1) Kansas City Chiefs: OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M- Andy Reid saw firsthand last season what happens when there’s big trouble on your offensive line. Joeckel is one of the safest first-round picks in this year’s draft. He’ll be an upgrade over Branden Albert (a free agent) and he could be the anchor of Kansas City’s offensive line for a decade. The Chiefs need a quality quarterback, but there’s no perfect pick to justify the first overall pick.
2) Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Damontre Moore, Texas A&M- One of the most disruptive players in the SEC helps Jacksonville pass rush. The Jags had just 20 sacks last year. Gus Bradley is a defensive coach and will prioritize fixing the defense.
3) Oakland Raiders: DT Star Lotulelei, Utah- The Silver & Black were black and blue from being trampled by opposing running backs in 2012. Utah’s huge nose tackle/defensive tackle has the power and quickness to help cover the gap. Oakland middle. defensive line.
4) Philadelphia Eagles: OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan-Chip Kelly knows his high-octane offense is getting nowhere if the Eagles can’t block anyone. Fisher looked amazing at the Senior Bowl. The addition of Fisher and the return to health of Jason Peters will go a long way toward solving Philly’s woes early on. Fisher can play left or right tackle depending on how Peters recovers from an Achilles tendon injury.
5) Detroit Lions: DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State- The Lions want their defensive line to be the heart and foundation of the defense. Kyle Vanden Bosch is 34 years old and Werner provides Detroit with a young, high-powered defensive end.
6) Cleveland Browns: DE/OLB Jarvis Jones, Ga. – The Browns lack a good pass rusher and the quick contact that Jones can really get behind the quarterback. Cleveland needs a dynamic outside linebacker to be a critical piece of their 3-4 defense. Jones could be that type of player for them.
7) Arizona Cardinals: QB Geno Smith, West Virginia- The quarterback is Arizona’s greatest need. Bruce Arians had success with a rookie quarterback (Andrew Luck) in Indianapolis and will look to do the same with the Cardinals. Geno Smith’s strong arm and athleticism superior to that of Matt Barkley and Mike Glennon make him the pick.
8) Buffalo Bills: QB Mike Glennon, North Carolina State: Ryan Fitzpatrick commits too many turnovers and is not Buffalo’s long-term answer at quarterback. Glennon’s strong arm will be needed to deliver the ball effectively in the cold and windy that is Buffalo in the second half of the season.
9) New York Jets: DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU- Rex Ryan loves his defense, which lacks a great pass-rusher. Mingo is a great athlete and Ryan believes he can turn him into a pass-running outside linebacker in New York’s 3-4 scheme.
10) Tennessee Titans: OG Chance Warmack, Alabama: This might be high to draft a guard, but Mike Munchak certainly doesn’t think so with his stellar NFL career at the position. The Titans want to run the ball and Warmack should be an excellent professional.
11) San Diego Chargers: OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma- The Chargers have to do a better job protecting Phillip Rivers. The athletic Johnson has the skills to play left tackle and become a good pass protector.
12) Miami Dolphins: WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee – The Dolphins need to find a good lead receiver for Ryan Tannehill. Patterson’s size and his ability to run off the catch convince Miami he can be that player.
13) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Dee Milliner, Alabama- The Bucs were among the worst teams in the NFL at pass defense and could certainly use some help at cornerback. Milliner is a very talented cornerback with a championship pedigree.
14) Carolina Panthers: DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida- The defensive tackle position continues to be a weak area for Carolina. Floyd is a good mix of quickness and size. The Panthers expect him to help stop the run and apply inside pressure in passing situations.
15) New Orleans Saints: DE Ezekiel Ansah, BYU- The Saints have to improve on defense and start up front. Ansah can defend the run and has an excellent edge as a pass-rusher. Rob Ryan has a very raw but talented player to work with.
16) St. Louis Rams: DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri: Jeff Fisher is a defensive head coach and wants to have four dominant forwards. Richardson is very quick and should work well with last year’s first round pick Michael Brockers.
