NFL Mock Draft 2013: 9 Days Away, The Top Five Shake Up

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:  D.J. Fluker, OT/G, Alabama)

• 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

Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington (Previous Pick:  Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri)  

• New York is a little needy at cornerback and Trufant provides a strong addition to the defense with both good coverage skills and a strong run game.

20.  Chicago Bears

Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State  (Previous Pick:  Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State)

• 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:  Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas)

• 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:  Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina)

• 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.  I really liked Williams’ combine workouts and think he’s a sleeper.

24.  Indianapolis Colts

Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU (Previous Pick:  Damontre Moore, De, Texas A&M)

• Montgomery is an overlooked talent from LSU.  He and Barkevious Mingo are in the same league but Mingo gets all the attention.  The Colts under Ryan Grigson find great talent even if it isn’t commonly thought to be.  Montgomery will be great and the Colts manage to land him with ease at 24.

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

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

• There’s something about Frederick that just feels right.  The Packers need a new center and Frederick can step in immediately and be successful.  Wisconsin breeds offensive linemen and Frederick is up there with the best.

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:  Kawann Short, DT, Purdue)

• 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

Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State  (Previous Pick:  Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington)

• Atlanta has been looking for someone to put into the other defensive end role for a while now.  Carradine is a first round talent that should be higher on mocks but had an ACL tear.  I love what he offers and I think the Falcons will be pleased to welcome him.

31.  San Francisco 49ers

Datone Jones, DE, UCLA  (Margus Hunt, DE/Dt, Southern Methodist)

• Jones is a player I’m not 100% sold on but think has some serious talent.  The Niners have the picks to spare and are always looking for talent to plug into their already dominant defense.  Jones makes sense for them here.  He can learn the ropes from the best and hone his already strong skills.

32.  Baltimore Ravens

Matt Elam, S, Florida  (Previous Pick:  Matt Elam, S, Florida)

• 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