Verite's Mock Draft (Round 1)

1 - KC: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Cutting Eric Winston was a bit of a surprise, but it appears to be an indication that "Big Red" wants to select a tackle with the #1 pick. I mocked Star here earlier because of Andy Reid's fascination with DT's, but Joeckel should be the choice come April.

2 - JAX: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Gus Bradley is looking for talented pass rushers to bring the noise off the edge. With a pretty deep group of free agents and reports that Jax is taking a long, hard look at Cliff Avril, pass rushing may not be as big of a need. Bradley's 4-3/3-4 hybrid needs disruptive multi-faceted players, and Sharrif Floyd fits the bill. He played DE for the Gators, and also has started at DT, so he gives Bradley and the Jax defense a scheme versatile lineman.

3 - OAK: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Oakland will potentially lose their two starting DT's from a year ago to free agency. Star is listed as a 5-technique DE, but has the skill set to be an outstanding 3-technique as well. Star's heart condition will remain a red flag until team doctors medically clear him, but the assumption here is that Star passes his physical, and regains his pre-combine draft stock.

4 - PHI: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
I think Eric Fisher will be one of the true stars from this class. He has steadily risen up draft boards after a dominant performance at the Senior Bowl, and after his showing at the NFL combine, Fisher is locked in as a top 5 pick. I like the intensity he plays with, and he has a real mean streak. Fisher has a chip on his shoulder being a small school prospect, and would bolster the Philly offensive line immediately.

5 - DET: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
I'm not as high on Dee Milliner as some are, but his sub 4.4 40 at the NFL combine shows he has the straight line speed to run with NFL receivers. His lack of big play ability in regards to getting turnovers is a bit troublesome, but Milliner is one of the best prospects in this years draft. He fits a direct need for the Lions, who may be looking pass rusher here if they can't get Cliff Avril re-signed.

6 - CLE: Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
I'm a HUGE fan of Dion Jordan, and Ray Horton and the Cleveland Browns are making the transistion to an attacking 3-4, and need a complimentary pass rusher opposite Jabaal Sheard. Dion Jordan is a smooth athlete who is as comfortable rushing the QB as he is dropping into space. He will provide Ray Horton with versatility at the OLB position, and should wreak havoc on opposing offensive linemen for years to come.

7 - ARI: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
After the NFL combine, Geno Smith shut a lot of his haters up. He ran a sub 4.6 40 which was a bit surprising, and he put his big arm strength on display. Bruce Arians works well with strong-armed semi-mobile QB's and Smith fits the bill. He can get the ball downfield in Arian's vertical offense, and should make Larry Fitzgerald happy. Fitz hasn't had a quality QB since Kurt Warner retired, and Fitz will see an uptick in production.

8 - BUF: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
This may be a bit early for Patterson, but he fits a HUGE need for the Bills. Patterson is a superior athlete who has run after the catch ability. He ran very well at the combine, and looked almost flawless in positional drills. The Bills are hard pressed to add another playmaker opposite Stevie Johnson, and Patterson fits the mold. He will thrive off of single coverage, making defenders pay when he gets his hands on the rock.

9 - NYJ: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
Even though the Jets took Quinton Coples last year, they decide to double down on pass rushers. There may not be a player who has risen from relative obscurity to the National spotlight as fast as "Ziggy" Ansah. He looked fluid in positional drills at the Combine, showing he can pass rush, drop back into coverage, and be an all-around terror. Ansah completely owned the RT's during the Senior Bowl, and he will provide Rex Ryan with a versatile playmaker.

10 - TEN: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Cooper is an overall solid prospect. He has good feet, is well built, and he's very strong. He showed well at the combine, and on tape he shows the footspeed and quickness to win at the next level. He dominates his man at the point of attack, and is fast enough to get to the second level of defenses. He solidifies the Titans offensive line, and provides a mammoth lineman to help CJ 1/2K to regain his former 2K form.

11 - SD: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
Lane Johnson is another big winner from the NFL Combine. He finished top-2 in most of the offensive line drills, and ran a 4.72 40. He has played both left and right tackle, and has the kick slide to go against even the fastest edge rushers. The Chargers have got to protect Phillip Rivers, who has regressed the past few years. A strong LT may aleviate some of the jitters Rivers has developed over the years, and Johnson should solidify the LT spot for the next 10 years.

