2013 NFL Draft: Pac-12 NFL Draft Primer

1. Dion Jordan 6'6 248 DE Oregon

Projection - Top 5 pick (Somewhere between 2-5)

Jordan has blown up during the combine and pro day circuit more than any other Pac-12 player that I can ever remember. The former tight end brings freakish athleticism and a rangy 6'6 frame to the position that has made scouts drool. Pass rushers have quickly become the most important weapon for an NFL defense to have, so Jordan should come off of the board very quickly, as early as the second pick. It will be interesting to see how Jordan pans out though as his measurables great outweigh his production as he finished his four-year college career with fewer than 15 sacks and arguably had a better junior year than senior year.

2. Star Lotulelei 6'2 311 DT Utah

Projection - Top 15 pick (Somewhere between 7-15)

Lotulelei looked like he might have a chance to be the top overall pick in the draft before he was diagnosed with a potential heart issue at the combine and his future came into question. The good news is that testing since those results have been positive and though it damaged his stock a bit, he is still a guy who assuredly will go in the better half of the first round. A monster defensive tackle, Lotulelei is the kind of coveted guy who can shut down the middle and plug the run like Haloti Ngata. Still, it wouldn't be a surprise to see some teams be wary due to the initial results of Lotulelei's testing and have him slip a little bit further than he should.

3. Matt Barkley 6'2 227 QB USC

Projection - Somewhere in the first round

It seems like nothing has gone that well for Barkley since he decided to come back for his senior year at USC even though he was a sure fire first round pick in 2012. This is a lot higher than most have Barkley on their boards right now and from a sheer potential and stock standpoint he is much further down the board, but the fact is that he plays quarterback, there are very few good quarterbacks in this draft and teams always reach for them. Barkley's situation reminds of Jake Locker's where he came back for his senior year only to hurt his stock but ended up going in the first round because teams were desperate for quarterbacks.

4. Keenan Allen 6'2 206 WR Cal Jr.

Projection - Late first round/early second round

Allen might be the best "big" receiver prospect in this year's draft and even though he is recovering from a knee injury, the skills, production and strength he showed during his three years at Cal are too impressive to have him not be taken in the first 40 or so picks. Allen ran an alarmingly slow 4.7 40-yard dash at his pro day, but that could be contributed to his knee injury a little bit and he is more of a route runner and gamer anyways who has better on-field speed than track speed. Along with holding great potential to be a possession at the next level, he is particularly dangerous once he gets the ball in his hands with his ability to break tackles and turn an 8-yard route into a big play.

5. Desmond Trufant 5'11 190 CB Washington

Projection - Late first round/early second round

Trufant blew up in 2012 after having disappointing seasons in 2010 and 2011. With his good size, deceptive speed and ball skills, Trufant has raised his stock in workouts too. He fits the physical and mental mold of a NFL cornerback and he isn't afraid of a challenge as he showed during the season by virtually shutting down Marqise Lee. Trufant could get scooped up by a number of teams in the late first round but might slip into the second.

6. Datone Jones 6'4 283 DE UCLA

Projection - Late first round/early second round

Like Jordan, Jones has seen his stock skyrocket since the season largely due to his potential and physical intangibles. Jones wasn't a star at UCLA, but was very, very solid and has the ideal body for an NFL defensive end. Jones' physical tools will likely get him off the board either late in the first round or early in the second round.

7. Zach Ertz 6'5 249 TE Stanford Jr.

Projection - Early to mid-second round

Ertz is one of the best of the bunch in a relatively weak class of tight ends this year. Ertz isn't a guy whose measurables jump off of the page but he was the nation's most productive tight end in 2012 and already knows how to be a go-to guy in a pro-style offense.

8. Robert Woods 6'0 201 WR USC Jr.

Projection - Early to mid-second round

Woods actually may have had more buzz after his sophomore season before Marqise Lee blew up and stole a lot of his spotlight. Still, Woods is one of the fastest receivers at the top of the draft, has decent size and has proven that he can make big plays time and time again.

9. Kiko Alonso 6'3 238 LB Oregon

Projection - Late second to early third round

Another guy who has shot up draft boards because of his great performances since the season has ended. Alonso was one of the most underrated defensive players in the Pac-12 in 2012 and it looks like the impressive linebacker is finally getting the attention that he deserves.

10. Jordan Poyer 5'11 197 CB Oregon State

Projection - Late second to early third round

Poyer is a physical ballhawk who was the best cornerback in the conference last season, but doesn't quite have the speed that Trufant does.

11. Kyle Long 6'6 313 T Oregon

Projection - Late second to early third round

Howie Long's son only played one year at Oregon but excelled and his physical tools are shooting him up draft boards right now.

12. Johnathan Franklin 5'10 205 RB UCLA

Projection - Early third to mid-third round

UCLA's all-time leading rusher isn't flashy but is the kind of consistent back that fits well in NFL offenses.

13. Markus Wheaton 5'11 189 WR Oregon State

Projection - Early third to mid-third round

One of the fastest receivers in the draft, Wheaton should get scooped up by someone quickly in the third round if not earlier.

14. David Bakhtiari 6'4 299 T Colorado Jr.

Projection - Late third to early fourth round

A lone bright spot for the Buffs last year, Bakhtiari could probably play tackle or guard at the next level.

