2013 NFL Draft Day Three: Top Remaining Prospects Include Matt Barkley
Dec 31, 2012; El Paso, TX, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley before the Sun Bowl against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sun Bowl stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Day two of the draft is in the books, but there are still some top prospects available on our board, including a few guys with borderline first round grades. One of those players is arguably the most high profile player in this draft, someone who one year ago could have been a top ten pick had he come out after his junior season…
1. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Barkley is easily the top player on the board at this point. He is my #31 overall player and even after his shoulder injury, I think he has the tools to be a starting quarterback in this league. He has the drive, competitiveness, leadership, and I’ve seen him make all the throws. Thanks to the weakness of QB in this draft, Barkley will be underdrafted and can help a team win. I think he could be a starter sooner rather than later.
2. Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
I’m a little surprised Okafor is still on the board, to be honest. With all the teams that have a need for pass rushers, Okafor provides a very solid all-around skill set. When I watched him play, I saw a very well-rounded defensive end who can be a base in a 4-man front, but perhaps a lack of scheme versatility has pushed him down boards a bit. I still think a team who runs a 4-3 is going to get a heck of a player on day three of the draft. Maybe medicals pushed him down as well. He is my 39th ranked player overall.
3. Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
Kudos to Mike Mayock for putting Williams in the late-90s of his overall rankings. I had the former rugby player as my 42nd ranked player in the draft, and while he’s a little raw, I don’t think there are many 300 pound guys in this draft who are as strong and athletic as Williams, certainly not many who put forth the effort he does play in and play out. I think he is a starting caliber player and it will be interesting to find out why he has fallen this far.
4. Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama
Jones was the leader of the best offensive line possibly in college football history, and perhaps the most consistent performer over the last few years. He can play anywhere on the offensive line, but I think he will be a center in the NFL. He has Pro Bowl potential if his health checks out. I figured he could fall out of the third round due to the weakness of his position in this class, but he has great versatility and intelligence, and can start for a team right away in my opinion.
5. Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech
Some people had talked about Patton as a sleeper first round pick at one point this offseason, and while that obviously didn’t happen, I think this guy has a lot of good game footage and has the ability to light it up as a #2 receiver in the NFL. He isn’t the biggest or the fastest, but he plays like he is. I like his game and some team will get a nice little steal on day three.
Best of the Rest
— Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
— Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina
— Khaseem Greene, LB, Rutgers
— Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse
— Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State