Top 10 NFL Plays of 2012

     While the 2012 NFL season may be over, we have decided to wrap-up the year of football with the top 10 plays of 2012. Please be sure to comment on your rankings. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/thenflreport or subscribe to our Youtube channel!

10. David Akers 63 yard field goal: David Akers kicked off the 2012 regular season with a record-tying 63 yard field goal. Though his incredible Week 1 performance was misleading, Akers will always be in the record book.

9. Reggie Wayne one-handed catch vs Packers: Wayne and Andrew Luck developed a strong relationship in Luck's rookie season, and Wayne's touchdown helped lead Indianapolis passed the Green Bay Packers.

8. Jason Avant Leaping one-handed catch in Tampa: With the score locked, Jason Avant extended his entire body in order to make a one-handed catch.

7. Mike Wallace diving catch vs. Kansas City: Even though Mike Wallace is leaving Pittsburgh, Wallace left a final mark with the franchise when he made one of the year's best catches in an overtime win.

6. Robert Griffin III 76 yard run vs. Vikings: RGIII proved himself in the NFL when he ran for 76 yards in a night game against the Vikings. On third down and less than 3 minutes left in the game, RGIII won the game for Washington with his touchdown run.



5. Cam Newton somersaults into the end zone: Atlanta was heavily favored over the Carolina Panthers in a Week 14 matchup, but don't tell Cam Newton. Newton increased the Panthers' lead to 23 with an incredible somersault, and they went on to win over the Falcons.

4. Jacoby Jones scores off a 108 yard kick return in Super Bowl XLVII: The Baltimore Ravens were already destroying the San Francisco 49ers, but Jacoby Jones and his 108 yard kickoff return nearly put the game out of reach.



3. Adrian Peterson runs for 82 yards against Green Bay: The main theme of Adrian Peterson's 2012 season was to never give up, a quality he clearly exhibited in this run against Green Bay. Peterson broke several tackles on the outside, and then, GONE.



2. Ray Rice converts on 4th and 29: Yes, the Baltimore Ravens went on to win Super Bowl XLVII, but had Rice not converted on this 4th and 29, their road to the Super Bowl would have been slightly more difficult.



1. Vick Ballard dives into the end zone for the win: The screen pass from Andrew Luck did not seem like much, but Vick Ballard turned the pass into a game winning touchdown thanks to his successful leap.

Madden 25 Cover Vote Round 2 Picks (New School)

(1) Colin Kaepernick over (8) A.J. Green: As a number one seed, Kaepernick will have to watch out for the upset against A.J. Green. The San Francisco quarterback led his team to a Super Bowl, but the road to the cover may be a bit more difficult.

(4) Arian Foster over (5) Julio Jones: Arian Foster's impressive statistics in 2012 were overshadowed by Adrian Peterson and his quest for 2,000 rushing yards. Foster won 88% of the voting in the first round, and though Jones will likely put up a fight, Foster will be one step closer towards the Madden 25 cover.

(3) Russell Wilson over (6) Von Miller: While Von Miller wheezed into the second round, Russell Wilson easily beat Justin Blackmon in the first. Wilson did not win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, but his Seahawks have one of the most reliable fan bases in the league. Wilson is guaranteed to beat Miller.

(2) Andrew Luck over (10) Clay Mathews: Green Bay Packers fans were well represented in the voting when Mathews upset Trent Richardson in the first round. His next opponent, Andrew Luck, revived a struggling Indianapolis franchise last season, and his accomplishments did not go unnoticed. 

(1) Robert Griffin III over (8) Doug Martin: Reining Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III will face a fellow rookie player in Doug Martin. Doug Martin made a legitimate case for ROTY, but it was RGIII who won the prize in the end. RGIII will end up winning this match up, too.

(5) Ray Rice over (4) Dez Bryant: Flacco was credited with the majority of Baltimore's post season success, but Ray Rice guided this team into the playoffs. His opponent, Dez Bryant, did not become hot until the final few weeks of the regular season. Rice's tremendous performance in the first round of voting will continue into the second.

