MY Top 20 Draft Prospects-2013 NFL Draft

20-Jonathan Hankins-Defensive Tackle-Ohio State

Hankins is a mammoth of man that can read the run well and has the strength to stack and shed blockers with ease. While he is not explosive by any stretch of the imagination he plays with tremendous power which allows him to put offensive linemen on roller skates. One issue Hankins will consistently battle is his conditioning and weight. Teams in search for a nose tackle such as the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Indianapolis Colts would be solid fits for Hankins.

19-Dion Jordan-Defensive End-Oregon

When I think of Dion Jordan I think of versatility and the correlation is due to the fact that Jordan is simply an amazing athlete. I feel that he is scheme versatile as we have seen him play with his hand in the dirt and play standing up as well. Jordan's stands at 6"7 and moves like a defensive back. He plays very well in space and has good fluidity in his hips. Teams searching for a pass rusher such as the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and New York Jets are strong fits for Dion Jordan.

18-Cornellius "Tank" Carradine-Defensive End-Florida State

It it wasn't for an ACL tear against the Florida Gators I think we are looking at a top 15 draft selection. For my money Tank Carradine is as good as any pass rusher in the nation when healthy. He is built like Tarzan and he certainly does NOT play like Jane. Carradine has a tremendously strong lower body that allows him to explode off the ball. There is no question that coaching is needed as Carradine is still "raw" as a player but the tools are there for a feared pass-rusher. Despite injury I view Carradine as a top 45 draft selection with teams such as the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Miami Dolphins as strong possibilities.

17-Eric Fisher-Offensive Tackle-Central Michigan

This guy was the MVP of the Senior Bowl and earned himself some serious money to boot. After junior Taylor Lewan (Michigan) and Jake Matthews (TAMU) decided to return to school for their senior season the 2013 draft class didn't look so strong but it surely provided an opportunity for someone to make a giant leap. Fisher certainly looks the part of an NFL left tackle and his polish makes him extremely desirable in the top 12 picks of the 2013 NFL draft. Fisher has above average strength and excellent footwork making him a strong run blocker and one of the best pass protectors in the draft. The Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Chargers are teams that scream for the services of Eric Fisher.


16-Cordarrelle Patterson-Wide Receiver-Tennessee

While watching for Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers it was Cordarrelle Patterson that stood out as the receiver to get from the University of Tennessee. There is tremendous upside in drafting Patterson and while he might not light the world on fire initially he has the tools to be the best receiver in this draft. He has great size standing at 6"4 and his ability to make defenders miss in the open field separates him from the pack. The best part of Patterson's game is his body control but one area he needs to improve is using his big frame to box out defenders. I would confidently argue that the ceiling for Cordarrelle Patterson is higher than any receiver in the draft. Teams such as the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and St. Louis Rams should watch Mr. Patterson closely.

15-Keenan Allen-Wide Receiver-California

I know that Keenan Allen's statistics will not jump off the page but please remember that he was surrounded by horrible quarterback play while at Cal. Allen possesses the perfect combination of size, speed, and strength making him a legitimate candidate to be the first receiver selected in the 2013 draft. I would no go crazy and draw comparisons to Julio Jones or A.J. Green but think he is every bit the player that Justin Blackmon was coming out of Oklahoma State.


14-Geno Smith-Quarterback-West Virginia

Surely Geno Smith benefited from having very capable receivers (Tavon Austin & Stedman Bailey) at his disposal but there is no questioning the athletic ability and accuracy that Smith brings to the table. Geno Smith is the best quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft and will have teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, and Buffalo Bills salivating for his services. I would not say he has a "strong" arm but he can drive the ball and make all the throws at the next level. The areas where he needs to improve the most is throwing outside the numbers and limit turnovers.

13-Tyler Eifert-Tight End-Notre Dame

I feel I am going to get tarred and feathered for having Eifert this high but we live in a day and age where tight ends are significant contributors to the passing game with Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham being case and point. Eifert has better hands than tight end in this draft and his athleticism makes him a serious threat in the seem. Eifert is a mismatch for linebackers due to his quickness and strong route running. The thing I like best about Eifert is that he is as reliable as it comes making tough catch after tough catch. He will need to become a better blocker at the next level but whomever drafts Eifert is getting one hell of a football player.

12-Tavon Austin-Wide Receiver-West Virginia

Dolphins' fans will be reminded of Ted Ginn Jr. but when I watch Tavon Austin I see a more dangerous Percy Harvin. Austin has the speed to kill and is as dangerous as any draft-able player when the ball is in his hands. He is quicker than he is fast and has ability to hit a gear that makes defenders look slow. He can help a team in the return game as well as we have seen him make big play after big play returning kicks. Austin's frame does draw reason for concern as he small in stature but unlike the previously mentioned Ginn, Austin has marbles and does not shy from contact. I see the New England Patriots and Houston Texans as ideal fits for Austin.

11-Ezekial Ansah-Defensive End-BYU

Ansah was impressive during the Senior bowl game showing tremendous pursuit and athleticism. Ansah is just so physically impressive and that will blow scouts away. I have seen some comparisons to Jason Pierre Paul and I don't see them personally. My comparison for Ansah would be a more athletic Justin Smith. I see Ansah's future as the ideal five technique in a 34 defense.