15. Stepfan Taylor 5'9 214 RB Stanford

Projection - Late third to early fourth round

Like Franklin, Taylor isn't a track star, but fits the mold of an NFL back and already has the bulk that you like to see in an NFL back.

16. Matt Scott 6'2 213 QB Arizona

Projection - Late third to early fourth round

Scott might get drafted earlier than he would in other drafts due to the lack of quality QBs. Regardless though, he is one of the best dual-threat guys available.

17. T.J. McDonald 6'2 219 S USC

Projection - Early to mid-fourth round

It wasn't that long ago that some thought that McDonald might be a first round pick, but he didn't have a superb senior season and his measurables don't jump out at you.

18. Brian Schwenke 6'3 314 C Cal

Projection - Early to mid-fourth round

A little bit of an under-the-radar guy, Schwenke was an all-conference selection this year and the best Pac-12 center on a strong board.

19. Chase Thomas 6'3 244 LB Stanford

Projection - Mid to late fourth round

Thomas was an All-American but doesn't move as well as you would like an outside linebacker to at the next level.

20. Kenjon Barner 5'9 196 RB Oregon

Projection - Mid to late fourth round

Barner is a good receiver and that will help his stock which isn't as high as it would be if he was just a little bit bigger.

21. Levine Toilolo 6'8 260 TE Stanford Jr.

Projection - Late fourth to early fifth round

Toilolo is simply massive and his physicality will be too hard for teams to pass on for long.

22. Joseph Fauria 6'8 259 TE UCLA

Projection - Late fourth to early fifth round

Another 6'8 tight end and a body that teams won't be able to pass on.

23. Travis Long 6'4 243 LB Washington State

Projection - Mid to late fifth round

Similar to Thomas, he is a proven tweener who could be an outside linebacker or defensive end at the next level.

24. Joe Kruger 6'6 269 DE Utah Jr.

Projection - Mid to late fifth round

Kruger has great bloodlines and an NFL-ready body.

25. Nickell Robey 5'7 169 CB USC Jr.

Projection - Late fifth to early sixth round

Small cornerbacks are becoming a thing of the past in the NFL but Robey is skilled and athletic.

26. Marc Anthony 6'0 196 CB Cal

Projection - Late fifth to early sixth round

A bigger cornerback that wasn't great in college but has a lot of NFL potential.

27. Nick Kasa 6'6 269 TE Colorado

Projection - Early to mid-sixth round

Kasa was a five-star recruit that took a while to nail down a position but still has loads of potential.

28. Khaled Holmes 6'3 302 C USC

Projection - Mid to late sixth round

Holmes struggled with injuries all throughout 2012 or else he would probably be much higher.

29. Jeff Locke 6'1 210 P UCLA

Projection - Late sixth to early seventh round

Arguably the top punter prospect in the draft and could go higher if a team or two really needs one.

30. John Boyett 5'10 204 S Oregon

Projection - Early to mid-seventh round

Boyett missed all of 2012 with an injury but was one of the best safeties in the conference beforehand and a hard-hitter.

31. Aaron Hester 6'1 207 CB UCLA

Projection - Early to mid seventh-round

Hester is a big prospect who was solid throughout his career at UCLA.

32. Brandon Magee 5'11 223 LB Arizona State

Projection - Mid to late seventh round

Magee is undersized but a great tackler and all-around linebacker.

33. Marquess Wilson 6'3 194 WR Washington State Jr.

Projection - Mid to late seventh round

Could be this year's Vontaze Burfict who leaves college at a low point but has a great rookie year after going undrafted.

Undrafted free agent candidates

All of these players are at best seventh round draft picks but will assuredly get the chance to be undrafted free agents.

34. Jeff Baca 6'4 302 G UCLA

35. Steve Williams 5'9 181 CB Cal Jr.

36. Michael Clay 6'0 230 LB Oregon

37. Jeff Tuel 6'3 218 QB Washington State

38. Sam Schwartstein 6'3 302 C Stanford

39. Kyle Quinn 6'4 297 C Arizona

40. Alex Debniak 6‘2 236 LB Stanford

41. Wes Horton 6‘5 264 DE USC

42. Keelan Johnson 6‘0 209 S Arizona State

43. Sheldon Price 6'2 190 CB UCLA

44. Sam Brenner 6'3 307 G Utah

45. C.J. Anderson 5'8 224 RB Cal

46. Jawanza Starling 6'1 202 S USC

47. Dan Buckner 6'4 214 WR Arizona

48. Ray Polk 6'1 219 S Colorado

49. Curtis McNeal 5'7 191 RB USC

50. Matt Summers-Gavin 6'4 310 G Cal

51. Isi Sofele 5'7 188 RB Cal

52. Eric Stevens 6'0 240 FB Cal

53. Dave Kruger 6'5 283 DT Utah

54. Josh Hubner 6'4 232 P Arizona State

55. Daniel Zychlinski 6'3 205 P Stanford

56. Terrence Stephens 6'1 307 DT Stanford

57. Deveron Carr 6'0 197 CB Arizona State

58. Will Pericak 6'4 296 DT Colorado

59. Devonte Christopher 6'0 188 WR Utah

60. Cameron Marshall 5'10 211 RB Arizona State

61. Ryan Lacy 5'9 194 CB Utah

62. John White 5'7 191 RB Utah

63. Colin Kelly 6'5 302 T Oregon State

64. Rashad Ross 5'11 179 WR Arizona State

65. Drew Schaefer 6'5 302 C Washington