(3) Rob Gronkowski over (11) Darrelle Revis: Both competitors missed a significant amount of games in 2012 due to injury, but somehow, they find themselves in a second round match up. Gronkowski appears to be a fan favorite, and will likely beat Revis in a lopsided victory.

(2) Adrian Peterson over (10) LeSean McCoy: Out of all the players competing in the 'New School' bracket, reigning MVP Adrian Peterson is the favorite to come out as champion. McCoy's 2012 campaign was not strong enough to dethrone Peterson's monster season.

Madden 25 Cover Vote Round 2 Picks (Old School)

(1) Joe Montana over (9) Jerome Bettis: Quite possibly the greatest passer in NFL history, Joe Montana easily beat Jake Delhomme in the first round of voting, and Jerome Bettis will not put up a fight against the 4-time Super Bowl champ.

(5) Marshall Faulk over (4) Dan Marino: Even though Marshall Faulk has already made an appearance on the Madden cover (Madden 2003), Faulk is the favorite to win this match up. Dan Marino put up mind-boggling statistics, but Faulk's accomplishments are fresh in the minds of today's generation.

(3) Barry Sanders over (6) Marcus Allen: Barry Sanders flew through the 1st round, gaining a whopping 95% of the vote. Last year, Sanders won the cover of NCAA Football 13, so a Madden cover bid is very likely for this elusive Hall of Famer.

(3) Ray Lewis over (10) LaDanian Tomlinson: LaDanian Tomlinson may be one of my favorite players to play the game, but Ray Lewis has a legitimate shot at making another appearance on the cover in the wake of his recent retirement. 

(1) Jerry Rice over (9) Eddie George: Running back Eddie George barely made it past the first round, as he faces the greatest wide receiver in the game, Jerry Rice. Rice is clearly a fan favorite, as he gained 95% of the vote in round 1.

(5) Michael Strahan over (4) Kurt Warner: Though this pick does not feel like a lock, Michael Strahan has been gaining recent publicity while many defensive players have challenged his sack record of 22.5 sacks in a single season. Warner did not add the same level of energy as Strahan did with New York. 

(3) Troy Aikman over (6) Tim Brown: Probably the weakest match up to take place in the second round, Troy Aikman has the slight edge over Tim Brown. A win in the second round will likely lead to Aikman losing in the third.

(2) Deion Sanders over (10) Terrell Davis: 'Prime Time' is the heavy favorite over Terrell Davis, especially after winning over 90% of the voting in the first round. Few defensive players are represented in the Madden 25 voting, and it is Sanders that has the best chance to capture the cover.

Madden 25 Cover Vote Predictions (Round 2)

     In order to celebrate their 25th anniversary, the upcoming Madden game will be named Madden 25, instead of its traditional naming affiliated with the current year. For the third consecutive year, ESPN's SportsNation will have the fans vote for the player to be seen on the Madden cover, seen by millions of gamers across the nation. However, the 25th anniversary brings a slight twist to the cover vote, where 32 players from the NFL's past will be able to compete for the cover. Below is the match ups for the second round of voting, and in the following two posts, we will predict the results to be released next Wednesday. Submit your votes here!

March NFL Power Rankings (1-10)

1. San Francisco 49ers: In the wake of their loss to Baltimore in the Super Bowl, San Francisco needed to make minor changes if they wished to ensure a second appearance; instead, Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers went above and beyond during the month of March. San Francisco traded for wide receiver Anquan Boldin with close to no repercussions at all. Signing corner back Nnamdi Asomugha would be the cherry on top.

2. Denver Broncos: The best off-season grade is undoubtedly awarded to the Denver Broncos, who managed to sign wide receiver Wes Welker to a $12 million deal over the course of two years. Wes Welker will join Demaryius Thomas and Eddie Thomas, giving Peyton Manning one of the best wide receiver corps in the league. Manning's stingy offensive line allows few sacks, and Louis Vasquez will only help protect the star. If Denver is able to close out a deal with Elvis Dumervil, then the Broncos may move up to number one in our power rankings.

