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

Last update: Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. Round 5 added plus Alex Smith update.
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: 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.
    
    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 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.
    
    
18. Dallas Cowboys: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
    The safety position was a major weak point for the Cowboys this past season after Barry Church tore his Achilles' tendon. Church was extended prior to the injury, but he's owed less than $1 million next year, so that won't prevent Dallas from picking a safety early. Kenny Vaccaro is the top player available at this juncture.
    
    Pick change; previously Jonathan Cooper, G/C
    
    
19. New York Giants: Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
    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 Damontre Moore. He did not perform well at the Combine, posting just 12 bench press reps and running an ugly 40 before getting hurt.
    
    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
    
    
20. Chicago Bears: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
    The Bears have revealed that they will be searching for a speed element to their passing game this offseason. If that's the case, they won't hesitate selecting Tavon Austin if he's available at this juncture. Chicago cannot have Devin Hester on the field as a receiver any longer.
    
    Austin has jumped into top-20 consideration after a sterling Combine. He had one of the fastest 40s and was terrific in the drills. He has drawn comparisons to Percy Harvin and Wes Welker.
    
    Pick change; previously D.J. Fluker, OT
    
    
    
    
    
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Xavier Rhodes, CB/S, Florida State
    The Bengals want Kenny Vaccaro, but he didn't make it to them in this addition. If he's not on the board, they'll go with the best player available, and that happens to be Xavier Rhodes.
    
    Cincinnati just drafted Dre Kirkpatrick in the first round last year, but Rhodes is still in play because he can easily move to safety. Also, the team has zero cornerback depth, which is a problem because Mike Zimmer loves having three corners on the field.
    
    Pick change; previously Manti Te'o, LB
    
    
22. 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.
    
    
23. Minnesota Vikings: Keenan Allen, WR, California
    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 Johnathan Hankins, NT
    
    
24. Indianapolis Colts: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
    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. Winston Justice was always hobbling on and off the field with various injuries.
    
    Pick change; previously Johnathan Banks, CB
    
    
    
    
    
25. Seattle Seahawks: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
    Seattle's defense is dominant, but one thing the unit is lacking is a consistent interior pass-rushing presence. Perhaps Kawann Short can fix that. He's one of the top players available.
    
    The Combine didn't provide any answers, partly because some guys didn't run, but the Pro Day could dictate this pick for me. Pete "Bazuzu" Carroll is all about building his team on speed.
    
    Pick change; previously Bennie Logan, DT
    
    
26. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
    Jermichael Finley recently said that his chances of staying with the Packers is 50/50. Jason La Canfora reported that Finley won't return. If that's the case, the Packers will be searching for a tight end early in the 2013 NFL Draft. Tyler Eifert distanced himself from Zach Ertz at the Combine.
    
    Pick change; previously Keenan Allen, WR
    
    
27. 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.
    
    
28. 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.
    
    
    
    
    
29. New England Patriots: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
    The Patriots don't have much of an interior pass rush. They may spend an early draft choice on a complement for Vince Wilfork.
    
    Sylvester Williams, who had a solid Senior Bowl, has the size and scheme versatility that Bill Belichick likes in his defensive linemen.
    
    Pick change; previously Kawann Short, DT
    
    
30. Atlanta Falcons: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
    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 Alex Okafor, DE/OLB
    
    
31. 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 made this big leap recently. 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.
    
    
32. Baltimore Ravens: Johnathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State
    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 Johnathan Hankins because he looked sluggish at the Combine and consequently ran slowly.
    
    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.
    
    Pick change; previously John Jenkins, NT
    
    
    
    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2
    
    
    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 3
    
    
    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 4
    
    
    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 5
    
    
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