2013 NFL Draft: Who Will Go In Round 2?

Will names like Geno Smith and Matt Barkley be called in Round 2 of the NFL Draft? (Credit HordeFTL)

If we learned anything in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, it’s that linemen run the show this year. A whopping nine offensive linemen went in the top 32 picks of Round 1, joined by four defensive tackles and five defensive ends. In all, only 5 offensive “skill” players were taken in Round 1 – QB E.J. Manuel (Buffalo), WRs Tavon Austin (St. Louis), DeAndre Hopkins (Houston) and Cordarrelle Patterson (Minnesota), and TE Tyler Eifert (Cincinnati).

With a massive quantity of linemen off the board already, Round 2 may include far more skill players and known names. Geno Smith, Matt Barkley and Ryan Nassib are the top QBs on the board. For the first time since 1963, no running backs were taken in the first round of an NFL Draft – that leaves names like Alabama’s Eddie Lacy and Wisconsin’s Montee Ball out there. Wide receivers like Keenan Allen and Justin Hunter, as well as Stanford TE Zach Ertz, may very well all come off the board by the end of tonight’s draft action.

What can you expect in tonight’s fast and furious NFL Draft action? Here’s a few predictions from SidelineMOB:

2013 NFL Draft: Round 2 Notes

1. Expect the New York Jets to trade up immediately. The Jets are heavily rumored to want Geno Smith early in Round 2 of this draft. With the 39th overall pick, chances are they will have to leapfrog the Philadelphia Eagles at #35 to do it. Look for the Jets and new GM John Idzik to strike a deal with the Jaguars or San Francisco 49ers to get ahead of Philly and take Smith.
   
2. Eddie Lacy will be drafted in Round 2. There’s simply too many teams that need help at the RB position. The Pittsburgh Steelers (#48) are an ideal fit for Lacy’s style, as are the Cincinnati Bengals (#53).
3. Who wants Manti Te’o? A few teams could use an inside linebacker; the Chicago Bears and New York Giants immediately come to mind. The Giants picks directly in front of the Bears (#49 and 50); if Te’o is available, this could set up an interesting dynamic.
4. The Patriots finally pick! After trading out of the first round last night, the New England Patriots (as of now) have two picks in the second round. Some combination of a cornerback and a wide receiver is expected; then again, Bill Belichick and company have a habit of defying our expectations. Still, it’s a good bet that a CB like Blidi Wreh-Wilson or Johnthan Banks ends up in New England.
5. Matt Barkley or Ryan Nassib? After Geno Smith, who becomes the 3rd QB off the board? Chances are good that once Smith goes, franchises in need of another QB will become itchy and pull the trigger in Round 2. The Cleveland Browns currently don’t own a second round pick, but teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders and (look out, Jay Cutler) the Chicago Bears are all viable candidates.

What do you expect out of Round 2 in the 2013 NFL Draft? Leave us a comment, or shout at us on Twitter: @SidelineMOB!

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• 2013 NFL Draft: Browns and Patriots Talking Ryan Mallet Trade Again (nflsoup.com)
• NFL Draft 2013: Mel Kiper has Matt Barkley, Geno Smith as early 2nd-round picks (sbnation.com)
• 2013 NFL Draft: Jaguars ‘are taking’ Ryan Nassib if he’s available in 2nd round, per report (bigcatcountry.com)