Mel Kiper releases his latest 2013 NFL Draft big board, and there’s a new No. 1

Gamedayr | March 7, 2013 at 12:10 pm | 3 Comments

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr analyst Jon Gruden and host Chris Berman (L to R) during the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. (Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports)

On Wednesday, Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. updated his Big Board, and for the first time in months, Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones is not the No. 1 talent. He was unable to perform at the NFL Combine after doctors confirmed the spinal stenosis that forced him to transfer from USC to Athens in the first place. Thus, while the Draft world awaits the Bulldogs’ pro day, Kiper looks in another direction to fill his very top slot.

And, needless to say, Georgia fans are not going to be happy.

25. Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide

24. John Cyprien, S, Florida International Golden Panthers

23. Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina Tar Heels

22. Matt Elam, S, Florida Gators

21. DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama Crimson Tide

20. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee Volunteers

19. Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

18. Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia Bulldogs

17. Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

16. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas Longhorns

15. Tavon Austin, RB/WR/KR, West Virginia Mountaineers

14. Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri Tigers

13. Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State Seminoles

12. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah Utes

11. Ezekiel Ansah, BYU Cougars

10. Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma Sooners

9. Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama Crimson Tide

8. Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina Tar Heels

7. Barkevious Mingo, DE/LB, LSU Tigers

6. Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon Ducks

5. Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia Bulldogs

4. Luke Jockel, OT, Texas A&M Aggies

3. Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan Chippewas

2. Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama Crimson Tide

1. Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida Gators

At 6-foot-3 and a shade under 300 pounds, Floyd moves like a man half his size but possesses the strength to be a monster up the middle for any team that selects him.

The Kansas City Chiefs, picking No. 1-overall, have been reportedly looking at an offensive lineman throughout the draft evaluation process, and Kiper’s Big Board is not a projection as to where a player will be slotted come late April.

Every NFL organization is playing things extremely close to the vest this time of year. However, one thing is certain: The stock of Floyd, as well as that of Milliner, is soaring.