PARRY: How time flies when you are mock drafting

Published 11:06 pm Wednesday, April 24, 2013

A couple days ago, I taped a television segment with CBS-19’s Eric Sullivan. It has been an annual deal where we discuss the upcoming NFL Draft and I give him my opinion on who will be taken first. Who will the Cowboys take? Are there any surprises?

Just before we began, Sullivan reminded me that this year marks my eighth mock draft that I’ve done for the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

How time flies.

But it got me thinking, looking back on that first mock draft and the ones that have followed, how did I do? So, I decided to look back at a couple of my hits and misses before plunging into this year’s prognostications.

In 2005 I said the San Francisco 49ers would choose quarterback Aaron Rodgers from California. I was wrong on that pick, but so were the 49ers for not taking him. They took Alex Smith, who did lead San Francisco to the NFC Championship — in 2012.

Rodgers, meanwhile, already has one Super Bowl ring and created with this touchdown dance what is now the most annoying ad campaign ever.

In 2006, the Texans had the first pick. I circled Reggie Bush, the dynamic tailback from USC, as their choice. Instead, Houston took Mario Williams. In retrospect, both players were good choices — and both are currently with different teams than they were drafted.

The 2009 draft holds a special place because after the No. 1 pick, Matthew Stafford, going to the Lions, I don’t think I got one more pick correct in that mock. That was the crazy year when the New York Jets traded up to get Mark Sanchez and messed up what could’ve been a good mock draft.

In 2010, I had Dallas taking offensive tackle Anthony Davis from Rutgers. Yes, Dez Bryant was a steal late, but I bet Tony Romo wishes Jerry Jones had followed my advice and taken Davis, who has become a lynchpin to the 49ers success.

The 2011 draft is where Dallas grabbed an offensive lineman (Tyron Smith, USC); something the Cowboys desperately need to do again this year. I had Dallas taking Da-Quan Bowers, DE from Clemson.

This is by far the most I’ve ever been off on a mock. Bowers ended up going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round.

Last year, well, I again had Dallas taking an offensive lineman, but Jerry pulled off a great trade and moved up to nab dynamic cornerback Morris Claiborne from LSU.

Enough about the past; it’s time for the 2013 Parry Mock Draft (which includes no trades). This is how I see things playing out.

2013 Parry Mock Draft

1, Kansas City Chiefs — Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M. This could also be Eric Fisher from Central Michigan. Bottom line is an offensive tackle is going first this year.

2, Jacksonville Jaguars — Ziggy Ansah, DE, BYU. You could really slot any player in here for Jacksonville; the Jags need playmakers on both sides of the ball and Ansah is being compared to Jason Pierre-Paul.

3, Oakland Raiders — Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida. Matt Flynn fans can relax. Oakland may draft a QB, but it won’t be in first round. Flynn should FINALLY get his chance to be a starter.

4, Philadelphia Eagles — Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan. This is a good scenario for the Eagles, who need offensive line help. But Chip Kelly may grab his former player, Dion Jordan (DE) from Oregon.

5, Detroit Lions — Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma. Matthew Stafford will be happiest about this pick.

6, Cleveland Browns — Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon. This would be good scenario for Browns.

7, Arizona Cardinals — Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama. Cardinals’ biggest need by far is to keep new QB Carson Palmer healthy this season.

8, Buffalo Bills — Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse. This guy was projected second round at best a month ago, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and Buffalo likes him.

9, New York Jets — Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU. Rex Ryan needs big-time help in pass rush.

10, Tennessee Titans — Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

11, San Diego Chargers — Jonathon Cooper, OG, North Carolina

12, Miami Dolphins — Dee Milliner, CB Alabama. The Dolphins might also grab WR Tavon Austin here, but I believe Milliner is the top corner in this year’s draft.

13, New York Jets — Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia. Get Mark Sanchez some help in passing game!

14, Carolina Panthers — Star Lotuleilei, DT, Utah

15, New Orleans Saints — Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia. Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro also an option here, but new DC Rob Ryan will want pass rushers for his 3-4 defense.

16, St. Louis Rams — Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee. The Rams will reach here because Jeff Fisher and co. DESPERATELY need to find a receiver. I believe this team will trade up and do whatever it can to land Tavon Austin.

17, Pittsburgh Steelers — Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia. This would not have been the pick last month, but James Harrison going to Cincinnati changed things a bit. This is his replacement.

18, DALLAS COWBOYS — D.J. FLUKER, OT, ALABAMA. This is really the dream scenario for Dallas. Yes, Vaccaro is a definite possibility and I, myself, said on my CBS-19 appearance he would be the pick. But this is a mock and in this scenario, a top-notch offensive tackle is available; something the Cowboys need more than anything else. Tony Romo has been running for his life on every snap and this would be a step toward helping him out.

19, N.Y. Giants — D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston

20, Chicago Bears — Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame. This is where Te’o goes in my opinion. Brian Urlacher is gone and this is the guy who could fill those shoes. Just keep him away from Facebook and any girl with the first name Lennay (I kid, I kid).

21, Cincinnati Bengals — Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas. This would be a good fit for Vaccaro too in Mike Zimmer’s defense.

22, St. Louis Rams — Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama. The Rams need help at RB now that Steven Jackson has moved to the Falcons.

23, Minnesota Vikings — Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State. The Vikes could reach for a receiver here too, but cornerback makes sense.

24, Indianapolis Colts — Justin Pugh, OT, Syracuse. Colts must protect franchise QB Andrew Luck.

25, Minnesota Vikings — Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

26, Green Bay Packers — Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame. Yes, the Packers have Jermichael Finley. But he’s been severely lacking the past few seasons. This guy is the No. 1 TE in the draft.

27, HOUSTON TEXANS — KEENAN ALLEN, WR, CALIFORNIA. Yes, the receivers are flying off the board now. Three in the past 12 picks. This is strictly a pick of need. The Texans could trade down and probably still get a WR in second round.

28, Denver Broncos — Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State. The departure of Elvis Dumervil to the Ravens creates an immediate pass-rushing hole that must be filled.

29, New England Patriots — Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina

30, Atlanta Falcons — Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

31, San Francisco 49ers — Matt Elam, FS, Florida

32, Baltimore Ravens — Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU