2013 NFL Mock Draft: Prospects Who Will Make the Biggest Immediate Impact

With the first round of the 2012 NFL draft in the books, it's never too early to fast-forward and take a look at what the 2013 NFL draft has in store for us.

To that end, here are the next set of prospects who will have the biggest immediate impact in pro football.

1. Oakland Raiders: Matt Barkley, QB (USC)

With only five selections in 2012 (none until Round 3), a tough schedule and quarterback Carson Palmer turning 33 in December, the Raiders need Matt Barkley as a long-term solution under center. 2014 is Palmer's contract year, but he's way overpaid and Barkley will have had time to learn for a year before taking over.

2. Minnesota Vikings: David Amerson, CB (North Carolina State)

The lack of a pass defense is what hurt the Minnesota Vikings more than anything in 2011. Even Tim Tebow threw for more than 200 yards against them. Now include Minny's NFC North rivals and the Vikings need to upgrade the secondary sooner rather than later.

Well, North Carolina State's David Amerson had 12 interceptions in 2011 and returned them for 206 yards (two went back for touchdowns).

In addition, Amerson has recorded 116 tackles his two seasons with the Wolfpack, with more of the same expected in 2012. For the Vikings, Amerson would immediately start and with his size—6'3", 185 pounds—would continue to make plays.

As long as Minnesota remains a sound defense against the run (ranked No. 11 in 2011), Amerson's instincts and knack for finding the rock will pay dividends in a pass-oriented division.

3. Miami Dolphins: Robert Woods, WR (USC)

Whether it's Ryan Tannehill or Matt Moore under center in Miami, the Dolphins need a stud receiver. Robert Woods accounted for almost 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns on 111 receptions in 2011. He has the athleticism to make plays anywhere on the field.

4. Indianapolis Colts: Jarvis Jones, LB (Georgia)

Whether it's a 4-3 or 3-4 front for Chuck Pagano's defense, the Colts need a stud outside linebacker in the front seven. Jarvis Jones recorded 70 tackles, 13.5 sacks and 26 quarterback hurries in 2011 and forced two fumbles as well.

5. St. Louis Rams: Barrett Jones, OT/OG (Alabama)

Barrett Jones is a versatile offensive lineman who plays in college football's best conference. Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron was sacked just 13 times in 2011. The Rams gave up 55 sacks last season.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brandon Jenkins, LB/DE (Florida State)

In 2011, Tampa Bay ranked No. 21 against the pass, No. 32 against the run and recorded just 23 sacks. Brandon Jenkins is a dynamic defender who has accounted for 104 tackles and 21.5 sacks the past two years.

7. New York Jets: Ricky Wagner, OT (Wisconsin)

In addition to allowing 39 sacks last season, the Jets ranked No. 22 in rush offense and weren't explosive. Well, there's no better way to improve the offensive line than by getting a guy from Wisconsin. In 2011, Russell Wilson was sacked only 22 times in 14 games and the Badgers remain stellar on the ground.

8. Tennessee Titans: Kawann Short, DT (Purdue)

In Arian Foster of Houston and Maurice Jones-Drew of Jacksonville, the AFC South has two of the NFL's best and most complete running backs.

Last season, the Tennessee Titans ranked No. 25 against the run and allowed almost 130 rushing yards per game. The selection of Purdue's Kawann Short in 2013  will take care of that weakness.

Despite playing on the interior, Short has managed to dominate during his three seasons in the trenches, recording 33.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and 13 defended passes.

His ability to constantly get in the backfield and make plays will free up the linebackers and make the Titans less vulnerable to play-action. Against balanced attacks, having a guy like Short who can control the line is beyond important.

9. Cleveland Browns: Eric Reid, Safety (LSU)

With corners like Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne, it's easy to overlook a safety at LSU. But the Browns need a deep-middle player like Eric Reid to complete the defense. Reid has four interceptions and 108 tackles in two college seasons, so expect 2012 to only be better.

10. Carolina Panthers: Tyrann Mathieu, CB (LSU)

The Panthers play in a pass-happy division and need a stud corner opposite Chris Gamble. Tyrann Mathieu is simply a playmaker, as evidenced by his 133 tackles, six sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 19 defended passes in 2010 and 2011.

