NFL Mock Draft 2013: B&T Editor’s Picks 4 Weeks Out

17.  Pittsburgh Steelers

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee  (Previous Pick:  Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee)

• The Steelers need a new top wide receiver and Patterson fits the bill.  He wasn’t as impressive at the combine as many would like, but he is a first round talent who could greatly help what promises to be a serious need for the Steelers.

18.  Dallas Cowboys

D.J. Fluker, OT/G, Alabama  (Previous Pick:  Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas)

• The Cowboys need to upgrade their interior offensive line and, after investing over $100 million in Tony Romo, will make sure that they can keep their quarterback upright.  Romo is the key to the team now, even if he doesn’t play well.  The Cowboys will make sure they can give him every opportunity to perform and show he’s worth the money.

19.  New York Giants

Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri (Previous Pick:  Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri)  

• The Giants cut Chris Canty and will need another defensive tackle to fill the void.  New York values good defensive linemen, so they’ll likely look to grab a strong DT when they can.

20.  Chicago Bears

Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State  (Previous Pick:  Barrett Jones, G/C, Alabama)

• The Bears need to replace departed MLB Brian Urlacher.  Brown is quickly rising up draft boards and would be a stud for the Bears to rebuild their linebacker corps around.

21.  Cincinnati Bengals

Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame  (Previous Pick:  Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame)

• Te’o isn’t nearly as bad as he was made out to be after a slow 40-yard dash at the combine.  He still has the skills to play well and the Bengals could use help at linebacker.

22.  St. Louis Rams

Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas  (Previous Pick:  Matt Elam, S, Florida)

• The Rams are extremely week at safety and they have the opportunity to replenish the talent pool with Vaccaro.  Vaccaro is the top talent at the position and the Rams will be wise to use their second first-rounder on him.

23.  Minnesota Vikings

Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina (Previous Pick:  Keenan Allen, WR, California)

• The Vikes can afford to spend a first rounder addressing defensive tackle because of their trade to get another first round pick.  Williams will address a need for the Vikings and provide a decent talent boost to the position.

24.  Indianapolis Colts

Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M (Previous John Jenkins, NT, Georgia)

• Indy could use some help on the defensive line and Moore could be a help.  This one is a bit of a gamble because Moore could be a top-10 talent but shows a lack of athleticism and motivation to get better.  If anyone can motivate and cause players to overachieve, it’s head coach Chuck Pagano.

25.  Minnesota Vikings

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson  (Previous Pick, DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson)

• With Percy Harvin traded to the Seahawks (and giving the Vikings this pick), the Vikes would be wise to get another player to pair with free agent acquisition Greg Jennings.  Hopkins looks to be a good candidate as the next best receiver available.

26.  Green Bay Packers

Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame  (Previous Pick: Travis Frederick, G/C, Wisconsin)

• GM Ted Thompson looks to the future with this pick and gets the tight end that will replace Jermichael Finley when he inevitably leaves the team.  It won’t hurt to have another receiving threat on the field either.

27.  Houston Texans

Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU (Previous Pick:  Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU )

• The Texans will be updating their interior linebacking corps with Minter.  It should help in an offseason with some question marks there.  Some young talent will help the defense as they add the aging Ed Reed to the secondary.

28.  Denver Broncos

Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia  (Previous Pick:  Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia)

• It may not be the sexiest pick, but the Broncos will need some help at the interior linebacker position and Ogletree gives them an immediate contributor.

29.  New England Patriots

Kawann Short, DT, Purdue (Previous Pick:  Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia)

• The Patriots look for versatile players and Short could be just what Belichick wants.  He will help with a soft pass rush from the interior defensive line and he is athletic enough for the Pats to use him in different roles.

30.  Atlanta Falcons

Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington  (Previous Pick:  Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama)

• The Falcons are far from solid at cornerback and Trufant would be a great pick for them to replenish some of that talent.

31.  San Francisco 49ers

Margus Hunt, DE/DT, Southern Methodist  (Margus Hunt, DE/Dt, Southern Methodist)

• Hunt is a major talent and a lot teams will be craving him in the early part of the second round.  He won’t get past the Niners.  Hunt is too good to pass up for a team that is already loaded on defense.  He would fit Vic Fangio’s defense like a glove.

32.  Baltimore Ravens

Matt Elam, S, Florida  (Previous Pick:  Kevin Reddick, ILB, North Carolina)

• The Ravens need youth and talent at safety and Elam gives them that.  He will make himself known immediately because of his ability to dole out the punishment.

– Luke N. Sims