2013 Mock Draft, Senior Bowl Edition: Quarterback for Chiefs?
17. Pittsburgh Steelers — Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
The Steelers take advantage of Mingo’s drop here and continue to add to their star-studded defense. James Harrison isn’t getting younger, so the Steelers need to think about adding some youth on the other side of Lamarr Woodley.
18. Dallas Cowboys — Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
The Cowboys take advantage of an opportunity to take a potential top five talent at defensive tackle in Johnathan Hankins, who was dominant at times for the Buckeyes this last year.
19. New York Giants — Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
The Giants have a huge need at left tackle, and I think Johnson could be a starting left tackle for them in 2013. He is a really improved player and a heck of an athlete at the OT position.
20. Chicago Bears — Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
The Bears could be losing Brian Urlacher to free agency as weird as that sounds, and though Manti Te’o’s story may be even weirder than that thought, I think this would be a very good pick.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
I think Lacy adds another dimension to the Cincinnati offensive attack. BenJarvus Green-Ellis played really well in his first year with the Bengals, but Lacy has the ability to be something special.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) — Bennie Logan, DT, LSU
Crazy as it sounds, I don’t think the Rams are done building their defensive line. They just drafted Michael Brockers last year, and I think this year they need to supplement that pick by taking another solid interior player. Logan is a former teammate of Brockers who could really add some more punch to the St. Louis line. Jeff Fisher always had great defensive lines in Tennessee.
23. Minnesota Vikings — Keenan Allen, WR, California
Simply put, Minnesota has nothing at WR outside of Percy Harvin. Kyle Rudolph is easily the only other option in the passing game worth mentioning. That has to change, and Keenan Allen is a top 10 talent falling due to injury.
24. Indianapolis Colts — Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
The Colts could upgrade their offensive line here, but I think Desmond Trufant has had a good enough offseason to earn a first round selection. He may be the best overall cover corner in the draft, and scouts are saying great things about him. He could be starting day one opposite Vontae Davis for the Colts next year.
25. Seattle Seahawks — DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
The Seahawks don’t have a guy who stands out at the WR position, they just have a bunch of guys. Russell Wilson will continue to progress if Seattle makes it a point to surround him with talent.
26. Green Bay Packers — Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
Brad Jones is a free agent, and A.J. Hawk is replaceable. Ogletree had a phenomenal season for the Georgia Bulldogs, and would be an excellent fit here for an ailing defense.
27. Houston Texans — Kevin Minter, LB, LSU
Brian Cushing is coming off of major knee surgery, and the Texans don’t really have anyone at MLB who can replace him if he goes down again. Looks like trading DeMeco Ryans may not have been the best idea. Minter can be a starting MLB in the league for a long time.
28. Denver Broncos — Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
The Broncos’ DTs overachieved in 2013, and every one of them is a free agent this offseason. The Broncos have to start looking to the early rounds of the draft to build their defensive tackle rotation, and not the free agent bargain bin. That only works for so long.
29. New England Patriots –Matt Elam, S, Florida
The Patriots’ defensive backfield just doesn’t seem like it’s getting figured out, no matter who they bring in. Matt Elam should be a good safety in the NFL from the get go.
30. Atlanta Falcons — Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
The Falcons need to add some pass rush on the edges. Ray Edwards was a free agent bust, and Montgomery could be a huge steal at this juncture.
31. Baltimore Ravens — Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama
Barrett Jones is a versatile offensive lineman who could play center for the Ravens if Matt Birk decides this is his swan song as well. It wouldn’t surprise me.
32. San Francisco 49ers — Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
Jesse Williams would add another dimension to the Niners’ defense. They have a great defensive rotation as it is, and adding this kid could be deadly.