2013 Free Agency Mock Draft
In honor of the upcoming 2013 free agency we have put together a full first round Free Agent Mock Draft. Note, we don’t expect many of these teams to actually pursue the players we have selected for each, but it is more of a free for all if the NFL were to hold a free agent draft tomorrow.
You will see just like any regular draft there are a handful of steals and reaches for the first round. A few older players past their prime even manage to work their way into round 1 over a few young bucks.
** Draft order is based on the current 2013 NFL Draft order
The Chiefs need to find someone who can cover a receiver opposite Brandon Flowers. Smith is a good one and is just about entering his prime.
Word came out Friday morning that the Bengals intend the franchise DE Michael Johnson, but no fruitful talks have been reported with Smith. Jacksonville needs to protect BG and enforce their ground game, and they need to start in the trenches.
Raiders need help all along their defensive line. Why not start with the best pass rusher on the market? Avril is still young enough to give the Raiders a handful of productive years and instantly upgrade the Raiders weak d-line.
The Eagles haven’t been able to draft a quality safety so instead they sign one that they know can play.
Bennett is a top-tier DE that will be able to test FA waters. Bennett would add talent and depth to a desperate DE situation in Detroit.
The Browns get the Steal of the Draft at pick 6. Tossing Wallace in the mix of Josh Gordon and Greg Little will not only boost their receiving game, but also really let them know what they have in Brandon Weeden.
The Cards have to get someone to protect the blindsides of their crappy QBs. Vollmer is young and quite good while still coming into his own.
Welker gives [insert name of whoever the Bills choose to play at QB here] a second option in the passing game. Also, what would motivate Welker more than playing for a chance to beat the team that team that didn’t re-sign him?
Right tackle has been an issue for the Jets, nabbing Long and moving him to the right side would be a huge upgrade for New York. Ferguson and Long wouldn’t be too bad of a combo at the tackle position.
The Titans have to upgrade the interior of their offensive line. They could do it through the draft with a guy like Cooper or Warmack or they could go with a young proven vet like Levitre.
Cherilus may seem odd here to people who haven’t seen him play because the Lions have had a notoriously bad OL for years, but he is actually a VERY good tackle that would help fill the biggest need for the Chargers: OT.
Dolphins have pretty much nothing at the tight end position. Cook is a young dynamic tight end who could be huge for a young quarterback like Tannehill.
The Bucs secondary was disgusting last year and they have to find themselves another corner. Grimes is a proven commodity that the team would love to steal away from a division rival.
The Panthers have serious flaws at DT and Bryant is a young and talented player who can improve this team from 1st-3rd down.
Putting off the field issues aside, Talib is one of the best free agents in 2013. Fills a big need on a team with serious gaps in th secondary.
The Rams have to give Sam Bradford better protection and Phil can lock down the right side while Saffold mans the blind. Plus Loadholt is a beast in the running game and can open up some serious holes for whoever inherits the starting RB gig from Steven Jackson.
The Steelers are gettting old at TE and Big Ben needs that safety valve behind a shaky offensive line. Bennett is an excellent blocker and has impressive athletic ability for his size.
Vasquez is one of the best interior lineman in this years free agent class. Besides Tyron Smith the Cowboys offensive line is full of holes. Vasquez is still a young buck and could help solidify the line.
The Giants can stand to improve at middle linebacker and Ellerbe is one of the more underrated players out there. He can be a three down backer who can cover and apply some pressure.
Moore is most notably known for the “butt fumble” incident, but frequent watchers know that he is known more for putting defensive linemen on their butts, not Mark Sanchez. The Bears have the worst OL in football hands down and the need help early and often.
Bengals need some tweaking at the safety position and would get a steal at pick 21 nabbing the best available safety in the class.
The Redskins need talent and youth heavily injected to the veins of their secondary. Lewis is a corner with good size and coverage skills who still has many years of great football still ahead of him.
Amedonla is a very reliable WR that catches with his hands not his body and rarely drops a ball that is thrown well. Ponder needs a go to WR and since Harvin has one foot out the door a long term contract with Amendola would be great.
The Colts have to get better on defense in a big way but before they do that they have to invest in keeping their franchise QB healthy and upright. Bushrod would be a big time improvement on either side of their offensive line.
Russell Wilson could use one more target to throw to and Jennings while injury prone and nearly 30, still has plenty of years of good football left in him.
Canty has the frame to appeal to both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses and comes from a team known for great defensive line talent.
Houston very well could be losing Barwin to free agency creating a hole on the outside. Kruger had his coming out party last year putting up 9 sacks and could fill the void for the Texans.
Jones doesn’t get a lot of love but he played well when he stepped in due to injuries. The Broncos have big needs in the middle of their defense both at tackle and linebacker and Jones can be an effective starter who won’t break the bank.
Both a return man and an underrated corner, the defensive back formerly known as “Pacman” has steadily improved since he started his time in CIN and the Pats love getting talented players with emotional backage.
Atlanta needs to bring back one of their own. Gonzalez has been one of the most important pieces of their offense the past few years. Losing him to retirement and or free agency would be a huge blow.
The 49ers let starting safety Dashon Goldson hit the open market but get his replacement here. Quin has been an up and comer these last few years and would shore up some coverage issues in the 9ers backend that were exposed during the Super Bowl.
Abraham is still a very good pass rusher and can fill a need that the Ravens will have once they officially lose Kruger. Also, Abraham would love this move because aging vets love to be in places where they can win.
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