Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

NFL Draft 2013: Manti Te’o won’t last past Bengals, according to Peter King

The long-time NFL writer says Te’o won’t slide out of the first round come April.

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o showed up in Indianapolis last week for the NFL Scouting Combine knowing he was going to have to provide some answers to every team in the NFL. Instead of hiding from it, Te'o stood up and knocked the questions out, all while showing how hard he worked to get to this point with excellent workouts.

Over at Sports Illustrated, NFL writer Peter King says there is no way that Te'o drops out of the first round. King believes the Cincinnati Bengals would stop the slide should it reach them, as they continue to build an elite defense.

Teo’s stock had dropped after the hoax was unveiled and the ensuing media coverage flipped the story of the linebacker’s charisma and leadership. In addition, Teo’s performance against Alabama in the BCS title game was lackluster. However, King doesn’t buy into all of that, saying Te’o showed throughout the season that he can be a playmaker at the NFL level.

As for another perspective, SB Nation’s Matthew Fairburn sees Te’o dropping a little further than the Bengals at No. 21, going six spots later to the Houston Texans in his most recent mock draft.

More in the NFL:

NFL Mock Draft: We have a new No. 1

Alex Smith trade nearly complete?

’Best player available’ and other lies

GIF: Tavon Austin, Marquise Goodwin with blistering 40s

Mike Mayock explains why he likes big butts

Mocking the Draft
SB Nation NFL mock draft: Eagles stick with what works; invest in the trenchesSB Nation NFL mock draft: Eagles stick with what works; invest in the trenches
Mocking the Draft

This player should be a plug-and-play replacement for Mekhi Becton right off the bat.

By Michael Peterson
Mocking the Draft
SB Nation NFL mock draft: Chiefs get an absolute steal of a WR at No. 31SB Nation NFL mock draft: Chiefs get an absolute steal of a WR at No. 31
Mocking the Draft

This guy’s got talent, plus playing with Patrick Mahomes automatically elevates his potential.

By Michael Peterson
Mocking the Draft
SB Nation NFL mock draft: Bills fill biggest need with a top CB at No. 30SB Nation NFL mock draft: Bills fill biggest need with a top CB at No. 30
Mocking the Draft

He’s a bit of a liability in the run game, but his potential in the pass game was enough for Buffalo Rumblings.

By Michael Peterson
Mocking the Draft
SB Nation NFL mock draft: Commanders give Jayden Daniels a fluid playmaker at WR with No. 29 pickSB Nation NFL mock draft: Commanders give Jayden Daniels a fluid playmaker at WR with No. 29 pick
Mocking the Draft

This pick could help the Commanders build on last year’s excellent season.

By Michael Peterson
Mocking the Draft
SB Nation NFL mock draft: Lions bring in a pass-rushing partner in crime for Aidan HutchinsonSB Nation NFL mock draft: Lions bring in a pass-rushing partner in crime for Aidan Hutchinson
Mocking the Draft

It’s a high-potential pick for a Detroit defense that needs a solid pass rusher.

By Michael Peterson
Mocking the Draft
SB Nation NFL mock draft: Rams keep building defensive identity at No. 26SB Nation NFL mock draft: Rams keep building defensive identity at No. 26
Mocking the Draft

This rookie would be a great complement to Jared Verse and Byron Young.

By Michael Peterson