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

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Last update: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013. Major changes in all 4 rounds.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

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

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia
    Boom. Jarvis Jones drops to No. 17 overall in this mock. I had Jones going No. 2 overall a few updates ago, but check out Charlie's rumor mill entry on why Jones is expected to slide.

    I believe dumb groupthink will cause Jones to fall on Draft Day. General managers will be petrified of his spinal issue. 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 may not be back next year. He'll be due $6.6 million as a 35-year-old who is having trouble staying healthy. The Steelers may spend an early pick on a rush linebacker.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates.

  2. Dallas Cowboys: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
    The Cowboys need personnel for Monte Kiffin's 4-3 defense. Defensive tackle was already a priority, but now it has to be considered the top need after Jay Ratliff idiotically was arrested for a DWI. You'd think he would have known better after Josh Brent killed a teammate of his in a December drunk driving accident, but Ratliff apparently has no brain cells. There's a good chance he'll be released this offseason. I don't know how Jerry Jones can keep him. First of all, it's a terrible PR move to do so, and second, Ratliff has been very sluggish since signing a $48 million contract in September of 2011.

    Even if Ratliff isn't let go, the Cowboys are expected to draft Sharrif Floyd or Sheldon Richardson if either are available at No. 18 overall.

  3. New York Giants: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
    The Giants have issues in the middle of their defense. The safety position is a problem, as is inside linebacker. Chase Blackburn shouldn't be starting, while Keith Rivers, a free agent in March, can never get healthy. General manager Jerry Reese said that there needs to be better linebacker play next year.

    Alec Ogletree is one of the top players available and is capable of stepping into either the middle or weakside linebacker position. He makes a ton of sense at this spot.

    Pick change; previously Lane Johnson, OT

  4. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina
    If you've watched Jay Cutler take a beating throughout this past season, you know that they need to find multiple upgrades for their struggling offensive line. I'd hate the idea of slotting two guards in the top 20, but Jonathan Cooper is capable of playing all three interior positions. I'm sure Chicago would love to have a successor for Roberto Garza, who is entering his contract year at the age of 34.

    Pick change; previously Alec Ogletree, ILB



  5. Cincinnati Bengals: Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame
    Back in October, I had Manti Te'o slotted to Cincinnati at No. 10 overall because: "The Bengals have major problems at linebacker. They lost Keith Rivers this past offseason, Manny Lawson will be a free agent in the spring, and Rey Maualuga is arguably one of the worst defensive starters in the NFL. I don't know if he's hurt or what, but he's been awful this season. Manti Te'o, the top player available, would be a big boost to the linebacking corps."

    Well, Te'o is now a legitimate option for them at No. 21. He'll likely fall at least a few spots because of the weird story about his fake girlfriend, but the Bengals won't care. They'll see a player who would offer a big upgrade on defense.

  6. St. Louis Rams: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
    If there's one thing I'm disappointed with in this mock draft update, it's that I couldn't slot Cordarrelle Patterson earlier. I think there's a very good chance he'll be taken in the top 12. Buffalo makes a ton of sense at No. 8, but Buddy Nix seems to want a quarterback there.

    I don't think the Rams will necessarily be targeting a receiver in the first round because they're still developing Brian Quick, but they will absolutely consider Patterson if he's available at No. 22 because he's arguably the top player on the board. It's pretty obvious that Jeff Fisher needs to find receiving help for Sam Bradford.

  7. Minnesota Vikings: Johnathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State
    The Vikings can address one of their biggest needs with the best player available. Defensive tackle is a big 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. Johnathan Hankins is too good to pass up at this juncture.

    Pick change; previously Keenan Allen, WR

  8. Indianapolis Colts: John Jenkins, NT, Georgia
    Antonio Johnson's contract is up, but he was playing out of position anyway. A nose tackle upgrade is needed, as the Colts had major issues stopping the run this past season.



  9. Seattle Seahawks: Bennie Logan, DT, LSU
    Seattle's defense is dominant, but one thing the unit is lacking is a consistent interior pass-rushing presence. Perhaps Bennie Logan can fix that. He's one of the top players available.

    The Combine is going to dictate this pick for me. Pete "Bazuzu" Carroll is all about building his team on speed, and there's a good chance Logan will run a 4.8 in Indianapolis.

  10. Green Bay Packers: Keenan Allen, WR, California
    Greg Jennings will be a free agent in March. He's proven to be unreliable in terms of staying healthy, so he won't be back. The Packers consequently may target a receiver early in the 2013 NFL Draft. Keenan Allen is the top player available in this situation, so I doubt Ted Thompson would hesitate to pluck him off the board.

    Pick change; previously Jonathan Cooper, C/G

  11. 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.

  12. Denver Broncos: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
    It really bothered me that none of the ESPN shows discussed how unbelievably bad Champ Bailey was against the Ravens. He looked like a member of New Orleans' secondary. He could be done. Tony Carter, meanwhile, is a free agent. The Broncos suddenly need help at corner.

    Desmond Trufant had an awesome Senior Bowl. He shut down every receiver he battled in the drills. At this point, I'll be somewhat surprised if he makes it into the second round.



  13. New England Patriots: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
    The Patriots don't have much of an interior pass rush. They may spend an early draft choice on a complement for Vince Wilfork.

    Kawann Short, who had a solid Senior Bowl, has the size and scheme versatility that Bill Belichick likes in his defensive linemen.

  14. Atlanta Falcons: Alex Okafor, DE/OLB, Texas
    The overpaid Ray Edwards was cut during the season. Meanwhile, John Abraham will turn 35 a week after the 2013 NFL Draft. Defensive end will be a priority early in the 2013 NFL Draft, and the Falcons may even double dip at the position in the first few rounds.

    Pick change; previously Sam Montgomery, DE

  15. San Francisco 49ers: Matt Elam, S, Florida
    Despite making the Pro Bowl, Donte Whitner hasn't been very good this year (he surrendered more touchdowns than any safety). Dashon Goldson, meanwhile, was slapped with a franchise tag this prior offseason. The 49ers, who might want to upgrade the secondary after Joe Flacco torched them in the Super Bowl, will need a replacement if they can't sign him to a long-term deal.

    Pick change; previously Margus Hunt, DE/DT

  16. Baltimore Ravens: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
    Anquan Boldin had a fantastic playoff run, but multiple reports indicate that he won't be back next year because of salary-cap implications. If that's the case, Baltimore will obviously have to replenish its receiving corps.

    Pick change; previously Matt Elam, S



    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2


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    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 4


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