With the 2013 NFL Draft less than a week away, it’s time to provide some updated 2013 NFL mock draft projections.
Photo Credit: Vikings.com
1.
Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
After striking a trade for QB Alex Smith and releasing starting right tackle Eric Winston, Kansas City’s decision with the No. 1 overall pick is almost a foregone conclusion, albeit Eric Fisher and trading down are also options.
[RELATED: Kansas City Chiefs Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
2. 
Jacksonville Jaguars: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida 
Sharrif Floyd is a versatile, explosive defensive tackle and has skyrocketed up draft boards and Jacksonville desperately needs to improve in the trenches after finishing dead last in the league in sacks last season.
[RELATED: Jacksonville Jaguars Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
3. 
Oakland Raiders:Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon 
Oakland finished next-to-last in the league in sacks last season. Enter Dion Jordan, arguably the top outside pass rusher in this year’s draft. It’s worth noting though that the team could consider any of these five prospects.
[RELATED: Oakland Raiders Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
4. 
Philadelphia Eagles: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia 
Philadelphia’s interest in Geno Smith is “not a smokescreen,” according to Sal Paolantonio, who recently revealed on 97.5 The Fanatic that the Eagles’ interest in the former WVU QB is “dead serious.” The team also sent its entire contingent to West Virginia’s Pro Day, which included Jeffrey Lurie, who has only visited one other draft prospect as team owner—Donovan McNabb.
[RELATED: Philadelphia Eagles Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
5. 
Detroit Lions: Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, Brigham Young 
The departures of Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch are an indication that the Lions are looking to add new, fresh talent in the trenches. General Manager Martin Mayhew once again takes the best player available. Ezekiel Ansah is a raw, but versatile NFL-ready run-defender who has seen his stock soar since the Senior Bowl and provides a big boost to Detroit’s pass rush. Oh, and Mel Kiper Jr. has lost his mind.
[RELATED: Detroit Lions Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
6. 
Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama 
Cleveland could opt to continue to revamp its new 3-4 defense along the front seven, but Jabaal Sheard led the team with 7.0 sacks last season and the Browns have a bigger need at corner opposite Joe Haden.
[RELATED: Cleveland Browns Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
7. 
Arizona Cardinals: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan 
After allowing at least 50 sacks in each of the last three seasons, Arizona can’t afford to pass on Eric Fisher. It’s also important to remember that this team has the best group of QBs in the NFL (LOL).
[RELATED: Arizona Cardinals Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
8. 
Buffalo Bills: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Losing Andy Levitre was a big blow, but Jonathan Cooper will provide an immediate impact up front, giving C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson more running room and improving protection for the second-round QB.
[RELATED: Buffalo Bills Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
9. 
New York Jets: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas 
Yeremiah Bell took his talents down to South Beach and LaRon Landry landed in Indianapolis. The future is also uncertain with Darrelle Revis. The Jets overhaul the back-end of their defense with the star safety out of Texas.
Tennessee Titans: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State 
After acquiring Andy Levitre through free agency, the Titans use their top pick to fix their other top offseason need. Xavier Rhodes bolsters the back-end of Tennessee’s D with his size, cover skills and physical style of play.
11. 
San Diego Chargers: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma 
San Diego surrendered 49 sacks in 2012 and finished 27th in rushing, 24th in passing and next-to-last in total offense. After a stellar showing at the combine, Lane Johnson is a lock for the Top 11 and will make life easier for Philip Rivers.
[RELATED: San Diego Chargers Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
12.
Miami Dolphins:Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington 
Miami must address the cornerback position after losing Sean Smith and Vontae Davis on the open market in back-to-back offseasons. Desmond Trufant is a big, physical corner and is rising up the draft boards.
[RELATED: Miami Dolphins Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
13. 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah 
The Buccaneers bolstered their secondary in free agency, but need to build back their front four after losing Michael Bennett and Roy Miller. Enter Star Lotulelei, a sure-fire steal in the No. 13 spot.
[RELATED: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
14. 
Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri 
The Panthers pounce on former Missouri Tigers DT Sheldon Richardson, who addresses one of the team’s top offseason needs and is also being recruited by one of its premier players—veteran wide receiver Steve Smith.
[RELATED: Carolina Panthers Updated 2013 NFL Draft Team Needs]
15. 
New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU 
New Orleans needs to revamp its front seven this offseason and Barkevious Mingo is a local product and arguably the top overall prospect still available. He’ll also make life easier for an overmatched Saints secondary.
