2013 NFL Mock Draft: A Way-Too-Early Look at Next Year's First Round

The 2012 NFL draft ended yesterday, but that means there's an entirely new class to scout—and why not start early?

After studying Friday and Saturday's picks and making a bold (and obviously unofficial) prediction for the final power rankings, I have come up with a rough draft for the 2013 NFL draft based on potential team needs.

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

After realizing that Carson Palmer is not the long-term answer, the Raiders decide to go all in and trade up for the No. 1 overall pick. The Vikings don't necessarily need it because they've found their franchise QB with Christian Ponder, and will take whatever they can get to fill other needs.

Barkley decided to stay for his senior season after projecting to be the third quarterback taken in the 2012 NFL draft. This could end up being a risk for him but, for now, he's the best-looking quarterback in his class.

2012 NFL draft selection: none

2. Cleveland Browns: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

Cleveland will soon realize that taking 28-year-old Brandon Weeden No. 22 overall was not a good idea. The Browns will once again be the cellar-dwellers of the AFC North and be on the search for the franchise QB they've been looking for since, well, forever.

Tyler Bray is the prototypical quarterback and comes with an incredible upside. Either way, he's a top-five selection.

2012 NFL draft selection: Trent Richardson, RB

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

The Dolphins need a pass-rush across from Cameron Wake. Jones led the SEC with 13.5 sacks as a sophomore last season and is the most versatile player at his position. He'll be an absolute monster at the next level.

2012 NFL draft selection: Ryan Tannehill, QB

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

The Andrew Luck era is now underway. Be patient though, Colts fans, because, as the saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day

Coach Chuck Pagano brings the 3-4 defensive scheme, which will need two or three years and some roster moves before it's the way he wants it. Montgomery is a perfect fit for his system and is an outstanding pass-rusher.

2012 NFL draft selection: Andrew Luck, QB


5. St. Louis Rams: D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

OT Rokevious Watkins was selected with the Rams' fifth-round pick, but he's not the kind of impact player Sam Bradford needed to send him to the next level. St. Louis really needed to address this need, and it didn't.

Fluker is the highest-rated tackle and would be happy to protect Bradford's blindside for the next 10-plus years.

2012 NFL draft selection: Michael Brockers, DT

6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyrann Mathiew, CB, LSU

I thought the Jaguars did a great job moving up in the 2012 draft and picking up Justin Blackmon. They had the smallest receiving corps in the league and a quarterback that couldn't get them the ball.

However, their following picks are questionable; a punter in the third round? Come on.

Simply put, Derek Cox, Rashean Mathis, William Middleton and Ashton Youboty are all set to hit free agency in March 2013, and the "Honey Badger" will be the best corner heading into the draft.

2012 NFL draft selection: Justin Blackmon, WR

7. Arizona Cardinals: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

Quarterback is quickly becoming the most valuable position in the NFL, if it wasn't already. Arizona will soon find that Kevin Kolb is not the answer and will look to the draft for an immediate plug-in.

Wilson may not be the best in his class, but he's displayed the leadership skills required and has the arm to make the next-level throws.

2012 NFL draft selection: Michael Floyd, WR

8. St. Louis Rams (via Washington): Robert Woods, WR, USC

The Rams will be rooting for the Redskins to fail in RGIII's rookie season, because the worse they do, the better the pick Jeff Fisher's organization receives.

Here, they'll find an immediate upgrade at wide receiver and a nice complement to Brian Quick on the opposite side.

2012 NFL draft selection: Michael Brockers, DT

9. New York Jets: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

Sorry, Rex Ryan, but Tim Tebow isn't going to save you. A solid run defense is a good start though, and Short would be great value.

2012 NFL draft selection: Quinton Coples, DE

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State

The Buccaneers wasted a second-round pick on Brian Price in 2010, and he'll likely be gone after the upcoming season. Tampa Bay will be in search of an upgrade, and it'll get one with the gigantic-but-athletic Johnathon Hankins.

2012 NFL draft selection: Mark Barron, S and Doug Martin, RB

11. Dallas Cowboys: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

Time is ticking for Jerry Jones to win a Super Bowl in the Tony Romo era, so he'll have to find his coveted quarterback some protection from the edge—something the Cowboys did not address in the 2012 draft.

2012 NFL draft selection: Morris Claiborne, CB

12. Minnesota Vikings (via Oakland): Keenan Allen, WR, California

Other than Percy Harvin, who is best in the slot, the Vikings don't have a No. 1 receiver. They took Jarius Wright and Greg Childs—both former Arkansas Razorbacks—in the mid-rounds, but neither have shown they're capable of becoming elite players.

Keenan Allen has the size (6'3", 200 pounds), speed and intangibles to be the go-to-guy next to Harvin.

2012 NFL draft selection: Matt Kalil, OT

13. Tennessee Titans: David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State

The Titans allowed far too many big plays to opposing receivers last season. Unfortunately, they didn't make corner a high priority in the 2012 draft, which will cause a lot of problems in the secondary once again.

2012 NFL draft selection: Kendall Wright, WR

14. Buffalo Bills: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame

Nick Barnett and Kelvin Sheppard are two obvious starters in the Bills' 4-3 defense. Kirk Morrison will get a shot at the third spot this year, but adding someone who could push him down the road and potentially replace him would be a nice addition.

2012 NFL draft selection: Stephon Gilmore, CB

15. Carolina Panthers: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

As the team continues to build the offense around Cam Newton, it will need to keep improving the raw defense. The secondary struggled in 2011 and will likely have problems this upcoming season, so adding an impact corner right away would be ideal.

