The Chief's released right tackle Eric Winston last month, so need and the best players available intersect right at the first pick. The two best players in this draft for value are Luke Jockle (6-6, 306) OT from Texas AM and Eric Fisher OT Central Michigan (6-7, 306). Throw in Alabama Guard Chance Warmack (6-2, 317) and the top three players on our board are all offensive linemen. But there is vast difference between guards and tackles which is why Warmack has no chance being drafted in the top three. It's a close call between Jockel and Fisher, but we'll flip a coin and with the first pick in 2013 NFL draft the Chiefs select Luke Jockle, Tackle.
The Jaguars have a lot of needs. Start with QB- is Gabbert or Chad Henne the guy? They need a pass rusher and Oregon LB Dion Jordan is shooting up everyone's draft board. But this is too early for QB Geno Smith who is not a sure thing and could end up being another Gabbert. Jordan has been injured a lot in college and is a big gamble. There is no trading down in Rumpole's draft, so the Jags who also need help on the O-Line do their QBs a favor and take Eric Fisher OT, Central Michigan. Fisher was the overall number one on at least half the mock drafts I saw, so the Jags get "value" at 2 by taking a 1.
As a life long Raider fan I thank Rumps for the opportunity to make this pick. There are so many talented players here for the Raiders to select. Florida State Defensive lineman Shariff Floyd is the obvious pick. The top defensive tackle in the draft, he fills a glaring need. Dion Jordan, the LB with the most upside is also available. But this being the Raiders, they will not make the safe and sure pick. Nor will they make the wisest pick. I almost pulled the trigger on QB Geno Smith, but there is a bigger Raider target out there. A 5-9, 183 shifty wide receiver who is a speed demon and a playmaker with the ball in his hands. With a QB Matt Flynn in the fold, the Raiders shake up the draft and select Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia.
4. Philadelphia Eagles CheeseSteak CharliePhilly Boy here Rump. Bleed green for my Eagles and red for my Phillies. Was holding my breath that the Jags or the Raiders didn't take Dion Jordan. Actually Tavon Austin would have been a great grab here with new coach Chip Kelly's super fast paced offense. But the Raiders grabbed Austin so this pick is now a no-brainer. The Eagles have worked on the offense during free agency, so now it's time to boost the D and get the best pass rusher in the draft. This guy is a beast. Kelly grabs his boy from Oregon. With the 4th Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft the Philadelphia Eagles select Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon. Wit cheese.
5. Detroit Lions Fake Blake.The Lions have lots of needs and there is a very big desire to grab one of the outstanding defensive lineman. Shariff Floyd, Star Lotulelei, Cornelius Carradine, and Sheldon Richardson are all sitting there waiting to team up with Ndamukong Suh to make an un-stoppable Defensive line. The problem is that these guys are all tackles. Do we draft need or best player available? The need is for an offensive lineman, but the top two are gone and the next best-Lane Johnson from Oklahoma is not in the class of the other two. The player rated just above Johnson is the Lions pick. Out of BYU, the Lions select Ezekiel Ansah, one of the two top Defensive ends in the draft.
6. Cleveland Browns Al Michaels' Bartender.Yes, I served Al one two many drinks, and I am sorry he got popped for DUI. But considering the Browns new owner is about to be indicted by the Feds, things could be worse for Mr. Michaels. Things could rarely be worse for the Browns who are always picking in the top ten, and never seem to be getting anywhere. The Browns need a cornerback but Dee Milliner is dropping on everyone's draft board because of a number of suspect health issues. I like Jonathan Banks, the tall CB out of Mississippi State, but he is a reach at six. I really want to pull the trigger on Kenny Vaccaro, the best safety in the draft, but I am going to do a very un-Cleveland like move and pick the best player on the board- there's a new Sheriff in town at the Mistake by the Lake- The Browns select Sharrif Floyd, DE, Florida.
7. Arizona Cardinals Rumpole. No one wants to draft for the west coast edition of the Steelers, so I will make the pick. Bruce Arians, the new head coach has Carson Palmer as his QB, but how long can that old guy hold out? Arians made a name for himself late in his career nurturing rookie QBs. Roethlisberger won the Super Bowl with Arians as his offensive coordinator his second year in the league, and Arians coached up Colts Rookie QB Andrew Luck to a very respectable 11 win season last year. So is this the spot Geno Smith is taken? Nope. Smith is not the can't miss QB that a team picking at 7 needs. Arians has a new running back (Mendenhall late of the Steelers like most of the rest of the team) and Drew Stanton as a very capable Quarterback who will likely challenge Palmer for the starting job. There's still a ton of great defensive talent, but lately the big boys are commanding the big bucks. Arians knows that Mendenhall can't run and his QB can't get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald if the O-line doesn't do its job. With the number seven pick the Cardinals select Offensive Tackle Lane Johnson, Oklahoma.
8. Buffalo Bills Winging It. Like everyone else, I cannot get over the amazing defensive talent still on the board. But I just can't help myself. Kevin Kolb, super bowl MVP just doesn't roll off the tongue like Geno Smith does. The Bills roll the dice and take the QB out of West Virginia.
9. New York Jets 52nd Street IrwinThis pick is all about defense. No question about it. But replacing Revis with a reach for a CB is not going to work. There are plenty of CBs in the second and third rounds. Why waste a pick on a corner when you can rush the QB and sack him before he can throw it? The choices here are Jarvis Jones, Bjoern Werner, Star Lotulelei, Sheldon Richardson, and safety Kenny Vaccaro. If it was me, I would grab Lotulelei and anchor a D line for the next ten years. But the open secret in the city is that the Jets love, absolutely love the OLB from LSU. With the 9th pick, the NY J...E....T.....S set the city on fire with the big dog with the big bark for the Big Apple: Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU.