2013 NFL Mock Draft Update: Luke Joeckel Number One?
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson — If Mike Wallace leaves via free agency, and I could see it, I think WR becomes a pretty pressing need for the Steelers. Hopkins had a huge junior season and could be a high impact kind of player at the NFL level.
18. Dallas Cowboys
Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida — The Cowboys could go a number of directions here, but I think they are due to shore up their defensive line rotation. Floyd had a big junior season, and showed versatility that could make him an attractive piece to the Cowboys’ defense.
19. New York Giants
Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU — Osi Umenyiora is a free agent, and the Giants haven’t used a first round pick on a defensive end in a couple years. All joking aside, Ansah has the look of a guy who could potentially be as good as Jason Pierre-Paul, so why not let the two join forces? No Giant player had double-digit sacks this season, a travesty if you’re a Giants fan.
20. Chicago Bears
Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame — Brian Urlacher out, Manti Te’o in. Jokes aside, you have to feel bad for Manti, who was the victim of one of the more embarrassing national hoaxes of all-time. This is potentially too good of a situation for the Bears to be true. They want to upgrade the offensive side of the ball, but getting Te’o to replace Urlacher is almost–almost–the same as getting Andrew Luck to replace Peyton Manning.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU — Michael Johnson is a stud at the DE position, and the Bengals have some big free agents coming up this offseason and won’t be able to retain them all. They need to make sure they are able to keep their positive momentum going with their defensive front seven development.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)
Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas — The Rams could upgrade a few positions here, one of which is the safety position. Vaccaro has potential to be elite in the NFL, and adding him to a defensive backfield with Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson has the look of something nice in the future for the Rams.
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23. Minnesota Vikings
Keenan Allen, WR, Cal — The Vikings do a good job of taking advantage of the fall of good prospects. Keenan Allen has had some injuries that could force him down the board, but adding him could entice Percy Harvin to be happy in Minnesota, and open up some opportunities for he and Kyle Rudolph.
24. Indianapolis Colts
Johnathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina — After going almost stricly offense last year, I think the Colts still have some areas to upgrade on that side of the ball. Johnathan Cooper is probably too good of a prospect to pass on at this point, and I think he’d be a good fit for Indy’s up-and-coming offensive attack.
25. Seattle Seahawks
John Jenkins, DT, Georgia — Jenkins is a massive body who can play nose tackle for the Seahawks’ top five defense and open up more opportunities for their pass rushers. I could see them going with an edge rusher here also, speaking of.
26. Green Bay Packers
Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia — It’s time for the Packers to upgrade their inside linebacker position, and they couldn’t ask for much better of a value here. Ogletree was a huge impact player for the Bulldogs this season, and should be a long-time starter in the NFL.
27. Houston Texans
Eric Reid, S, LSU — The Texans’ defense needs some more playmakers on the back end. Reid is a guy who should start in this league for a long time, and he has the ability to be a very good all-around safety.
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28. Denver Broncos
Margus Hunt, DE, SMU — The Broncos’ defense was tied for best in the NFL in sacks a year ago, but there is some uncertainty at defensive end with Derek Wolfe playing both end and tackle in his very solid rookie season. Hunt is a guy who can be a full-time starter at the strong-side defensive end position and provide the Broncos with a poor man’s J.J. Watt type of player. Hunt is nearly 6’8″ and had a ton of blocked kicks in his career. He’s also a freakish athlete and can make plays rushing the quarterback.
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29. San Francisco 49ers
Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon — Jordan would provide the Niners with some needed depth in the edge rushing department. I could also see them going for a big defensive lineman here.
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30. Baltimore Ravens
D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama — How much longer can Bryant McKinnie start in this league? The Ravens need to look to upgrade their offensive line, perhaps with one of a couple of Alabama players.
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31. New England Patriots
Xavier Rhodes, CB/S, Florida State — Aqib Talib is a free agent, and Ras-I Dowling hasn’t been the impact player the Pats have hoped for. Devin McCourtey has moved to safety and I think CB is a position the Patriots could look to early on.
32. Atlanta Falcons
Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford — If you believe Tony Gonzalez, then this is a very necessary pick for the Falcons. Ertz is a capable blocker and a red zone nightmare. It would be a seamless transition for the Falcons to be able to groom Ertz if they lose Gonzalez.
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