2013 NFL Mock Draft: Top Quarterback Prospects Available in First Round

The 2012 NFL draft was all about Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, but could've boasted the most promising crop of quarterbacks in league history had a few big names opted to go pro rather than return to school.

Guys like Matt Barkley, Landry Jones and Tyler Wilson, all of whom would've otherwise pushed Ryan Tannehill from the Miami Dolphins' pick at No. 8 to the fringe of the first round, if not lower.

Luckily for those teams still in search of a franchise signal-caller, help will soon be on the way, courtesy of a 2013 class that's currently crowded with quality QB prospects.

1. Cleveland Browns: Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Colt McCoy? Brandon Weeden?

Sounds to me like another season of misery in Cleveland.

Not that mediocrity is (or should be) anything new for the abysmal Browns and their long-suffering fans.

Help should be on the way, though. USC's Matt Barkley looks like the top prospect in the class of 2013 (for now, anyway), and comes complete with an understanding of the West Coast offense that should allow him to succeed in Pat Shurmur's offense as a rookie. 

2. Indianapolis Colts: Robert Woods, WR, USC

The Trojans take over the top of the draft by "gifting" Robert Woods to the Colts, who will install him as Andrew Luck's new go-to receiver.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU

Blaine Gabbert could improve somewhat and the Jags might still wind up this bad after spending a third-round pick on a punter.

A regime change might leave Gabbert on the outside looking in, but for now, Jacksonville would be wise to consider going defense first with Sam Montgomery.

4. Minnesota Vikings: David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State

The Vikes did some work on their secondary in the 2012 draft, but could certainly use the extra set of hands that Amerson, the top corner available, brings to the table.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama

D.J. Fluker should fit perfectly into the hole soon to be left behind by Jeremy Trueblood.

Which is strange to say, considering how difficult it is for a 6'6", 335-pound behemoth to find comfort just about anywhere.

6. Oakland Raiders: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee

The new regime in Oakland will have every reason to wipe the slate clean at quarterback once it becomes clear (again) that Carson Palmer probably isn't the right guy for the gig under center.

The Raiders may or may not prefer Matt Barkley, considering his connection to former Silver and Black coach Lane Kiffin, but that won't matter unless they wind up with the worst record in football. Otherwise, Oakland will wind up with Tennessee's Tyler Bray, a California kid whose draft status will be up in the air, given that he's just entering his junior season.

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

Whether Ryan Tannehill's any good or not, the Dolphins will need help in the pass rush next to Cameron Wake. Taking Georgia's Jarvis Jones would be a solid step in that direction.

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

The Rams didn't do much to address their issues along the offensive line in the 2012 draft. You can bet Sam Bradford will want them to once the season comes to a close.

9. Arizona Cardinals: Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest Kevin Kolb might not be the best man for the job in Arizona, even (or, perhaps, especially) with Michael Floyd drawing attention opposite Larry Fitzgerald.

The Cards will be happy to see so many quality quarterbacks on the board, particularly OU's Landry Jones. Ken Whisenhunt's staff might really like Ryan Lindley, whom they took in the sixth round this year, though I doubt he'd keep them from pulling the trigger on an eye-popping gunslinger like Jones.

10. New York Jets: Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

So, let's say the whole Mark Sanchez-Tim Tebow thing doesn't work out this year and the Jets stink as a result. Rex Ryan gets canned a result, Sanchez gets shipped out somewhere and Tebow...well, nobody will much care what happens with Tebow and his few Wildcat plays per game.

Does a new regime mean another new quarterback in New York? I'm going to guess "yes" and put Tyler Wilson under center for Gang Green.

11. Seattle Seahawks: Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

The Seahawks' sorrows at wide receiver won't be cured by a change at quarterback with Matt Flynn. Keenan Allen, on the other hand, could be a great get to shore up that corps.

12. San Diego Chargers: Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

Honey Badger doesn't care about being undersized for an NFL, and neither will the Bolts.

13. New Orleans Saints: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State

It won't be too difficult to imagine the Saints ending up this high in the draft (if not higher) once the gravity of the Bountygate fallout comes home to roost (i.e. when the league hands down suspensions to the players involved).

In any case, New Orleans needs a big body to strengthen the interior of its defensive line, and Johnathan Hankins is the best man to do it in 2013. 

14. Tennessee Titans: Barkevious Mingo, OLB/DE, LSU

LSU's defensive domination of the NFL draft continues with Barkevious Mingo heading to the Music City.

15. Buffalo Bills: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

The Bills pick up a big body to make their front seven that much more formidable.

16. St. Louis Rams (via Redskins): Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State

How long can the Rams go without wholeheartedly addressing their need at wide receiver?

We'll find out soon enough.

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

The Panthers did well to improve at least one level of their defense (linebacker) in the 2012 draft but could still use a top-flight corner to plug some holes in their secondary. 

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

If Marcus Lattimore's fully recovered from his knee injury, he'll be an excellent addition's to Cincy's subpar backfield.

19. Dallas Cowboys: Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama

The Cowboys will love Barrett Jones' versatility and intelligence along their aging offensive line.

20. Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

The Chiefs would prefer to find someone to take over for Matt Cassel at quarterback, but at this point in the draft, they'll have to settle for a solid pass-rusher like Alex Okafor.

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

Manti Te'o's a big, tough tackling machine who flat out knows how to hit. Sounds like a good, ol'-fashioned Steeler to me.

22. Chicago Bears: Oday Aboushi, OT, Virginia

One of these days, the Bears will upgrade their offensive line to the point where Jay Cutler can play football instead of worrying about looking like a softy under center.

23. Detroit Lions: Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma

The Lions drafted a bajillion (read: three) corners in 2012, making the addition of a top safety like Tony Jefferson a no-brainer for 2013.

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

There's a slim chance Tony Gonzalez will play forever. Otherwise, Tyler Eifert looks like a solid successor.

25. Denver Broncos: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

If some (2012 second-round pick and defensive tackle Derek Wolfe) is good, then more (2013 first-rounder Sharrif Floyd) is better.

26. Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Faulk, OT, LSU

The Eagles continue to build in the trenches with LSU's Chris Faulk.

27. Houston Texans: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

Should Kareem Jackson struggle across from Johnathan Joseph again, he'll probably be replaced by a corner out of the first round. 

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

It's corners galore as the Niners opt to add depth to their secondary. 

29. Green Bay Packers: Khaled Holmes, C, USC

Jeff Saturday will get a pat on the back for holding down the fort at center for a season, until Khaled Holmes comes in to take his place.

30. New England Patriots: Kwame Geathers, DT, Georgia

The Pats have a habit of spending late first-rounders on defensive players—or trading out of the round entirely. 

31. New York Giants: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

Big Blue doesn't usually go long without adding some big nasties to its defensive line.

32. Baltimore Ravens: T.J. McDonald, S, USC

The Ravens win the Super Bowl, and then find themselves a successor to Ed Reed's throne at safety. 

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