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We have completed Spring games for NCAA teams and it’s already time to start focusing on the top prospects that will be eligible for the 2013 NFL Draft.  The review of the top prospects began on Monday for me and it won’t end until the beginning of April when I complete final grades for the 2013 crop.

It’s far too early to begin speculation on a 2013 NFL Mock Draft but it’s always fun to look at who we could be looking at in the next draft.  Without further ado, here’s our first edition (of many) of the 2013 NFL Mock Draft:

1. Oakland Raiders – Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech*

The Raiders wasted picks in the Carson Palmer deal and will move on in 2013.  Matt Barkley is widely considered the top QB prospect but Thomas has a rare skill set which may allow him to overtake the SC QB.

2012 1^st round pick: None

2. Miami Dolphins – Robert Woods, WR, USC*

Let’s face it, the Dolphins just aren’t real talented.  Matt Moore or David Garrard will start the season but Ryan Tannehill should end it.  That’s not exactly the recipe for success.  The Dolphins selected their franchise QB in the 2012 NFL Draft but it didn’t equate to many wins.  Now they will begin to surround him with talent at the skill positions.

2012 1^st round pick: Ryan Tannehill

3. Arizona Cardinals – Matt Barkley, QB, USC

The Cardinals will struggle with Kolb/Skelton running for their life behind the worst line in football.  The Cards had better secure a LT in free agency or pray for Barkley.

2012 1^st round pick: Michael Floyd

4. Minnesota Vikings – Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington St.*

If the Vikings land this high it may be tough for them to not pull the plug on Christian Ponder.  With the top two QB’s off the board they may elect to find Ponder a weapon on the outside.

2012 1^st round pick: Matt Kalil

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

Mingo can cause headaches for the best of them.  He’s a speed rusher that is becoming trendy in today’s pass happy NFL.  The Jags didn’t lock up a difference making pass rusher in 2012 so they opt for the top one in 2013.

2012 1^st round pick: Justin Blackmon

6. Cleveland Browns – Keenan Allen, WR, Cal*

The Browns failed to address the WR spot in free agency or the draft, so they look to address with the 6^th pick in 2013.  Allen is a big receiver that has been highly productive despite poor QB play.  If the Browns don’t think they are secure with Weeden at the helm they may opt for Tyler Wilson.

2012 1^st round pick: Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden

7. Indianapolis Colts – Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia*

Indy’s transition to the 3-4 will demand a playmaker at rush end.  Dwight Freeney may not be around next season making Jones a more than logical choice.

2012 1^st round pick: Andrew Luck

8. St. Louis Rams – Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan*

The Jason Smith experiment will have likely ended if the Rams finish with the 8^th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.  Finding an adequate LT and moving Saffold to the right side offers a significant upgrade for this squad.

2012 1^st round pick: Michael Brockers

9. Buffalo Bills – Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

If Tyler Wilson lands in the 9^th spot, it’s a steal.  Wilson is an underrated athlete with stellar arm talent.  Buffalo will likely move on from Fitzpatrick if they are stuck drafting 9^th.

2012 1^st round pick: Stephon Gilmore

10. Seattle Seahawks – Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee*

The Seahawks gave Matt Flynn a fairly cap friendly contract not making it impossible to move on from him when the next best thing comes around.  Bray is the next best thing and could be the end of the Matt Flynn era season in Seattle.

2012 1^st round pick: Bruce Irvin

11. St. Louis Rams (f/WAS) – Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina*

Steven Jackson wants big money to finish his career in STL. Something tells me he won’t be getting it, especially if the Rams use Washington’s pick to draft an underclassman stud RB.

2012 1^st round pick: Michael Brockers

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – David Amerson, CB, NC State*

Tampa Bay is going to ride into 2012 with Eric Wright, Aqib Talib, and Ronde Barber.  That’s good enough for this season but they need to address the position early in the 2013 NFL Draft.

2012 1^st round pick: Mark Barron

13. Carolina Panthers – Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M*

The Panthers got a steal in Amini Silatolu but they should look to address the tackle spot early in 2013.  Jordan Gross is aging and Jeff Otah can’t stay healthy leaving them some question marks at a position of major importance for their franchise QB.

2012 1^st round pick: Luke Kuechly

14. New York Jets – Sam Montgomery, OLB, LSU*

The Jets opted for a 5T instead of addressing the rush linebacker spot in 2012.  They don’t make the same mistake twice with Sam Montgomery slipping into Rex Ryan’s dirty paws.

2012 1^st round pick: Quinton Coples

15. San Diego Chargers – Chris Faulk, OT, LSU*

Three LSU players off the board in the top 15 is a good sign for Les Miles.  Or bad depending on how you look at it.  The Chargers need to find a long-term solution at LT.  Jared Gaither played well but has struggled with injuries his entire career.

2012 1^st round pick: Melvin Ingram

16. Tennessee Titans – Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio St.*

Big Hank is a specimen that is athletic at over 320 pounds.  The junior DT could officially burst on the national scene playing opposite John Simon.  Both Simon and Hankins have destroyed the OSU first team OL this spring to the point that the coaching staff takes them off the field so they can get plays off.

2012 1^st round pick: Kendall Wright

17. Denver Broncos – Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida St.*

Rhodes is a giant sized CB with the feet to excel at the next level.  He will play on a talented defense with an eye on standing out during his (RS) junior season.

2012 1^st round pick: None