2013 NFL Mock Draft: Pick-by-Pick Preview of Next Year's First Round

The 2012 NFL draft has yet to even begin, but it's never too soon to start looking ahead at who may be considered early first-round picks in the 2013 NFL draft. 

Here's a brief 2013 NFL mock draft: 

1. Cleveland Browns: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

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

The Browns are going to get a lot better over the next three days, but the difference-maker at quarterback probably isn't coming. Third-year starter Colt McCoy will get another chance in 2012 to prove he's starting-quality. By April 2013, however, the Browns will have the franchise quarterback they need to take the next step. 

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

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

Even if the Dolphins draft Ryan Tannehill to be the long-term, franchise-type quarterback, 2012 could be a long first year under Joe Philbin. Montgomery gives Miami an elite pass-rusher to team with Cameron Wake. 

3. Indianapolis Colts: Robert Woods, WR, USC

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

Andrew Luck is going to need his own Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne if he's going to match what Peyton Manning produced in Indy.

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

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

Maybe the Jags could be in the running for another first-round quarterback by this time next year? If Blaine Gabbert improves and sticks as the starter, he'll need more weapons. 

5. Minnesota Vikings: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

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

If Minnesota goes Morris Claiborne at No. 3 tonight, left tackle will still be a sore spot come next April.

6. Arizona Cardinals: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

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

Kevin Kolb has a huge 2012 season starting him in the face. If he falters again, Arizona should cut its losses and look to the draft for an upgrade.

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

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

The Rams have more draft capital than any team in the NFL over the next couple of drafts. Getting a starting left tackle works here.

8. Oakland Raiders: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

Needs: QB, WR, LB

The Raiders are looking at a rebuild with a new head coach and general manager. Reggie McKenzie will be ready to wave goodbye to Carson Palmer and start new at the quarterback position. 

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

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

The Rams get a starting cornerback from one of the picks Washington traded to select QB Robert Griffin III. 

10. Seattle Seahawks: Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

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

Matt Flynn could put up big numbers and wins in Seattle with the right tools around him. 

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

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

The Bucs will likely miss out on Trent Richardson tonight, but Lattimore could be the 2013 version of the draft's top back.

12. Buffalo Bills: Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Florida

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

The Bills might still be a year off from cracking the playoffs, but stockpiling defenders will help Buffalo make a run in 2013.

13. Tennessee Titans: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

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

The Titans still need to find their dominating inside presence to replace what Albert Haynesworth meant to them defensively. 

14. Carolina Panthers: Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

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

The Honey Badger has the playmaking skills to crack the first round next April.

15. Denver Broncos: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

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

Year one with Manning under center doesn't go quite to plan, and the Broncos have to start looking at preserving their future at the quarterback position. 

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

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

The Chiefs can add Hankins to the rest of their first-round defensive line.

17. Chicago Bears: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

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

Cornerback is one position the Bears won't be able to address in the 2012 draft, making it a hole for next April.

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

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

Best name in the draft? Mingo could be a versatile defender for defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. 

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

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

The 49ers need big upgrades on the interior of their offensive line. 

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

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

Dallas can team Rhodes with 2012 free-agent acquisition Brandon Carr at cornerback. 

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

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

The Jets won't get Richardson in this draft, but Dyer is a pounding back that fits New York's style.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin

Needs: LT, OLB, DT, QB, RB

Will Jason Peters ever be the same player? Wagner is a good backup plan, just in case.

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

Needs: Best available

Jones will be one of the more coveted pass-rushers come next April. 

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

Needs: OL, OLB, S

McDonald would have been a highly-coveted safety had he come out in the 2012 draft. 

25. Atlanta Falcons: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

Needs: Best avail

The Falcons get a big defensive tackle prospect from SEC country.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Chris Faulk, OT, LSU

Needs: G, OLB, LOT, DE, RB

Unless it is addressed in this draft, tackle could be an issue for Baltimore down the road.

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

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

New York can team Ball with Ahmad Bradshaw to give the Giants' running game the one-two punch it could miss without Brandon Jacobs. 

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

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

The Steelers are fond of using first-round picks on improving the linebacker position. 

29. Detroit Lions: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

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

Kyle Vanden Bosch is getting up there in age, and Cliff Avril was forced to sign the franchise tender this offseason.

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

Needs: ROT, ILB, G, CB, OLB

Will the Texans regret shipping DeMeco Ryans to Philly in 2012?

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

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

The Patriots are old inside and need new blood.  

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

Needs: S, RB, DE, CB, TE

The Packers will miss Nick Collins for the second straight season.