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

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Last update: Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Major changes in all 5 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
    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 is gone, so the Steelers may spend an early pick on a rush linebacker.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates.

  2. 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 wouldn't have prevented Dallas from picking a safety early. Gerald Sensabaugh's release only magnifies that need.

    Kenny Vaccaro is the top player available at this juncture. The Cowboys are very interested in him, and they may have to trade up to get him.

  3. New York Giants: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
    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 Bjoern Werner. He did not perform as well as expected at the Combine, showing much less athleticism than 2008's Chris Long, whom he's been compared to.

    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.

  4. Chicago Bears: Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State
    The Bears once had a strong group of linebackers, but Nick Roach just signed with the Raiders, while Brian Urlacher's 2013 status is unknown. As it stands now, Chicago is set to start J.T. Thomas and Blake Costanzo along with Lance Briggs at linebacker. That's not very promising.

    Arthur Brown is getting a ton of buzz lately. There have even been some Ray Lewis comparisons. He's a stud, so he could easily carry on the Bears' linebacker tradition.

    Pick change; previously D.J. Fluker, OT



  5. Cincinnati Bengals: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
    The Bengals will have to find a right tackle if they can't retain free agent Andre Smith. All they'll have at the position is Anthony Collins if Smith leaves.

    There's a ton of buzz circling around Menelik Watson. Charlie Campbell reported recently that Menelik Watson is being seen as a first-round prospect. I'd have Watson here if D.J. Fluker weren't available. I do believe Cincinnati's primary target is Kenny Vaccaro, but I don't expect him to make it to No. 21.

    Pick change; previously Menelik Watson, OT

  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.

  7. Minnesota Vikings: Keenan Allen, WR, California
    The front office has to add more talent to complement a very inconsistent Christian Ponder especially in the wake of the Percy Harvin trade. Go here to see my grade for the Percy Harvin trade. Multiple wideouts had to be obtained for Ponder prior to the Greg Jennings signing. One more is still needed.

  8. Indianapolis Colts: Jesse Williams, NT, Alabama
    All the Colts have at nose tackle are journeyman Brandon McKinney, who is coming off a torn ACL, and 2012 fifth-rounder Josh Chapman, who has no pro experience. They could opt to give Chapman a shot at the starting gig, but they're probably better off spending a first-round pick on one of the three nose tackles expected to be available.

    Pick change; previously Desmond Trufant, CB



  9. 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 solidify the Williams Wall.

    Pick change; previously Arthur Brown, LB

  10. 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.

  11. 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 with Menelik Watson, Justin Hunter is receiving tons of first-round interest.

  12. Denver Broncos: Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State
    I still can't believe what happened in Faxgate. I can't even believe people still use fax machines. I actually have one in my office, but I don't even know how to make it work. But I digress...

    With Elvis Dumervil presumably gone (he could be back), 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 in the first round come Draft Day. Carradine tore his ACL in November, but his recovery is reportedly going much faster than anticipated.

    Pick change; previously Johnathan Hankins, NT



  13. New England Patriots: Johnathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State
    The Patriots don't have much of an interior pass rush. They may spend an early draft choice on a complement for Vince Wilfork. Johnathan Hankins has the size and scheme versatility that Bill Belichick likes in his defensive linemen.

    Pick change; previously Sylvester Williams, DT

  14. Atlanta Falcons: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
    The Falcons are really hurting in two areas: defensive end and cornerback. The latter is a huge issue with Dunta Robinson gone and Brent Grimes appearing as though he'll sign elsewhere. Desmond Trufant fills a need and happens to be one of the top players available.

    Pick change; previously Tank Carradine, DE

  15. San Francisco 49ers: Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
    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.

  16. Baltimore Ravens: Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
    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 Damontre Moore because he looked sluggish at the Combine and reportedly interviewed very poorly.

    The Ravens like to take chances on prospects like Moore. Besides, he fills a need with Paul Kruger going to the Browns. The Ravens have shown interest in bringing in Elvis Dumervil. If they can't land the former Bronco, they may add a pass-rusher early in the 2013 NFL Draft.



    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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