2013 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 - Picks 17-32

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Last update: Thursday, April 25, 2013, 2:40 p.m. Still could be updates before 6 p.m.
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ARCHIVED 2013 NFL MOCK DRAFT

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Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia
As in my pre-Combine mock draft, Jarvis Jones drops to No. 17 overall. I had Jones going No. 2 overall back in January, but check out Charlie's rumor mill entry on why Jones is expected to slide. On top of that, at least a dozen teams have red flags on Jones because of his spinal issue. His poor 40 didn't help matters. Some may want to reference Terrell Suggs' slow 40, but Suggs was 15 pounds heavier than Jones coming out of college.

I believe dumb groupthink will cause Jones to fall on Draft Day. General managers will be petrified of his medical. But, as smart teams like the Steelers, Giants, Ravens, etc. often do, they'll snatch up a plummeting draft prospect and laugh at all of the dumb organizations constantly picking in the top 10 as they field yet another Pro Bowler.

Jones isn't just the best player available; he fills a big need as well. James Harrison is gone, so the Steelers may spend an early pick on a rush linebacker. Pittsburgh usually doesn't like taking scheme conversion guys in the first round, but I've been told by a reliable source that Jones and Dion Jordan are the two exceptions.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR - I have Cordarrelle Patterson falling to the second round in this mock draft, but the Steelers could take him as high as No. 17 because they like him a lot.

2. Kenny Vaccaro, S - The Steelers have stated that they want to get younger at safety.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Dallas Cowboys: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
The interior of Dallas' offensive line is an abomination. The front office actually found two downgrades at guard last offseason, while center Phil Costa is a sieve. The Cowboys have to find some help for Tony Romo.

The Cowboys absolutely love both Jonathan Cooper and Kenny Vaccaro. Jerry Jones has shown that he's not afraid to move up for a prospect he really likes when he obtained Morris Claiborne last year. He may climb up for either Cooper or Vaccaro. If he can't, however, the "other" guard is definitely not a bad consolation prize.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Sheldon Richardson, DT - It was very close between Sheldon Richardson and Chance Warmack in this mock draft.

2. Sylvester Williams, DT - Another defensive tackle option.
New York Giants: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Boom. Dee Milliner falls all the way to 19. There are so many medical concerns with him that teams could be too scared to take him. Plus, he's not an elite cornerback in the slightest. He's not Patrick Peterson or even Morris Claiborne.

The Giants have a very smart front office. Like the Steelers, Packers and Ravens, they catch falling prospects. A player or two mocked near No. 10 overall will fall on Draft Day because that's what always happens. These intelligent teams will snag that dropping prospect unless there's something really wrong with him.

Milliner, as discussed, could be that player. The Giants drafted another falling corner, Prince Amukamara, a couple of years ago. It would be pretty amazing if that happened again at the same draft spot.

Plus, cornerback is a big need. The Giants re-signed Aaron Ross, but they could still stand to use an early pick on a cornerback after how poorly Corey Webster played last year.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Tank Carradine or Bjoern Werner, DE - It shouldn't surprise anyone if the Giants take one of the Florida State defensive ends.

2. Sheldon Richardson, DT - Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson were signed, but neither is a long-term solution inside.

Pick change; previously Xavier Rhodes, CB
Chicago Bears: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
We've been told that the Bears like Desmond Trufant at No. 20, as you can see in the 2013 NFL Draft Rumors section. They're currently fine at cornerback, but virtually all of their players at that position have expiring contracts. This pick is similar to what Chicago did last year with Shea McClellin.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Tyler Eifert, TE - I've had Tyler Eifert here for a while, but I have him going off the board way earlier.

2. Sylvester Williams, DT - The Bears are very thin at defensive tackle.

Pick change; previously Tyler Eifert, TE
Cincinnati Bengals: Eric Reid, S, LSU
The Bengals had a big need at safety last spring, but they didn't address the position until the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. They'll put more effort into finding an upgrade the following offseason because they won't survive with Reggie Nelson and the benched Taylor Mays (or cornerback Nate Clements, an impending free agent who was playing out of position) as their starters.

