Early look at 2013 NFL Mock Draft
(Note: Draft is ordered by predicted finish in 2012. Picks 1-20 are based on standings, while picks 21-32 are based on order of elimination from playoffs.)
1. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
The Jaguars made a commitment to Blaine Gabbert this offseason by improving his receiving corps, but those efforts may give them an excuse for dumping him if the offense struggles again this season. They can say they tried to put Gabbert in a position to succeed, and move on. Wilson may have been the third quarterback taken if he had entered this year's draft. He doesn't jump out at you as a classic No. 1 overall, but will end up grading higher than both Matt Barkley and Tyler Bray.
2. Indianapolis Colts -- Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Colts management is going to be patient surrounding Andrew Luck with talent, and Joeckel is exactly the kind of building block they'll need. The Aggie lineman gets less attention than he should because Bruce Matthews' son Jake is on the other side, but Joeckel is the bona fide stud left tackle. NFL teams certainly know all about him after watching hours of Ryan Tannehill tape this offseason, and will be watching him closely this season.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- David Amerson, CB, NC State
The Bucs went safety this year with first-round pick Mark Barron, but still have plenty of room to improve in the defensive backfield. Amerson had 13 interceptions last season and could insert himself into Heisman contention if offenses aren't smart enough to avoid him this season.
4. Oakland Raiders -- Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee
If you want to see what an NFL throw looks like, look up Bray on YouTube. But the 6-foot-6 signal-caller has been inconsistent at Tennessee -- in part because he and his receivers have been injured. He's a boom-or-bust prospect a year out -- he's been fragile and could move up to No. 1 or fall back into the pack.
5. Minnesota Vikings -- Robert Woods, WR, USC
Woods is listed at 6-1, 190, so he lacks Calvin Johnson size, but teams have to realize there aren't a lot of Calvin Johnson types out there. Justin Blackmon is about the same size as Woods and went No. 5 overall in this year's draft. Woods is more polished and will get a lot of attention playing for the Trojans this season.
6. Cleveland Browns -- Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
After focusing on offense in this year's draft, the Browns turn back to defense in 2013. Montgomery had nine sacks last season and stands out on a defense once again loaded with future NFL players.
7. Miami Dolphins -- Xavier Rhodes, CB, FSU
Cornerbacks have been going higher than expected in recent years, and the Dolphins need to continue to chase the Patriots. Rhodes is sometimes overshadowed by defensive backfield mate Greg Reid, but he's a better pro prospect. You can compare Rhodes to LSU's Morris Claiborne and Reid to Tyrann Mathieu.
8. Seattle Seahawks -- Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Barkley has been compared to Andrew Luck for staying at USC even though he could have been a high selection in 2012, but he may get picked apart in a way Luck did not. Some people wonder if Barkley is big enough, and how much his outstanding receivers and the system at USC help him look good. Trojans QBs have not done well in the NFL lately, but if anyone can overlook that it's Pete Carroll.
9. St. Louis Rams -- Barrett Jones, OT, Alabama
The 2011 Outland Trophy winner for outstanding offensive lineman is 6-5, 302 pounds, and solid. The Rams didn't seem interested in upgrading their offensive line in this year's draft, but left tackle Rodger Saffold is far from elite. Jones has also shown versatility playing at different spots on the line at Alabama. Some have teammate D.J. Fluker rated higher, but Jones is too solid to pass up.
10. Carolina Panthers -- Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Jones totaled 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 2011, and enters the season as the highest-profile defensive player. But at 6-3, 241 pounds, he's not very big for his position. He's caught between outside linebacker and defensive end, like No. 18 overall pick Melvin Ingram in this year's draft.
11. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins) -- Jonathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
The Rams turn one of their picks from the Robert Griffin III trade with the Redskins into a productive cornerback. Banks reportedly got a fourth-round grade from the NFL Draft advisory board and decided to return to Starkville. But the advisory board is notoriously stingy. He's a better prospect than that. Banks has had plenty of big plays at Mississippi State, including two pick-6s off Tim Tebow in one game.
12. Buffalo Bills -- Chris Faulk, OT, LSU
The Bills focused more on the defensive side of the ball this offseason and will return to building the offense and protecting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick by picking this big-time tackle prospect.
13. San Diego Chargers -- Keenan Allen, WR, California
The Cal receiver missed spring practice after having ankle surgery, but if he can stay healthy he has the size and explosiveness to be the second receiver taken. Allen got off to a great start last season, but fell off because of quarterback problems at Cal. The Bears' passing game will improve this year and Allen will shine.
