Top 5 Draft Picks Of The First Round 2013

5. Jarvis Jones    Outside Linebacker     Georgia     Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers

            After the loss of the intimidating force that was James Harrison, the Pittsburgh Steelers desperately needed to revitalize a defense that lacked consistency.  In his last season at Georgia, Jarvis Jones accumulated an impressive 14.5 sacks combined with 24.5 tackles that resulted in negative yardage for opposing offenses.  If the Steelers can find a dynamic running back comparable to the elite Rashard Mendenhall, they will once again be in contention for the AFC North alongside the Baltimore Ravens.

4. Matt Elam    Safety     Florida      Drafted by Baltimore Ravens

            Ever since the Ravens defense was systematically depleted due to free agency, it  What Matt Elam lacks in size he more than compensates for by his proficient ability to quickly engage and cut off offensive players, along with his ability to make crucial open field tackles (4 Interceptions in 2012).  While he may not be able to fill Ed Reed’s hefty shoes right out of the gate, he will more than make up for it with his exuberant ability to break up big time plays.

seemed unlikely that Baltimore would foster an empowering defense for the first time since their inception into the NFL in 1996.

3. Tavon Austin    Wide Receiver   West Virginia    Drafted by St. Louis Rams

            This is easily one of the best offensive draft picks simply because the Rams strategically placed themselves in a position to obtain a reliable wide out.  Despite the loss of their dominate yet injury prone wide receiver Danny Amendola, the Rams found the perfect candidate to be his eventual successor.  Not only is Austin a prolific receiver (1,289 receiving yards in 2012), he also proved he could be reliable running back by garnering 643 yards on the ground in 2012 alone.  If Austin’s versatility and innate athleticism can carry over to the NFL, then St. Louis may have a chance at competing in what appears to be a highly dominant NFC West.

2.  Lane Johnson    Offensive Tackle    Oklahoma    Drafted by Philadelphia Eagles

            While there were a plethora of supremely dominant offensive tackles that were taken in the draft, none exhibited the versatility or instinctual swiftness that Johnson brings to the table.  He has been positioned at quarterback, tight end and even defensive end.  This eclectic experience gives him an advantage not only as a naturally gifted athlete, but also as an individual player that can diagnose defensive plays on the fly, which is a major intangible. Combine that with the fact that the Eagles desperately needed to replenish their seemingly non-existent offensive line that allowed Michael Vick to be pummeled on nearly every play, and you have a team that is trying to reload rather than rebuild their roster.

1. EJ Manuel   Quarterback    Florida State     Drafted by Buffalo Bills

            Even though quarterbacks were not necessarily among the most highly touted prospects in the draft, for a team like the Bills, this pick up could be the key to their inconsistent offense becoming a competitive force to be reckoned with for the first time in several years.  Manuel was without a doubt one of the most underrated quarterbacks to be a part of the draft because he was overshadowed by better-known passers such as Matt Barkley and Geno Smith (both of whom have lacked substance over style).  Not only can Manuel demoralize a defense with his pinpoint accuracy (68% completion percentage in 2012), but he also has immense size at 6’5 and weighing in at over 240 pounds, which would make it difficult for defenses to sack him without completely wrapping him up.  If Manuel can get his minor ball security discrepancies in check, than he will be the best thing that has happened for the Bills offensively in a long time.