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

Last update: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. Changes in all 4 rounds for Taylor Lewan going back to school.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

You can find the complete seven-round 2013 NFL Draft Order by clicking the link.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
    I think this is a good spot for Manti Te'o. He was brutal in the national championship, but that shouldn't erase all of his other great tape. He's still the favorite to be the first inside linebacker off the board, and the 16-25 range seems right for him. Besides, this is the type of move the Steelers normally make. They often are able to snag talented prospects who fall to them later in the first round for whatever reason.
    
    The Steelers have shown interest in first-round inside linebackers. They wanted Dont'a Hightower last April, but David DeCastro was just too good to pass up at No. 24 overall. Pittsburgh still has to find an inside linebacker because Larry Foote was awful this year. He finished near the top of dubious rankings like missed tackles and touchdowns allowed by players at his position.
    
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    Pick change; previously Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB
    
    
18. Dallas Cowboys: Johnathan Jenkins, NT, Georgia
    The Cowboys had the option of picking J.J. Watt at No. 9 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. They went with Tyron Smith, who was great in his rookie campaign, but they were hurting at the defensive end position as a consequence. In this scenario, they'd be able to move Jay Ratliff outside. It's something they were thinking about when they were seriously considering taking Dontari Poe in April.
    
    I moved Johnathan Jenkins to the second round of a recent update, but after doing some due diligence, I'd like to correct that mistake and slot Jenkins around the No. 18 area again. Though he has character issues, he's too talented to drop into the middle of Round 2. The Cowboys have taken someone with baggage before, and I'd say Dez Bryant has worked out pretty well.
    
    
19. New York Giants: Alex Okafor, DE/OLB, Texas
    Giant fans know that general manager Jerry Reese loves drafting pass-rushers. With Osi Umenyiora entering free agency this March and Justin Tuck having a down year, Reese may select a defensive end at the end of the first round.
    
    Pick change; previously Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB
    
    
20. Chicago Bears: Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
    It's sad to see the Brian Urlacher era come to an end. Urlacher will be a free agent in March, but he was playing poorly anyway. The Bears will have to find a replacement this offseason - perhaps in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. They'll probably be interested in Alec Ogletree, who has been tremendous for Georgia this season. Ogletree is arguably the top prospect available.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
    Geno Atkins is a monster in the interior, but the Bengals have to find pass-rushing help on the outside, given that Michael Johnson is set to hit free agency. Sam Montgomery is arguably the top player available, so Cincinnati can fill a big need with the top prospect on the board.
    
    
22. St. Louis Rams: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
    I don't know if the Rams necessarily go with a receiver anymore. Chris Givens looked great, and then there's Danny Amendola. By taking a wideout in the first round, St. Louis would be giving up on Brian Quick after one year. I don't think the front office will do that unless it's smitten with a particular receiver.
    
    The Rams' defense was great, but they have a couple of areas they need to address. One such spot is the safety position. Craig Dahl must be upgraded.
    
    
23. Minnesota Vikings: Keenan Allen, WR, California
    Keenan Allen will be tough for Minnesota to pass on at this juncture. The front office has to add more talent to complement a very inconsistent Christian Ponder. The Vikings need an upgrade across from Percy Harvin, as Jerome Simpson is way too inconsistent to be a No. 2 receiver. Harvin may not even be back with the Vikings next year, so Minnesota may target two wideout upgrades this offseason.
    
    Pick change; previously Bennie Logan, DT
    
    
24. Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina
    If you've watched the Colts at all in the final couple of weeks to close out the season, you know that their offensive line must be upgraded because Andrew Luck constantly had defenders in his face. The weakest of Luck's blockers is right guard Mike McGlynn, who was guilty of four sacks in the final four games.
    
    Jonathan Cooper, who can play all three interior positions, would be a massive upgrade over anyone Indianapolis has at guard or center.
    
    Pick change; previously Jesse Williams, NT
    
    
    
    
    
25. Baltimore Ravens: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
    The Ravens need to add some weapons for the inconsistent Joe Flacco. The declining Anquan Boldin will be entering his contract year and will have to be replaced soon. There's some talk that he could even be a cap casualty this offseason despite his brilliant performance against the Colts.
    
    There's a decent chance that Cordarrelle Patterson will be the first receiver chosen in the 2013 NFL Draft. He doesn't have much experience, but he's just so unbelievably talented.
    
    
26. Seattle Seahawks: Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
    The Seahawks' receiving corps really needs to be upgraded. Sidney Rice is constantly laboring through injuries and has struggled to get any sort of separation for most of the season. Golden Tate, meanwhile, is way too inconsistent, though he's been better lately. Russell Wilson keeps improving every week, so Pete Carroll needs to bolster his wideout corps.
    
    This is a bit high for Terrance Williams, but the Seahawks don't fear taking anyone who is deemed a reach. Pete Carroll will likely fall in love with Williams' size and straight-line speed.
    
    
27. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
    Jermichael Finley will be due close to $8 million in 2013, and Packer fans should be happy about that because Finley is one of the most overrated players in the NFL. He's terribly inconsistent and doesn't appear as though he'll ever live up to expectations.
    
    Pick change; previously Keenan Allen, WR
    
    
28. Houston Texans: Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
    There's a ton of uncertainty at inside linebacker for Houston. Brian Cushing is coming off a torn ACL, Bradie James is an impending free agent who isn't very good, while neither Tim Dobbins nor Darryl Sharpton is worthy of starting.
    
    
    
    
    
29. San Francisco 49ers: Matt Elam, S, Florida
    Donte Whitner hasn't been very good this year. Dashon Goldson, meanwhile, was slapped with a franchise tag this prior offseason. The 49ers will need a replacement if they can't sign him to a long-term deal.
    
    
30. New England Patriots: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
    It's amazing that New England's offense has been this incredible considering that Deion Branch was playing two-thirds of the snaps every game prior to being released. Imagine how explosive the Patriots would be if they added a legitimate threat opposite Brandon Lloyd. They also have to think about a possible future without Wes Welker, who will be a free agent this offseason. New England has shown that it doesn't value Welker as much, so another team could offer him way more money.
    
    
31. Atlanta Falcons: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
    The Falcons have multiple problems they have to address on their defensive line - a unit that struggles to both generate pressure and stop the run. One issue is at defensive tackle next to Jonathan Babineaux. Former first-rounder Peria Jerry hasn't been able to stay healthy, while Corey Peters wasn't any good either.
    
    Pick change; previously Tyler Eifert, TE
    
    
32. Denver Broncos: Bennie Logan, DT, LSU
    The Broncos spent a second-rounder this past April on Derek Wolfe, but he's playing defensive end and moving inside on nickel situations. That's why Denver still needs a ton of help at defensive tackle. Justin Bannan and Kevin Vickerson are starting there now, but they'll be free agents this March.
    
    Pick change; previously Jonathan Cooper, G/C
    
    
    
    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2
    
    
    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 3
    
    
    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 4
    
    
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