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Our 2013 Community Mock Draft roars on! In this annual exercise we put the fates of all 32 teams in the hands of our community. This exercise accomplishes several things. For one, we often have a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to the NFL. We will get a glimpse into the needs of each of the franchises. It also helps us get familiar with each of the first-round prospects because like last year in a trade up for Morris Claiborne, you never quite know what the future holds for Dallas.
Every GM has been informed of their team's needs and is ready to roll. Let's see who will be selected with the 21st pick in the draft!
Draft Pick # [21]
Team Name: [Cincinnati Bengals]
GM: [Da Jugganot]
Selection: (LB) [Alec Ogletree, Georgia]
Here's our GM with his explanation of the selection:
Why the pick: This is something of a perfect storm, because this dude is a great player at a position of need for this team. Vontaze Burfict played well last season on the outside, but conventional thinking has him kicking inside to his natural position at MLB. Rey Maualuga would slide to one of the outside positions, leaving a question mark at the other outside linebacker spot. No one is sure if Thomas Howard can come back from injury and be his old self or if the Bengals even want him back.
Ogletree is on of the more explosive defensive players in this class. He makes plays all over the field. The Bengals collect players with red flags like Sallie Mae collects teardrops from broke graduates. Seems like they have the power to mine the diamonds in the rough as well. With this pick the Bengals have their linebacking corps solidified for the next couple of seasons, and may very well draft Maualuga's replacement later in this draft.
HIGH PRIORITY TEAM NEEDS (lower number indicates higher priority) according to Drafttek.com
-- Threat Level Red (priority 1-2): Strong Safety, 43 MLB
-- Threat Level Orange (priority 3-4): COP Back, Feature Receiver, Corner
-- Threat Level Yellow (priority 5-6): Right Tackle, Guard, Tight End, Quarterback, Feature Back, Possession Receiver, 43 Defensive End, 43 OLB, Free Safety
-- Threat Level Green (priority 9): Center, Slot Receiver, Left Tackle, 43 DT
NFL.com Draft Grade: 84.0
-- Drafttek.com ranked #21 Overall, #2 at the position
-- Russ Lande, National Football Post: #26 Overall, #1 at the position
SUMMARY - Throughout the 2012 season Manti Te'o has been getting talked about as the best inside linebacker in the 2013 Draft, but once I evaluated Georgia's prospects it was clear that Ogletree is definitely a better player. There is also no question that Ogletree has made some bad off-field decisions, which he must convince NFL teams will not be a recurring problem if he wants to be a first round pick. It is hard to find a linebacker who has the strength to take on big blockers strong at the POA, the explosiveness rushing the passer to consistently get pressure, the speed to track down running backs all over the field and the elite coverage skills that Ogletree has, which is why he is such an elite prospect. Overall, I have no doubt that Ogletree will be a first round pick and likely the first inside linebacker taken. If he can take care of his business off the field, I see no reason why he will not become a top shelf NFL linebacker who stays on the field all three downs.
-- CBSSports.com ranked #42 overall, #5 at the position
-- DraftInsider.Net ranked #21 overall, #1 at the position
-- DraftCountdown ranked #20 overall, #2 at the position
-- Scout.com ranked #22 overall, #1 at the position
-- Mike Mayock ranked #1 at the position
-- NFLDraftScout.com profile (Rob Rang):
STRENGTHS: A former safety, Ogletree showed off his terrific range and athleticism, making plays all over the field in 2012 and was often the best player on a defense loaded with NFL talent.
Terrific quickness around the edge, capable of making stops in the backfield and is fast in pursuit. Doesn't shy from making the big hit. Arrives with deceiving power and violent intentions. Lengthy frame, athleticism and experience in coverage. Has the long arms scouts like from linebackers.
Excellent special teams player whose ball skills were demonstrated when he leapt high to snatch an onside kick early against LSU in the SEC Championship game.
WEAKNESSES: Needs to be more consistent filling against the run and tackling with better pad level. Leaner than ideal frame. He'll need to show greater strength in disengaging from blockers. Off-field concern following a four-game suspension in 2012, reportedly for violating Georgia's substance-abuse policy.
Now On The Clock: St. Louis Rams
Previous Picks: Chiefs: OT Luke Joeckel, Jaguars: CB Dee Milliner, Raiders: DE/OLB Jarvis Jones, Eagles: DE/OLB Dion Jordan, Lions: DE Ziggy Ansah, Browns: DE Sharrif Floyd, Cardinals: OT Eric Fisher, Bills: QB Geno Smith, Jets: DT Star Lotulelei, Titans: OG Chance Warmack, Chargers: OT Lane Johnson, Dolphins: CB Xavier Rhodes, Buccaneers: TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame, Panthers: DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri, Saints: S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas, Rams: WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia, Steelers: WR Cordarelle Patterson, Tennessee, Giants: DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU, Bears: OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina