2013 NFL Mock Draft: What Have We Learned From Free Agency?
By Leo Howell
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Damonte Moore
Defensive End/Linebacker, Texas A&M
The Steelers need to rebuild the Steel Curtain defense, and Moore falls to just the right team.
18. Dallas Cowboys
Matt Elam
Safety, Florida
The Cowboys would have traded up to get Vaccaro, but since Vaccaro isn’t there, they snag the next best corner in this draft.
19. New York Giants
D.J. Fluker
Tackle, Alabama
Generally the Giants get the best player available, but none of the best seemed to make sense, so they reach to solidify the offensive line.
20. Chicago Bears
Kevin Minter
Linebacker, LSU
The Bears defense has some holes due to old age, and Minter hopes to join in and continue the tradition of great linebacker play.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Arthur Brown
Linebacker, Kansas State
The Bengals definitely have some needs at linebacker.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)
Tavon Austin
Wide Receiver, West Virginia
The Rams continue to build up their offense and help Sam Bradford.
23. Minnesota Vikings
Alec Ogletree
Linebacker, Georgia
The Vikings need to build up the defense to get the ball back into the hands of Adrian Peterson.
24. Indianapolis Colts
Cordarrelle Patterson
Wide Receiver, Tennessee
Jim Irsay has been clamoring on Twitter about getting a wide receiver. His team gets one in the draft.
25. Minnesota Vikings
Desmond Trufant
Cornerback, Washington
Another addition to a defense that needs a bit of help, and in a draft lacking the offensive pieces they need at this spot in the draft.
26. Green Bay Packers
Eddie Lacy
Running Back, Alabama
The Packers showed interest in Steven Jackson, and will settle for a solid rookie runner.
27. Houston Texans
Robert Woods
Wide Receiver, USC
Andre Johnson needs a backup, and a protégé.
28. Denver Broncos
Bjoern Werner
Defensive End, FSU
Best player available that helps replace a defensive end lost over a late fax.
29. New England Patriots
Sheldon Richardson
Defensive Tackle, Missouri
Best player available, and helps give big Vince Wilfork some help up the middle.
30. Atlanta Falcons
Datone Jones
Defensive End, UCLA
With John Abraham getting older and apparently heading elsewhere, the Falcons look to another sturdy defensive end to pick up the slack.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Johnthan Banks
Cornerback, Mississippi
The Niners need some help defending the pass, so the excellent front 7 get some more backup.
32. Baltimore Ravens
Manti Te’o
Linebacker, Notre Dame
Ray Lewis had his last ride, and the linebacking corps is looking weak as a result. They take a chance on bringing in another strong leader who puts forth a ton of effort.
For more NFL Draft coverage, check out Walter Football, Sports Jabber Mock Draft Database, and the Hail Redskins Mock Draft Database, and of course stay tuned to The Pewter Plank for Bucs specific news and speculation.