3. Seattle Seahawks: At 11-5, the Seattle Seahawks exceeded everyone's expectations in 2012. Sophomore quarterback Russel Wilson will only improve in the upcoming season, and now that he has newly acquired receiver Percy Harvin, head coach Pete Carroll has many new options in terms of play calling. Seattle's young defense added two new defensive players in the off season: Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. Bottom Line: watch out for Seattle's front seven by the time opening day rolls around.

4. New England Patriots: For some reason, people think Danny Amendola will be able to successfully replace Wes Welker and the role he played in the New England offense; however, Tom Brady is not happy with the front office, and the release of Welker could potentially lead to chaos inside the Patriots' organization. Hopefully, the Patriots will not be too affected by Welker's departure, and they can regain their AFC East title.

5. Atlanta Falcons: Veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez stated he would retire after the 2012 playoffs. Once the Falcons lost in the NFC Championship games, the first thing on Atlanta's agenda was to bring him back to football. They were successful, and the Atlanta Falcons will have Gonzalez on the roster for another season. The release of veteran running back Michael Turner gave the Falcons the opportunity to add yet another aging rusher, Steven Jackson. It is clear Matt Ryan is ready to take on the 49ers once again in 2013.

6. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers lost Greg Jennings to free agency in the month of March, which could potentially create problems for the Green Bay offense. Teams will now double team Jordy Nelson, something that would not have been possible with Greg Jennings on the roster.

7. Houston Texans: This week, longtime safety Ed Reed officially became a member of the Texans, filling a hole desperately needed in the Houston defense. Reigning defensive player of the year JJ Watt will likely continue to play at an All-Pro level, and hopefully, a new wide recover can be added in April's draft.

8. New Orleans Saints: Now that Sean Payton will rejoin the New Orleans Saints after a one-year hiatus, the Saints once again become legitimate contenders out of the NFC South. Drew Brees eclipsed the 5,000 passing yard mark for the second year in a row, and with the return of head coach Sean Payton, this New Orleans offense has the potential to be lethal. The defense will hopefully be bulked up during this upcoming draft, but otherwise, we see a large upside for the New Orleans Saints in 2013.

9. Baltimore Ravens: Yes, they are the reigning champs, but Baltimore is in desperate need of replacements all across the board. The retirement of Ray Lewis marks the end of an era in Baltimore. Lewis' departure led to the losses of wide receiver Anquan Boldin, safety Ed reed, and linebacker Paul Kruger, along with several other key parts to this team. There is a changing of the guard in Baltimore, and they will need a year or two in order to fully rebuild.

10. New York Colts: Andrew Luck's rookie campaign did not win him Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, but he was able to revive a struggling franchise, propelling them into the post season. Much was expected to be done by the Colts in free agency, but apart from small additions to their defensive unit, Indianapolis fans have been left disappointed. Apart from Reggie Wayne, the Colts still have the opportunity to add a young wide receiver for second-year quarterback Andrew Luck. As for the offensive and defensive line, the draft may supply them with several key additions.

NFL Report Update: Ed Reed

Breaking News: According to multiple reports, safety Ed Reed will be playing for the Houston Texans next season. Reed's eleven years in Baltimore ended when the Ravens beat the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. A deal has yet to be settled between the two sides, but Reed has said he wishes for the same $7.2 million annual salary that he earned in 2012. With Ed Reed leaving Baltimore, the reigning champs will be in a huge rebuilding state after so many key losses in free agency.

NFL Free Agent Signings

RB

Reggie Bush (Dolphins to Lions)

Four-years, $16 million

Shonn Green (Jets to Titans)

Three-years, $10 million

Rashard Mendenhall (Steelers to Cardinals)

One-year, $2.5 million

Steven Jackson (Rams to Falcons)

Three-years, $12 million

WR
Mike Wallace (Steelers to Dolphins)
Five-years, $60 million
Danny Amendola (Rams to Patriots)
Five-years, $31 million
Wes Welker (Patriots to Broncos)
Two-years, $12 million
Greg Jennings (Packers to Vikings)
Five-years, $45 million

OL
Andy Levitre (Bills to Titans)
Six-years, $46.8 million
Jake Long (Dolphins to Rams)
Four-years, $34 million
Louis Vasquez (Chargers to Broncos)
Four-years, $24.5 million

