2013 NFL Mock Draft Update: Super Bowl Edition
17. Pittsburgh Steelers — Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
The Steelers had some character issues with 2012 draft picks, specifically with fourth rounder Alameda Ta’amu, who was supposed to be a first round talent at nose tackle and fell in the draft, now for obvious reasons. The Steelers may still be looking for a replacement for nose tackle Casey Hampton, who is getting old. Hankins has some serious talent and was talked about as a top 5 pick at one point.
18. Dallas Cowboys — Matt Elam, S, Florida
The Cowboys’ safety situation is really bad, and Matt Elam played out of his mind at times this past season. He’s a little bit smaller for a safety, but he packs a punch and can help this Dallas defense force turnovers. He will be a welcome addition to the secondary.
19. New York Giants — Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
It seems like every year the Giants have a need at linebacker. Perhaps with Chase Blackburn hitting free agency and Michael Boley being released, they will actually choose to fill it via the draft this year. Ogletree is a stud at inside linebacker, and is scheme diverse. He’d be a great pickup for the Giants.
20. Chicago Bears — Johnathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
There is no question the Bears need to add talent to their offensive line in order to protect Jay Cutler. If their first round pick isn’t used on an offensive lineman this offseason, fans are going to start to wonder if the Bears even WANT to keep Cutler on his feet.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
Te’o probably won’t last much further than this. If you’ve heard his side of the bizarre story, it seems pretty convincing that he was truly duped. Lucky for him, he’s not that inept on the field mentally, and he’s a great defensive leader. The Bengals could lose Rey Maualuga in free agency, and LB is one of their biggest needs as a team.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) — Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
Like I stated with the first pick, the Rams missed out on the top 3 offensive tackles, as well as the top two guard prospects. They don’t need to reach for guys at the OL since I think they’ll look to free agency for a starter or two anyway. Kawann Short is a guy coming from Purdue who can help make plays in the backfield, and would give the Rams an enviable defensive front four of first round picks.
23. Minnesota Vikings — Keenan Allen, WR, California
There are trade rumors again regarding Percy Harvin, who is one of three players on Minnesota’s roster at the skill positions who have NFL talent. If they trade him, it will not only be foolish but will leave the cupboard at WR completely bare. Adding Keenan Allen wouldn’t ease the pain much for a couple of years, and likely if Percy Harvin is gone, the Vikes will be searching for a new QB next year.
24. Indianapolis Colts — Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
The Colts’ defensive backfield was improved this past year, but for the most part, they overachieved. Banks is a guy who played a lot of games at Mississippi State and who could start right away for Indianapolis along with Vontae Davis.
25. Seattle Seahawks — Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon
Seattle may be without their top pass rusher Chris Clemons for a while, and 2012 first round pick Bruce Irvin has not proven he can be more than a third down specialist. Jordan has huge talent and would be a great value here. He could go much higher than this.
26. Green Bay Packers — Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
The Packers went almost exclusively defense with their picks in last year’s draft, so that talent needs some space to develop. They still have needs defensively, but I think a more pressing need is at the RB position. They are not a running team, but that’s because they don’t have a good running back. Lacy could be a first round lock after the Scouting Combine.
27. Houston Texans — DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
Hopkins was arguably the best receiver in all of college football this past season, and I think he cemented a first round status after the Clemson bowl game where he was spectacular. The Texans have long needed a threat at WR opposite Andre Johnson, and even with his career winding down, the right move is to get him some help while they have a championship window open.
28. Denver Broncos — Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Despite what some who are prone to overreact may think, Champ Bailey’s season should not be defined by his getting beat repeatedly by Torrey Smith in the AFC Divisional playoff game this year. That being said, Bailey is older now, has lost the speed he once had, and the Broncos do have a need at the CB position. Xavier Rhodes was a shut-down corner and All-ACC performer for the Seminoles the last couple of years, and would be a great pickup for Denver’s secondary.
29. New England Patriots — Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
I think the Patriots should look to re-sign Aqib Talib, but there aren’t many better options in the first round than Trufant for them at this juncture. CB is a huge need for the Pats, and Trufant’s name is being talked about as as sure-fire first rounder.
30. Atlanta Falcons — Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
We’ll see if Tony Gonzalez really retires this offseason. That final game for the Falcons had to leave a bitter taste in his mouth. I think the Falcons would have had a better chance at beating the Ravens than the Niners did. If Gonzalez leaves, TE is a major need for Atlanta. They have few enough needs to make this pick anyway. Ertz is an elite talent at the position.
31. San Francisco 49ers — Jesse Williams, DL, Alabama
This would be a great pickup for the Niners’ offensive line, which is one of the more talent thirsty positions on their roster. Williams is a fiery talent on the defensive line who has great toughness and tenacity.
32. Baltimore Ravens — Kevin Minter, LB, LSU
With Ray Lewis concluding his “last ride” with a Super Bowl win, it’s time for the Ravens to look to the future at the position. I think Kevin Minter has a chance to be a really good starter in the NFL for a long time.