Because hindsight makes us smartasses, here’s how the 2013 NFL draft should have gone down based on what’s happened the last 12 months.
Check out the first 10 picks here.
11. San Diego Chargers: Tyrann Mathieu (DB, LSU) — D.J. Fluker wasn’t bad, but Mathieu is better and the Chargers badly need help in the defensive backfield.
12. Miami Dolphins: Eric Fisher (OT, Central Michigan) — So many offensive linemen here. Could be Fisher, Joeckel, Chance Warmarck, Jonathan Cooper or even Fluker. Fisher has the best chance to become a long-term stud at left tackle.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ezekiel Ansah (DE, BYU) — Dude still had a solid rookie year with eight sacks. The Bucs needed some more bite off the edge.
14. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Vaccaro (S, Texas) — Sorry, New Orleans. But with Star gone, Vaccaro is the best player available at a position of need for the Panthers.
15. New Orleans Saints: Kawann Short (DT, Purdue) — But the Saints steal Carolina’s second-round pick. Dude would be a monster against the run within that three-man front.
16. St. Louis Rams: DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Clemson) — I know Tavon Austin can do more, but Hopkins was so much more effective as a receiver.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Giovani Bernard (RB, North Carolina) — Something tells me they’d stick with Jarvis Jones, but Bernard gives you a potential stud back and you aren’t getting Le’Veon Bell in Round 2.
18. Dallas Cowboys: Chance Warmack (G, Alabama) — With Travis Frederick gone, they boost the interior of the line with this monster. Not a bad consolation prize, even though his rookie season didn’t go as planned.
19. New York Giants: Justin Pugh (OT, Syracuse) — Just like the Giants to take the same damn guy, but Pugh exceeded expectations on the right side as a rookie and the G-Men really need the help. Plus, he’s more versatile than Joeckel.
20. Chicago Bears: Kyle Long (G, Oregon) — Long had a better rookie season than any other offensive lineman available, so why not stick with him?