Cincinnati really wants Kenny Vaccaro, but he's long gone. The team will happily settle for Eric Reid, whom it really likes.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Kenny Vaccaro, S - As mentioned, Vaccaro is Cincinnati's top choice.

2. Eddie Lacy, RB - We were told that the Bengals are "all in" on Eddie Lacy, but is that at 21 or 37?
St. Louis Rams: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
The Rams lost Danny Amendola to the Patriots, so they're in desperate need for receiver help. They can't go into the 2013 season with Chris Givens and Brian Quick being Sam Bradford's top options at wideout.

DeAndre Hopkins, who had a great workout for the Rams recently, was identified as a potential suspect in the Combine hotel room trashing incident. Even if he was guilty of this, St. Louis won't care, as it will once again ignore any character flaws.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Safety - A number of safety options are in play here if DeAndre Hopkins is off the board.

2. TRADE - The Rams are said to want to move back. They'll be desperate to do so if Hopkins is taken.
Minnesota Vikings: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
The Vikings can address one of their biggest needs with one of the top players available. Defensive tackle is a huge issue right now; Kevin Williams will turn 33 in August, and there's no one of note playing next to him. Letroy Guion is a decent rotational guy but should not be a starter. Sylvester Williams can play both interior positions and bring back the Williams Wall.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Xavier Rhodes, CB - Speculation is that the Vikings want a big cornerback, but their scheme allows them to address the position later in the draft.

2. DeAndre Hopkins or Cordarrelle Patterson, WR - The Vikings could definitely take a receiver with one of their two first-rounders.
Indianapolis Colts: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
The Colts signed Greg Toler to this offseason, but they could still look to upgrade the cornerback position, especially if a highly regarded prospect like Xavier Rhodes falls to them at No. 24. If the Texans add another receiver, Indianapolis will need a strong second corner to combat that wideout.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Tank Carradine, DE/OLB - The Colts need a pass-rusher across from Robert Mathis.

2. Datone Jones, DE/DT - I've mocked Datone Jones here for a while. Indianapolis doesn't have anyone who can get to the quarterback up front.

Pick change; previously Datone Jones, DE/DT
Minnesota Vikings: Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame
I've consistently mocked Manti Te'o in the second round. Teams won't take him because he's a Tebow-like distraction. A personnel man who works for a team drafting in the 20-32 range told us that his franchise will be passing on Te'o even though inside linebacker is a big need. However, the Vikings don't seem bothered by Te'o, as they've shown way more interest in him than any other team. Perhaps this is because they have half-a-dozen Notre Dame players on their roster. Te'o would be welcome in their locker room.

Everyone knows Te'o's story by now. He had a miserable Combine. He ran a 4.82 40 and later blamed it on fatigue (as if the other players weren't tired). He looked stiff in the drills. Worst of all, he drew that ridiculous press conference. Te'o handled himself well in front of the media, but the press conference itself was the major problem. No team wants to deal with the media circus that will come with acquiring Te'o - except for the Vikings, apparently.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

Listed above at No. 23.

Pick change; previously Datone Jones, DE/DT
Green Bay Packers: Datone Jones, DE/DT, UCLA
The Packers don't have a consistent pass-rusher on their defensive line. Ryan Pickett, who will be 34 in October, is just a run-stuffer. The same can be said about Jerel Worthy and C.J. Wilson. Mike Neal is good in situations, but he's not a starting-caliber player.

Datone Jones would offer a different element to Green Bay's defensive line. He'd be a big upgrade over Wilson at right defensive end.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. DeAndre Hopkins, WR - I've slotted DeAndre Hopkins here for a while. The Packers need a receiver with Greg Jennings gone.

