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

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Last update: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 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: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
    The Lions take the best player available who makes sense for them, and that, by my estimation, would be Xavier Rhodes. It's no secret that Detroit has major holes in its secondary. The Lions spent an early pick on Bullet Bill Bentley has been a bit of a disappointment thus far. It's still early though, so maybe he can improve as the season goes along.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates.

    Pick change; previously Manti Te'o, LB

  2. Arizona Cardinals: Corey Lemonier, DE/OLB, Auburn
    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. Corey Lemonier definitely makes sense because the Cardinals' rush linebackers have been very inconsistent in terms of generating pressure this season. It wouldn't hurt adding a third pass-rusher into the rotation, much like the Texans did last year with Whitney Mercilus. I know protecting Kevin Kolb is a priority, so maybe Arizona will sign someone in free agency.

    Pick change; previously Jackson Jeffcoat, DE/OLB

  3. 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) and will continue to climb big boards as long as he keeps it up.

  4. St. Louis Rams: Keenan Allen, WR, California
    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. Keenan Allen obviously has a much better chance of becoming a legitimate No. 1 target for Sam Bradford.

    Pick change; previously Robert Woods, WR



  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.

  6. Baltimore Ravens: Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
    The Ravens wanted Dont'a Hightower, but the Patriots moved ahead of them and stole him. Maybe Ozzie Newsome will select another SEC linebacker as a successor for Ray Lewis in April. Lewis is out for the year with torn triceps. His career could be over.

    Pick change; previously Xavier Rhodes, CB

  7. Seattle Seahawks: Robert Woods, WR, USC
    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 Terrance Williams, WR

  8. 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 one of the best prospects available at this juncture.



  9. Pittsburgh Steelers: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
    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. Maybe the team will still end up with an Alabama linebacker.

    Pick change; previously Alec Ogletree, ILB

  10. 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.

  11. Atlanta Falcons: Barrett Jones, G/C/OT, Alabama
    Peter Konz will eventually move to center and replace Todd McClure, but the Falcons will still need an upgrade at right guard. They'll also have to find help at right tackle if Tyson Clabo continues to struggle. Barrett Jones can play four positions up front.

    Pick change; previously Alex Okafor, DE

  12. Chicago Bears: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
    Jon Gruden highlighted the fact that the Bears haven't had a reliable pass-catching tight end since Greg Olsen was on the team. They jettisoned Olsen because Mike Martz hates receiving tight ends, but Martz is long gone, so it's time for them to go back to that. Jay Cutler would really benefit from having a dependable target over the middle of the field.

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



  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.

  14. Green Bay Packers: Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
    Greg Jennings will be a free agent in March. He's proven to be unreliable in terms of staying healthy, so the Packers may choose not to re-sign him. If so, they may target a receiver early in the 2013 NFL Draft.

    Pick change; previously Tyler Eifert, TE

  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.



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    2012 NFL Mock Draft