12 - MIA: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
This isn't a sexy pick, but Miami is the big winner in this situation. Chance Warmack is one of the safest picks in the draft, and is a blue-chip prospect. I expect the Dolphins to address the WR position through free agency (Mike Wallace or Greg Jennings), so the Fins will look to strengthen a young offensive line. Warmack will slide into the guard spot and start from day 1. Some were scared away by his lack of athleticism at the Combine, but Warmack is a football player, not a track star.

13 - TB: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Tampa Bay has been linked to Sean Smith thus far, and they will likely make a hard push for the big corner. With so many teams hot on the trail of Smith, it is a reality TB doesn't land their guy. If not Xavier Rhodes is more then a respectable replacement. He is a big (6'2 210) corner who thrives in bump and run coverage. He has the physicality Greg Schiano covets, and will fill a huge need for TB. If TB locks up Sean Smith, but loses Micheal Bennett, than pass rusher becomes a bigger need.

14 - CAR: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
This would make back to back first round picks the Panthers invested in a defensive player. Luke Kuechly was a revelation for the Panthers, and turned in an outstanding rookie campaign. What better gift to give Luke than a disruptive DT who can and will keep offensive linemen occupied at the LOS. Sheldon Richardson had a coming out party in the SEC (10.5 TFL, 4.0 sacks) showing he was equally adept at stopping the run, and rushing the passer. The Panthers bolster their from 7 by adding this stud

15 - NO: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Much like the Dolphins choice, this is an outstanding value pick. Spinal Stenosis is a serious medical condition, and some teams have removed Jarvis Jones from their big board's completely. But at pick #15 Jones fits a HUGE need for NO, as they switch from a 4-3 to an attacking 3-4. Jones gives Rob Ryan a phenomenal pass rusher who is capable of making several "splash" plays a game. Jones will come into his rookie season with a lot to prove, and NO will be glad they took the chance on him.

16 - STL: Keenan Allen, WR, California
Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson are UFA, so the Rams may use one of their two 1st round picks on a WR. Sam Bradford needs a consistent target to replace Amendola. Keenan Allen is a very good prospect who can play multiple WR spots. He works well in space, and can turn a short pass into a long gain. He and Chris Givens would compliment each other well, and give Bradford two young receivers to grow with.

17 - PIT: Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
WIth James Harrison's release, the Steelers are in need of an upgrade at their OLB position. Mingo looked the part of a blue chip prospect at the combine, but leaves something to be desired on tape. He is an upper echelon athlete, with the ability to get to the QB. He will need lots of grooming, but who better to teach him the game than the Legendary coach Dick LeBeau. Mingo will start off as a situational pass rusher, but should develop into a 3-down OLB.

18 - DAL: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
People tend to make comparisons based on race, I make comparisons based on skill set. While a lot of draft "experts" have compared Werner to Jared Allen or Chris Long, Werner instead reminds me of Trent Cole. Werner may of lost himself some money at the combine by showing he lacked explosion, but his loss is the Cowboy's gain. With the switch from 3-4 to a Tampa 2 4-3, the Cowboys need linemen who can rotate in and make plays. Werner is a high motor guy who will fit in well with Dallas.

19 - NYG: Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
Ogletree might of been selected higher if it weren't for his multiple DUI's, and questionable behavior. But if there is a team with the veteran leadership, coaching staff, and organizational stability to get a kid on the right path, it's the New York Giants. Ogletree has experience playing all three LB positions, and he would bolster the Giants LB corps. The Giants haven't used a first round pick on a LB since the 80's, it's about time to use a high selection on a good prospect.

20 - CHI: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
There was a lot of discussion about who was the top TE prospect. Eifert ended that debate when he blew the roof off of the RCA dome during the combine. He finished top-5 in almost every drill, and looked to be the smooth athlete we all thought he was. Eifert is a capable blocker who will quickly develop into a safety blanket for Cutler.

21 - CIN: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
This is not a need pick, but Austin is almost too good to pass up. The Bengals have bigger needs, and will look to address those in free agency. Austin is a mutli-dimensional athlete that is fully capable of succeeding as a WR in the NFL. Austin's work from the slot and as a return man makes him valuable to CIN, and he could even be a servicable 3rd down back. Andy Dalton's propensity to check down fits Austin's skill set perfectly, and Austin can make a 5 yard pass a 50 yard big gain.

22 - STL: Kenny Vaccaro, SS, Texas
With their second pick in the 1st round the Rams select arguably the best safety prospect available. Much like Dee Milliner, I am not a huge fan of Vaccaro. He is touted as a player who can defend the pass, and fill the box as a run supporter. On tape I've seen a player who is out of position constantly and doesn't wrap up well as a tackler. But the Rams need a safety, and Vaccaro is the best prospect at this point.