17) Pittsburgh Steelers: DE/OLB Dion Jordan, Oregon- LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison are on the downside of their careers. It’s time for the next generation of pass-rushers for the Steelers. Jordan can really run and he’s an unusual height for a linebacker. He will have a chance to continue Pittsburgh’s storied tradition of having quality outside linebackers.
18) Dallas Cowboys: DT Kawann Short, Purdue – The Cowboys are converting to the 4-3 Monte Kiffen defense. This means they’re better off having a quality three-tech defensive tackle. Short has a quick first step and plays with leverage to penetrate.
19) New York Giants: CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State – The Giants’ best cornerback, Corey Webster, is 31 and coming off a slump season. Rhodes has excellent size and skills. New York adds much-needed cornerback help.
20) Chicago Bears: TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame- Marc Trestman wants another weapon for Jay Cutler. The Bears don’t have much of a receiving threat at tight end. Eifert represents a significant upgrade offensively for the Bears at tight end.
21) Cincinnati Bengals: S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas- Cincinnati needs a playmaker at safety. Vaccaro is a solid tackler and can help with pass coverage.
22) St. Louis Rams: WR Keenan Allen, Cal – The Rams find a key weapon for Sam Bradford. Allen has the size and pass-catching skills to be the leading receiver that Bradford has been lacking.
23) Minnesota Vikings: DT Jonathan Hankins, Ohio State- Kevin Williams will turn 33 just before next season. Hankins provides the Vikes with a great defensive tackle who can help close out the run.
24) Indianapolis Colts: OT DJ Fluker, Alabama- Andrew Luck took too many hits in his rookie season. Fluker could be a looter at right tackle for the Colts. His ability to be a liability as a run blocker also makes him very quarterback friendly.
25) Seattle Seahawks: DE Sam Montgomery, LSU- Pete Carroll is a defensive-oriented head coach. Seattle really missed Chris Clemons in the playoff loss to the Falcons. Clemons is 31 years old and faces a long rehab from knee surgery. Montgomery has the quickness and long arms to rush the quarterback. He is also a solid defender of the run.
26) Green Bay Packers: G Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina: Aaron Rodgers might be the best quarterback in the NFL. The Packers need to strengthen an offensive line that had too many leaks last season. Cooper is a solid pass and run blocker. He represents good value at this point in the first round.
27) Houston Texans: WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia- The Texans are still incredibly reliant on Andre Johnson at wide receiver. Austin was born to play slots. The elusiveness of him in the open field is electric.
28) Denver Broncos: CB Desmond Trufant, Washington- Champ Bailey will soon be 35 years old and was lit by Torrey Smith in the playoffs. Trufant made some money playing extremely well in the Senior Bowl. Denver adds a good young cornerback to their defense.
29) New England Patriots: CB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State: The New England defense continues to be a work in progress. Banks has good height and excellent ball skills. Banks can provide what the often injured Ras I Dowling has not been able to.
30) Atlanta Falcons: DE Alex Okafor, Texas- John Abraham will soon be 35 and is frequently injured. Okafor plays hard and is a complete defensive end. He doesn’t have the same explosion as a young Abraham, but he plays with leverage and intensity.
31) San Francisco 49ers: NT John Jenkins, Georgia- The 49ers have a certain age on their defensive line. Isaac Sopoaga will enter its tenth season in the fall. The big nose tackle will be an unrestricted free agent and San Francisco may choose to find a young nose tackle. Jenkins is a big man with amazing athleticism. Jim Harbaugh will ride him hard to get the most out of his ability.
32) Baltimore Ravens: ILB Manti Te’O, Notre Dame- The Ray Lewis era is over. The Ravens won’t be able to replace Lewis, but Te’O is a solid option. The former Notre Dame star finds football and improved coverage in his senior season. Baltimore is lucky Te’O dropped this far in the first round.
