2013 NFL Mock Draft: Best Offensive Players Destined to Dominate NFL

The 2012 NFL draft is officially in the books and that means only one thing: time to start thinking about next year’s draft!

While the performance of their 2012 season will obviously cause mocks to be altered drastically, we already have a strong sense of who is going to be highly coveted at this time next year.

When completing a mock this far in advance, one must remember that projecting offensive stars is easier to do then on the defensive end. This year multiple first-round picks that resided on defense didn’t become stars until finally “getting it” their senior season.

So as we go through the first round of the 2013 NFL draft, the focus is on offensive players that have all of the tools to become a premiere talent at the next level.

(Draft order based on projected finish for all 32 teams)

(Surefire Offensive Studs in Italics)

1. Cleveland Browns: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Let the race to land Barkley begin!

There is no question he is the top QB prospect entering the new season.

Barkley decided to stay for his senior season to finally have a shot at making a BCS bowl game. He completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,528 yards and 39 touchdowns and seven picks last season. This year he will improve on those numbers, making him a potential Heisman candidate.

Some critics have an issue with his height (6’2’’), but Barkley doesn’t have passes batted down at the line of scrimmage and doesn’t seem to have any sort of problems seeing the field. Besides, Drew Brees has debunked the myth of shorter QBs for everyone.

The Browns put a band-aid on their QB situation by selecting Brandon Weeden, and after yet another season in last place, they finally find the franchise QB they’ve been searching for since re-entering the league in 1999.  

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

The Dolphins could use a better pass rush and go with the best defensive prospect in the draft.

Montgomery is a natural pass-rusher who has the speed and agility to become one of the most dangerous athletes off the edge in recent memory.

3. Oakland Raiders: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

After throwing for 3,638 yards, 24 TDs and only six INTs, Wilson is on track to be one of the best QBs in Razorback history. While it’s hard to project how he’ll be impacted by the loss of coach Bobby Petrino, he is on track to be a top-5 pick with all of his attributes.

He has incredible arm strength to go along with the sort of razor-sharp accuracy that makes scouts drool. There are few holes in his game. Expect him to be the first QB drafted after Barkley.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Oday Aboushi, OT, Virginia

The Seahawks are a wild card when it comes to the draft these days, but they might take a surefire starter in Aboushi who can help right away.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

I’m projecting a huge season from the Vols in 2012, and that success begins and ends with Bray. He holds all of the physical tools to be a star, and at 6’6’’ and 220 pounds, he will be able to clearly see over his linemen. Despite dealing with a thumb injury for the majority of the season, he was still able to complete 59 percent of his passes in 2011. Now 100 percent healthy, the sky is the limit.

The Chiefs still think they can win with Matt Cassel and after yet another injury to derail their season, KC hits the reset button by selecting Bray.

6. Arizona Cardinals: DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama

The Cards have two star receivers, but no beef up front to protect Kevin Kolb.

Fuker (6’6’’, 335 pounds) will be able to fill the void (literally).

7. St. Louis Rams: Robert Woods, WR, USC

As Barkley’s go-to guy, Woods is going to have a monster 2012 season. He is one of the best route-runners to come around in a long time, and he’s athletic enough to go up in the air and win jump balls against even the tallest corners.

Combine his athleticism with standout numbers in college (111 receptions, 1,292 yards, 15 TDs in 2011), and you have the best receiver in the 2013 draft.

8. Indianapolis Colts: Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia

Is Jones the next Von Miller?

He has outstanding size to go along with the strength and speed to be a terror for opposing linemen. With the ability to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, the Colts would be getting a game-changer with Jones.

9. Tennessee Titans: Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

It will be interesting to see how the “Honey Badger” fares without Mo Claiborne on the other side, but he showed the sort of explosiveness in 2011 to suggest he’ll be just fine.

10. Minnesota Vikings: Kwame Geathers, NT, Georgia

This underrated tackle is going to have a breakout 2012 because of his penetration created by outstanding leverage and explosiveness off the snap.

