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

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Last update: Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. Major changes in all 3 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.

  1. Detroit Lions: Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame
    The Lions' strategy is to take the best prospect available, and that would easily be Manti Te'o at this juncture. Te'o makes sense for them, as both Justin Durant and DeAndre Levy have expiring contracts in March. Detroit needs help in its back seven anyway.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates.

    Pick change; previously Johnthan Banks, CB

  2. Minnesota Vikings: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
    The Vikings can address one of their biggest needs with arguably the best player available. Defensive tackle is a big 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.

    Kawann Short has been dominant this season (nine TFL, four sacks in six games) and will continue to climb big boards as long as he keeps it up.

  3. St. Louis Rams: Robert Woods, WR, USC
    The Rams missed out on Justin Blackmon a few months ago. As the Jaguars traded ahead of them, Jeff Fisher reportedly slammed his glasses on the table. He went on to draft Brian Quick and Chris Givens, but neither has shown any signs of become a starting receiver in the NFL. Givens has caught an occasional deep pass, but Quick hasn't even been active in most games. Robert Woods obviously has a much better chance of becoming a legitimate No. 1 target for Sam Bradford.

    Pick change; previously Justin Hunter, WR

  4. Arizona Cardinals: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE/OLB, Texas
    I'm not giving the Cardinals a tackle!? What!? Well, Arizona has proven that it'll draft the top player on its board as long as that prospect makes sense. Jackson Jeffcoat definitely makes sense because the Cardinals' rush linebackers can't generate any sort of pressure. Sam Acho and O'Brien Schofield have been very inconsistent this year. I know, I know, protecting Kevin Kolb is a priority, so maybe Arizona will sign someone in free agency.

    Speaking of Kolb, I considered slotting Tyler Bray here, but I'll hold off for now.

    NOTE: I found out about Jackson Jeffcoat's torn pec just now, but meh, it's just a torn pec. I may drop him in later updates.

    Pick change; previously Corey Lemonier, DE/OLB



  5. Miami Dolphins: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
    The Dolphins need to fix the right side of their offensive line so Ryan Tannehill has more time in the pocket. John Jerry should be upgraded.

    Chance Warmack has a chance to crack the top 20 despite being a guard. He's the top offensive line prospect in this class.

    Pick change; previously Keenan Allen, WR

  6. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
    The Steelers wanted Dont'a Hightower, but David DeCastro was just too good to pass up at No. 24 this past April. Pittsburgh now has few needs, but one of them is still at inside linebacker.

    Pick change; previously Jackson Jeffcoat, DE/OLB

  7. Seattle Seahawks: Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
    The Seahawks' receiving corps really needs to be upgraded. Sidney Rice is constantly laboring through injuries and has struggled to get any sort of separation for most of the season. Braylon Edwards is done, and Golden Tate? Meh, maybe if he can pull of the Touchception every week...

    Pick change; previously Robert Woods, WR

  8. Chicago Bears: Barrett Jones, G/C/OT, Alabama
    The Bears obviously need to find multiple upgrades for their struggling offensive line. Barrett Jones, who can play multiple positions up front, is the top player available.

    Pick change; previously Alec Ogletree, ILB



  9. 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 the turnover-prone Willis McGahee won't be able to hold up much longer, while Ronnie Hillman hasn't shown that he can be anything more than just a third-down specialist.

  10. Baltimore Ravens: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
    The Ravens suddenly have glaring issues at cornerback. Lardarius Webb tore an ACL for the second time in his career, while Cary Williams is a free agent. Xavier Rhodes is the top player available at this juncture, so he makes sense for Baltimore.

    Pick change; previously Chance Warmack, G

  11. San Francisco 49ers: Eric Reid, S, LSU
    Donte Whitner hasn't been very good this year. Dashon Goldson, meanwhile, was slapped with a franchise tag this prior offseason. The 49ers will need a replacement if they can't sign him to a long-term deal. Eric Reid has struggled a bit this year, which explains his tumble in these mock drafts, but he's the best player available at this juncture.

  12. Atlanta Falcons: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
    John Abraham was re-signed to a team-friendly deal this offseason, which means the Falcons can cut him if he regresses. Ray Edwards, meanwhile, has been a huge disappointment. Defensive end will be a possibility early in the 2013 NFL Draft.



  13. New England Patriots: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
    The Patriots are getting no interior pass rush. Vince Wilfork, turning 31 soon, is not having a good season and appears to be declining. Kyle Love, meanwhile, has been a non-factor for the most part. Sylvester Williams has been dominant for North Carolina this year. He has the size that Bill Belichick likes in his defensive linemen.

    Pick change; previously Terrance Williams, WR

  14. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
    Jermichael Finley will be due close to $8 million in 2013, and Packer fans should be happy 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.

  15. Houston Texans: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
    The Texans were interested in bringing in a right tackle early in the 2012 NFL Draft, but they never got the chance. Well, here's their opportunity. The position will have to be addressed if the currently injured Rashad Butler can't properly fill in for Eric Winston.

  16. New York Giants: Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina
    The Giants need help on their offensive line, particularly at left guard, where Kevin Boothe has struggled. Cooper can also play center, so he could take over at that spot down the road when David Baas leaves the team.

    Pick change; previously Barrett Jones, C/G/OT



    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 2


    2013 NFL Mock Draft - Round 3


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    2012 NFL Mock Draft