2013 Draft Projections for Every Underclassman Who Declared

This draft has seen a record number of underclassmen make the jump to the NFL. It seems that every year that number grows, as more college players look to get a head start on fulfilling their dream of becoming an NFL player.

The talent pool of this year's draft received a major boost from the group of early entries. Players like Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel and Alabama's Dee Milliner appear to be locks to come off the board in the top 10.

Quarterbacks

Prospect Highlight: Tyler Bray, Tennessee

Bray has the height and arm strength evaluators look for in an NFL prospect. He can deliver the ball to all levels of the field with exceptional zip. However, the issue with Bray is that he's a gunslinger. He takes way too many risks and shows little concern for the openness of his target.

His decision-making becomes an even bigger issue when he's faced with pressure. Bray doesn't have the quickness needed to extend plays and has a tendency to fall off his throws, which impacts his accuracy.

Because of his strong arm, Bray has upside. However, he also comes with question marks that could keep him from reaching that potential.

Declaring Prospects

Tyler Bray, Tennessee, 4th Round

Kyle Padron, Eastern Washington, Undrafted

Running Backs

Player Highlight: Giovani Bernard, North Carolina

This year's running-back class doesn't feature a prospect worthy of a first-round pick. However, there are a handful of players like Bernard who have the ability to make an immediate impact.

Bernard is a shifty runner who does a great job picking his way through traffic. His commitment to keeping his pads low helps him pick up yards after initial contact. It also gives him the balance needed to make quick and seamless cuts.

The only question about him is his limited top-end speed. Bernard isn't the type of running back who'll consistently outrun defensive angles. However, his vision and instinctual running style allow him to overcome his lack of elite speed.

Declaring Prospects

Eddie Lacy, Alabama, Early Second Round

Giovani Bernard, North Carolina, Mid-Second Round

Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State, Early Fourth Round

Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State, Mid-Fourth Round

Jawan Jamison, Rutgers, Late Fourth Round

Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina, Fifth Round

Cierre Wood, Notre Dame, Late Fifth Round

Knile Davis, Arkansas, Sixth Round

Spencer Ware, LSU, Sixth Round

Michael Ford, LSU, Sixth Round

Stefphon Jefferson, Nevada, Seventh Round

Trabis Ward, Tennessee State, Undrafted

Wide Receivers

Player Highlight: Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee

Because of the brilliant offensive minds in the NFL, explosive playmakers like Patterson hold a lot of value. He is the type of player capable of taking a short screen pass and turning into a long touchdown.

His versatility will give a team different ways to put points on the board. However, he also has the hands and route-running ability to fit as a traditional wide receiver.

Patterson doesn't have a ton of experience, which means he needs time to fully develop. However, his athleticism and speed give him a chance to still make an impact while he develops.

Don't be surprised if Patterson is the first wide receiver selected.

Declaring Prospects

Keenan Allen, California, Top 20

Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee, Top 20

DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson, Top 25

Stedman Bailey, West Virginia, Early Second Round

Robert Woods, USC, Second Round

Justin Hunter, Tennessee, Second Round

Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech, Early Third Round

Kenny Stills, Oklahoma, Fifth Round

Josh Boyce, TCU, Fifth Round

Marquess Wilson, Washington State, Sixth Round

Brandon Kaufman, Eastern Washington, Seventh Round

Tight Ends

Player Highlight: Jordan Reed, Florida

Reed is the most complete tight end prospect in the 2013 draft class. He makes plays in the passing game and shows promise as a blocker. The other top tight ends struggle as blockers.

Reed isn't just a capable blocker. He has the athleticism to be a difference-maker in the passing game. His size, speed and leaping ability make him an excellent target for a quarterback. He also does a good job attacking the ball at its highest point and using his hands to pluck it out of the air.

Look for Reed to move up draft boards. His production at Florida was hurt by inconsistent quarterback play. The workouts will give Reed a chance to showcase his potential.

Declaring Prospects

Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame, Late First Round

Jordan Reed, Florida, Second Round

Zach Ertz, Stanford, Second Round

Dion Sims, Michigan State, Fourth Round

Gavin Escobar, San Diego State, Late Fourth Round

Levine Toilolo, Stanford, Sixth Round

Offensive Tackle

Player Highlight: Justin Pugh, Syracuse

There are some touting Pugh as a possible first- or second-round pick. However, he has a few issues that should push him into the middle rounds.

Pugh lacks the anchor and power needed to be a well-rounded offensive lineman. This lack of strength is visible when he's blocking for running and passing plays.

Where Pugh brings value is with his quick feet and solid athleticism. This allows him to mirror the pass rush and help protect the quarterback.

Pugh's upside is intriguing, but it's not enough to push him into the second round. However, the need for pass-protecting offensive linemen is something that could raise Pugh's draft stock.

Declaring Prospects

Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M, Top Five

D.J. Fluker, Alabama, Second Round

Justin Pugh, Syracuse, Third Round

Chris Faulk, LSU, Fifth Round

Menelik Watson, Florida State, Fifth Round

David Bakhtiari, Colorado, Seventh Round

Guard/Center

Player Highlight: Alvin Bailey, Arkansas

Bailey is a barrel-chested offensive guard prospect. He has the size and natural strength to be an effective run-blocker at the next level. His physical talent is combined with a commitment to employ solid technique.

Bailey's problem is holding up in space as a pass-blocker. He isn't a great athlete and struggles keeping quicker pass-rushers in front of him. Bailey also lacks ideal awareness and will let a free rush get to the quarterback from time to time.

He still has potential because of his size and raw strength. Bailey just needs to find the right system to be effective.

Declaring Prospects:

Travis Frederick, Wisconsin, Late Third Round

Alvin Bailey, Arkansas, Late Third Round

Defensive End

Player Highlight: Joe Kruger, Utah

Kruger is a big-bodied defensive end whose best fit is at the five-technique position. His natural strength is his biggest asset, as it allows him to hold at the point of attack. That strength is enhanced by his long arms and inside hand placement.

Kruger's issue is that he's not an explosive athlete and plays stiff. He can get himself in decent position, but lacks the closing burst to consistently make plays on the ball. This also becomes an issue when he rushes the passer.

His production would receive a boost if he were more committed to keeping his pad level low. Kruger's height allows blockers to routinely gain leverage.

Declaring Prospects

Bjoern Werner, Florida State, Top 10

Damontre Moore, Texas A&M, Top 10

Sam Montgomery, LSU, Second Round

Corey Lemonier, Auburn, Second Round

Joe Kruger, Utah, Late Fourth Round

William Gholston, Michigan State, Fifth Round

Stansly Maponga, TCU, Undrafted

Defensive Tackle

Prospect Highlight: Kwame Geathers, Georgia

Geathers has the size and natural strength to play nose tackle in the NFL. However, he lacks the proper technique to excel. He plays too high, often lets the blocker gain leverage and obtain inside hand placement.

It's surprising to see such a massive player get pushed off the line so often. This has as much to do with his less than ideal technique as it does with his poor snap awareness. Geathers just doesn't get a good jump off the line of scrimmage. 

Someone with Geathers' size needs to be athletic enough to stay on his feet after dealing with a cut block. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the balance needed to avoid the cut and remain upright. Geathers spends a lot of time picking himself up off the ground.

Declaring Prospects

Sheldon Richardson, Missouri, Mid-First Round

Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State, Late First Round

Sharrif Floyd, Florida, Late First Round

Bennie Logan, LSU, Third Round

Akeem Spence, Illinois, Late Fourth Round

Kwame Geathers, Georgia, Fifth Round

Brandon Moore, Texas, Sixth Round

Darrington Sentimore, Tennessee, Sixth Round

Linebackers

Prospect Highlight: Kevin Minter, LSU

At 6'2", Minter is a little on the short side, but it doesn't impact his ability to make plays. His instincts, powerful lower half and tenacity allow him to make plays from sideline to sideline. Of the linebacker prospects in this draft, Minter does the best job attacking the line of scrimmage and using his hands to hold at the point of attack.

He isn't just a one-dimensional player, as Minter also does a good job in pass coverage. He shows the ability to get good depth, as well as react to the pass.

The key to Minter's success will be his use of proper angles. This is important because he lacks elite closing speed.

Declaring Prospects

Jarvis Jones, Georgia, Top 5

Barkevious Mingo, LSU, Top 15

Kevin Minter, LSU, Early Second Round

Alec Ogletree, Georgia, Mid-Second Round

Jelani Jenkins, Florida, Fourth Round

Tom Wort, Oklahoma, Seventh Round

Cornerbacks

Prospect Highlight: David Amerson, N.C. State

Before the start of the season, N.C. State's David Amerson carried a first-round grade in most scouting circles. His stock was sky high after a season in which he had 13 interceptions and showed excellent coverage ability.

However, Amerson's stock has seen a significant drop after a poor 2012 season. His aggressiveness caused some issues, as he allowed way too many big plays. Without the high interception total, Amerson's risk-taking hurt the team more than it helped.

There's talk that Amerson could potential make the switch to safety. However, his lack of interest in tackling makes that move almost impossible.

Declaring Prospects

Dee Milliner, Alabama, Top 10

Xavier Rhodes, Florida State, Late First Round

Logan Ryan, Rutgers, Early Second Round

David Amerson, N.C. State, Third Round

Nickell Robey, USC, Fourth Round

Tharold Simon, LSU, Fifth Round

Terrence Brown, Stanford, Fifth Round

Greg Reid, Valdosta State, Fifth Round

Steve Williams, California, Sixth Round

Mike Edwards, Hawaii, Seventh Round

Tyrann Mathieu, LSU, Undrafted

Safeties

Prospect Highlight: Matt Elam, Florida

Elam is the type of player who strikes fear into the hearts of wide receivers. His physical style has earned him a reputation as a big hitter. This physicality also allows Elam to make an impact against the run game.

However, Elam isn't just a hard-hitting safety. He also has the quickness and fluid movements to hold up in coverage. Florida routinely uses him in the slot against quick receivers and tight ends. Elam's instincts, fluidity and closing speed allow him to cover such a wide range of targets.

The only problem haunting Elam is his lack of ideal size. However, his tenacity should help him overcome this.

Declaring Prospects

Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma, First Round

Matt Elam, Florida, Early Second Round

Eric Reid, LSU, Late Second Round

Specialists

Prospect Highlight: Brad Wing, LSU

Wing has a powerful leg and the ability to pin a team inside the 20-yard line. However, according to USA Today, he was suspended for unspecified reasons and did not play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. That could be a reason Wing won't hear his name called on draft day.

It's hard enough to justify using a valuable draft pick on a punter who doesn't misbehave.

Prediction: Undrafted