2013 NFL Mock Draft: Montee Ball and Players Whose Stock Will Drop

With the 2012 NFL draft set to begin in just over a day, it’s definitely time to start thinking ahead to next offseason.

While the draft order certainly isn’t going to be the same, we’ll use this year’s finish as a starting point for the mock, with an educated guess of projected finishes factored in.

Let’s take a look at our first 2013 mock of the year with an eye on players who will be hard-pressed to improve their stock during the 2012 collegiate campaign.

1. Cleveland Browns: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Needs: WR, QB, ROT, OLB, DE, DT, G/C

The Browns aren’t likely to win this year but should add a nice piece or two in the first round. Next year, they can claim the ultimate prize, the USC QB, and begin their rebuilding process in earnest.

2. Indianapolis Colts: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

Needs: NT, CB, WR, TE, G, DE, LB

The Colts need to surround Andrew Luck with great lineman to keep him healthy and boost his confidence. Fluker is a franchise tackle who would be an immediate upgrade at the position.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State

Needs: WR, C, ROT, CB, OLB, RB, DT

Unless Jacksonville addresses their need for a WR in this upcoming draft, they’ll have to use a first-rounder on one soon.

4. Minnesota Vikings: Robert Woods, WR, USC

Needs: WR, S, CB, MLB, DT, OLB, DE

Woods is a freak athlete who would help Christian Ponder develop into a top-flight QB in Minnesota.  

5. Miami Dolphins: Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU

Needs: WR, ROT, S, DE, CB, TE, OLB

Miami needs a ton of help at a lot of positions, so taking an elite pass-rusher like Montgomery would be wise here.

6. Arizona Cardinals: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

Needs: ROT, WR, 3-4 OLB, QB, DE, DB, C/G, ILB

Kevin Kolb is clearly not the answer in the desert if John Skelton could very possibly win the position battle this offseason. Look for the Cards to address that QB controversy by getting an elite player like Bray early on.

7. St. Louis Rams: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

Needs: OT, DT, CB, RB, LB, S

Sam Bradford can’t keep taking shots and getting injured. They’ll also need someone to clear a path for whoever is rushing the ball during the 2013-14 season.

8. Oakland Raiders: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

Needs: QB, WR, LB

If Oakland is picking early in the 2013 draft, they’ll need a QB because Carson Palmer clearly isn’t the answer.

9. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins): David Amerson, CB, N.C. State

Needs: OT, DT, CB, RB, LB, S

The Rams were so bad on defense last season, and it doesn’t look like they’ll improve much this season. They should use their second first-round pick on a corner to stop from getting thrown on so much.

10. Seattle Seahawks: Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

Needs: LB, G/ROT, WR, RB, CB, TE, QB

Hopefully Matt Flynn develops into a solid QB. Adding another weapon like Allen would be wise if here if Flynn is making strides.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina

Needs: RB, OLB, SS, G, TE, ILB, WR

Lattimore could be the multi-dimensional back the Buccaneers are currently lacking, with LeGarrette Blount as the primary rusher.

12. Buffalo Bills: Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Florida

Needs: WR, OLB, CB, QB, TE, ILB, G

Buffalo would have a nice little linebacking corps in the making if they can secure Jenkins.

13. Tennessee Titans: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

Needs: LB, S. OT, DE, RB, WR, DT             

This kid is an extremely athletic DT who can record sacks and clog lanes. Sounds like a perfect player to stick in the middle of Tennessee’s line.

14. Carolina Panthers: Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

Needs: CB, OLB, WR, OT, G, DE

The Honey Badger’s stock could not get any higher. He’s hugely popular, great at returning and always has a nose for the ball. It would take another insanely great season to match what he did this year.

15. Denver Broncos: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Needs: CB, G/C, RB, WR, QB

Denver knows Peyton Manning will not last forever; it’s time to start developing a QB behind him, and Jones is a great option here.

16. Kansas City Chiefs: Johnathon Hankins, DT, Ohio State

Needs: NT, G, OLB, RB, DE, WR

The Chiefs seriously need to get an NT. If they don’t spring for Dontari Poe in this year’s draft, they’ll be best suited waiting a year for a blue-chipper like Hankins.

17. Chicago Bears: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

Needs: CB, DE, LB, TE, DT, G, LT

Chicago’s secondary is almost as big of a concern as their offensive line. Assuming they address the latter in 2012, they can use this pick to upgrade the corner position.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU

Needs: G, SS, DE, RB, OLB, DT

Mingo will be a nice pass-rusher that Cincy would be able to install right away in certain packages.

19. San Francisco 49ers: Barrett Jones, G/C, Alabama

Needs: G, DE, CB, OLB, TE S, ILB

If the Niners do not address their gaping hole in the interior line, they’ll be best suited getting someone like Jones in 2013. They need someone to clear lanes and block for Alex Smith—or possibly Colin Kaepernick at this point.

20. Dallas Cowboys: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Needs: S, CB, WR, G, RB, OLB

Dallas’ secondary is downright terrible. They should take Mark Barron this year and then grab Xavier Rhodes or another elite CB prospect in 2013.

21. New York Jets: Michael Dyer, RB, Arkansas State

Needs: WR, RT, DE, S, RB, ILB

If Dyer can prove he is past whatever character issues forced him off of Auburn and can excel with his new school, the young man can still become a first-round pick.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin

Needs: LT, OLB, DT, QB, RB

The Eagles need to protect Michael Vick from injury and give him more time in the pocket as he gets older and begins to slow down. Wagner would help that.

23. New Orleans Saints: Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia

Needs: Best available

Jones had an insane season for Georgia, recording 13.5 sacks in 2011. If he declared in 2012, he’d be an early first-rounder. Since he declined to, Jones needs to produce at a higher level with more pressure. It won’t be easy.

24: San Diego Chargers: T.J. McDonald, S, USC

Needs: OL, OLB, S             

SD would be insane not to get an outside linebacker in free agency or the 2012 draft. Assuming that player pans out, they can add a nice first-team All-American safety to the mix.

25. Atlanta Falcons: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

Needs: Best available

Atlanta could definitely use some defensive line upgrades. Floyd is the best available one here.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Chris Faulk, OT, LSU

Needs: G, OLB, LOT, DE, RB

The Ravens' line is aging, and they’ll be forced to bring in some fresh blood in 2013. Faulk is a nice prospect to fill that gap.

27. New York Giants: Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

Needs: OT, RB, LB, DT, DE, S

Ball had one of the best college seasons ever for an RB. It will be near impossible for him to repeat that, especially considering the loss of Russell Wilson.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame

Needs: OT/G, CB, NT, ILB, RB, S

Pittsburgh has a long tradition of drafting and developing elite LBs. Expect Manti to be the next in line.

29. Detroit Lions: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

Needs: CB, LOT, LB, DE, RB, S

Okafor would make a nice addition to the Lions’ line—just picture him next to Ndamukong Suh. 

30. Houston Texans: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama

Needs: ROT, ILB, G, CB, OLB

If Mosely can get through this season healthy, he’s a borderline first-rounder. He fits a need for the Texans, who shipped DeMeco Ryans to Philly this offseason.

31. New England Patriots: Khaled Holmes, G/C, USC

Needs: S, G/C, OLB, CB, RB

Assuming New England addresses their need for pass-rushers and a secondary in 2012, this is a nice pick to protect the aging Tom Brady. 

32. Green Bay Packers: Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma

Needs: S, RB, DE, CB, TE

The Pack could not stop anyone from throwing on them, and it eventually was their downfall in 2011-12.