Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez in New York.  If the Jets wish to make their anemic passing offense better, they could roll the dice on Cordarrelle Patterson of Tennessee.  The 6’2″ 216 lb. junior was a phenomenal kick returner and wide receiver at the junior college level before he came to Knoxville this past year, and boy did he make a splash in 2012.  Over 11 games, Patterson caught 42 passes for 690 yards and 4 touchdowns, he rushed for 270 Yards and 3 touchdowns, and returned 1 kickoff and 1 punt for touchdowns.  Although his skill-set is still very raw, Patterson just makes plays when he has the football in his hands, and teams must respect his speed.

10. Tennessee Titans: Bjoern Werner DE (Florida State)

If Tennessee elects to fill their cornerback needs later in the draft, they could opt to bolster their pass-rush and select “The Germinator” if he is still on the board at #10.  Although the Werner (6’3″ 266 lbs.) is relatively new to the game football, he continued to improve his pass-rushing skills as he logged 18.0 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks from his defensive end position last season.  It would be wise for the Titans to invest in a defensive end to pair with Derrick Morgan and spell Kamerion Wimbley over the coming years.  Plus, Werner’s ability to stop the run would make linebackers like Zach Brown and Akeem Ayers even more effective players.

11. San Diego Chargers: Lane Johnson OT (Oklahoma)

The Chargers need to improve their pass-protection, and their pass-rush.  If Lane Johnson somehow falls to #11 overall, I cannot see San Diego passing on the talented offensive tackle.  The former Sooner (6’6″ 303 lbs.) is an intriguing prospect who played quarterback in high school and at junior college, and spent time at Tight End and defensive end in Norman as well.  For the last two years though Johnson has manned both the right (12 Starts) and left (11 Starts) tackle spots, and has the potential to be a stable pass-protector down the road at either the left or right tackle positions.

12. Cleveland Browns: Tavon Austin WR/SB (West Virginia)

(Trade w/ Miami: Swap 1st Round picks (#6 overall) and (#12 overall), Miami sends 2nd Round pick (#42 overall) to complete deal)

The Browns need a speedy pass-catcher to team with Greg Little and Josh Gordon, and they might be wise to take a long look at Tavon Austin.  Not only did Austin top the 100 catch mark during his junior season, he had an even more productive senior campaign as he recorded 114 grabs for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns.  But Austin not only shined in the passing game for the Mountaineers, he also was effective in the run-game as he rushed for an incredible 643 yards and 3 touchdowns.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Xavier Rhodes CB (Florida State)

Even though the Buccaneers are bringing back Eric Wright at a discounted price, their secondary is still a bit of a mess.  If Tampa Bay is unable to acquire Darrelle Revis, they will probably look for a cornerback early in this year’s draft.  Xavier Rhodes (6’1″ 210 lbs.) was a 1st Team All-ACC cornerback as he racked up 39 tackles and 3 interceptions during the 2012 season as the most talented player in the Seminoles’ defensive backfield.  A team can never have too many corners in today’s N.F.L., and Rhodes is terrific in man-coverage situations because he can use his physical stature to his advantage.

14. San Francisco 49ers: Barkevious Mingo OLB (Louisiana State)

(Trade w/ Carolina: Swap 1st Round picks (#31 overall and #15 overall), San Francisco sends 2nd Round pick (#61 overall) and 3rd Round pick (#74 overall) to Carolina to complete deal)

The 49ers have 13 draft picks, and are primed to make a move up into Round 1 this month.  San Francisco could use another athletic pass-rusher to compliment Aldon Smith, and their front office might be interested in Barkevious Mingo if he falls this far down the draft board. Sporting a 6’4″ and 241 lb. frame, Mingo possesses a tremendous amount of speed (4.58 40 Yard Dash) and agility (6.84 3-Cone Drill) off of the edge which should help him translate well to the professional level.  The biggest issues with Mingo however deal with how raw his skill-set is and his limited production (4.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss) at Louisiana State last season.

15. New Orleans Saints: Jarvis Jones OLB (Georgia)

The Saints could stand to acquire a 3-4 pass-rusher this offseason.  New Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan could be intrigued to take Georgia’s Outside Linebacker Jarvis Jones.  Although Jones’ “spinal stenosis” condition and poor Pro Day workout could scare scouts away, some teams in need of an athletic pass-rusher are sure to be willing to gamble on the former Bulldog.  Last season, Jones (6’2″ 245 lbs.) racked up 24.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks, and would be a bargain for the Saints if he falls all the way down to #15 overall.

16. St. Louis Rams: Kenny Vaccaro FS/SS (Texas)

The Rams lost Craig Dahl in March, thus a replacement at the free safety position must be found.  Vaccaro (6’1″ 218 lbs.) was the Longhorns’ leading tackler last year (104) and added 4.0 tackles for loss, forced two fumbles, and made 2 interceptions as well.  A two-and-a-half year starter at Texas (31 Starts, 50 games), Vaccaro played both free and strong safety during his collegiate career, and is adept at helping with coverage in the slot in “Big Nickel” packages too.