NFL Draft 2013: Tyler Wilson, Matt Barkley head Top 100 players available
Russ Lande
Sporting News
Russ Lande
Sporting News
Meet the class of the NFL's next draft class
And so it starts again: The NFL Draft is a never-ending process, a mirror of nature in constantly cycling through life. One class ends, another begins. And so it is with the 2012 NFL Draft. It's over; move along to 2013.
Sporting News too starts over, with the 100 college players our scouts project as the best talent available for the Class of '13. Yes, it's early; yes, players will rise and fall throughout the college season and into next spring's all-star games, NFL Combine and pro day process.
For now, SN presents the cream of the crop. And just as 2012 saw quarterbacks go 1-2, early projections see elite prospects at the NFL's signature position.
A look at the projected top 100 players for the 2013 NFL Draft. (*—denotes junior)
1. Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
Wilson has the best combination of size at 6-3, 220 pounds, arm strength, accuracy and decision-making of any of quarterback entering the season
2. Matt Barkley, QB, Southern Cal
Barkley has outstanding mechanics and makes great decisions, but concerns about size keep him below Wilson. He's listed at 6-2 but might be smaller.
3. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Interior playmakers have tremendous value. Lotulelei's ability to impact games by getting into an opponent's backfield makes him a top prospect.
4. David Amerson*, CB, North Carolina State
As teams draft bigger receivers the need for tall cornerbacks increases. Amerson at 6-2 has the height, long arms and athleticism required.
5. Keenan Allen*, WR, California
Allen is the Pac-12's most explosive receiver and could battle Southern Cal's Robert Woods to be the first wideout drafted.
6. Sam Montgomery*, DE, LSU
Montgomery and teammate Barkevious Mingo are highly regarded prospects, but we rate Montgomery higher now because he is a more polished pass rusher.
7. Manti Te'o, MLB, Notre Dame
Te'o was among college football's most highly recruited players when he came to Notre Dame and has been its best defensive player since. He has the bulk at 255, playing strength and speed to be productive at any linebacker position.
8. Barkevious Mingo*, DE, LSU
At 6-4 Mingo is a tall and linear pass rusher whose quickness off the snap and ability to dip his shoulder to turn the corner make him special.
9. D.J. Fluker*, OT, Alabama
At 6-6 and 335, Fluker is the huge corner blocker teams covet. He has better foot quickness and agility than most tall linemen.
10. Marcus Lattimore*, RB, South Carolina
Lattimore has strength to be a powerful inside runner and cutting ability to be effective on the edge. He must prove he is recovered from a left knee injury.
11. Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
Banks has been an outstanding cornerback after switching from safety as a freshman. This versatility adds to his value because coverage flexibility is coveted.
12. Luke Joeckel*, OT, Texas A&M
Joeckel is 6-6, 310 and has been a rock at left tackle the past two seasons. He looks NFL-ready.
13. Jarvis Jones*, OLB, Georgia
Jones had a monster season in 2011 with 13½ sacks after transferring from Southern Cal. He is well-rounded with the speed, athleticism and awareness to be effective in coverage.
14. Robert Woods*, WR, Southern Cal
Woods has been a highly productive. He has the hands and route-running skills to be successful, but there are questions about his ability to get separation deep.
15. Michael Buchanan, DE, Illinois
Numerous scouts tell us that when they evaluated Whitney Mercilus, Buchanan was the more explosive and dynamic pass rusher.
16. Johnathan Hankins*, DT, Ohio State
Hankins is 6-4, 317 and had a breakout season in 2011 when he became a starter. He has the strength to overpower opponents and the violent hand use to defeat blocks.
17. Margus Hunt, DE, Southern Methodist
Hunt is a physical specimen at 6-8, 280 pounds with great explosiveness and speed.
18. William Gholston*, DE, Michigan State
With his combination of size at 6-7, 280, long arms, foot quickness and technique, Gholston will be a productive starter. He is the cousin of the Jets' Vernon Gholston.