2. Sylvester Williams, DE/DT - Another defensive end option.

Pick change; previously Datone Jones, DE/DT

Pick change; previously Cordarrelle Patterson, WR
Houston Texans: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
The Texans have needed a No. 2 receiver for years, but now that Andre Johnson is into his 30s, it won't be long before they have to secure a new No. 1 wideout for Matt Schaub.

As Charlie first reported on March 6, Justin Hunter is receiving tons of first-round interest.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. DeAndre Hopkins, WR - The Texans are big fans of DeAndre Hopkins, but he's not likely to be available.

2. Robert Woods, WR - Tony Pauline discussed Robert Woods as an option at No. 27. He could go here, but only if Hopkins and Hunter are gone.

Pick change; previously Datone Jones, DE/DT
Denver Broncos: Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State
Elvis Dumervil defected for Baltimore in the wake of Faxgate, so the Broncos will have to find a potent pass-rusher to complement Von Miller.

Tank Carradine is generating a ton of buzz and could find himself going much earlier than this on Thursday. Carradine tore his ACL in November, but his recovery is reportedly going much faster than anticipated. He ran well at his Pro Day, so I could see him going as early as No. 19.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Bjoern Werner, DE - The other Florida State defensive end is a strong possibility here.

2. Sylvester Williams, DT - The Broncos have to bolster the interior of their defensive line as well.

Pick change; previously Datone Jones, DE/DT
New England Patriots: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
Aqib Talib re-signed and Adrian Wilson was added, but neither might be around come 2014; Talib inked a 1-year deal, while Wilson will be 34 in October. The Patriots are always looking for secondary depth, and they've shown tons of interest in Jamar Taylor throughout this pre-draft process.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Bjoern Werner, DE - Bjoern Werner has the size Bill Belichick likes out of his defensive linemen, and he would fill a need.

2. Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB - This would be too early for Blidi Wreh-Wilson, but the Patriots really like him.
Atlanta Falcons: D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston
The Falcons are really hurting in two areas: defensive end and cornerback. The latter is a huge issue with Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes both gone.

There's some talk that the Falcons will move up for a corner. D.J. Hayden is said to be one of the targets.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Desmond Trufant, CB - I've had Desmond Trufant here for a long time. He's the obvious option if the Falcons remain at No. 30.

2. TRADE - Atlanta is probably moving up, however. Options in that scenario include Xavier Rhodes and Sheldon Richardson.

Pick change; previously Desmond Trufant, CB
San Francisco 49ers: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
There is no way Sheldon Richardson will make it to No. 31, so the 49ers will have to pull off a trade. I'm not going to completely project it here because that would make things so much more confusing than they already are, but I will mock Richardson here with the thought that san Francisco can move up to the 13-15 range.

The 49ers' defense looked lost defensively when Justin Smith got hurt last year. Unfortunately for San Francisco, Smith will be 34 several months following the 2013 NFL Draft, and he'll also be entering his walk year. Injury insurance and an eventual replacement are needed.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Jonathan Cyprien, CB - I've mocked Jonathan Cyprien to this spot for a very long time, but it sounds like the 49ers want to move up.

2. TRADE - Like the Falcons, San Francisco is expected to trade out of this selection. Other options include Kenny Vaccaro and Tavon Austin.

Pick change; previously Jonathan Cyprien, S
Baltimore Ravens: Matt Elam, S, Florida
Daniel Jeremiah, who used to work for the Ravens, pointed out that Ozzie Newsome wants to draft "sure things" in the first round. As Jeremiah described it, Newsome likes to hit doubles. He mentioned Matt Elam as a strong possibility. Baltimore has been linked to Elam prior to this, and for good reason. Ed Reed signed with the Texans. Michael Huff came in to replace him, but the Ravens still have one more hole at safety because of the Bernard Pollard release.

*** OTHER 2013 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Keenan Allen, WR - A replacement for Anquan Boldin.

2. Eric Reid, S - Another safety option.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2

2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 3

2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 4

2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 5

2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 6

2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 7

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2014 NFL Mock Draft