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

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Last update: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 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: Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina
    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.

    I'd hate the idea of slotting two guards in the top 20, but Jonathan Cooper is capable of playing all three interior positions. Dallas will love his versatility.

    Pick change; previously Sheldon Richardson, DT

  3. New York Giants: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
    Smart teams like the Giants, Steelers and Ravens always end up getting a prospect who falls during the draft. Teams constantly selecting in the top 15 are stupid, so intelligent front offices take advantage of their dumb decisions on Draft Day. One player who's probably going to drop is Barkevious Mingo. He had a down 2012 campaign, but he's so unbelievably talented. He's worth the gamble at No. 19 overall.

    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 early this April.

    Pick change; previously Alec Ogletree, LB

  4. Chicago Bears: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
    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. One of the positions that needs to be addressed is right tackle. Gabe Carimi has been awful there. He's played better at guard, so maybe Chicago's new regime will move him inside permanently.

    D.J. Fluker has been generating a ton of buzz lately, and it's been reported that he won't escape the top 21. Chicago makes sense as a landing spot.



  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: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
    James Laurinaitis and JoLonn Dunbar played pretty well this past season, but no one the team tried at strongside linebacker did very well. Alec Ogletree makes sense as one of the top prospects available.

    Ogletree was recently arrested for a DUI. He's also had some other off-the-field issues. However, this won't deter the Rams, who have taken chances on character guys in this regime. It's worked out so far.

    Pick change; previously Cordarrelle Patterson, WR

  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 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. Johnathan Hankins is too good to pass up at this juncture.

  8. Indianapolis Colts: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
    The Colts need stronger cornerback play across from Vontae Davis. Joe Flacco torched every Indianapolis corner not named Davis in the opening round of the playoffs. Johnathan Banks fills a need and happens to be one of the top players available.

    Pick change; previously Jonathan Cooper, G/C



  9. Seattle Seahawks: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
    Seattle's defense is dominant, but one thing the unit is lacking is a consistent interior pass-rushing presence. Perhaps Sylvester Williams 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 Williams will run a 4.9 at 310-plus pounds in Indianapolis.

    Pick change; previously Bennie Logan, DT

  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.

  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: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
    There's a chance a running back won't be chosen in the first round this year, but Eddie Lacy has a shot of being picked toward the end of Thursday night. He had a terrific showing in the national championship and has earned fringe first-round status.

    John Fox is not shy about using early selections on running backs. He needs one. Willis McGahee is old, Knowshon Moreno can't be trusted, and Ronnie Hillman's just a chance-of-pace back.

    Pick change; previously Desmond Trufant, CB



  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.

  15. San Francisco 49ers: Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
    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.

    Jonathan Cyprien makes a big leap in today's update. There's so much buzz about him recently, and there are multiple reports indicating that several teams have him ranked as the No. 2 safety in this class.

  16. Baltimore Ravens: John Jenkins, NT, Georgia
    This pick is all about figuring out which player will fall to the Ravens. Ozzie Newsome frequently scoops up plummeting prospects, and there's no reason to believe that this year will be any different. The tumbling prospect could easily be John Jenkins because Johnathan Jenkins, who's ranked ahead of him, could easily fall as well.

    Terrence Cody is a bust. He was playing behind Ma'ake Kemoeatu in his third season. Kemoeatu is a 34-year-old free agent, so the Ravens may want to bring in a new nose tackle this offseason.



    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2


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    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 4


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