19. Logan Thomas*, QB, Virginia Tech
Thomas is a huge at 6-6, 255 pounds. With his rocket arm and running skills, he is latest of the new wave of athletic quarterbacks.
20. Chris Faulk*, OT, LSU
Faulk made big strides in 2011 as a first-year starter at left tackle. Teams are intrigued by Faulk's ability to block with aggressiveness and athleticism to protect the corner from speed rushers.
21. Xavier Rhodes*, CB, Florida State
Rhodes enters his third season as a starter. With his size at 6-2, playing speed and loose hips movement, he is sure to attract the attention.
22. Barrett Jones, OT, Alabama
Jones doesn't have the elite physical talent of his teammate Fluker, but he is a good enough athlete with outstanding technique and aggressive blocking style.
23. Knile Davis*, RB, Arkansas
Like Lattimore, Davis is returning from a serious injury; a broken left ankle. If Davis returns to pre-injury form, he will be a versatile playmaker and likely a first-round pick.
24. Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin
Wagner is another highly productive Wisconsin lineman who excels both in run blocking and pass protection.
25. Vaughn Telemaque, S, Miami (Fla.)
Teammate and fellow safety Ray-Ray Armstrong might get more attention, but Telemaque is a better prospect because he excels against the run and in coverage.
Prospects 25-50
26. Tanner Hawkinson, OT, Kansas
27. Jackson Jeffcoat*, DE, Texas
28. Eric Reid*, S, LSU
29. Shayne Skov*, LB, Stanford
30. Travis Frederick*, G, Wisconsin
31. Tyrann Mathieu*, CB, LSU
32. Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M
33. Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
34. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
35. Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
36. Alex Hurst, OT, LSU
37. Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
38. Ramon Buchanan, OLB, Miami (Fla.)
39. Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State
40. Akeem Spence*, DT, Illinois
41. Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
42. Larry Warford, G, Kentucky
43. Nico Johnson, LB, Alabama
44. Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
45. Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford
46. John Jenkins*, NT, Georgia
47. Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma
48. Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
49. Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
50. John Simon, DT, Ohio State
Prospects 51-100
51. Khaled Holmes, C, Southern Cal
52. Aaron Murray*, QB, Georgia
53. Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
54. Le'Veon Bell*, RB, Michigan State
55. Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa
56. Bacarri Rambo*, S, Georgia
57. Chris Borland*, MLB, Wisconsin
58. Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina
59. Justin Hunter*, WR, Tennessee
60. Sean Porter, LB, Texas A&M
61. Marquess Wilson*, WR, Washington State
62. Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford
63. Wes Horton, DE, Southern Cal
64. Anthony Rashad White, DT, Michigan State
65. Robert Lester, S, Alabama
66. Jake Matthews*, OT, Texas A&M
67. Johnny Adams, CB, Michigan State
68. Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA
69. Corey Lemonier*, DE, Auburn
70. Kevin Reddick, LB, North Carolina
71. Justin Gilbert*, CB, Oklahoma State
72. Cobi Hamilton, WR, Arkansas
73. Kenny Tate, OLB, Maryland
74. Tyler Bray*, QB, Tennessee
75. Cameron Meredith, DE, Nebraska
76. Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina
77. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
78. Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M
79. Cyril Richardson*, G, Baylor
80. Gerald Hodges, LB, Penn State
81. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
82. Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
83. Bjoern Werner*, DE, Florida State
84. Da'Rick Rogers*, WR, Tennessee
85. Bennie Logan*, DT, LSU
86. Chris Jacobson, G, Pittsburgh
87. Hakeem Smith*, S, Louisville
88. Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall
89. Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State
90. E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State
91. T.J. McDonald, S, Southern Cal
92. Bruce Taylor, LB, Virginia Tech
93. Ray-Ray Armstrong, S, Miami (Fla.)
94. Blaize Foltz, G, TCU
95. Mike Taylor, OLB, Wisconsin
96. John Boyett, S, Oregon
97. Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
98. Kaleb Ramsey, DT, Boston College
99. Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska
100. Marquise Goodwin, WR, Texas
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