[RELATED: 2013 NFL Mock Draft Rounds 1-3: New Orleans Saints Edition]
16. 
St. Louis Rams: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Wide receiver was the Rams’ most pressing need before Brandon Gibson took his talents to South Beach and Danny Amendola landed in New England, so they must get a new versatile tool for Sam Bradford right away on draft day.
[RELATED: 2013 NFL Mock Draft Rounds 1-3: St. Louis Rams Edition]
17. 
Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia 
An extremely explosive and very physical linebacker, Jarvis Jones falls to No. 17 for medical concerns (spinal stenosis), but he’s a sure-fire steal from a talent perspective and adds much-needed young talent to the Steelers’ defense.
[RELATED: 2013 NFL Mock Draft Rounds 1-3: Pittsburgh Steelers Edition]
18. 
Dallas Cowboys: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
The best way to improve in the ground game and prevent some of the poor passes and erratic play late in games from QB Tony Romo is to surround him with better protection. Chance Warmack is a colossal steal at No. 18.
[RELATED: 2013 NFL Mock Draft Rounds 1-3: Dallas Cowboys Edition]
19. 
New York Giants: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
After acquiring ex-Eagles defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins, the Giants complete the overhaul in the trenches with the addition of Bjoern Werner, arguably the best 4-3 defensive end in this entire draft.
[RELATED: New York Giants: Analyzing Top Mock Draft Selections]
20. 
Chicago Bears: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame 
Chicago takes a chance on the local product, LB Manti Te’o, who improved his 40-time and draft stock at his Pro Day. D.J. Williams slides to the strongside, as Te’o looks to replace long-time star linebacker Brian Urlacher.
[RELATED: 2013 NFL Mock Draft Rounds 1-3: Chicago Bears Edition]
21. 
Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
St. Louis Rams: Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International 
The Rams bolster the back-end of their defense with the addition of Johnathan Cyprien, who comes the confides of Florida International, is rising up draft boards and is one of the top prospects at the position.
Minnesota Vikings: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee 
Minnesota must add another receiver to compliment Greg Jennings and replace Percy Harvin. Scouts have cooled on Cordarrelle Patterson due to his limited major-college experience, but he’s a steal in this spot.
25.
Minnesota Vikings: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State 
The Vikings need multiple upgrades in the front seven and especially up front in the trenches. Johnathan Hankins fits the bill and is one of the best players on the board at the No. 25 spot, which previously belonged to Seattle.
26.
Green Bay Packers: Margus Hunt, DE, Southern Methodist 
Green Bay needs to generate a more consistent pass-rush in the trenches. Margus Hunt adds a different, much-needed element to the Packers’ D-Line and is a huge upgrade over C.J. Wilson at 3-4 DE on the right side of the line.
27.
Houston Texans: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson 
Houston has to find a new No. 2 receiver in the first round this April who will have a significant and immediate impact to line up opposite Andre Johnson. DeAndre Hopkins fits the bill and adds some versatility to the Texans’ offense.
28.
Denver Broncos: Cornellius Carradine, DE, Florida State Tank Carradine is a Top-10 talent, but his stock dropped after he tore his ACL in November. However, Carradine—Elvis Dumervil’s replacement—is reportedly recovering quicker than expected and his stock is rising as a result.
29.
New England Patriots: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina The Patriots don’t have much of an interior pass rush. They may spend an early draft choice on a complement for Vince Wilfork. Sylvester Williams has the size and scheme versatility that Bill Belichick likes in his defensive linemen.
Atlanta Falcons: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama The Falcons are expected to trade up, but this is a trade-less mock. D.J. Fluker is a major steal at the bottom of the first round and potential replacement for Tyson Clabo on the Falcons’ offensive line.
31.
San Francisco 49ers: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre DameTyler Eifert will be able to provide an immediate impact in the 49ers’ high-powered, constantly-tweaking offense, but won’t have too much on his shoulders due to the assortment of weapons this team already has on offense.
Baltimore Ravens: Matt Elam, S, FloridaBaltimore needs to bolster the back-end of its defense after the departures of Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard, along with other needs in the front seven. Enter Matt Elam, an aggressive and hard-hitting safety with great instincts.
Oren Shiri is the Creative Director and an analyst at GridironGrit and Founder of NFL Draft Insiders. Be sure to ‘like’ Gridiron Grit on Facebook and follow @NFLorentime and @GridironGrit on Twitter to keep up with the latest coverage on college football, the NFL and more!
