2013 NFL Mock Draft Update With Trades: Nassib on the Rise
17. Pittsburgh Steelers — Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
The Steelers ditched Rashard Mendenhall, and are in need of a power back. I think Lacy fits their offense perfectly, and at this point in the first round, I don’t think he’s a bad value at all. He ran in the low 4.6 range at his pro day, which isn’t a shock considering he’s just coming off of injury.
18. Dallas Cowboys — Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
The Cowboys like Vaccaro, and I think he’s a great fit for their revamped defensive backfield. He can play in the box or deep in a cover 2, and his versatility will be attractive to Dallas. They could also go with an interior offensive lineman here.
19. New York Giants — Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State
According to SI.com writer Don Banks, the Giants really like Carradine. He is a pass rusher with a ton of upside who is coming off of an injury. I think this would be a great spot for him to land with Osi Umenyiora out of town.
20. Chicago Bears — Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
The Bears signed Jermon Bushrod, but they need some athletic ability on the bookend of their OL. Watson is a very athletic offensive tackle who is very raw. The Bears could opt to upgrade at LB here, but Watson may be too enticing to pass on.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
The Bengals could use a new SAM linebacker, and Ogletree could fit that role perfectly. He is a versatile player, who can cover and rush the quarterback on third down when called upon. I think he could be a huge asset for the Bengals.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) — Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State
Brown is a very athletic linebacker who would bring a new dimension to the St. Louis defense. James Laurinaitis is the leader in the middle, but Brown can play outside at either spot, and could wind up being a great fit for Jeff Fisher and the Rams.
23. Minnesota Vikings — Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
The Vikings score big with a playmaker from Tennessee here, a guy who can give them what Percy Harvin did if he lives up to his potential. Patterson has great size and was used all over the field for the Volunteers.
24. Indianapolis Colts — Datone Jones, DL, UCLA
The Colts need to upgrade their defensive front, and Jones has excellent scheme versatility. He can play down in a three man front or kick inside in nickel situations.
25. Minnesota Vikings (from Seattle) — Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
The Vikings really like Te’o, and they have a hole at ILB with Jasper Brinkley gone. Te’o is one of the best players available at this point, and I think he’d be a really nice fit for Minnesota.
26. Green Bay Packers — Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
The Packers’ defense has regressed a bit, and I think it’s because they lost some nastiness up front. Williams can provide that and even though he’s a little older than some rookies, I think he can come in and produce right away.
27. Houston Texans — D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
The Texans could look to upgrade their RT spot in the first round if a guy like Fluker falls to them. He would be great value here.
28. Denver Broncos — Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
Werner is excellent value here for the Broncos, who lost Elvis Dumervil to the Baltimore Ravens. If a top talent like this falls into their laps, they’ll forget about Dumervil pretty fast.
29. New England Patriots — Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Trufant is a big, fast corner who could be a big-time playmaker for the Patriots with Aqib Talib on the other side. They could dip into the WR group with this pick as well.
30. Atlanta Falcons — Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
The Falcons lost Dunta Robinson AND Brent Grimes, so an upgrade is much needed at the CB position. Taylor is a prospect who is really on the rise right now.
31. Buffalo Bills — Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
Nassib is considered the number one QB prospect by some, and I think the Bills would love to plug him into their system. The trade down allows them to do that with some flexibility in the 2nd round.
32. Baltimore Ravens — Eric Reid, S, LSU
Reid is a very solid all-around safety prospect who would be great value for the Ravens at the bottom of the first round to pair with Michael Huff.