11. St. Louis Rams (via WAS): Johnny Adams, CB (Michigan State)

Courtesy of the Washington Redskins, the Rams also get another second-round pick. Needing to improve the pass defense, especially against play-action, Michigan State's Johnny Adams comes into play. With 24 defended passes, eight picks and two touchdowns, Adams is the perfect complement to Cortland Finnegan.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Sam Montgomery, DE (LSU)

Needing another pass-rushing presence opposite Chris Clemons, LSU's Sam Montgomery has excellent potential. After recording two sacks in a limited role in 2010, Montgomery got nine sacks and 49 tackles in 2011.

13. San Diego Chargers: Manti Te’o, LB (Notre Dame)

Middle linebacker Takeo Spikes will be 36 by the end of the 2012 season. The Chargers need someone else to stuff the run and help against the intermediate passing game. In three seasons, Notre Dame's Manti Te'o has 320 tackles and six passes defensed.

14. Chicago Bears: Robert Lester, Safety (Alabama)

If there's any wonder why Alabama's pass defense has been so stout, look no further than safety Robert Lester, who had eight interceptions in 2010 and two last season. The Bears need a safety to complement Chris Conte. Lester's knack for finding the ball will pay dividends in a pass-happy NFC North.

15. New Orleans Saints: Johnthan Banks, CB (Mississippi State)

New Orleans needs a shutdown corner on defense. The Saints will only remain atop the NFC South  by getting a playmaker like Johnthan Banks. In three seasons at Mississippi State, Banks has 30 defensed passes, 11 interceptions, four forced fumbles and 158 tackles.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Sean Porter, LB (Texas A&M)

The final missing piece to Arizona's defense is a young and studly outside linebacker. Texas A&M's Sean Porter brings a great pass rush and solid defense against the run to the Cardinals. He had 9.5 sacks and 79 tackles in 2011.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aaron Murray, QB (Georgia)

Yes, the Jaguars have Chad Henne and Blaine Gabbert, but if 2012 turns out remotely like 2011, Jacksonville will be needing another quarterback. Aaron Murray is a solid candidate. In two seasons in the SEC, Murray has dominated, throwing 59 touchdowns passes and only 22 interceptions.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Lattimore, RB (South Carolina)

Despite having gone to three Super Bowls with Ben Roethlisberger under center, the Pittsburgh Steelers have never had that consistent No. 1 running back.

This also plays into the lack of consistent pass protection as well. So, the addition of South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore creates a much more balanced attack and solid pass protection in the backfield.

Despite his 2011 season being cut short, Lattimore still accounted for 1,000 total yards and 11 touchdowns in fewer than seven games. As a freshman, Lattimore gained more than 1,600 total yards and scored 19 touchdowns.

His consistency and reliability as a rusher is something the Steelers need to counter the blitzing they encounter in the NFC North.

19. New York Giants: Kevin Reddick, LB (North Carolina)

The Giants have a strong pass rush and solid secondary. The weakness is at linebacker, so getting North Carolina's Kevin Reddick addresses a need. In the past two seasons, he has 11 defended passes and 145 tackles. His ability to play against the pass significantly boosts Big Blue's defense.

20. Buffalo Bills: T.J. McDonald, Safety (USC)

With an amped-up front seven, Buffalo needs a safety who can reap the benefits of a consistent pass rush. USC's T.J. McDonald recorded 156 tackles and defended 12 passes the past two seasons for the Trojans.

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Eifert, TE (Notre Dame)

The Chiefs have a nearly complete offense with Jamaal Charles, Steve Breaston and Dwayne Bowe. But Kansas City needs a complete tight end such as Tyler Eifert, who can run-block and make plays downfield. Eifert caught 63 passes for more than 800 yards in 2011, which helped the Irish to average 160.4 rushing yards per game.

