Tagged: Saints

2013 NFL Mock 1st Round Draft: Picks 11-15.

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11. San Diego Chargers

D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

In an ideal scenario for Charger faithful, maybe a couple more QBs would have been taken by now so that Lane Johnson would still be available when they are on the clock. Fluker may be a bit of a reach here, but not by much. The Chargers would also like for one of the top 2 guards to fall here having lost starter Louis Vasquez to their division rival Denver.

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12. Miami Dolphins

Xavier Rhodes, CB, FSU

The Dolphins have done enough in free agency to give them a little bit of freedom with this pick. Xavier Rhodes would provide a great boost to the CB crew that saw Sean Smith leave in free agency for the Kansas City Chiefs on a 3 year $18 million deal. The Dolphins also need to shore up their offensive line after losing the former #1 overall pick in 2008 OT Jake Long to the St. Louis Rams this offseason. They might have something in the works with the unhappy Chief Branden Albert. This would definitely alleviate some of the sting if all of these stellar tackles are off the board at 12.

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13. New York Jets (via Revis trade)

Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

With the extra first round pick from the Darrelle Revis trade with Tampa Bay, the Jets can add one of the top rated receivers to a core that is, quite frankly, lacking talent. After losing Dustin Keller to the Dolphins in free agency, the Jets NEED more play makers for Mark Sanchez to have a chance. Tavon Austin would give the Jets something they desperately need.

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14. Carolina Panthers

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

This seems like a no brainer to me. Although it would be difficult to pass on DT Star Lotuleie here, I think what Patterson could bring to this offense could be too much to pass up on. Steve Smith is getting up there in age and although he is still producing at a high level, with the future of the franchise literally in Cam Newton’s hands, the Panthers must begin to think to the future. Cordarrelle is a “raw talent” having only played 1 year of division 1 ball but he has playmaker written all over here. After having seen him play in 2 games last year I came away very impressed. I am reminded of Chris Johnson with the head fakes and the moves after he has the ball in his hands. He is that type of player who is capable of switching gears on you and being able to score from almost anywhere on the field.

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15. New Orleans Saints 

Star Lotuleie, DT, Utah

Coming off a year in which they were the worst defense in the league and tormented by Dictator Goodell the Saints need a defensive “Star”. Luckily Star Lotuleie’s free fall ends here. At 15, the Saints would be getting incredible value here. Lotuleie is a big boy who doesn’t take plays off and is extremely disruptive in collapsing the quarterback’s pocket. Once considered the class’s best overall prospect, questions of a heart condition may affect his draft stock and although I believe he should go much higher, I think he will be very happy as a part of “WHO DAT NATION.”