14. Tennessee Titans -- Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
Gilbert hasn't really come on to most people's radar yet as a cornerback, even though many recognize his outstanding return skills. The former high school quarterback and track star could turn develop into a very good cover man. He's already intercepted passes from Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill.
15. Detroit Lions -- Marcus Lattimore, RB, S. Carolina
Even as teams have de-emphasized drafting running backs high in recent years, three went in the first round this year. If healthy, Lattimore will have the same kind of production Trent Richardson had last season.
16. Dallas Cowboys -- Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The Texas A&M lineman is Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews' son, and bloodlines matter to the NFL. The Cowboys are still trying to put together a complete offensive line.
17. Denver Broncos -- Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
The Broncos will jump on the tall, athletic defender. Okafor's linemate Jackson Jeffcoat will also get a lot of attention, but he's just a junior, and Mack Brown finds a way to get his players to stay through their senior year.
18. Cincinnati Bengals -- Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
The Vols receiver tore his ACL in the third game of last season, but is expected to make a full return this season. He averaged over 15 yards per catch in the two games he did play and reminds some people of Randy Moss.
19. Arizona Cardinals -- Brandon Jenkins, OLB, Florida State
Jenkins fits the mold of slightly undersized but very athletic 3-4 pass rushers who move up on draft day, like No. 15 overall pick Bruce Irvin out of West Virginia.
20. NY Giants -- Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin
The Giants go best player available and continue to rework their line with the next breakout offensive line star from Wisconsin.
21. NY Jets -- Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
The Jets have done a lot of work bolstering their defensive line. They know Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is bothered by pressure up the middle and may try to get a potential star at nose tackle.
22. Atlanta Falcons -- William Gholston, DE, Michigan State
Teams may have character concerns about Gholston, but they won't doubt his athleticism. At 6-7, 280 pounds, Gholston wanted to play linebacker at Michigan State and probably had the skills to do it. Gholston was suspended last season for unsportsmanlike conduct in a win over Michigan. That anger can work if Gholston channels it toward quarterbacks.
23. Kansas City Chiefs -- Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
Jones struggled at the end of last season and probably hurt his chances of being a top pick in this year's draft. If he can return to his 2010 form, however, he has the size to get back in the good graces of NFL teams, who are always eager to take a chance on tall gunslingers.The Chiefs could also look at Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas, who often gets compared to Cam Newton as a potential breakout star.
24. New Orleans Saints -- Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
Mingo had eight sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss last season, and the Saints will find a way to fit him into their scheme as they rebuild that defense.
25. Baltimore Ravens -- Ray-Ray Armstrong, S, Miami
The 6-4, 215-pound Miami safety served an NCAA suspension for taking benefits from booster Nevin Shapiro, but enough time will have passed for NFL teams to overlook that part of his past. Perhaps the Ravens' famous Miami alums can help management see Armstrong's value.
26. San Francisco 49ers">49ers -- D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
The 6-6, 335-pound right tackle already projects as a fantastic run-blocker. Now he has to prove he can be an effective all-around tackle. If he does, he could shoot up much higher.
27. Houston Texans -- Terrence Williams, WR, Baylor
A taller version of Kendall Wright. He won't have Robert Griffin III throwing him the ball, but Baylor will still move the chains in the defensively challenged Big 12.
28. Chicago Bears -- Cyril Richardson, OT, Baylor
Baylor has produced two first-rounders on the offensive line over the last three years -- Jason Smith and Danny Watkins -- and Richardson could be better than both of them.
29. New England Patriots -- Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah
Vince Wilfork will turn 31 this season and he's already playing more defensive end and defensive tackle. The Patriots will get tougher against the run with the productive Lotulelei.
30. Philadelphia Eagles -- Eric Reid, S, LSU
The Eagles have been searching for an answer at safety since Brian Dawkins left. Reid has had some big plays at LSU, including a game-saving interception in the Tigers' regular-season win over Alabama.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers -- John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
Scouts can't help but notice the massive Jenkins when they check out Jarvis Jones. The Steelers did draft Washington nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu in the fourth round of this year's draft, but there's no guarantee they've found Casey Hampton's successor yet.
32. Green Bay Packers -- Sean Porter, OLB, Texas A&M
Porter had 17 tackles for a loss and 9 ½ sacks, and broke up four passes last season. He's 6-2, 235 pounds and would fit in well in the Packers' scheme. Porter will blow up at the Combine thanks to his physical prowess.
