2013 NFL Not Draft: Picks 17-32

Last update: Saturday, April 13, 2013.

THIS IS NOT A 2013 NFL MOCK DRAFT. Click the link to see my real 2013 NFL Mock Draft. This is a 2013 NFL Not Draft – a compilation of popular mock picks that, in my opinion, will not happen. For the record, I was wrong about zero “not” picks in my 2012 Not Mock (which means I was right about none of my projections not happening).

2013 NFL Not Draft: Picks 1-16

Pittsburgh Steelers: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
Gerry Dulac, who knows the Steelers better than anyone, said the Steelers almost definitely won’t take someone like Barkevious Mingo because of conversion questions. Pittsburgh just doesn’t believe in moving a first-round 4-3 player into a 3-4 because of the uncertainty. The exceptions at the rush linebacker position at No. 17 are Dion Jordan and Jarvis Jones.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Dallas Cowboys: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
I couldn’t come up with a cool “not” pick for the Cowboys because they have so many options. And that’s exactly the reason why they won’t choose Sylvester Williams. He fills a need, but Dallas has so many other more lucrative choices like Kenny Vaccaro, Jonathan Cooper, Chance Warmack, D.J. Fluker and Sheldon Richardson.
New York Giants: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
An NFC personnel man told ESPN Chicago that Manti Te’o would be a “tad rich” for the Bears at No. 20 overall. Given that, the Giants almost definitely won’t be picking him at No. 19. It’s not like general manager Jerry Reese to select a two-down linebacker that early anyway. He’s smarter than that.
Chicago Bears: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
Why not? I’d be shocked if Manti Te’o goes as high as No. 20 as well. Charles Davis brought up a good point on Path to the Draft concerning Te’o going to the Ravens, but I also think it applies to Chicago. Do the Bears really want to put so much pressure on Te’o to succeed a legend at the middle linebacker position when he still has to deal with questions about the hoax? And speaking of the hoax, I believe it ultimately keeps Te’o out of the first round unless Minnesota drafts him. It’s just too much of a distraction. I know for a fact that one team that really needs a middle linebacker in the 20-32 range absolutely won’t touch Te’o because of this.
Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
I actually had this “not” pick in mind prior to Eddie Lacy’s poor Pro Day. The Bengals need a running back, but they’d prefer a speed back in Rounds 2 or 3 to complement BenJarvus Green-Ellis. They’re not going to spend the No. 21 overall selection on a speed-deficient runner with an injury.
St. Louis Rams: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
This is a tough one because I already came up with a “not” pick for the Rams six selections ago. I’m just going to say that Kenny Vaccaro won’t go in this spot. The Bengals absolutely love him and won’t let him get past the 21st-overall choice (the Cowboys are smitten with him too), so if St. Louis wants the Texas safety, it’ll have to take him at No. 16.
Minnesota Vikings: Any Quarterback
I’ve been asked if the Vikings would pounce on Geno Smith if he drops all the way into the 20s. I highly doubt it. This current regime is stubbornly committed to Christian Ponder and is willing to give him one more season to prove himself. It doesn’t help that they stripped him of his top play-maker and brought in a decrepit receiver as a replacement, but hey, their team; not mine.
Indianapolis Colts: Any Nose Tackle
Mocking a nose tackle to Indianapolis is lazy. I’ll admit that I’ve been guilty of it, but it makes very little sense. The Colts signed Aubrayo Franklin as a short-term solution, and they really like second-year Josh Chapman as a long-term answer. Unless one of the nose tackles is far and away the top player on their board, they’ll stick with the Franklin-Chapman combination in 2013.
Minnesota Vikings: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
The Vikings need a cornerback in the wake of the Antoine Winfield release, but I’ve avoided mocking Desmond Trufant to them because I feel like he’s a poor fit in Leslie Frazier’s defense.
Green Bay Packers: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
The Packers have a dire need at the running back position, but I’ll be pretty surprised if they select Eddie Lacy in the first round (again, I felt this way prior to his Pro Day). This Green Bay regime simply doesn’t value the position that highly; otherwise, Ted Thompson would have tried harder to acquire Steven Jackson this offseason or Marshawn Lynch a couple of years ago. Green Bay will draft a running back, but it’ll be in Rounds 2-4.
Houston Texans: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
Inside linebacker is a big need for the Texans. There’s a chance Alec Ogletree will be available to them at No. 27. If he is, expect the Texans to pass on him. This regime values high-character players and won’t consider Ogletree because of his off-the-field history.
Denver Broncos: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
Mike Klis of the Denver Post recently reported that the Broncos are looking for a cornerback in the early rounds. They could take Desmond Trufant or Johnthan Banks at this spot, but Jamar Taylor won’t be an option considering that Denver wants to copy Seattle’s model and go after cornerbacks who are six feet and taller. Taylor stands at a mere 5-11.
New England Patriots: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
It’s no secret the Patriots are searching for receiver help. If they do decide to go in that direction in the first round, I wouldn’t expect them to draft Justin Hunter. Bill Belichick puts a huge emphasis on 3-cone times when drafting wideouts; all of the players he’s selected at that position over the years have had outstanding 3-cone times. Hunter was not good in that facet at the Combine.
Atlanta Falcons: Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
I’ve seen some mocks slot Damontre Moore to the Falcons. It makes sense from the outside looking in; Atlanta needs pass-rushing help, while Moore was once considered a top-10 prospect, so he’s a steal at No. 30 overall. Well, the Falcons won’t think so. This franchise puts a huge emphasis on character, and Moore’s personality issues will completely turn them off. I don’t think they’d even consider drafting Moore if he dropped to them in Round 3 – which is what I have happening in my 2013 NFL Mock Draft.
San Francisco 49ers: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
This is another lazy pick. The 49ers lost Delanie Walker, and Zach Ertz went to Stanford, so Jim Harbaugh must want him, right? I don’t think so. First of all, Harbaugh has specifically avoided acquiring his former players, as most college coaches do (see Pete Carroll passing on Taylor Mays). There is only one Stanford player on San Francisco’s roster, and that would happen to be Michael Thomas, who is nothing but practice-squad fodder. Second, I think this is a bit too early for Ertz, who is more of a second-round prospect. If anything, the 49ers can wait until No. 34 because the Ravens and Jaguars aren’t looking for a tight end.
Baltimore Ravens: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
A picture is worth a thousand words. A YouTube video is worth a million. Here’s why the Ravens won’t be drafting Manti Te’o:

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