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

Last update: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012. Major changes in all three rounds.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2013 NFL Mock Draft is loosely based on my 2012 NFL Power Rankings.

17. Chicago Bears: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
    Brian Urlacher's successor. Urlacher will be a 35-year-old free agent this upcoming offseason and he's struggled this year. His declining play is probably the result of his knee injury, but will Chicago re-sign him if it fears his body is breaking down? Even if the front office does retain him, Manti Te'o, who just had a terrific showing versus Michigan State, can play strongside linebacker and slide into the middle once Urlacher moves on.
    
    Pick change; previously Kawann Short, DT
    
    
18. Dallas Cowboys: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas
    Anthony Spencer will be a free agent in March. I don't envision the Cowboys giving him the long-term deal he covets because he's way too inconsistent, so they'll have to find a new pass-rusher across from DeMarcus Ware.
    
    Pick change; previously Barrett Jones, G/C
    
    
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
    Brandon Boykin was a nice pick in the fourth round, but he won't be enough if Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie leaves via free agency, as Philadelphia wants three high-level cornerbacks. Boykin played well versus Baltimore, so a No. 1 pick might be too early for a third corner, but Johnthan Banks is the best player on the board.
    
    Pick change; previously DeMarcus Milliner, CB
    
    
20. Seattle Seahawks: Brennan Williams, OT, North Carolina
    The Seahawks have seemed to give up on former first-round pick James Carpenter as a right tackle, as they've announced that they want him as their starting left guard when he returns from injury. This means that they'll have to address their big hole at right tackle.
    
    Pick change; previously Robert Woods, WR
    
    
    
    
    
21. Arizona Cardinals: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
    This is a pretty obvious selection. The Cardinals have pressing offensive line issues that they'll absolutely need to resolve next spring. If they want to keep Kevin Kolb at quarterback, they'll need to protect him because he's so brittle.
    
    Pick change; previously Geno Smith, QB
    
    
22. Denver Broncos: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina
    John Fox knows a thing or two about drafting running backs in the first round. He'll need to find a new runner soon because Willis McGahee won't be able to hold up much longer, while Ronnie Hillman hasn't even shown enough to be active yet.
    
    Pick change; previously Johnathan Jenkins, NT
    
    
23. Detroit Lions: Barrett Jones, G/C/OT, Alabama
    The Lions take the best player available, and that, by my estimation, would be Barrett Jones. The versatile Alabama lineman can play at least four positions. He can start at right tackle - Gosder Cherilus will be a free agent in March - and then eventually move to either guard or center.
    
    Pick change; previously Xavier Rhodes, CB
    
    
24. San Diego Chargers: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
    Both Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason will be free agents following this season. The Chargers will have to find some reinforcements at cornerback if they lose either defender.
    
    Pick change; previously Johnthan Banks, CB
    
    
    
    
    
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
    The Steelers will never shy away from taking a talented skill-position player in the first round. A wide receiver is definitely in play unless they re-sign Mike Wallace to a long-term deal.
    
    Pick change; previously Manti Te'o, ILB
    
    
26. Atlanta Falcons: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
    Peter Konz will eventually move to center and replace Todd McClure, but the Falcons will still need an upgrade at right guard.
    
    
27. New York Giants: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
    I imagine that Jerry Reese was crying in his sleep all offseason because he didn't get to add a pass-rusher in the 2012 NFL Draft. I'm sure he'll make amends next April.
    
    
28. New England Patriots: T.J. McDonald, S, USC
    Steve Gregory has predictably been a bust signing thus far. Patrick Chung, meanwhile, will be a free agent this offseason, so if he walks, the Patriots will have a dire need at safety next to Tavon Wilson.
    
    Pick change; previously Jesse Williams, NT
    
    
    
    
    
29. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
    Jermichael Finley will be due close to $8 million in 2013, and Packer fans could be happier about that because Finley is one of the most overrated players in the NFL. He's terribly inconsistent and doesn't appear as though he'll ever live up to expectations.
    
    Pick change; previously T.J. McDonald, S
    
    
30. Baltimore Ravens: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
    Ozzie Newsome needs to find a successor for Ray Lewis. He also has to secure one for Bryant McKinnie. Joe Flacco might be the best quarterback in the NFL, but even he needs protection on the blind side. In this scenario, Kelechi Osemele would shift inside to left guard.
    
    Pick change; previously Jake Matthews, OT
    
    
31. San Francisco 49ers: Johnathan Jenkins, NT, Georgia
    The 49ers have a fantastic defense, but one thing they're missing is a quality nose tackle. They don't really need one based on the formations they play, but this is a luxury pick they can afford to make because they have so few needs.
    
    Pick change; previously D.J. Fluker, OT
    
    
32. Houston Texans: Jesse Williams, NT, Alabama
    Like the 49ers, the one piece the Texans seem to be missing defensively is a run-stuffing nose tackle. Shaun Cody and Earl Mitchell are just mediocre talents, at best.
    
    
    
    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2
    
    
    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 3
    
    
    Back to 2013 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16
    
    
    2012 NFL Mock Draft