2013 Mock Draft: Denver Broncos Select Manti Te’o
By Matt Petrero
November 24, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Manti Te
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Geno Smith, QB/West Virginia, 6’3″, 220. I believe that the Chiefs might trade out of this pick. The most glaring need for them is at QB and frankly, there is just not the value at #1. The advantages for trading down are they don’t have to overreach for a QB and can accumulate more picks to address other glaring needs. However for the sake this draft, I’ll go with Geno Smith since we have entered the era of the Read Option QB. Smith
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Bjoern Werner, DE/FSU 6’4″, 256
3. Oakland Raiders – Star Lotulelie, DT/BYU 6’3″, 310
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Luke Joekel, OT/Texas A&M 6’6″, 310
5. Detroit Lions – Damontre Moore, DE/Texas A&M 6’4″ 250
6. Cleveland Browns – Jarvis Jones, OLB/Georgia 6’2″ 242
7. Arizona Cardinals – Eric Fisher, OT/Cent Mich, 6’7″ 305
8. Buffalo Bills – Mike Glennon, QB/NC State, 6’6″ 220
9. New York Jets – Barkavious Mingo, DE/LSU, 6’4″ 240. This is my new favorite name in the NFL. Sorry D’brickashaw.
10. Tennessee Titans – Chance Warmack, OG/Alabama, 6’2″ 322
11. San Diego Chargers – Jonathan Cooper, OG/Alabama, 6’3″ 310
12. Miami Dolphins – Dee Milliner, CB/Alabama, 6’1″ 198
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kenny Vaccaro, S/Texas, 6’1″ 218
14. Carolina Panthers – Sheldon Richardson, DT/Missouri, 6’3″ 295
15. New Orleans Saints – Ezekial Ansah, DE-LB/BYU, 6’5″ 270
16. St. Louis Rams – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/Tennessee, 6’3″ 205. In my research, there was no team on the board with more different projections than the Rams. Every projection I looked at had a different player from different positions. That said, Sam Bradford is in desperate need of a go-to guy (or two) at WR.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jonathan Jenkins, DT/Georgia, 6’4″ 359. The Steelers are looking at the end of the road for the defensive foundation players that defined their success over the past 8 years. The most glaring may be Casey Hampton. A mass of humanity, Jenkins is also athletic and a good run stopper.
18. Dallas Cowboys – Lane Johnson, OT/Oklahome, 6’6″ 302
19. New York Giants – Alec Ogletree, LB/Georgia, 6’3″ 234. We know all about the Giants prowess in rushing the passer and the stable of QB harassers they bring. They are in need of LB help and Ogletree should help reinforce a mediocre LB corps.
20. Chicago Bears – D.J. Fluker, OT/Alabama, 6’4″ 355. I’m pretty sure Jay Culter hopes I’m spot on here.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Sam Montgomery, DE/LSU, 6’5″ 250
22. St. Louis Rams (From Redskins) – Kennen Allen, WR/California, 6’3″ 210
23. Minnesota Vikings – Justin Hunter, WR/Tennessee, 6’4″ 200
24. Indianapolis Colts – Sharrif Floyd, DT/Florida, 6’3″ 303
25. Seattle Seahawks – Jonathan Hankins, DT/Ohio St, 6’3″ 320
26. Green Bay Packers – Dion Jordan, DE/Oregon, 6’6″ 243
27. Houston Texans – Terrence Williams, WR/Baylor, 6’1” 201
28. Denver Broncos – Manti Te’o, ILB/Notre Dame, 6’2” 255. OK, now onto the reason for which I write; My Denver Broncos. I think the whole “Catfishing” controversy is over for the most part. Based on the evidence that has been presented to this point, it appears the most of which Te’o can be accused is being incredibly gullible or an incurable romantic. I honestly would be surprised if he fell to 28. However, there are a few reasons for my selecting Manti at here. I have seen other mocks that have him dropping down the board. There’s actually one by Don Banks of SI.com that has him dropping to No. 31 to Baltimore. The other reason is I’m a Notre Dame fan, a big Manti Te’o fan (no, not THAT big), obviously a Broncos fan, and would rather listen to The Carpenters on a continuous loop than see my favorite player in this draft fall to my least favorite team. I believe in building from front to back, inside out. Denver is very strong on the edge, but need some help in the middle. Te’o is rangy and has a good eye to the ball. He lead the Irish in tackles for his final three seasons. He set a NCAA record in 2012 for interceptions by a LB with 7. Since the Broncos were a -1 in turnover ratio, his ball-hawking proclivities make him a solid, well-valued pick at 28.
29. New England Patriots – Matt Elam, S/Florida, 5’10” 202
30. Atlanta Falcons – Alex Okafor, DE/Texas, 6’4” 261
31. Baltimore Ravens – Kawaan Short, DE/Purdue, 6’3” 308
32. San Francisco 49ers – Jesse Williams, DT/Alabama, 6’4” 320
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it…until the next mock draft.
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