22. Atlanta Falcons: Alex Okafor, DE (Texas)

Before the 2013 season begins, John Abraham will be 35. So Atlanta must snag a sound defensive end like Alex Okafor to set the edge against the run and apply pressure on the quarterback. Okafor had six sacks and 52 tackles in 2011. His addition will help the pass defense and the linebackers against the run.

23. Cincinnati Bengals: Keenan Allen, WR (California)

Having great size and great production in 2011 (1,343 yards on 98 catches), Keenan Allen is the perfect No. 2 receiver for Cincinnati. After being California's No. 1 target, imagine how much Allen can produce lining up opposite of A.J. Green.

24. Detroit Lions: Desmond Trufant, CB (Washington)

Still desperate to upgrade the secondary and pass defense, the Lions select Desmond Trufant at No. 24 overall. Trufant has improved throughout his college career. In almost three full seasons, he has 29 passes defensed, five interceptions and 159 tackles. In the pass-heavy NFC North, Trufant fills a dire need in the Motor City.

25. Dallas Cowboys: Travis Frederick, OG (Wisconsin)

The Dallas Cowboys have impressive skill players at receiver and running back. But to field a balanced attack, Big D needs to improve its pass protection and interior ground game. Travis Frederick of Wisconsin can play anywhere on the interior line, and his size bodes well for getting upfield quickly.

26. Baltimore Ravens: C.J. Mosley, LB (Alabama)

Sooner or later, the Baltimore Ravens must begin to prepare for the post-Ray Lewis era. Well, that begins with Alabama's C.J. Mosley, who has 104 tackles, 15 defended passes and three interceptions in two seasons.

Mosley has outstanding play-recognition skills against the pass, the speed to play in man and the size to sink deep when in zone. As Mosley develops, the Ravens could also implement the Tampa-2 coverage because of his ability to react and get depth.

Baltimore also will be surrounding Mosley will impressive talent in the front seven and secondary, so there won't be too much pressure to produce.

Still, the AFC North is a defensive-oriented division where offenses rely heavily on the ground game. Mosley's ability to play between the tackles and take away the intermediate pass will easily transition to the NFL.

27. Denver Broncos: Tavon Austin, WR (West Virginia)

If there's one weapon the Broncos are missing on offense, it's a dynamic slot receiver. Well, look no further than Tavon Austin. Last season, he accounted for 1,186 yards receiving, 182 rushing and 1,206 on returns, and scored 11 touchdowns.

28. Philadelphia Eagles: Jelani Jenkins, LB (Florida)

The Eagles are nearly a complete team. In Philadelphia's 4-3 front, though, a true outside linebacker is needed. Florida's Jelani Jenkins is a great fit. He's a well-versed defender who in two seasons has made 151 tackles and defended nine passes.

29. Green Bay Packers: Rod Sweeting, CB (Georgia Tech)

Although it's reasonable to expect the Packers to improve on defense in 2012, they still need a young corner to take over for Charles Woodson. Woodson will be 36 this season, so the Packers should allow Rod Sweeting to fill in. In two seasons, Sweeting has 94 tackles, 20 defended passes and two forced fumbles.

30. New England Patriots: Michael Dyer, RB (Arkansas State)

New England may use an array of ball-carriers, but the Pats still need a true No. 1 back to effectively set up play-action. Michael Dyer has the acceleration and speed to shine as a rookie. In his two seasons at Auburn before transferring to Arkansas State, Dyer rushed for 2,335 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

31. Houston Texans: Shayne Skov, LB (Stanford)

Because of durability concerns, Shayne Skov is a stretch at the end of Round 1. However, the Texans need a complement to middle linebacker Brian Cushing and Skov has the skills to fill that role. In 2010, he had 83 tackles, seven sacks, five defended passes and two forced fumbles.

32. San Francisco 49ers: Lane Taylor, OG (Oklahoma State)

Including the postseason, San Francisco allowed 51 sacks of quarterback Alex Smith last season. Oklahoma State's Lane Taylor, however, was part of a unit that allowed just 20 sacks of Brandon Weeden the past two years. Oklahoma State also averaged 158 rushing yards per game. Taylor is reliable and would be the final missing piece to Jim Harbaugh's offense.

John Rozum on Twitter.