2012 NFL draft selection: Luke Kuechly, ILB

16. Seattle Seahawks: Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State

I don't know what Pete Carroll and John Schneider were thinking throughout the draft, but it wasn't sane. They repeatedly took players one round early and didn't add to a passing game that needs some help.

Sidney Rice can't stay healthy, Mike Williams can't control his weight, Doug Baldwin is just a slot receiver, Deon Butler also has injury problems, and Golden Tate hasn't lived up to expectations yet. Matt Flynn/Tavaris Jackson/Russell Wilson needs to throw the ball to someone.

2012 NFL draft selection: Bruce Irvin, OLB

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina

I'm not a fan of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, nor am I sold on the fact that the Bengals are going to make him their running back of the future. He's a short-term insurance policy for the departure of Cedric Benson and will share time with Bernard Scott.

2012 NFL draft selection: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB and Kevin Zeitler, OG

18. Phildadelphia Eagles: Chris Faulk, OT, LSU

Demetress Bell's deal is for one year. If his knee issues continue to be a problem, and if Jason Peters' Achilles injury isn't completely healed, the Eagles will be spending their first-round selection on a tackle.

2012 NFL draft selection: Fletcher Cox, DT

19. San Diego Chargers: Ray Ray Armstrong, S, Miami (Fla.)

The strong safety position has haunted San Diego since Rodney Harrison left in 2003. The projects of Terrence Kiel, Clinton Hart, Bob Sanders, Kevin Ellison, and Darrell Stuckey have all failed. If Brandon Taylor doesn't work out right away, the Chargers will have to put all their focus on ending the drought.

2012 NFL draft selection: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB

20. Chicago Bears: Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin

Apparently, Lovie Smith and the Bears' staff are content with the offensive line they have. That's going to bite them in the rear in 2012, because it's the reason Jay Cutler was put on injured reserve in the first place.

If Chicago ever wants another appearance in the Super Bowl, it needs an offensive line first. Ricky Wagner would be the first of two or three required upgrades.

2012 NFL draft selection: Shea McClellin, DE

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Looking up and down the Chiefs' roster, it's hard to find any holes at all. They could seriously make a playoff run next year, and I wouldn't be surprised one bit if they topped Peyton Manning for AFC West champs.

With that said, Kansas City's one glaring need is a franchise quarterback. Matt Cassel is solid; he's like Miami's Matt Moore. He'll take you to the playoffs, but he won't take you any further.

2012 NFL draft selection: Dontari Poe, DT

22. New Orleans Saints: Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Florida

I strongly suggest to Drew Brees that he does not sign a contract extension. I feel bad for the position he's in, but to finish out 2012 and then walk would probably be in his best interests. I don't know that he'll do that since he's so devoted to the city of New Orleans but, if he does, the Saints need to trade up and grab a quarterback.

If not, they need a playmaker on defense. Jenkins fits that category and would replace then-33-year-old Scott Shanle.

2012 NFL draft selection: none

23. Denver Broncos: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

Someone must have hidden the fact that Champ Bailey is almost 34 and likely entering his last season as a productive corner in the NFL. Denver waited until the fourth round to draft a CB, and it picked a decent role player with Omar Bolden.

Peyton Manning cannot be asked to do it all.

2012 NFL draft selection: Derek Wolfe, DT

24. Atlanta Falcons: Barrett Jones, C/OG, Alabama

Atlanta selected center Peter Konz with its first pick of the draft (round two), but it still needs a lot of help at right guard, and Jones can conveniently play both positions.

2012 NFL draft selection: none

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

Center David Baas will be 32 following the 2013 NFL draft, and didn't play very well last year. If his productivity doesn't increase, that and the fact that he's due $4.25 million next season may give him the boot.

2012 NFL draft selection: David Wilson, RB 

26. Detroit Lions: Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson

The speed and hands of Andre Ellington makes him a dangerous complement to Jahvid Best, and an immediate contributor on special teams.

2012 NFL draft selection: Riley Reiff, OT

27. Baltimore Ravens: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama

Baltimore didn't draft a successor to Ray Lewis this weekend, so it's almost inevitable that it'll do so in next year's draft.

2012 NFL draft selection: none

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah

The rich got richer as the Steelers had yet another incredible draft to restock their roster. Casey Hampton is on the decline and it's obvious that he will need replaced very soon.

2012 NFL draft selection: David DeCastro, OG

29. New England Patriots: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

How cool would it to have the name of Sharrif? Alright, probably not that cool, but this guy definitely patrols the football field like one.

Bill Belichick loves his defensive linemen, and Vince Wilfork will be 32 at the time of the 2013 draft.

2012 NFL draft selection: Chandler Jones, DE and Dont'a Hightower, ILB

30. Green Bay Packers: Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

The Packers currently have three running backs on the roster: James Starks, Brandon Saine, and Alex Green. 'Nuff said.

2012 NFL draft selection: Nick Perry, OLB/DE

31. Houston Texans: Jonathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

Kareem Jackson has struggled immensely and I don't see much improvement in the near future. Banks would be a Week 1 starter as the No. 2 corner across from Johnathan Joseph.

2012 NFL draft selection: Whitney Mercilus, DE

32. San Francisco 49ers: John Simon, DE, Ohio State

Defensive end Justin Smith will be 33 this time next year (34 that following September) and the 49ers need to work in his future replacement. Simon is a physical monster that shares the same assets.

2012 NFL draft selection: A.J. Jenkins, WR