2013 NFL Draft: Mock Draft 1.0
By Blake Meek
17. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jonathan Cooper OG, UNC
Every year we talk about how bad the Steelers offensive line is. Last year they took 2 offensive linemen early and adding a player like Cooper could turn that line around quick. Cooper and David DeCastro would give them one of the best young OG duos.
18. Dallas Cowboys — D.J. Fluker OT, Alabama
The Cowboys offensive line needs some serious help. Fluker is the best offensive lineman left on the board. Pairing him up with Tyron Smith would give the Cowboys a great young set of bookends.
19. New York Giants — Bjorn Werner DE, FSU
We all know the Giants love to have pass rushers. They lost Osi Umenyiora this offseason and would love to replace him. They could really use a LB but with a talent like Werner on the board, I can’t see them passing him up.
20. Chicago Bears — Tavon Austin WR, WVU
The Bears are another team that could really use some talent at LB and there is some on the board. However, Austin is the most explosive player in this draft and would give Cutler an explosive weapon to go with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — Arthur Brown OLB, KSU
The Bengals could really use a safety, but with Vaccaro off the board they can wait till round 2. Arthur is the best Lb on the board and would start straight away. The only LB the Bengals have worth anything is Vontaze Burfict.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) — Keenan Allen WR, Cal
The Rams also need to get Sam Bradford some weapons. Keenan Allen is one of the best WRs in this draft. He can start as a rookie and produce straight away. He has really good hands and runs good routes.
23. Minnesota Vikings — Desmond Trufant CB, Washington
With the release of Antoine Winfield the Vikings need some talent at the CB position. Trufant showed at the combine he has the speed to keep up with WRs in the NFL. Plays the ball physical in the air, but needs to improve in the run game.
24. Indianapolis Colts — Jonathan Hankins DT, Ohio State
With the switch to a 3-4, you really need that player in the middle to clog the line. Hankins is that type of player. He can come in, clog that line and keep the OL off of the LB.
25. Minnesota Vikings (from Seattle) — Manti Te’0 LB, ND
Minnesota needs a play maker on offense for Christian Ponder, but this is a really deep draft for WRs. They lost their starting MLB in FA and Te’o had a good pro day, probably keeping himself in the 1st round.
26. Green Bay Packers — Matt Elam S, Florida
The Packers cut Charles Woodson in the offseason, who had been playing safety. Matt Elam blitzes very well, something whichWoodson was also good at. He is a physical player who can come in and separate the WR from the ball.
27. Houston Texans — DeAndre Hopkins WR, Clemson
Every year we hear that the Texans need a WR opposite Andre Johnson and every year they go in another direction. They still need that WR opposite Johnson and Hopkins may be the most NFL ready WR in this draft.
28. Denver Broncos — Alec Ogletree LB, Georgia
The Broncos released D.J. Williams this offseason and Keith Brooking is getting old at the MLB position. Ogletree is extremely talented and should go way before this if not for off the field trouble. He can play OLB or ILB for the Broncos.
29. New England Patriots — Kawann Short DT, Purdue
Short can play DT in the 4-3 beside Vince Wilfork and get to the QB or play DE in the 3-4. Is very versatile on the DL, having played every position for Purdue. Doesn’t always give his entire effort every play, but Belichick can get him to play hard.
30. Atlanta Falcons — Tyler Eifert TE, ND
Yes Tony Gonzalez came back this year, but he won’t be back for long. Eifert is an outstanding TE prospect who can come in next year and give them big plays from the #2 TE spot, before taking over for Gonzalez.
31. San Francisco 49ers — Datone Jones DE, UCLA
The 49ers defense had a lot of problems with Justin Smith got hurt last year. Jones can come in and give them depth behind Smith. He is very good at getting around the OT and ball carriers rarely get away from him.
32. Baltimore Ravens — Kevin Minter LB, LSU
With Ray Lewis retiring and Dannell Ellerbe leaving for the Dolphins the Ravens need someone to play inside. Minter is a very sound tackler and fights through blocks to get to the ball carrier very well. Was a 3 down LB at LSU.
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