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Post Combine NFL Mock Draft: Bengals Grab Safety

After attending the 2013 NFL Combine, here's my post-combine mock draft.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 NFL Combine has come to an end, which means it's time for a new mock draft which reflects which players rose and which players fell this past weekend in Indianapolis.

We begin with the Chiefs.

Pick Player Position Height Weight Class
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Fisher
OT 6'7 306 Sr.

I would have said Geno Smith with this pick, but due to the fact that the Chiefs grabbed Alex Smith in a recent trade with the 49ers, quarterback isn't a big need anymore. What is a need is somebody to protect Smith from getting murdered in 2013. The Chiefs offensive line gave up 40 sacks so they'll take the best offensive lineman to help shore up the line.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Barkevious Mingo, LSU DE 6'5 240 Jr.

Mingo makes sense here. The Jags were the worst team at getting to the opposing quarterback in 2012. Mingo could help them as he can play both defensive end and outside linebacker and he knows how to pressure the quarterback.

3. Oakland Raiders
Geno Smith, West Virginia
QB 6'2 218 Sr.

Carson Palmer has not performed up to his massive contract and could easily become a cap casualty and it's currently unclear as to whether or not Terrelle Pryor has what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. Smith had an impressive combine, both as a runner and a thrower and I could see the Raiders trying to imitate what the Niners have in Colin Kaepernick in 2013.

4. Philadelphia Eagles
Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M
OT 6'6 306 Jr.

The Eagles need help on the offensive line and Joeckel is the next best offensive tackle. It's currently unclear as to who Chip Kelly will have as the starting quarterback, but whoever it is, they need to be protected better than the quarterbacks were in 2012.

5. Detroit Lions
Jarvis Jones, Georgia
OLB 6'2 245 Sr.

The Lions will need help when it comes to rushing the passer as they could lose their best pass rushers. Jones didn't work out at the combine, but he has the potential to be a force when it comes to applying pressure to the opposing quarterback. That's something the Lions need when facing Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler twice each year.

6. Cleveland Browns
Dion Jordan, Oregon
LB 6'6 248 Sr.

The Browns are making the move to a 3-4 and Jordan has the potential to dominate at defensive end or outside linebacker. The Browns have been overmatched in the AFC North and to get back into the mix, they need someone who can rush the passer. Jordan is that guy.

7. Arizona Cardinals
Lane Johnson, Oklahoma OT 6'6 305 Sr.

I have faith that Bruce Arians can make due with Kevin Kolb behind center, for now. What they can't make due with is letting every quarterback they have get hurt because the offensive line can't protect them. Lane Johnson has a ton of upside and he showed he can be an effective pass protector at the Senior Bowl. The Cardinals could use his help.

8. Buffalo Bills
Sheldon Richardson, Missouri DT 6-2 294 Jr.

Richardson had a great combine performance, taking advantage of Star Lotulelei's absence. The Bills gave up the most rushing touchdowns in 2012 and they could use the help of a talented defensive tackle to help them out. Linebacker could be a possibility here, but taking one at No. 8 might be a reach.

9. New York Jets
Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee
WR 6-3 205 Jr.

The Jets are in trouble. Not only are there several holes to fill, but the team is hurting when it comes to cap space and there's always the drama. Even though I want to go quarterback here, there isn't another other than Smith worth a top-10 pick. The Jets, then, will have to setting with some help on offense, getting Mark Sanchez a big and talented target in Cordarrelle Patterson.

10. Tennessee Titans
Chance Warmack, Alabama
OG 6'2 325 Sr.

Chris Johnson has rushed for over 1,000 yards over the last two seasons, but the Titans faithful are anxiously awaiting the rebirth of CJ2K. A lot of Johnson's troubles come from a lack of power from the interior line. Warmack can help out a lot here.

Team Player Position Height Weight Stars
11. San Diego Chargers
Star Lotulelei, Utah DT 6'3 320 Sr.

Of course this pick will have a lot to do with more information on Lotulelei's heart condition discovered at the combine, but he was given the okay to continue working out. If he's cleared, he may come off the board before here. For right now, though, he can help the Chargers' defensive line.

12. Miami Dolphins
Dee Milliner, Alabama CB 6' 201 Sr.

The Dolphins need help in the secondary and Dee Milliner is the best in the draft class. He should be able to step in right away and help the Dolphins defend the pass. After a great combine, Milliner is a steal here.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bjoern Werner, Florida State DE 6'3 266 Jr.

The Bucs would have loved for Milliner to fall one more spot to them as they need help in the secondary badly, but this is a deep class when it comes to defensive backs. The Bucs could also use help on the line when it comes to finding guys that can rush the passer. Werner can do that.

14. Carolina Panthers
Sharrif Floyd, Florida
DT 6'3 298 Jr.

With both Richardson and Lotulelei off the board, the Panthers will take Floyd here. They need a good defensive tackle to help the shore up the front seven and Floyd has the potential to be very disruptive in the NFL.

