2013 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Picks 11-21

With the NFL draft right around the corner, everyone is trying to anticipate the potential franchise-changing move each team will make in the annual event.

Everyone is ready for one of the biggest events in the NFL. The first 10 picks are "in the books," and it's time to forecast the moves that near-playoff teams (and the Cincinnati Bengals) will make. Even though the best players will likely be off the board, there is going to be ample talent to choose from in the middle of the first round.

But which teams will fulfill their needs? Here are predictions for picks 11-21.

11. San Diego Chargers: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma

Philip Rivers has never had a great offensive line, so it's likely that the Chargers spend this pick trying to change that.

Lane Johnson could definitely be off the board at this point, as offensive lineman will be highly coveted. It's very unlikely that Johnson goes before Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M and Eric Fisher of Central Michigan, though, so he could be here.

Rivers lost Louis Vasquez, who allowed just two of the 49 sacks allowed by the Chargers, so the line is in dire need of an upgrade.

The secondary could be helped as well, but the offensive line is the biggest area of need. Rivers has shown flashes of potential but has also been inconsistent, and he could improve with protection. If Milliner is on the board and Johnson isn't, he could be taken here to support star safety Eric Weddle. However, addressing the secondary can wait.

And upgrading the offensive line cannot wait.

12. Miami Dolphins: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

The Dolphins had lots of holes before free agency, but they have filled some and have a better 2013 outlook now.

Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson would have been the logical pick if the draft happened before free agency. However, now that the Dolphins have Mike Wallace, it’s unlikely that they spend this pick on a wide receiver. Safety would be a better use, as Miami’s pass defense ranked 27th in 2012.

Even though Milliner is likely going to be off the board, the Dolphins can still use this pick on an secondary player who can make an impact.

Kenny Vaccaro, who recorded 87 tackles in 2012, scheduled a visit with the Dolphins, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see him in Miami. Reshad Jones and Chris Clemons are talented safeties, but Vaccaro is ready to start and can help improve a poor secondary.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Tampa Bay is another team with the talent to break into the playoffs. However, the Buccaneers have some glaring holes.

Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, they are very unlikely to land Milliner, who is easily the best cornerback in the draft. Xavier Rhodes is far behind Milliner but if the Buccaneers are going to pick a cornerback here, they’re going to have to take Rhodes. Rhodes intercepted three passes in 2012, but he also defensed a mere seven passes.

Rhodes has the frame and athleticism to succeed in the NFL — he ran a blazing-fast 4.43 40-yard dash, weighs 217 pounds and checks in at 6’2″. Rhodes can help out a needy secondary just by giving up a limited number of catches, because the Tampa Bay’s pass defense ranked 32nd in 2012.

The Buccaneers have been heavily pursuing Jets’ cornerback Darrelle Revis, but if they can’t get him, a cornerback will be the pick here.

14. Carolina Panthers: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee

Carolina is a team that isn't terrible in any one phase of the game, so the front office could go in a number of ways here.

There isn't a reason to take a quarterback or running back, because the Panthers have a budding star in Cam Newton and no one to choose from out of this year's running back class. However, locking up a wide receiver for Newton to develop chemistry with wouldn't be a bad idea. Newton hasn't had tons of help in his two years with the Panthers, but adding a young playmaker at wideout could pay dividends.

The Panthers ranked 13th against the pass and 14th against the run in 2012, so there isn't a huge need to take a defensive player. Carolina is picking after 13 other teams, so they are unlikely to land the next Patrick Willis on defense. Steve Smith is aging, and Brandon LaFell isn't a star.

Cordarrelle Patterson, who averaged 16.9 yards per catch and finished with 778 receiving yards, would benefit from a big-play quarterback, which Carolina has in Newton.

In other words, going for it all with Patterson would be a smart move.

15. New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo, LB, LSU

In 2012, the New Orleans Saints quite possibly had the worst defense of all time.

The Saints allowed about every team they faced to light them up. In Robert Griffin III's debut, he and the Redskins dropped 40 points on a helpless Saints defense, and the Saints finished the season by allowing 44 points to the Panthers.

New Orleans ranked 25th in sacks with fewer than two per game, and Barkevious Mingo recorded 12.5 sacks in his final two seasons with LSU. Mingo is 6'4" and weighs 241 pounds, so he can help stop power runners.

Any defensive player can help the Saints, but Mingo would be a great fit in New Orleans' new 3-4 defense. Mingo's 40-yard dash time was 4.58, which is extremely fast. He has the raw tools to help a team in dire need of defensive help, and the Saints are that team.

Mingo has the speed and strength to play outside linebacker, and he has the potential to become a valuable pass-rusher.

16. St. Louis Rams: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

The Rams could use a playmaker at wide receiver, but offensive line is a big need as well.

With Patterson and Tavon Austin off the board, it's likely that the Rams will use their second first-round pick to address this need. Keenan Allen out of Cal is a good option, but Chance Warmack may be better.

St. Louis' offensive line allowed 52 sacks, which was tied for the most in the league. Warmack is a good interior lineman, and while D.J Fluker is more versatile, there's no need for Fluker's versatility if Jake Long stays healthy.

Warmack is a complete player with decent size, and he can definitely help protect Bradford. Warmack is also known for his run-blocking, which is also needed in St. Louis. Steven Jackson is gone, and Daryl Richardson is unproven. So, if Warmack can continue to perform well in all aspects of blocking, he can pay dividends for a needy offensive line.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Keenan Allen, WR, California

The Rams would love to nab Chance Warmack and Keenan Allen in the first round, but Pittsburgh could burst that bubble.

After losing prized receiver Mike Wallace to the Dolphins, the Steelers have a thin receiving corps. Pittsburgh ranked first in total defense last year, and there isn't much work that needs to be done on the defensive side of the ball.

However, there won't be any legitimate playmaking receivers when Pittsburgh picks 48th, so if the Steelers want to upgrade the offense, they'll need to do it with this pick.

Allen is a capable wide receiver with great hands, and while his 40-yard dash time (4.71) was poor, he isn't slow.

Allen played just nine games in 2012, but he showed that he is capable of turning in mind-blowing performances. One of those performances came when Allen caught 11 passes for 166 yards against Washington State on Saturday, October 13, and he did this with the wildly inaccurate Zach Maynard as his quarterback.

Oh, and Allen caught 98 passes in 2011 with Maynard as his quarterback.

Pittsburgh needs an explosive receiver to help Roethlisberger, and Allen is a perfect fit. The defense is great, but the offense needs improvement. Roethlisberger has a strong arm and would benefit from a deep threat who can get open anywhere on the field. Allen isn't the best receiver, but he's definitely capable.

After all, Wallace was picked 84th in the 2009 NFL draft.

18. Dallas Cowboys: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

There are Cowboys fans clamoring for another quarterback, but in a weak draft class, there's absolutely no need to reach for a one.

Shoring up the offensive line or defensive line would be a much better plan. Quarterback Tony Romo has never had the best offensive line, as he was sacked 36 times in 2012. D.J. Fluker allowed a mere four sacks in 2012, and if he can continue to produce in the NFL, Romo might just come close to living up to his lucrative contract.

However, 36 sacks allowed is about average, and Dallas' run defense is not. The Cowboys surrendered 125.2 rushing yards per game, and Sheldon Richardson recorded 75 tackles in 2012. Dallas is switching to a 4-3 and needs to focus on stopping the run, and Richardson is a good player to build around. He isn't fast at all, but he is a player who can step up.

The Cowboys can go in a couple of directions here, but the offensive line isn't absolutely horrific. The defensive line isn't either, but more defensive lineman are required with the 4-3. The Cowboys are solid against the pass and can become a top-flight defense if they can stop the run, and Richardson gives them a good chance to do that.

19. New York Giants: Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia

Just like the Saints, the Giants have a very flawed defense.

There isn't much depth at middle linebacker, as Mark Herzlich doesn't exactly match up with some of the game's elite middle linebackers. While Alec Ogletree has had troubles with the law and isn't likely to become the next Patrick Willis, he can definitely help the NFL's second-worst defense.

New York could use a safety, but there is lots of depth at that position with John Cyprien, Matt Elam and Eric Reid all likely to be available at some point in the second round.

However, Ogletree is a difference-maker who will not be available in the second round. Why? Because he finished the 2012 season with 112 tackles in 10 games, including eight games with double-digit tackles.

Ogletree has had some legal troubles, but he has the talent to make an impact on a defense in desperate need of a difference-maker.

Ogletree's tackling totals are insane. The Giants could use a good tackler, as no Giant finished the 2012 season with 100 tackles. Ogletree did so easily in 10 games (compared to 16 in an NFL season), and he would average more than 179 tackles per game in 16 games. While the NFL is much harder, his tackling skill can definitely help the Giants.

In other words, he's a perfect fit in New York.

20. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina

The Chicago Bears aren't known for having the best offensive line. However, they have made some improvements to the line.

After signing Jermon Bushrod and re-signing Jonathan Scott, the Bears have shored up almost all of their holes on the line. But if Jonathan Cooper is here, he would be a perfect fit. D.J. Fluker is listed at 355 pounds and may be more talented, but the Bears need an interior lineman, and Cooper is an interior lineman, and a talented one too.

Cooper could land in the top 10, and if he's here, the Bears will have to pounce. Chicago's defense ranked fifth in total defense and first in turnovers forced, and while getting a middle linebacker to replace Brian Urlacher would help, it's very unlikely that Chicago takes a middle linebacker over an offensive lineman.

If Alec Ogletree is off the board, Chicago will definitely take a lineman, which has to be Cooper.

Chicago allowed 44 sacks in 2012, and Cooper allowed none.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

It's hard for a lot of people to see Fluker available here, but if he's here, the Bengals will pounce.

Cincinnati had a strong defense and a mediocre offense, and while Andy Dalton's playoff performance leaves a lot to be desired, the Bengals aren't reaching for a quarterback.

Instead, they will try to help their quarterback and running back by taking Fluker, who is listed at 355 pounds. Cincinnati uses a lot of power runs, as BenJarvus Green-Ellis—who weighs 220 pounds and has lost three fumbles in his five-year career—is fit for this style of running.

Fluker is fit for this as well. He's a versatile lineman who can lead for Green-Ellis to the right side or the left side, as he can pave a running lane with his size. Fluker will also be able to protect Andy Dalton, as he allowed just four sacks in 2012. Dalton was sacked 46 times in 2012, so Fluker can definitely make a big impact on the line.

Fluker is a great all-around player, and he's a great fit for the Bengals. Other teams may draft him due to his skill and versatility, but there are lots of great lineman in this draft class and there are better fits for other teams.

So, Fluker will likely be on the board for the Bengals, and the Bengals will waste no time taking the star tackle.