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

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Last update: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. Major changes in all 3 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. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
    Sedrick Ellis has been a bust. He'll be hitting free agency this March, so it's unlikely he'll be back with the team. Canadian Akiem Hicks has played well, but the Saints need someone next to him who can rush the passer on the interior. Sheldon Richardson, who has been phenomenal this season, could be that guy.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates.

    Pick change; previously Sam Montgomery, DE

  2. Dallas Cowboys: Johnathan Jenkins, NT, Georgia
    The Cowboys had the option of picking J.J. Watt at No. 9 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. They went with Tyron Smith, who was great in his rookie campaign, but they were hurting at the defensive end position as a consequence. In this scenario, they'd be able to move Jay Ratliff outside. It's something they were thinking about when they were seriously considering taking Dontari Poe in April.

  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
    The Buccaneers decided they didn't like Morris Claiborne very much, so they traded out of the No. 5 spot in the 2012 NFL Draft and selected Mark Barron two picks later. They really need cornerback help, especially in the wake of the Aqib Talib trade, so they'll almost have to remedy that need at this juncture. Maybe another SEC defensive back will be the answer.

  4. Minnesota Vikings: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
    If either Keenan Allen or Justin Hunter is available for Minnesota in the first round, it's difficult to envision the front office not pulling the trigger. The Vikings have to add more talent to complement Christian Ponder. They need an upgrade across from Percy Harvin, as Jerome Simpson is way too inconsistent to be a No. 2 receiver.



  5. 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.

  6. Indianapolis Colts: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
    Winston Justice has actually played surprisingly well this year at right tackle, but I asked recently if that could continue over 16 games? Well, Justice has struggled a bit lately and cannot seem to stay healthy. The Colts need to improve Andrew Luck's pass protection.

    Pick change; previously Sheldon Richardson, OT

  7. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
    Russell Wilson has been great thus far for a rookie, but he needs talent around him. Upgrades must be made at receiver and tight end. Tyler Eifert happens to be the best player available out of those positions. He would be an obvious upgrade over Zach Miller.

    Pick change; previously Robert Woods, WR

  8. New York Giants: Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State
    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 at the end of the first round. Tank Carradine has been awesome this year as a fill-in for the injured Brandon Jenkins. He's moved into late first-round consideration.

    Pick change; previously Dion Jordan, DE



  9. Denver Broncos: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
    Denver's young corners have played well alongside Champ Bailey, but safety help is needed because Michael Adams isn't very good. He's going to be a 32-year-old entering his contract season anyway.

    Kenny Vaccaro has been outstanding this season and should now be the top safety prospect - though I wouldn't count out Matt Elam.

    Pick change; previously Sylvester Williams, DT

  10. New England Patriots: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
    The Patriots are getting no interior pass rush. Vince Wilfork, who just turned 31, is not having a good season and appears to be declining. Kyle Love, meanwhile, has been a non-factor for the most part. Kawann Short has been dominant for Purdue this year. He has the size and versatility that Bill Belichick likes in his defensive linemen.

  11. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina
    If you watched the Bears struggle to score against the Texans, you know that they need to find multiple upgrades for their struggling offensive line. Jonathan Cooper can play multiple positions up front.

    Pick change; previously Dallas Thomas, OT/G

  12. 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. Terrance Williams and DeAndre Hopkins (don't have him declaring in this version, but may change that next week) are both options.

    Pick change; previously Tyler Eifert, TE



  13. San Francisco 49ers: Alex Okafor, DE/OLB, Texas
    The 49ers have a fantastic defense, but they have a serious lack of depth at rush linebacker. With so few needs, they can afford to take the best player available to address that problem.

    Pick change; previously Eric Reid, S

  14. 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.

  15. Houston Texans: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
    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.

    Pick change; previously Terrance Williams, WR

  16. Atlanta Falcons: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
    The overpaid Ray Edwards was recently cut. Meanwhile, John Abraham was re-signed to a team-friendly deal last offseason, which means the Falcons can release him if he regresses. Defensive end will be a priority early in the 2013 NFL Draft, and the Falcons may even double dip at the position in the first few rounds.



    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