11. Buffalo Bills: Johnathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State

The Bills need a space-eater and Hankins fills the void. He is Big-Ten battle-tested and rather quick for the position.

12. New York Jets: Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame

When your nickname is “The Terminator,” you must be really good. Pairing him with another terminator in John Conner is going to be rather hilarious.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars: David Amerson, CB, NC State

Landing a talent like Amerson this far back in round one? This would be an outstanding pick for the Jags.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keenan Allen, WR, California

Allen has the best hands of the entire draft.

The former safety turned receiver in college just caught 98 passes for 1,343 yards and six TDs this past season. With another year of collegiate experience under his belt, the sky is the limit.

15. Atlanta Falcons: Chris Faulk, OT, LSU

The Falcons are in win-now mode and need to find a player that can help protect Matt Ryan. Faulk is SEC-tested and ready to start from the jump.

16.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

2012 will likely be the final season for Casey Hampton, so drafting his replacement is the obvious move.

17. New York Giants: Jelani Jenkins, OLB, Florida

An athletic freak that has been very productive in college, the only issue scouts have with Jenkins is his height (6’0’’).

18. Dallas Cowboys: Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU

While he certainly needs to work on his play against the run, Mingo is a load coming off the edge and is capable of notching double-digit sacks for years.

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

The Saints are constantly looking for a tackle and finally the search comes to an end with Floyd. This Gator can be a terror in the run game and has drastically improved his pass rushing skills as well.

20. Chicago Bears: DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

The Bears defense is aging and landing an eventual replacement for Charles Tillman here would be the smart move.

21. Carolina Panthers: Barrett Jones, G/C, Alabama

Cam Newton needs better protection and Jones has quick feet and is versatile. Panthers in the playoff? In a weak NFC South…why not?

22. San Francisco 49ers: Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina

When you keep drafting running back after running back it’s clear: You don’t have a good running back.

Lattimore is a premiere talent capable of making the 49ers one of the best running teams in the entire league. He is burner that can catch passes out of the backfield and is also an outstanding blocker.

He tore a ligament in his knee last season so it will be interesting to see if he’s able to rebound, but assuming he does, the 49ers are drafting a game-changer.

23. Baltimore Ravens: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Rhodes has been a standout prospect for a strong Seminoles defense. He’s incredible in coverage with fluid hips and outstanding ball skills.

24. Houston Texans: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

There aren’t a ton of holes on the Texans as currently constructed, so landing a talent like Matthews this far back in round one would be a steal.

A “best player available” type of situation.

25. San Diego Chargers: Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State

Phillip Rivers needs a burner that can stretch defenses, and Wilson can be that guy. He lacks some polish, but there is no doubt he can become a star with the right coaching.

26. Cincinnati Bengals: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

After drafting Dre Kirkpatrick the secondary is better, but there are still too many question marks. Drafting a guy like Banks ensures this won’t be a position of need for a very long time.

27. Washington Redskins: Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah

Call me crazy but I think the ‘Skins are going to be the big surprise of the 2012 season. In RGIII we trust.

28. Detroit Lions: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame

Matthew Stafford still doesn’t have a reliable tight end capable of being that safety valve so many other QBs have. Eifert is going to be the best tight end in the country in 2012.

29. Philadelphia Eagles: CJ Mosley, ILB, Alabama

Alabama is becoming the mecca for linebackers. He is incredibly athletic and has punishing strength to boot. He has the ability to shoot up the draft board with a standout junior season.

30. New England Patriots: Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin

If Alabama is the place to be for linebackers, Wisconsin is the spot for O-Linemen. Wagner is NFL-ready today.

31. Green Bay Packers: Tom Wort, ILB, Oklahoma

AJ Hawk is going to be owed $5 million in 2013. Time to say goodbye and land Wort for a cheaper price.

32. Denver Broncos: Bacarri Rambo, S, Georgia

The Bulldogs are going to be one of the best teams in the nation this season because of players like Rambo on defense.

He has standout range and the strength to jam receivers on the line. 

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