Dorf’s 2013 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 – Picks 12-22

This is part two of Dorf’s 2013 NFL Mock Draft Round 1. Links to the first and third parts are available at the bottom of the page.

Dorf’s 2013 NFL Mock Draft 3-18-13

I’m Adam Waltersdorf (Dorf) and this is my first mock draft as a part of The Majors writing team. I will frequently be doing similar articles all the way up till draft day. There were be hyper detailed ones like this and less detailed one that will stretch up to 5 rounds as we get closer to the big day.

12.       Miami (7-9)

Originally I would have mocked the Fins grabbing a Wide Receiver with this pick, but then they went and grabbed Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson right away in free agency. Another huge hole for this team is the safety position, and Kenny Vaccaro will be able to step right in. He isn’t a centerfielder/ Ed Reed type, but plays very well in man coverage and will come jack people up in the box. Think of Louis Delmas of the Lions, without an injury problem.

13.       Tampa Bay (7-9)

The Tampa secondary has one of the worst in professional football last season, but major steps have been taken already to address that. Dashon Goldson from the 49ers is a great signing for the Bucs to pair with Mark Barron. Corners Eric Wright (Suspensions, Possible Cap Casualty), Ronde Barber (Old as Dirt), and E.J. Biggers (Free Agent) are all liabilities. Rhodes is a stud athlete who reminds me a lot of Richard Sherman in Seattle; Big, fast, and mean.

14.       Carolina (7-9)

Until Lotulelei gets his heart condition cleared publicly I won’t place him any higher than this. This situation make me think of current New England Patriots Offensive Lineman Marcus Cannon, who was diagnosed with cancer right about this time in the process two years ago. That took Cannon from a borderline first round pick to a fifth rounder. Cannon got his cancer under control and has been a major contributor to the Patriots since. The problem is cancer is largely curable, whereas heart conditions can be fixed, but the person cannot often participate in athletics after. Without the heart condition, Lotulelei is a top five pick, and if it turns out that there is nothing to be concerned about, he will return to the top five, but the longer the question remains unanswered, the further down peoples boards he will fall.  Compares best to Gerald McCoy of the Buccaneers.

15.       New Orleans (7-9)

Ansah is another one of those combine heroes who reminds me a lot of Vernon Gholston. A physical freak that wasn’t productive in college, who will be a major flop in the pros. However, the Saints need a Defensive End, and Ansah could be a monster if he turns all the potential into reality. High end turnout will make him like Terrell Suggs, but the low end could be disastrous.

16.       St. Louis (7-8-1)

How do you expect Sam Bradford to be the QB he should be if he has no one to throw to. Patterson is an explosive receiver that had a monster year. There are two major concerns with him however: He’s a JUCO transfer one year wonder, and his hands are toddler sized. If he can prove in his private workouts and pro day that the hands won’t be an issue, then Patterson is more than talented enough to be the first Wideout off the board. A healthy version of Sidney Rice is a fair comparison to Patterson.

17.       Pittsburgh (8-8)

Pittsburgh is desperate at Wide Receiver after losing hyper-talented diva Mike Wallace to the Dolphins in free agency. I would mock Tavon Austin to the Steelers here if they already didn’t have a player in the same mold (Antonio Brown) on the roster. Allen is a bigger, more physical receiver. Big Ben will be happy that he might have somebody to target, finally.  He reminds me a lot of Michael Floyd from last year’s draft, who is still a work in progress.

18.       Dallas (8-8)

Dallas is making the transition to the 4-3 defense and doesn’t have any real fits on the edge besides Pro-Bowler DeMarcus Ware. Werner is a pure 4-3 end who just gets to the QB despite being quite average physically. I really think we will be like the Redskins Ryan Kerrigan, a solid player in his own right.

19.       New York Giants (9-7)

After keeping Left Tackle Will Beaty signed on for the foreseeable future, it is time to address the Right Tackle spot. The Giants want to get back to some sort of balance on offense, which will mean addressing the aging offensive line, especially Dave Deihl at Right Tackle. Fluker will provide that mean and nasty run blocking ability, and with a little polishing, effective pass blocking. Think Phil Loadholt of the Vikings.

20.       Chicago (10-6)

The Bears really wish that Fluker fell just one more pick to them, but it wasn’t meant to be. Instead the will attempt to fill the void opposite of Julius Peppers on the Defensive Line. The Bears will likely lose Israel Idonjie to free Agency and he will need to be replaced. Jones reminds me a lot of J.J. Watt, just not quite as good; otherwise he wouldn’t be going this late in the first round.

21.       Cincinnati (10-6)

Getting Andy Dalton another weapon may be the course of action, but I think that defensive back is a bigger need and there is more talent left on the board at that position. Desmond Trufant is a solid yet unspectacular player. Vontae Davis of the Colts is a good comparison.

22.       St. Louis – from Washington (10-6)

The Rams just lost their best Safety Craig Dahl in free agency to the 49ers. Craig Dahl however isn’t a starting quality Safety in the NFL. Matt Elam is the best and only real Safety draft option for the next round and a half at least. He is another SEC speedy prospect set up for a solid NFL career success. William Moore of the Falcons is a good comparison.

Link to Part 1: (Picks 1-11)

Link to Part 3: (Picks 23-32)