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

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Last update: Wednesday, March 27, 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.

    *** THIS IS A LIVE 2013 NFL MOCK DRAFT. PICKS ARE BEING POSTED NOW. TO SEE PREVIOUS VERSIONS, CHECK OUT THE ARCHIVED 2013 NFL MOCK DRAFT SECTION. FOLLOW @walterfootball FOR UPDATES ***

  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: 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 Kenny Vaccaro, S

  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 was told to hit the road because he wouldn't accept $2 million for 2013. D.J. Williams was signed, and while he's currently projected to replace Urlacher in the middle, he could ultimately move to strongside linebacker if Chicago can land someone as talented as Arthur Brown.

    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.



  5. Cincinnati Bengals: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
    The Bengals re-signed Rey Maualuga with the idea of moving him back to strongside linebacker, where has played OK in the past. They'll then move Vontaze Burfict to the middle. This will open up a hole at weakside linebacker, which can be filled by selecting Alec Ogletree.

    Ogletree was recently arrested for a DUI. He's also had some other off-the-field issues. However, this won't deter the Bengals from taking him.

    Pick change; previously D.J. Fluker, OT

  6. St. Louis Rams: D.J. Fluker, OT/G, Alabama
    The Rams desperately need to upgrade their offensive front prior to signing Jake Long. Jeff Fisher said it as much - he defended Sam Bradford recently by saying the blocking needs to get better up front. I expected St. Louis to make multiple upgrades to the offensive line heading into free agency. Long was one, but interior help is still needed.

    D.J. Fluker could play guard for St. Louis initially. He may eventually be moved to right tackle. There have been rumors that the Rams will attempt to trade Rodger Saffold. Those will obviously strengthen if Fluker is added.

    Pick change; previously Alec Ogletree, OLB

  7. Minnesota Vikings: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
    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.

    Pick change; previously Keenan Allen, WR

  8. Indianapolis Colts: Tank Carradine, DE/OLB, Florida State
    The Colts have issues with their pass rush. Robert Mathis just turned 32 and will be due $12 million in 2014 and 2015. Jerry Hughes has never lived up to expectations. Dwight Freeney is gone. Erik Walden was just signed for depth despite being incredibly overpaid.

    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 Jesse Williams, NT



  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.

  10. Green Bay Packers: Datone Jones, DE/DT, UCLA
    The Packers don't have a consistent pass-rusher on their defensive line. Ryan Pickett, who will be 34 in October, is just a run-stuffer. The same can be said about Jerel Worthy and C.J. Wilson. Mike Neal is good in situations, but he's not a starting-caliber player.

    Datone Jones would offer a different element to Green Bay's defensive line. He'd be a big upgrade over Wilson at right defensive end.

    Pick change; previously Tyler Eifert, TE

  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 Charlie reported recently, Justin Hunter is receiving tons of first-round interest.

  12. Denver Broncos: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
    Mike Klis of the Denver Post recently wrote that the Broncos are looking for larger cornerbacks to copy Seattle's model. Johnthan Banks certainly fits the bill at 6-2, so he could be targeted with this pick.

    The Broncos don't have a current need for a cornerback, but they definitely will soon. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will be a free agent next spring, while Champ Bailey will be due $9 million in a walk year, so he'll probably be cut if he plays like he did against the Ravens.

    Pick change; previously Tank Carradine, DE



  13. New England Patriots: Jesse Williams, NT, Alabama
    The Patriots don't have much of an interior pass rush. They may spend an early draft choice on a complement for Vince Wilfork. Jesse Williams 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.

  15. San Francisco 49ers: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
    The 49ers obviously have Vernon Davis as one of Colin Kaepernick's top targets, but Jim Harbaugh loves utilizing multiple tight ends. He used to have Delanie Walker as a No. 2 tight end option, but Walker signed with the Titans this offseason.

    A second tight end is a bit of a luxury pick, but with so many selections, the 49ers can afford to make one like this. Plus, Tyler Eifert is one of the top players available.

    Pick change; previously Datone Jones, DE

  16. Baltimore Ravens: Keenan Allen, WR, California
    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 Keenan Allen because he's injured and hasn't been able to work out.

    Allen makes a ton of sense for the Ravens. He would fill the void created by the Anquan Boldin trade to the 49ers. It's also worth noting that Daniel Jeremiah, who used to work for Baltimore, listed Allen as a top option for the Ravens on Path to the Draft.

    Pick change; previously Damontre Moore, DE/OLB



    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2


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    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 4


    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 5


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