23 - MIN: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
The Vikings may target a WR with this pick, but with Phil Loadholt about to cash in during FA, D.J. Fluker is the perfect fit. He isn't your typical tackle prospect because he projects strictly as a RT. With Pro-Bowl rookie Matt Kalil at LT, Fluker will be able to focus on RT and should thrive there. He joins an offensive line that just paved the way for a 2,000 yard rushing campaign by Adrian MVPeterson.

24 - IND: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Colts fans may not be in love with this pick, but Trufant is a baller. He has NFL lineage, with two older brothers already playing in the NFL. Trufant displays the toughness and tenacity to defend opposing team's best player. Trufant had an outstanding week of practice during the Senior Bowl, and shows solid technique on tape. Corner is a need position for the Colts, as is offensive line. With the premiere linemen gone, Indy selects Trufant, who I believe will rival Milliner as the best CB.

25 - SEA: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
For all of the players that rose because of a strong combine showing, I don't know if there is a player that has fallen farther than Moore. Moore was once pegged as a Top 5 pick, and was listed as the top pass rushing 4-3 DE. But after a slow 40 time, and less than stellar positional drills, Moore is in a free fall. Much like Werner falling to the Cowboys, Moore falling to the Hawks is a benefit for both parties. Moore will be utilized in a variety of ways in Seattle's hybrid defense.

26 - GB: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
GB could look safety or offensive line, but Lacy is the right pick. He stepped out of Trent Richardson's shadow this season and rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2012 on the way to a BCS Championship. Lacy may of had his best, and most dominant performance in the BCS championship game, where he ran over and around Notre Dame's defense. He is a big back, who is almost impossible to bring down on initial contact. He falls forward when tackled, and rarely goes down behind the line of scrimage.

27 - HOU: Matt Elam, SS, Florida
I believe Elam is a good prospect, I'm just not sure he is a 1st round pick. Elam becomes the pick here if Glover Quin walks in FA. There aren't many safeties with the ability to defend TE's and slot WR's like Quin can, so it helps that this is where Elam specializes. Wade Phillips will utilize Elam in a way that Elam's strengths will be amplified, and in the right sytem Elam can be a high level starter.

28 - DEN: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
The Broncos used a second round pick on rookie stand-out Derek Wolfe last year, so many see DT no longer as an area of huge need. I beg to differ, I believe that the Broncos are another DT away from front 7 dominance. Williams is a player who gets off the ball quick and makes constant plays in the backfield. He will complement Wolfe, Elvis Dumervil (if he isn't cut), and Von Miller extremely well, with his above-average block shedding skills.

29 - NE: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
Hankins looked sloppy during the Combine, and did not pass the eye test whatsoever. But Hankins is a big body that can play NT and 5-technique, so his diversity will be coveted. Vince Wilfork is gettting up there in age, and the Pats should start looking for someone to replace him in a few years. Hankins played well this year for Ohio State, and projects well to the NFL. The Pats are a bit disappointed to see Tavon Austin already off the board, so they go BPA.

30 - ATL: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
Ertz is a Tony Gonzalez clone. He is a red zone monster, and is adept at run blocking. He competes on every play, and does not know the meaning of quit. Ertz will step in day 1 and become a favorite target of Matty Ice in the seams and red zone. Gonzalez will be dearly misses, but Ertz will certainly help to soften the loss.

31 - SF: Margus Hunt, DE, Southern Methodist
The "Eastern Block" saw a huge bump in his draft stock at the combine, and should of lock himself into first round contention. At this point in the draft, teams tend to reach, and Margus could be deemed a reach. He has limited experience and will need a lot of coaching. But Hunt has the raw athleticisim to be a success in the NFL, and would fit in well with the 49ers hard nosed defense. "The Cowboy" Justin Smith is rehabbing a serious arm injury, and at 34 is on the down side of his career.

32 - BAL: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
Datone Jones is not really a "need" pick, but I honestly believe he is the BPA. Jones 5-techinque 3-4 DE, with the ability to pack a few more pounds on to his 6'4 285 pound frame. Jones would be able to develop opposite Haloti Ngata, using his ability to stop the run, and pass rush on 3rd downs. Manti Te'o may be a more popular pick, but Datone Jones will be a beast, and his potential is immense.