KC Star's first-round NFL draft projections

[Tribal Warfare]

The Star’s first-round NFL draft projections
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

1. Chiefs

• OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan: Chiefs need to secure an important position.

2. Jacksonville

• DE Ezekiel Ansah, Brigham Young: The Jaguars get much-needed pass rush help.

3. Oakland

• DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida: Al Davis wouldn’t have approved of this pick.

4. Philadelphia

• OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M: Fisher would be the pick if Chiefs go with Joeckel.

5. Detroit

• CB Dee Milliner, Alabama: The Lions go for a fast corner to help their defense.

6. Cleveland

• LB Dion Jordan, Oregon: He needs time to develop but could become a star.

7. Arizona

• OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma: The Cardinals can’t continue to ignore their offensive line.

8. Buffalo

• QB Geno Smith, West Virginia: The draft’s best QB prospect.

9. N.Y. Jets

• LB Jarvis Jones, Georgia: A talented linebacker with pass-rush skills.

10. Tennessee

• DT Star Lotulelei, Utah: Medical concerns could cause him to drop.

11. San Diego

• CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State: The Chargers were hoping a tackle would fall.

12. Miami

• G Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina: Could become one of the all-time greats.

13. Tampa Bay

• LB Barkevious Mingo, LSU: Talented, but an underachiever in college.

14. Carolina

• WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee: A fast receiver for Cam Newton.

15. New Orleans

• DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri: Could anchor Saints’ line for years.

16. St. Louis

• WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia: Maybe the most explosive offensive player in draft.

17. Pittsburgh

• CB Desmond Trufant, Washington: Here’s help for an aging, depleted defense.

18. Dallas

• G Chance Warmack, Alabama: Talented, but he plays an undervalued position.

19. N.Y. Giants

• LB Alec Ogletree, Georgia: Giants collapsed defensively last year.

20. Chicago

• WR Keenan Allen, California: Another WR for Jay Cutler to throw to.

21. Cincinnati

• S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas: Bengals need help at back of their defense.

22. St. Louis

• LB Bjoern Werner, Florida State: Rams need to fortify defense in NFL’s best division.

23. Minnesota

• TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame: Here’s help for Adrian Peterson.

24. Indianapolis

• OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama: Third Alabama player to go in first round.

25. Minnesota

• WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson: Here’s more help for Peterson.

26. Green Bay

• TE Zach Ertz, Stanford: A second tight end for Aaron Rodgers.

27. Houston

• WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee: Texans need to prepare for Andre Johnson’s decline.

28. Denver

• DT Sylvester Williams, North Carolina: Broncos can use a young body on defensive line.

29. New England

• CB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State: Patriots’ weakness is pass defense.

30. Atlanta

• CB Logan Ryan, Rutgers: A corner to help cover for Dunta Robinson’s departure.

31. San Francisco

• DT Kawann Short, Purdue: 49ers lost two linemen in free agency.

32. Baltimore

• LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame: The next Ray Lewis?