15. New Orleans Saints
Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
CB 6'2 210 Jr.

The Saints need someone to cover a No. 1 receiver and Rhodes has the potential to be that guy. They could also use some help when it comes to rushing the passer, but defending a team's wideout is going to be important when facing guys like Matt Ryan and Cam Newton.

16. St. Louis Rams
Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina G 6'3 310 Sr.

The Rams have two first-round picks and have the opportunity to really help themselves out. The defense came on strong in 2012, but he offense struggled. A rock-solid guard like Cooper should help get things going.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Demontre Moore, Texas A&M
DE 6'4 250 Jr.

The Steelers have a good, but aging, defense. Adding a guy like Moore, who excelled as both a defensive end and an outside linebacker while with the Aggies, should inject some youth into the front seven.

18. Dallas Cowboys
Kawaan Short, Purdue DT 6'3 308 Sr.

The Cowboys are making the switch to the 4-3 under new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and they'll need to find some help on the defensive line early in the draft to help make the transition. Short is powerful and impressed both at the Combine and the Senior Bowl.

19. New York Giants
Tank Carradine, Florida State
DE 6'4 276 Sr.

With the loss of Osi Umenyiora the Giants could look to add another pass rusher. Carradine excelled as a defensive end while at Florida State and could help the Giants front seven pressure quarterbacks in 2013.

20. Chicago Bears
D.J. Fluker, Alabama OT 6'4 355 Sr.

The Bears need help on the offensive line to make sure that Jay Cutler stays safe in the pocket and Fluker is the next best offensive tackle in a deep class. This one's a no brainer.

More: Combine winners and losers

Team Player Position Height Weight Stars
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
S 6'1 218 Sr.

The Bengals have several needs, but safety is the most pressing. After Reggie Nelson, there is a significant drop and both Chris Crocker and Nate Clements are free agents. Vaccaro has the potential to fill the void the Bengals have felt at strong safety for quite a while now.

22. St. Louis Rams
Keenan Allen, California
WR 6'2 206 Jr.

Allen is a big wide receiver that can be a No. 1 target for Sam Bradford. The Rams offense needs a shot in the arm to get things going and a wide receiver of Allen's size and speed could really help get things going.

23. Minnesota Vikings
DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson
WR 6'1 214 Jr.

This may be a reach, but the Vikings desperately need to give Christian Ponder someone else to throw to. Hopkins is big and fast and very athletic. He can be the team's No. 1 receiver while Percy Harvin, if he's still on the team, plays a specialty role.

24. Indianapolis Colts
Margus Hunt, SMU DE 6'8 277 Sr.

Hunt is a physical freak and the Colts are looking for somebody to take the place of Dwight Freeney. Hunt should excel in a 3-4 and he has the size and speed to give opposing tackles fits.

25. Seattle Seahawks
Ezekiel Ansah, BYU DE 6'6 273 Sr.

Ansah is a gift at No. 25. The Seahawks would be stupid to pass him up. He's raw coming out of college but he's got a ton of potential and could be a great pass rusher after some coaching and experience.

26. Green Bay Packers
Eddie Lacy, Alabama RB 5'11 231 Jr.

Lacy doesn't have a lot of miles on him as he has played behind Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, both former first-round picks, and the Packers have struggled to find a solid running back over the past couple seasons. Lacy could add stability to the run game and be a huge help to an already potent offense.

27. Houston Texans
Tavon Austin, West Virginia
WR 5'9 174 Sr.

Andre Johnson's not going to be around forever and the Texans could use some depth at wide receiver. Austin impressed at the combine, showing great speed, and as a slot receiver, he could terrorize defenses.

28. Denver Broncos
Desmond Trufant, Washington CB 5'11 190 Sr.

Trufant burned up the field when he ran the 40-yard dash in just 4.38 seconds and the Broncos surely want someone who can help prevent receivers beating them deep.

29. New England Patriots
Logan Ryan, Rutgers
CB 5'11 191 Jr.

If the Pats lose Aqib Talib, cornerback will become a desperate need. The Patriots offense is consistently ranked near the top in the NFL so the pick should go to defense and the weak point of the defense is the secondary. Ryan should help make that not the case anymore.

30. Atlanta Falcons
Sam Montgomery, LSU DE 6'3 262 Jr.

The Falcons need some help when it comes to rushing the passer and Montgomery is the best defensive end left in the draft. He should help the Falcons' front seven pressure the opposing quarterback in 2013.

31. San Francisco 49ers
Sylvester Williams, North Carolina DT 6'3 313 Sr.

Justin Smith is entering his 13th season and is coming off a torn triceps injury. The Niners don't need to replace Smith, but they could line up somebody to share snaps with him and eventually take his place, whenever that day comes. Williams is the best defensive tackle left on the board.

32. Baltimore Ravens
Manti Te'o, Notre Dame LB 6'1 241 Sr.

The Ravens no longer have Ray Lewis, making them a whole new defense. Without the future hall of famer calling the shots, the Ravens will be in need of a new middle linebacker. As far as I can tell, Te'o is no Lewis, but he's smart, has good instincts and showed great leadership at Notre Dame. If he's on the board, he could go to Baltimore