10-Chance Warmack-Guard-Alabama

I have Warmack at ten due to his position as guards usually are not so highly sought after. This is a bold statement but one I am willing to make...Chance Warmack is the best guard prospects I have ever seen. He has the power, strength, and athleticism to dominate defenders and maul opponents in the running game. His ability to move defenders at the point of attack is simply remarkable and while he isn't made of muscle he curely isn't lazy. The Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams, and Dallas Cowboys seem like good matches for Warmack.


9-Jarvis Jones-Outside Linebacker-Georgia

There is a major medical concern here as Jarvis Jones has been diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal cord which tends to cut careers short. If not for this there is no question that I would have Jarvis Jones as the best player in this draft. I could see Jones having a Von Miller-esque impact as he is just a dominant pass-rusher. In two seasons at Georgia he accounted 24 sacks and there is no question was the most dominant defensive player in the country. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Jones seem like a match made in heaven.

8-Kenny Vaccaro-Safety-Texas

Vaccaro is a jack of all trades when it comes to the safety position. Not many would argue against the notion that Vaccaro is the best safety in the 2013 NFL draft. He is athletic enough and good enough in terms of coverage to match up with receivers in the slot which will make him a major commodity come April. Vaccaro is a very good tackler with a high football IQ making teams in need of a safety like the New York Jets being a perfect fit.

7-Damontre Moore-Defensive End-Texas A&M

Moore plays with a high motor and has relentless effort when it comes to chasing down the opposing quarterback. Is very good when it relates to his ability to diagnos plays and is solid against the run as well. Due to a high need of pas-rusher I think it is a lock that Moore will be a top ten selection with the Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, and Cleveland Browns all making a lot of sense.


6-Sheldon Richardson-Defensive Tackle-Missouri

Richardson is flying under the radar as much as any player in the 2013 draft. He gives 110% effort on every snap and is extremely explosive off the ball making him one of the few prospects I would dub "elite". Richardson maintains a good pad level and has the closing speed of a linebacker. If I had to sum up Richardson's game in one work it would be disruptive.

5-Luke Joeckel-Offensive Tackle-Texas A&M

Luke Joeckel is an elite left tackle prospect with his ability to protect the quarterback being the thing he does better than any other player at his position when it relates to the 2013 draft. Joeckel is the best pure left tackle to enter the NFL out of the collegiate ranks since Joe Thomas coming out of Wisconsin.


4-Bjoern Werner-Defensive End-Florida State

There is no doubt that Bjoern Werner will be a top five selection with the Jacksonville Jaguars at #2 making the most sense. Werner's combination of strength and quickness make him a terror whether it is against the run or chasing down the oppossing quarterback. Werner is productive as his 13 sacks in 2012 would indicate and one of the main reasons for the production is Werner's ability to play with leverage.

3-Dee Milliner-Cornerback-Alabama

In a league full of pasisng it is important to have players that can defend the pass and no one in the draft is better than Milliner at this. Milliner plays with a swagger that screams it doesnt matter how big you are, how tough you are, or how strong you are because you are not ctaching the ball on me. Outstanding closing speed, long arms, great cover ability, effective in run support, play-maker, and his ability to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage are the traits that make him one of the best players in the 2013 NFL draft.

2-Star Lotulelei-Defensive Tackle-Utah

The comparison to the Baltimore Ravens' Haloti Ngata are legit which makes this player a slam-dunk diffence maker on the defensive side of the ball. His strength and quickness allow him to dominate the line of scrimmage and it doesn't matter what type of defense you run because Lotulelei is just an absolute terror. I do not see how he can last past the 3rd overall pick with the Oakland Raiders.

1-Barkevious Mingo-Defensive End-Louisiana State University

His production does no warrant that of an overall pick but sometimes you overlook production and search for talent. The Cowboys did this in 2005 whenthey drafted Demarcus Ware and that worked out quite well for them. Mingo is a player that you can move all over the field in multiple defensive schemes and simply get after the quarterback. Mingo has an elite first step, violent hands, and a relentless motor that will have defensive coordinators salivating. I could see Mingo falling in the draft due to production concerns but whomever gets this guy will have a perennial pro-bowl pass-rusher on their roster.

 

I got to be honest I was totally wrong but still love Mingo. Thanks for correcting me!

 

Don't think your being an *** at all. I appreciate the feedback. Gearing up for the NFL is nothing more than a hobby and something I love to discuss. If I was as good as I thought I was I would be working for an NFL team by now. You seem very knowledgeable to I look forward to many conversations.

*When stating the Tennessee tape I was just stating the reason I was watching was due to Rogers and Hunter initially. In watching Hunter it was clear that Patterson was a better player in 2012.

*When I was discussing Patterson boxing out defenders I was talking more about the red-zone, At 6"4 he should be an effective red-zone target and while he is he definitely needs to use the frame to out-jump defenders more consistently. With his size and athleticism he should be a jump-ball end-zone kind of guy

 

Alex Okafor was the 21st guy on my list. Love him; See a great fit opposite of Cameron Wake.

 

He doesn't explode off the ball like a Mingo or Jordan but he is productive. Notched sacks against LSU and Alabama who have solid offensive lines and racked up 3 against the Gators. I do agree that he could struggle some at the next level if he doesn't develop better pass-rushing techniques and maneuvers.

 

Sheldon Richardson is one of those players that if we select at 12 the fan base will be up in arms but the truth is he will turn out to be better than Starks and Odrick.

 

I think Sheldon Richardson can be every bit the player Ndamukong Suh is for the Detroit Lions. I feel he is worthy of a top five pick but I don't see him going that high.