Mike White’s Pre-Combine Mock Draft 2013: Picks 17-32
Silly season is well and truly underway in the NFL with speculation about who will pick who flying around like wildfire, and while I know that it is impossible to predict picks so early on in the process, it is always interesting to see how the widespread thinking about the direction in which teams will go, changes over time and with the twists and turns in the draft process.
With that in mind, here is my first Mock Draft of the year:
(1st Round only – No unconfirmed trades)
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Cordarelle Patterson (Tennessee)
With Mike Wallace leaving and questions about the backfield, why not add a multi-threat playmaker like Patterson who can run the ball, catch the ball and be a generally exciting prospect for the Steelers. They’re never afraid to give Big Ben another weapon.
18. Dallas Cowboys
OG Chance Warmack (Alabama)
Warmack could be the most NFL-ready prospect in the draft, and because of the low price put on interior offensive linemen, Dallas could be dancing around their war room if he slides to them. It’s a massive position of need for the Cowboys, but if they get Warmack, it won’t be for another 10 years.
19. New York Giants
ILB Manti Te’o (Notre Dame)
Boom. The Giants bring the man who has had the most media attention on him to the city where the media lives. Te’o also happens to fill a huge need, and don’t forget, he is a bona-fide 1st rounder on talent and leadership alone.
20. Chicago Bears
OG Jonathan Cooper (Ohio State)
The Bears desperately need upgrades all over their offensive line, and the athleticism and potential of Cooper may well be too tempting to pass up at 20.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
SS Kenny Vaccaro (Texas)
The Bengals have been trying all sorts of combinations to fill their strong safety spot, and if the draft pans out like this, they won’t have to any more. Vaccaro is a very good player, and some are comparing his talent to Mark Barron, who went much higher than this. A possible steal for the Bengals.
22. St Louis Rams (from Washington)
WR Keenan Allen (California)
With Danny Amendola probably hitting free agency, the Rams may look for another target for Sam Bradford. Allen could be the most complete receiver in the draft, able to play all over the field, and may end up being a very good pick up at 22.
23. Minnesota Vikings
DT Johnathan Hankins (Ohio State)
The nose tackle that the Vikings were looking for falls to them like an Angel from above. Hankins is slightly raw but will improve every day, and could become a real force in the league.
24. Indianapolis Colts
OT DJ Fluker (Alabama)
The Colts need a right tackle as a matter of priority (among many offensive line issues) and DJ Fluker is the type of big, strong, dominating tackle that Andrew Luck and Vick Ballard will love.
25. Seattle Seahawks
WR Terrance Williams (Baylor)
Pete Carroll seems to be the Al Davis of today’s NFL, a guy who falls in love with speed and physical prowess very quickly. Terrance Williams is a raw tall burner who makes some big catches down the field, a very nice weapon for Russell Wilson next year.
26. Green Bay Packers
TE Zach Ertz (Stanford)
In this case, the Packers may look to trade down with a QB needy team, but if they had to pick, it would be a case of best player available, and that could be the tight end from Stanford. Jermichael Finley could leave due to contractual issues so Green Bay would need a replacement.
27. Houston Texans
ILB Kevin Minter (LSU)
Minter has hopped Ogletree as the no.2 inside linebacker after Ogletree’s DUI arrest this week. The Texans’ glaring roster hole is in the middle of their defense and they will hope Minter can be the man to plug it.
28. Denver Broncos
DT John Jenkins (Georgia)
The Broncos desperately need some DT help, and the size and strength combination of Jenkins may be too much of a pull for John Fox here.
29. New England Patriots
WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson)
I believe that, with only 5 picks in a deep draft for quality, Bill Belichick will trade down here. But as I don’t mock trades, the Pats select someone who can be a reliable target for Tom Brady just in case the Wes Welker/Brandon Lloyd tandem are let go. Hopkins could be the best pure receiver in the draft, so at 29, the Pats get good value.
30. Atlanta Falcons
DE Sam Montgmery (LSU)
The Falcons need to make sure that John Abraham isn’t their only pass rusher, and Montgomery from LSU would certainly help in that regard. He is a high motor, consistent player who would be part of a team for a long time.
31. San Francisco 49’ers
S Matt Elam (Florida)
The Niners need to upgrade their secondary, and Elam fits their hard-hitting physical defense very well. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and is the type of player coach Harbaugh would love.
32. Baltimore Ravens
LB Alec Ogletree (Georgia)
As many mock drafts say, this pick is simply whoever falls to the Ravens, and after his recent run-in with the law, Ogletree could be the man. He also happens to fill the Ravens’ biggest need at linebacker and could end up being a huge footballing upgrade on Ray Lewis’ play from last year.
