2013 NFL Draft: Best Available Players

Now that the first round of the NFL Draft is over and we reset for rounds two and three tonight, that gives us a chance to look at who are the best players available for the start of the second round.  Here is a look at the ten best.

1.  Zach Ertz TE Stanford
With the tight end position becoming a important part of NFL offenses, talented tight ends are going to be in demand.  Having Tyler Eifert fall to the Bengals pushed Ertz back down too.  But don't expect him to wait too long.  Former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh is looking for another tight end to replace Delanie Walker who left in free agency. 

2.  Menelik Watson OT Florida State
With the run of tackles at the beginning of the draft I would have thought a player like Watson would go somewhere in the late first.  A player with his footwork, athletic ability, and size don't come into the draft very often.  But the fact that he's only played two years of football and has only played right tackle probably scared some teams off.  But he has the tools to be a left tackle and that should get him drafted somewhere in top half of the second round.

3.  Larry Warford G Kentucky
Kyle Long went #20 to the Bears and I felt that Warford was a much better prospect than Long.  Warford is a little limited because he isn't a great athlete, but he is a strong powerful run blocker that is going to open holes in the run game.  He needs to be a better pass blocker, but his size makes it difficult to get past him.  Basically he is the same type of player that Chance Warmack is, but a little less talented.  Some team is going to get a ten year starter in the second round.

4.  Jonathan Cyphrien S Florida International
We saw Matt Elam and Eric Reid go in the second half of the first round, but a player that is just as good (or better in my opinion) is Cyphrien out of Florida International.  Cyphrien is at his best in deep zone coverage or helping out in the run.  That makes him a good strong safety candidate who can also fill in at the free safety if needed.  Teams may have been scared off by some of his man struggles, but a team looking for a starting strong safety will take him early in round two.

5.  Jamar Taylor CB Boise State
Taylor's name was starting to really rise up draft boards leading up to Thursday.  However having Xavier Rhodes and Desmond Trufant fall took away some of the teams that were looking for safeties.  New England was a team that was really high on him but they moved down with an offer from Minnesota that they couldn't refuse.  But they'll still have their shot to get him.

6.  Justin Hunter WR Tennessee
My fourth rated wide receiver is Justin Hunter and he will likely be the first wide receiver taken in the second round.  He has good length, speed, and leaping ability which makes him a great deep threat.  However he probably fell out due to questions about his production this past year and injury concerns.  Any team looking for a downfield threat will be very interested in Hunter.

7.  John Jenkins DT Georgia
Not too many people might have Jenkins here, but he is a player that is going to be a good NFL defensive lineman.  Jenkins is a massive man, but he has the agility of somebody 70 pounds less than him.  Teams looking for a nose tackle are going to be very interested in him.  However Jenkins also has experience and the ability to play the 5 technique defensive end in the 3-4 and the athletic ability to play the NT in the 4-3.  San Francisco, Philadelphia, Arizona, and Tennessee could all be options.

8.  Matt Barkley QB USC
Everybody wants to talk about Geno Smith not going in the first round, but he's not even my highest rated QB available.  Barkley is a talented QB who got too much of the blame for a poor senior season which cost him a first round selection.  He doesn't have Joe Flacco's arm, but he isn't a slouch and might be the most NFL ready of any QB in this class.  Jacksonville could easily make him the first player taken in round two.

9.  Cornellius Carradine DE Florida State
If it wasn't for a late season ACL injury, Carradine could have been a top 20 pick.  Even with the injury, Carradine had been rising up boards and teams were still considering taking him in the twenties.  He has a ton of talent, but there are still questions whether he is fully recovered.  Is Carradine going to be ready for the start of the season, or is he going to have to start on the PUP list?

10.  Robert Woods WR USC
Arguably the most NFL ready receiver in the draft, Woods was a possible late first round pick.  Teams love his hands and his route running ability, but question his size and speed.  Those questions and teams passing on receivers lead to him falling into the second round.  Woods is probably best suited to play in the slot and those type of receivers don't go in round one unless you have Tavon Austin speed.

Player Profile: Larry Warford

Larry Warford

Height:  6'3
Weight:  332
School:  Kentucky
Position:  Guard
Ranking:  #3 Guard
Projection:  2nd Round

Strengths
-Good bulk to play the interior (332)
-Experienced with 47 games played in the SEC.  37 starts at RG.
-Powerful run blocker who moves defenders off their spot
-Strong anchor.  Tough to move back
-Better athlete than you think.  Moves really well for his size.  Shows good straight line speed.
-Does a good job of pulling and trapping and attacking defenders in the next level.
-Shows good balance in pass protection
-Good punch that can jar defenders.
-Always moving his feet.
-Good overall IQ.  Understands angles and assignments-
-Has the mean streak you want out of a lineman
-Great character.  No off the field issues.

Weaknesses
-Shorter arms than you would want (33")
-Not the ideal body frame.  Short (6'3) and squatty
-Struggles against speed rushers.  Especially at the 3 technique
-Weight could be an issue.  Weighed 350 lbs at one point.  Conditioning is an issue.
-Doesn't move well laterally.  Can be beat by double moves.
-Not overly quick.  Can be beat off the ball
-Needs better hand placement.  Doesn't lock down defenders when he makes contact.
-Tends to lung in run blocking

Summary
Which ever teams are wanting to draft Larry Warford they are going to get a power run blocking machine.  Warford uses his size to advantage to physically maul defenders but uses his strength to push defenders off their spot and open up running lanes.  But Waford isn't just a physical imposing player, he can also move pretty well for his size.  He surprisingly moves well for his size and is able to pull and trap effectively.  In the open field Warford rarely misses and is able to hit those moving targets.  While run blocking is his strength he isn't a slouch in pass protection.  With his size it's no surprise he has a strong anchor and makes it really hard to knock off his spot.  He does an effective job mirroring defenders, but need to improve his lateral movement which could hurt him against speedier rushers.  Another negative for Waford is that he doesn't have great quickness which hurts him against quicker defenders who could blow past him.  You'd also like to see Warford drop a little weight or redistribute the weight because he tends to wear down over the game and could improve his quickness.  However Warford should be able to step in right away and challenge for a starting spot on Day 1.  Look for him to go somewhere in the late 2nd round, but no later than the early 3rd. A team like Atlanta could be an option.