DL

Desmond Bryant (Buccaneers to Browns)
Five-years, $34 million
Glenn Dorsey (Chiefs to 49ers)
Two-years, $6 million
Cliff Avril (Lions to Seattle)
Two-years, $15 million
Michael Bennett (Buccaneers to Seahawks)
One-year, $5 million

LB
Paul Kruger (Ravens to Browns)
Five-years, $40 million

DB
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Eagles to Broncos)
One-year, $5 million
Dashon Goldson (49ers to Buccaneers)
Five-years, $41.25 million

The Best Rivalry in the NFL?

     On the eve of the 2013 NFL free agency, two teams in the same division enhanced their rosters by adding two players nearly simultaneously. Percy Harvin and Anquan Boldin have found new homes along the west coast, with Boldin strapping on a San Francisco jersey, and Harvin playing in rainy Seattle for 2013. Both players are pro-bowlers with plenty of experience, and have the potential to strengthen their new teams drastically. Several years ago, many criticized the NFC West for being too weak a division; now, the west has transformed into one of the most competitive places to play in the league. The two powerhouses of the present-day NFC West are the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. Though the rivalry between the two was already relatively heated, will the two trades form the biggest rivalry in the NFL?

     The definition of the term rivalry is a "competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field." By definition, when Seattle shows up to play San Francisco in 2013, the match up will be marked as a rivalry game. Historically speaking, the two teams are almost split down the middle in terms of wins, where Seattle has won 14 games against San Francisco, compared to the 49ers who have won 13. A victory during the regular season will propel them towards the NFC West crown. Already media stations across the country are hyping up the next meeting between San Francisco and Seattle. The two teams are very similar, where their roster is made up of very talented, young weapons on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
      San Francisco's Super Bowl run ended when they failed to convert on a fourth and goal with less than two minutes left. In order to ensure a second straight appearance to the big game, much has been done in order to fill any holes that need to be patched. Colin Kaepernick and his running back duo is one of the most feared ground games in the NFL; however, the passing game was in desperate need of a strong wide receiver to lead the pack. Vernon Davis' chemistry with Kaepernick solidified over the course of the playoffs, but Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss unsuccessfully gave Kaepernick the weapons he needed to succeed. Boldin has the size of a tight end but the speed of a wide receiver, a perfect match up with lock down corner back Richard Sherman of Seattle. The defense lost safety Dashon Goldson, and has done nothing to replace the All-Pro. Otherwise, San Francisco's defense remains elite when it comes to defending the rush and the pass.

    Seattle's off season grade is an "A+" with the signings of defensive ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, along with wide receiver Percy Harvin. Russell Wilson's rookie season earned him a lot of praise from around the league, especially when he took down the Redskins in the first round, and almost upset Atlanta in the divisional round the following week. Percy Harvin will be Seattle's number one wide receiver on the roster, and Wilson now has the option of handing the ball off to Marshawn Lycnh or WR Percy Harvin. Seattle's defense caught everyone off-guard last season with their dominating performance against top teams. Michael Bennet and Cliff Avril clearly creates the best pass rush in the league when adding their talents to sophomore pass rusher Bruce Irvin.
     The Seattle Seahawks fan base is well represented at home games, where CenturyLink field has been credited as being the loudest arena in the NFL. San Francisco will look to take down their new rival at home, who went undefeated in 2012 in their own stadium. In fact, Seattle destroyed San Francisco at home by a grand total of 42-13. The 49ers' emotional coach John Harbuagh would love to get revenge on the road and rid themselves of that embarrassing 2012 loss. The competition in the NFC West will be fierce, and when these two teams possibly meet in the NFC Championship game, millions will tune in to watch. 

2013 NFL Mock Draft 3.5

1. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Luke Joeckel: I am still a firm believer that the Kansas City Chiefs will use their first overall pick to draft offensive lineman Luke Joeckel. The release of offensive tackle Eric Winston only solidifies my belief. At 6'6" and 310 pounds, Luke Joeckel will surely do a great job of protecting newly acquired quarterback Alex Smith. Joeckel has proven he can protect both types of passers while playing at Texas A&M; a mobile quarterback in Johnny Manziel, and a pocket-passer in Ryan Tannehill.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Ziggy Ansah: The NFL combine is a great way for small school individuals to blossom into first round draft picks. Ziggy Ansah has been playing football for just three years, but already he has proven himself to be worth the second overall pick. Ansah's size and talent closely resembles Jason Pierre-Paul, and rumors have been swirling around that Jacksonville would not be afraid to take a risk in the draft.

3. Oakland Raiders: DT Sharrif Floyd: As the season progressed, Sharrif Floyd became a stronger presence on defense. In his final game at Florida, Floyd posted two sacks with 5 tackles. Even though he weighs close to 300 pounds, Sharrif Floyd ran 40 yards in 4.92 seconds, and his draft stock has been soaring upwards ever since.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: OLB/DE Dion Jordan: Dion Jordan has all the attributes necessary to succeed in the NFL. His combination of size and speed resembles Aldon Smith, apart from the 40-yard dash times, where Jordan's time beat Smith's time by a decent margin. Jordan should not feel out of place in Philly with former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly leading the way.

5. Detroit Lions: CB Dee Milliner: Out of all the conferences in the NCAA, the conference with the most prestigious reputation as of late is awarded to the South Eastern Conference. Corner back Dee Milliner is a product of the SEC, so clearly, he knows what it takes to succeed in a competitive environment. A blazing 40 yard dash time will provide Detroit with a shutdown corner they so desperately need.

6. Cleveland Browns: OLB Jarvis Jones: The only major downside to Jarvis Jones is his spinal stenosis. Though Jarvis has said he feels fine at the moment, many teams are worried with his current state of health. When healthy, Jarvis Jones may be the highest rated prospect in the draft. His 14.5 sacks  and 24.5 tackles for loss in 2012 rightfully earned him All-American honors. Cleveland would certainly be taking a risk by drafting Jones.

7. Arizona Cardinals: OT Eric Fisher: Alex Smith has clearly effected Geno Smith's draft stock, where in our new mock draft, he is not even in the top 10. Eric Fisher is a great option at the seventh overall spot in the draft. Arizona allowed a mind-boggling 58 sacks. Maybe John Skelton or Kevin Kolb or whomever the Cardinals sign as quarterback can have more time in the pocket.

8. Buffalo Bills: WR Tavon Austin: Tavon Austin's blazing speed at the combine makes him a serious contender to be drafted in the top 10. While attending West Virginia, Austin posted a very honorable stat line, with 1,289 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns. Buffalo has several options if they wish to enhance their wide receiver corp, whether it be through the draft or free agency. Tavon Austin would be a great teammate alongside Stevie Johnson in New York.

9. New York Jets: OLB Barkevious Mingo: Barkevious Mingo's sack production while playing for LSU has hurt his draft stock in the eyes of scouts. New York tends to draft defense when April rolls around. Truthfully speaking, Geno Smith may be one of the best options at ninth overall, but OLB Barkevious Mingo is likely going to be a member of the Jets in 2013.

10. Tennessee Titans: OG Chance Warmack: For a team that relies so heavily on the running game, Tennessee can not afford to have a weak offensive line. A young quarterback with a speedy running back could easily be well protected by Chance Warmack. Size and speed are not a problem, so NFL teams certainly love to draft defenders out of the SEC.

NFL Report Update: James Harrison

Breaking News: James Harrison, former linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been cut from the roster in order to clear up cap space. Harrison was awarded with Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, as well as 5 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. James Harrison has a reputation of being one of the more feared defenders in the league for his many illegal hits on helpless players.

Best NFL Memes (February Edition)

Top 10 Uniforms of All-Time: Green Bay Packers

1. Green Bay Packers: The Green Bay Packers uniform has stayed successful throughout the duration of this franchise. Clearly, there is a reason for its success. The green and yellow is well know throughout sports, and this uniform as a whole is almost perfect. The helmet is great with three stripes down the middle, and the green and white "G" on the side looks even better. Its rare to see such a flamboyant color on sports pants, but somehow, the Green Bay Packers top off their uniform with bright yellow pants and a green and white stripe down the side. Thank you for reading, and be sure to comment on you favorite uniforms throughout the league.

Top 10 Uniforms of All-Time: Pittsburgh Steelers

2. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be in everyone's top 10 uniforms countdown, but I like the Steelers uniform with the yellow helmet even more. The traditional home uniform is extremely simple, so by adding a yellow helmet adds a different look to a traditional uniform. So who won the number one spot?

Top 10 Uniforms of All-Time: San Diego Chargers

3. San Diego Chargers: The powder blue jersey of the San Diego Chargers is by far my favorite alternate uniform in the National Football League. Along with the jersey, the white helmet is extremely simple, but the thunder bolt on the side looks incredible. From time to time, the San Diego Chargers will play in their powder blue jerseys at home, but I would still like to see them wear it more often.

Top 10 Uniforms of All-Time: Denver Broncos

4. Denver Broncos: My favorite part of Denver's uniform from the 1980s is the blue and orange helmet. The Bronco on the side is very creative as it leaps through the letter D. The orange stripe down the middle of the helmet tops off this incredible uniform, and hopefully, Denver will decide to copy the Buffalo Bills and change their uniform.

Top 10 Uniforms of All-Time: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The 1970s brought some great uniforms, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of my favorites. The old logo may be even better than the one we see on the modern-day Buccaneers helmet. The bright orange and red stripe down the middle of the white helmet creates one of the greatest looks in the NFL. The orange jersey only adds to its physique.

Top 10 Uniforms of All-Time: Cincinnati Bengals

6. Cincinnati Bengals: In terms of the Cincinnati Bengals' uniforms, you either love them or hate them. Personally, I think the helmet with the stripes is extremely creative, and it looks even better with an orange jersey. What really won me over is the black and orange stripe along the side of the pants.

Top 10 Uniforms of All-Time: Buffalo Bills

7. Buffalo Bills: I am so glad the Buffalo Bills changed their home jerseys from the ugly navy and maroon uniforms to a throwback to the AFL. The red buffalo on the side of the helmet in contrast with the white background looks awesome, and I also like how they changed their colors to royal blue and red. More teams need to follow the Bills in changing their home jerseys to a historical uniform.

Top 10 Uniforms of All-Time: Miami Dolphins

8. Miami Dolphins: Many critics of the Dolphins' uniform accuse Miami of having a soft logo. Personally, I like the Dolphins' white helmet with a traditional dolphin logo on the side. My favorite part of this uniform is the orange logo. Blue and orange screams Miami, so the Dolphins beat out Philly for number 8 on our list.

Top 10 Uniforms of All-Time: Philadelphia Eagles

9. Philadelphia Eagles: The only reason why this old fashioned Eagles jersey worn by legends like Reggie White is not higher is due to its simplicity. There are no stripes on the jersey or anything of that nature, but I really like the wings on the side of the helmet along with the shade of green.

Top 10 Uniforms of All-Time: Atlanta Falcons

10. Atlanta Falcons: Even though the Atlanta Falcons have a great home jersey, may absolute favorite jersey of the Atlanta Falcons is the uniform with a red helmet and black jerseys. The red helmet looks great, and the alternate logo is even the better on the side. Red and black is one of my favorite color combinations, so the Atlanta alternate jersey tops out at number 10 on our list.

Top 10 Uniforms of All-Time: Carolina Panthers

Honorable Mention: Carolina Panthers: It was a difficult choice to decide between the Carolina Panthers' uniforms and the Las Angeles Rams uniforms. In the end, I awarded Carolina with an honorable mention over the Rams, due to their edgy colors of black and blue. The blue along the sleeves and collar provides a great contrast with the black. Their logo looks awesome on the side of the helmet opposite two black and blue stripes.

Top 10 NFL Uniforms of All-Time

     In our first list of the 2013 NFL off-season, The NFL Report will rank the greatest NFL uniforms in the history of the game. Most of the uniforms in our list are not the traditional team jerseys that you see every Sunday. Instead, the uniforms in our top 10 consist of the alternative uniforms that franchises use from time to time. We do not expect you, the reader, to agree with all of our choices, so we would highly appreciate for you to comment on the posts. Also, be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube or Facebook!

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Combine

1. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Luke Joeckel: With Alex Smith expected to be traded to Kansas City, the Chiefs no longer need to draft Geno Smith in order to fill the gap at quarterback. New head coach Andy Reid has said he will draft the best player on the board, which is why Luke Joeckel will be selected first overall in the 2013 NFL Draft.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Bjoern Warner: Jacksonville's new logo may be the start of a brand new franchise, so drafting Bjoern Warner has the potential to solve the problem on defense. The Jaguars ranked dead last in sacks last season, allowing the opposing team's quarterback to feel comfortable in the pocket. Jacksonville has many other options at defensive end, but Warner is capable of fixing the problem long term.

3. Oakland Raiders: QB Geno Smith: Even though Carson Palmer had a successful 2012 season statistically, the Oakland Raiders appear to be interested in drafting Geno Smith. Originally, Smith was the favorite to be drafted first overall, but now that Kansas City is in the process of acquiring Alex Smith, Geno will fall to number 3 in the draft.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: OLB Dion Jordan: At 6'6" and 250 pounds, Jordan has extraordinary speed that will improve Philadelphia's sack problem. The Eagles ranked 25th overall in terms of sacks, and former Oregon head coach Chip Kelly would be more than thrilled to draft one of his former players.

5. Detroit Lions: CB Dee Milliner: Milliner's incredible 40 yard dash time of 4.37 seconds has increased his draft stock exponentially. Detroit is in desperate need of a shut down corner if the Lions lose Chris Houston and Jacob Lacey via free agency.

6. Cleveland Browns: DE Barkevious Mingo: A corner back would be nice at the sixth spot in the draft, but because we expect Milliner to be drafted by Detroit, the Browns may have to settle with a defensive end. Barkevious Mingo, unlike DE Demontre Moore, maintained his high draft stock after a good showing at the combine. The better move for Cleveland would be to trade down and wait for a draft class with more depth, but if they were to keep their sixth overall pick, Cleveland will draft Mingo in order to improve their mediocre defense.

7. Arizona Cardinals: QB Matt Barkley: Offensive lineman Eric Fisher appears to be the more appropriate pick for Arizona, but many experts believe the Cardinals will take Matt Barkley in the first round. Barkley did not play any games toward the end of the 2012 season at USC due to an injury. This same injury kept him from participating the 2013 NFL combine. Even then, Arizona likes their chances with Barkley as their new quarterback in September.

8. Buffalo Bills: WR Cordarelle Patterson: Patterson is one of the most talented offensive players in this year's draft class. At 6'2", the former Tennessee Volunteer resembles NFL star wide receiver Julio Jones, with size, speed, and spectacular hands. Whomever the Bills select at quarterback (via free agency or draft), he will have a second option apart from Stevie Johnson.

9. New York Jets: OLB Ezekiel Ansah: Historically, Rex Ryan loves those players who dumbfounded scouts at the NFL combine. Last weekend, Ezekiel Ansah ran the 40 yard dash in 4.60 seconds. Considering the BYU linebacker is 6'5" and 270 pounds, his insane athleticism is bound to catch the eye of Rex Ryan, whose New York Jets could use an upgrade on the defensive side of the ball.

10. Tennessee Titans: OG Chance Warmack: While at Alabama, Chance Warmack successfully cleared the lane for running backs Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, and Eddie Lacey. Warmack's size can overpower most defensive ends, and the Titans will look to rush their star running back Chris Johnson a lot more in 2013.

NFL Report Update: Michael Turner

Breaking News: Earlier today, the Atlanta Falcons released veteran running back Michael Turner in order to free up cap space. In his five years playing for Atlanta, Michael Turner broke the Falcons' franchise touchdown record with 60 rushing scores. Michael Turner believes he has a lot left in the tank, but at age 31, Turner may have one or two quality seasons before his body wears down. Along with Turner, defensive end John Abraham and cornerback Dunta Robinson were cut from the Falcons' roster.