Will Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib sneak into Round 1 of the 2013 draft? (Photo: Jason O. Watson, USA TODAY Sports) If we know one thing about the NFL draft, it's that general managers will wheel and deal away Thursday night; a post-merger record 19 first-round picks ultimately switched hands in 2012. With that as a backdrop, here is USA TODAY Sports' final 2013 mock draft — with plenty of creativity sprinkled in. 1. Kansas City Chiefs — OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M: The former bodyguard for Aggies QBs Ryan Tannehill and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel seems to have the "can't miss" label and is widely ranked as the draft's best player (though Eric Fisher has narrowed the gap). Joeckel thrived in pro-style and spread offenses at A&M and did so last year against Southeastern Conference competition. Given what seems the inevitable departure of LT Branden Albert (which could happen in days or next offseason), taking Joeckel at the top makes sense at every level for the Chiefs. 2. Jacksonville Jaguars — OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan: New GM Dave Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley probably would love to move out of this spot given the dearth of talent on the roster they inherited. But it's not going to be easy to entice a trade partner to come up to No. 2 if there isn't a blue-chip quarterback available. Given that, the Jags should take the best player available. That seems to be Fisher. He'd make a fine bookend for LT Eugene Monroe and could replace him in a year if Monroe walks in free agency in 2014. Adding a promising tackle should also make Maurice Jones-Drew a more effective runner while permitting Caldwell and Bradley to better evaluate Blaine Gabbert, who's been sacked 62 times in 25 NFL games, if he's upright more often. 3. Oakland Raiders — DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida: The Silver & Black have made 11 first-round picks since 2000 — two (K Sebastian Janikowski, RB Darren McFadden) remain on the roster. GM Reggie McKenzie wasn't responsible for any of those Round 1 whiffs but can't afford to miss now, either. Floyd represents the intersection of talent and need at No. 3 as Richard Seymour's replacement. Texas A&M DE Damontre Moore (94) no longer projects as a top-five pick, but Oklahoma T Lane Johnson does. (Photo: Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports) 4. Philadelphia Eagles — OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma: A former quarterback and tight end, Johnson showcased the athleticism at the combine that might one day render him this group's best blocker. His movement skills make him ideally suited to the up-tempo offense of new Eagles coach Chip Kelly while also allowing RT Todd Herremans to return to guard. 5. Detroit Lions — DE Ziggy Ansah, BYU: The Lions would surely love to get one of the offensive tackles after losing both of last year's starters, Jeff Backus to retirement and Gosder Cherilus to free agency. But last season's starting defensive ends, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril, are also gone. Ghana native Ansah might be raw, but he stands a better chance of flourishing with DTs Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley commanding so much attention inside. PHOTOS: Ziggy Ansah 6. Minnesota Vikings (PROJECTED trade with Cleveland Browns) — WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia: The buzz surrounding multidimensional Austin has been growing louder for months, and the Vikes might have to jump this high rather than give the New York Jets or St. Louis Rams two shots at him. He is not as thick as Percy Harvin but offers a similar skill set, which is good news for Adrian Peterson, Christian Ponder and Greg Jennings. Meanwhile, the Browns could recoup at least the second-round pick they forfeited last summer by taking WR Josh Gordon in the supplemental draft. 7. Arizona Cardinals — OLB Dion Jordan, Oregon: Barring a leap up the board, it seems the Cards also will have to wait for O-line help. But Jordan, another converted tight end, offers intriguing skills as a pass rusher and coverage linebacker. Given the problems Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson pose in the NFC West, a rangy defender would be an asset. 8. Buffalo Bills — G Chance Warmack, Alabama: There seems little doubt the Bills will take a quarterback, but it just doesn't seem to make sense at this spot unless they've fallen in love with Geno Smith. Better to hitch your wagon to a guy who will protect Buffalo's passer of the future — not to mention RB C.J. Spiller — while replacing departed G Andy Levitre. MOCK DRAFT 4.0: Fishers moves up to No. 2 MOCK DRAFT 3.0: A better outcome for Geno Smith MOCK DRAFT 2.0: Pauline sees just one QB in Round 1 MOCK DRAFT 1.0: Luke Joeckel stakes claim to top spot 9. New York Jets — CB Dee Milliner, Alabama: Rex Ryan's love of cornerbacks is well known, and he just lost his favorite one. Best to grab the man who seems to be this crop's best corner now rather than let him fall into the clutches of the Miami Dolphins at No. 12. 10. Tennessee Titans — G Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina: This is a big man who can move. He also is a candidate to play center. Most important, he makes QB Jake Locker and RB Chris Johnson more formidable players and surely will thrive under the watchful eye of coach (and Hall of Fame guard) Mike Munchak. 11. St. Louis Rams (PROJECTED trade with San Diego chargers) — S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas: The Rams already missed out on Austin in this scenario, and we'd urge them not to lose out on the best safety, too — especially since teams such as the Cowboys and 49ers might make a run at Vaccaro. The Chargers' new regime has a lot of work to do; sliding back five spots could net them St.Louis' third rounder. 12. Miami Dolphins — CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State: With 11 selections, Miami could become a player in the tackle market, either by dealing up or making a play for Albert or perhaps the Rams' Rodger Saffold. But corner also remains an issue given Vontae Davis and Sean Smith have moved on over the last year, and Brent Grimes (torn Achilles' in 2012) is no sure thing. 13. Jets (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers) — OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU: Tight end and offensive line (and, eventually, running back) could be options if they are serious about giving QB Mark Sanchez a fighting chance at reviving his career. But with no bona fide pass rusher on the roster and the secondary significantly weakened by Darrelle Revis' departure — his lockdown skills allowed Ryan to employ creative blitz packages — a hunter like Mingo becomes imperative. 14. Carolina Panthers — DT Star Lotulelei, Utah: Cornerback is a thought in the pass-heavy NFC South. But can you really bypass Lotulelei if he lasts this long? He shores up the defensive interior, allows for scheme versatility and, most important, makes life easier for edge rushers Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy, who would become even more disruptive to divisional signal-callers Matt Ryan, Drew Brees and Josh Freeman. 15. New Orleans Saints — OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia: A trade makes sense since Commissioner Roger Goodell opted not to restore the second-round pick taken amid Bountygate. But can you afford not to get immediate help for a historically bad defense trying to reinvent itself as a 3-4 unit? As noted, NFC South quarterbacks spend a lot of time firing away, so Jones provides a needed counterweight ... provided the Saints aren't worried about his medical file or slow 40 times. 16. Chargers (PROJECTED trade with Rams) — OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama: It's time to get embattled QB Philip Rivers some real protection. PHOTOS: Top 50 NFL draft prospects Story Highlights
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