This year’s draft was very exciting if only because it was unpredictable. Players fell below their projected draft spots (QB Geno Smith, LB Manti Te’o), no running backs were selected in the 1st Round, and only one quarterback was chosen. It was the year of Legos, according to Chris Berman; setting up the foundation of your team using the fundamental blocks. Whatever it was, it was a fun Draft to watch. Later Rounds were relatively normal, and teams added much needed talent to their rosters. Let’s take a look at the key players selected by each NFL team in the 2013 Draft:
Arizona
- Jonathan Cooper – OG, UNC – Not very big, but a very strong run-blocker.
- Kevin Minter – LB, LSU – Short for a linebacker, and not fast, but a good tackler.
- Tyrann Mathieu – CB, LSU – Only 5’9″, a playmaker, but a red flag off the field.
- Alex Okafor – OLB/DE, Texas – A big LB or a light DE, but a good pass-rusher.
Atlanta
- Desmond Trufant – CB, Wasington – Fast, quick, and the perfect NFL size.
- Robert Alford – CB, SE Louisiana – Fast, strong, only 5’10”, could return kicks.
Baltimore
- Matt Elam – S, Florida – He’s short, but fills an exact need, is fast, and hits hard.
- Arthur Brown – LB, KSU – Slightly undersized, but an instinctive tackler.
Buffalo
- E.J. Manuel – QB, FSU – 6’5″, fast, quick, a gifted physical athlete.
- Robert Woods – WR USC – Average build, but a solid player who should start.
- Kiko Alonso – LB, Oregon – A solid linebacker with off the field and injury concerns.
- Marquise Goodwin – WR, Texas – 5’9″, fastest receiver in the draft by a large margin.
Carolina
- Star Lotulelei – DT, Utah – An excellent nose tackle, powerful & agile, should start.
- Kawaan Short – DT, Purdue – A captain, a leader, and a good tackler.
Chicago
- Kyle Long – OG, Oregon – 6’6″, Howie Long’s son, starts at OG and becomes an OT.
- Jon Bostic – LB, Florida – Very fast and quick inside linebacker.
Cincinnati
- Tyler Eifert – TE, Notre Dame – 6’6″, fast, quick, strong, a real playmaking tight end.
- Giovani Bernard – RB, UNC – Only 5’8″, makes quick cuts, has medical red flags.
- Margus Hunt – DE, SMU – 6’8″, 270, fast, lean, and strong. Estonian shot putter.
Cleveland
- Barkevious Mingo – OLB/DE, LSU – Yes, that’s his name. Very fast & lean 3-4 OLB.
- Leon McFadden – CB, SDSU – 5’10”, quick feet, has some return skills.
Dallas
- Travis Frederick – C, Wisconsin – A tough, bearded plugger who can play OG as well.
- Gavin Escobar – TE, SDSU – 6’6″, great hands, quick, a natural receiver.
- Terrance Williams – WR, Baylor – 6’2″, a great redzone threat, but not very fast.
Denver
- Sylvester Williams – DT, UNC – Wide-bodied, surprisingly quick space-eater.
- Montee Ball – RB, Wisconsin – 5’10”, hard running workhorse, not very fast.
Detroit
- Ziggy Ansah – DE, BYU – 6’5″, tall, long, and fast, a pure pass-rusher.
- Darius Slay – CB, MSU – Fastest corner in the draft, aggressive and tough.
- Larry Warford – OG, Kentucky – Big body, quick feet, good run-blocker.
Green Bay
- Datone Jones – DE, UCLA – 6’4″, 280, big, physical pass rusher.
- Eddie Lacy – RB, Alabama – 5’11”, 230, a powerful workhorse back who could start.
Houston
- DeAndre Hopkins – WR, Clemson – Average sized, but a good route runner. Nuuuk!
- D.J. Swearinger – S, SC – 5’10”, solid tackler, Ed Reed’s future replacement.
Indianapolis
- Bjoern Werner – DE, FSU – An explosive and strong end that can get the QB.
- Hugh Thornton – OG, Illinois – 6’3″, 320, a big natural run-blocker.
Jacksonville
- Luke Joeckel – OT, Texas A&M – 6’6″, a franchise right tackle.
- John Cyprien – S, FIU – A hard-hitting center fielder.
- Dwayne Gratz – CB, UConn – Strong, quick, aggressive, should start.
- Ace Sanders – WR, SC – 5’7″, quick slot receiver, good return man.
- Denard Robinson – QB/WR, Michigan -“Shoelace”, a slash type player.
Kansas City
- Eric Fisher – OT, CMU – 6’7″, a future Pro Bowl left tackle.
- Travis Kelce – TE, Cincinnati – 6’5″, athletic, a great run-blocker.
Soon to come; Part 2!