In a draft class short on premier quarterbacks and running backs, the 2013 NFL draft should see linemen on both sides of the ball come off the board early and often.

Many teams either traded for or signed free agent veteran quarterbacks, meaning this could be the first year since 1996 that no quarterback gets selected in the first round of the draft. 

In February, teams like Arizona, Oakland, Buffalo and Kansas City were searching for a quarterback. All but Buffalo seem to have found an opening day starter and the Philadelphia Eagles have five quarterbacks on the roster, but it’s uncertain which of them - if any - will start the 2013 season.

We had a trade this week that did not involve a quarterback, but addressed a big need for Tampa Bay at cornerback. The Bucs acquired Darrelle Revis from the New York Jets for the 13th overall pick, meaning the Jets now have the ninth and 13th selections. It's doubtful New York would use either pick for a quarterback, but stranger things have happened.

The running backs are a productive group, but none have received a high first-round grade. A couple may go late in the first round, but it is possible that running backs get shut out of the first round.

Where the draft is deep in on the offensive and defensive lines, where eight of CFU’s top 10 players line up. Linemen could comprise the first seven picks of the draft, and the top overall pick is almost certain to be an offensive lineman.

***Update April 22, 2013***
The New York Jets dealt disgruntled cornerback Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday and acquired the 13th overall pick. The trade doesn't affect the initial CFU mock draft much, as we had the Bucs taking a cornerback and now have the Jets selecting a corner in the same spot. Check out the updated Mock Draft here.

Now that the Chiefs have what they hope will be their franchise quarterback after trading for Alex Smith, the priority is upgrading a porous offensive line that allowed 40 sacks last season. Joeckel is a fluid athlete and excellent pass blocker with impeccable footwork and good hands.

Jordan is a freakish athlete whose length and athleticism make him a natural pass rusher and a must-have for a team that registered a league-worst 20 sacks last season. 

The Raiders filled a need at quarterback when they traded for Seattle’s Matt Flynn and then sent Carson Palmer to Arizona. Oakland had just 25 sacks last season while allowing the fifth-most points in the league. Floyd is a strong, powerful player capable of eating double teams to free up linebackers, stuff running lanes and even generate a middle pass rush.

The Eagles have plenty of questions at quarterback, but gambling on another project player with the fourth overall pick is too risky when the team has several other needs. Fisher might be the most complete tackle in the draft and should help an offense that had the league’s fourth-worst scoring output.

In a division that includes several top-tier receivers like Greg Jennings, Brandon Marshall, Jordy Nelson and James Jones, the Lions need to grab the best corner in the draft. Milliner is a superb athlete with excellent cover skills and would fill one of Detroit’s most glaring needs.

The Browns would love to have Milliner and could trade down if he’s off the board. If they stand pat, