2013 NFL Mock Draft: Smartest Predictions for Round 1

Teams are already looking at the 2013 NFL draft class, so why shouldn't we?

There are a lot of promising prospects who are gearing up for next year's draft, including a fine selection of quarterback protectors, pass-rushers, run-stoppers, playmakers and ball hawks.

Here's a look at the 2013 NFL draft class.

1. Cleveland Browns: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

Largely regarded as the top offensive tackle in the 2013 NFL draft class, D.J. Fluker would offer nice protection for whoever is under center for the Browns come next year.

2. Minnesota Vikings: Robert Woods, WR, USC

The Vikings got Christian Ponder a stud offensive tackle this year. Now they can shift their focus to Robert Woods, an explosive receiver who posted 111 catches, nearly 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2011.

3. Indianapolis Colts: Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU

Possessing freakish size (6'4", 245 pounds) and athleticism, Sam Montgomery racked up nine sacks in the SEC in 2011. He would help the Colts' pass rush.

4. Miami Dolphins: Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia

After going all-in with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, the Dolphins should grab a pass-rusher next. Jarvis Jones had 13.5 sacks in 2011 for Georgia and would have been a first-round pick had he declared this year.

5. St. Louis Rams: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU

The Rams boosted the defense in the 2011 draft with Michael Brockers and Janoris Jenkins in 2011. Adding a pass-rusher would make their defense even more imposing in 2013. 

6. Seattle Seahawks: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame

Adding an interior run-stopper in the linebacking corps would do the Seahawks well, and Manti Te'o is widely considered a better prospect than Luke Kuechly was. He has tremendous strength, instincts, range and tackling ability.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Florida

You can never have enough depth on defense. Jelani Jenkins has the ability to step in make an impact for the Jaguars from Day One. Jenkins has totaled 151 tackles in his past two seasons at Florida. 

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: David Emerson, CB, N.C. State

Widely regarded as the top cornerback in the 2013 class, David Emerson has great size (6'3", 194 pounds), and he's a physical player. He would be a nice successor to Ronde Barber.

9. Oakland Raiders: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Even if the Raiders think Carson Palmer is the future, Matt Barkley will be hard to pass up here and would be able to develop behind Palmer, if anything.

10. Kansas City Chiefs: Johnathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State

After addressing the interior of the linebacking corps with Luke Kuechly, the Chiefs would do well to address the interior of the defensive line in 2013. Johnathan Hankins is widely regarded as the best nose tackle in the draft and has good size at 335 pounds.

11. Arizona Cardinals: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

The son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, Jake Matthews would be a nice protector for Kevin Kolb in Arizona, who just got a nice second receiver in Michael Floyd.

12. Carolina Panthers: Kawaan Short, DT, Purdue

Bolstering the interior of the defensive line figures to be a need for the Panthers in 2013. Kawaan Short should be one of the premier defensive tackles in the draft next year. He's 310 pounds, but he registered 6.5 sacks in 2011.

13. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina

Marcus Lattimore figures to be the top running back in the draft class in 2013. He's been a star at South Carolina, and Steven Jackson and the Rams aren't happy with each other.

14. Buffalo Bills: Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

Adding a receiver opposite Stevie Johnson in Buffalo wouldn't a bad idea. Keenan Allen had a breakout season in 2011, racking up 98 catches, over 1,300 yards and six touchdowns for the Golden Bears.

15. Tennessee Titans: Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

What Tyrann Mathieu lacks in size (5'9", 175 pounds), he makes up for in sheer determination and will power. He was a ball hawk, game-changing defensive back and electric returner at LSU in 2011.

16. New York Jets: Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State

The Jets still need to give Mark Sanchez/Tim Tebow more weapons. Marquess Wilson continues to improve at Washington State, racking up nearly 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for the Cougars. He has the potential to be a game-changer at the next level.

17. San Diego Chargers: Barrett Jones, OG/C, Alabama

The Chargers still need to add more protection for Philip Rivers, and Barrett Jones would be a great addition in the interior. He has great size and strength.

18. Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State

Brandon Jenkins disappointed to an extent in 2011. His tackles for loss and sacks were down. But he has a lot of potential with his athleticism, and the Cowboys wouldn't mind adding a pass-rusher.

19. Chicago Bears: Chris Faulk, OT, LSU

The Bears need to start adding more protection for Jay Cutler, or he's going to keep ending up on his back. At 6'6", 325 pounds, Faulk was a fantastic blindside blocker for LSU in 2011, and he has the ability to pancake plenty of defenders at the NFL level. 

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin

The Eagles need to find a blindside protector for Michael Vick. Ricky Wagner, as is usually the case with offensive lineman from Wisconsin, is a very good prospect.

21. New Orleans Saints: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

"I fought the law and the law won." No, I'm not talking about the Saints' predicament after Bountygate. I'm talking about what it's like to face Sharrif Floyd in the SEC. Floyd has the ability to eat up the middle of the field, with 11 tackles against LSU in 2011.

22. Denver Broncos: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Big, fast and physical, Xavier Rhodes has the potential to be special in the National Football League. The Broncos need to add to the secondary.

23. Atlanta Falcons: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

Tony Gonzalez won't be around in 2013, so the Falcons will need to find their next star tight end of the future. Tyler Eifert is an impressive player—he finished with 63 receptions, 803 yards and five touchdowns in 2011 despite erratic quarterback play at Notre Dame.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma

Tony Jefferson quickly became a leader and defensive presence at Oklahoma. He's a strong, physical player who tackles well and can rush the passer.

25. Detroit Lions: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

You aren't a defensive back at Alabama unless you're incredibly physical. DeMarcus Milliner has leveled his fair share of players in the SEC, and his blazing speed, awareness, instincts and size could make him a nice fit in the Lions' secondary. 

26. Pittsburgh Steelers: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama

The next Alabama inside linebacker to go early in the NFL draft: C.J. Mosley. Mosley has the athleticism, explosiveness and tackling ability to be a first-round pick in 2013. This will be his year to shine at Alabama and the Steelers will take notice. 

27. New York Giants: Khaled Holmes, C, USC

David Baas is 32 years old and wasn't particularly impressive in 2011. Khaled Holmes has the potential to be a good one for years to come, and he has good size at 6'4", 310 pounds.

28. Houston Texans: Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma

The Texans did draft DeVier Posey in the third round of the 2012 draft, but I don't know if he'll make an immediate impact in the NFL. Kenny Stills has the ability to make an impact right from the start opposite Andre Johnson. He racked up 849 yards and eight touchdowns for the Sooners in 2011.

29. San Francisco 49ers: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

The 49ers could add depth in their secondary. Johnthan Banks has solid closing speed, instincts, agility and tackling skills. He could easily sneak into the first round.

30. Baltimore Ravens: Robert Lester, S, Alabama

Finding a successor to Ed Reed has to be a priority. Robert Lester will likely be the top safety in the 2013 draft. He's a physical, strong defensive back with an eye for the football.

31. Green Bay Packers: T.J. McDonald, S, USC

The son of former San Francisco 49ers safety Tim McDonald, T.J. McDonald certainly has a nice family tree. He's also an explosive hitter, leader and plays the game the right way. The Packers could use someone to protect the deep ball.

32. New England Patriots: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

Desmond Trufant has the speed, athleticism, agility and big-play ability to excel in the NFL. Adding to the secondary, especially when you an offense as explosive as the Patriots', is never a bad idea.

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