2013 NFL Mock Draft: Matt Barkley and the Best Seniors in College Football

Underclassmen can have poor seasons, and choose to return to school, but barring early season injury—this is it for the seniors.

For the most part, you know the best seniors in college football will be among the cream of the crop in the 2013 NFL draft.

Here are the players that are in their last year at their respective schools, but should hear their names called early in the 2013 draft.

(The spotlighted teams and players have been italicized)

1. Cleveland Browns: Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State

Wilson is 6'4", and thin at 185 pounds, but he is truly dynamic. He would be a great weapon for Brandon Weeden or Colt McCoy 

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

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

At 6'6" 340 pounds, Danny Lee Jesus is one of the best LT prospects in college football. 

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

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Most of us know the story. Barkley could have come out of school, and been eligible for the 2012 NFL draft.

In fact, he may have been taken right after Andrew Luck, had he declared. But he didn't, he wanted one more crack at team success with USC.

It was a great gesture for the Trojans, as Barkley is the premier QB in the nation now. If the Jags have given up on Blaine Gabbert by this time next year, Barkley could be the man.

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

4. Minnesota Vikings: Robert Woods, WR, USC

A long and smooth athlete, that runs nice routes and has bust-out speed.

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

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

Montgomery has some pass-rushing skills. I think he fits best as a OLB in a 3-4 scheme.

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

6. Arizona Cardinals: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

Bray is a 6'6" QB prospect with a quick-release and solid accuracy. He completed just under 60 percent of his passes as a sophomore.

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

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

The Rams will need a LT to protect Sam Bradford. Matthews will see a steady diet of nasty pass-rushers in the SEC this season. It will be interesting to see how he responds.

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

8. Oakland Raiders: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

Wilson should have a huge year for a loaded Arkansas offense. He is showing great leadership and he is also a quality athlete.

Wilson will not surpass Barkley or Bray in my opinion, but he'll be a solid choice for a team looking for a franchise QB.

That could be the Raiders, as I predict they will underachieve with Carson Palmer this season.

Needs: QB, WR, LB

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

At 6'3" with marvelous leaping ability, great hands and speed, Amerson could very well be a top three pick. He is a beast, and he may rise during this season.

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

10. Seattle Seahawks: Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

Allen has tremendous confidence and good hands. He could be a nice weapon for the Seahawks and Matt Flynn. 

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

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue 

Short has the ability to collapse the interior of a offensive line. He gets great push, and it appears he may require a double-team to contain—especially against the run.

He quickly diagnoses plays and if Gerald McCoy fails to make a major impact this season, Short would be a great fit.

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

12. Buffalo Bills: Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Florida

Jenkins is a remarkable athlete with tons of versatility. He could be a fit as pass-rusher or ILB.

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

13. Tennessee Titans: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State

Bubba Biscuits is a load on the inside of the defensive line. He may come back for his senior season, if not, he could be a valuable run-stuffer.

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

14. Carolina Panthers: Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

The Honey Badger has appeal as a playmaker. He could contribute as a CB or kick returner.

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

15. Denver Broncos: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Jones did not handle the Heisman hype properly in 2012. He figures to be in the preliminary conversation again this year. His cerebral approach is fine, it's his poise that needs to develop.

Being drafted by the Broncos to learn under Peyton Manning for two years could be an ideal situation.

When he's ready, he could be prepared to be the next franchise QB.

There is a long way to go for this prediction, but it seems like a logical fit.

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

16. Kansas City Chiefs: Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor

The Chiefs need weapons for Matt Cassell. Terrance Williams would complement Dwayne Bowe well.

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

17. Chicago Bears: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

It is possible Milliner's stock may have risen much higher than this, by the time the 2013 NFL draft rolls around. If not, he would be a great pick for the Bears.

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

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

Mingo is best suited as a OLB in a 3-4 scheme, as he is a bit undersized for DE. He is exceptionally quick, but I want to see what he does against LT in the SEC this season. He lined up in front of RT a lot in 2011.

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

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

Jones would be a great pick for the Niners to continue their power running-game.

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

20. Dallas Cowboys: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina

Hands-down, Lattimore is my favorite player in college football. I do worry about his durability after injuries, and the workload he's carried since he arrived at South Carolina as a freshman in 2010.

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

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

Dyer is a short, muscular, bowling-ball style RB. He could be a very effective north/south style runner, like Maurice Jones-Drew. 

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

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin

If Jason Peters' injury lingers, the Eagles must address the position with a long-term solution. Wagner could be a guy in the discussion when the time comes.

Needs: LT, OLB, DT, QB, RB

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

Jones looks like a beast of a pass rusher. He is only going to be a OLB in a 3-4, so there may not be as much versatility here. He is used to rushing from the stand up position, but he sheds blocks, diagnoses and explodes well.

Needs: Best available

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

McDonald is one of the best safety prospects in the nation. He's 6'1", he runs very well, and plays smart. He can easily be a future leader on an NFL defense.

I think he needs to get a bit stronger, but he has definite center-fielder qualities to his game.

He isn't a big-hitter, and he doesn't have great hands, but he makes the smart play.

Needs: OL, OLB, S

25. Atlanta Falcons: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

The Falcons need players that re-establish their power on the line of scrimmage. Floyd could be one of those players.

Needs: Best available

26. Baltimore Ravens: Chris Faulk, OT, LSU

Baltimore must rebuild their aging offensive line. They addressed the inside this year, next year they must look at the T position.

Needs: G, OLB, LOT, DE, RB

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

They took David Wilson this year, but the team needs two backs to be successful. Ball would be a great compliment to Wilson.

Ball returned to Wisconsin for his senior season, despite being invited to New York as a finalist for the Heisman trophy.

He is a productive, north/south runner whose style would be a nice change of pace from Wilson's speed.

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

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

Te'o is another player that could have come out this year. He returned to Notre Dame in hopes of helping the Irish return to glory.

He would be a great pick for the Steelers as an ILB in the 3-4 scheme.

Te'o could step in for Stevenson Sylvester in 2013.   

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

29. Detroit Lions: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

The Lions may not retain Cliff Avril after the 2012 season. If not, they will need to draft a pass-rusher. Okafor could be in the discussion.

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

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

Mosley is an athletic LB that could thrive in the 3-4 scheme. He sheds blocks well and is a sure tackler.

Needs: ROT, ILB, G, CB, OLB

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

The Patriots must replenish Tom Brady's aging offensive line.

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

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

The Packers' secondary needs some youth and talent. Both the Bears and Lions now have formidable passing attacks; the Packers must get better here to contain them.

Needs: S, RB, DE, CB, TE

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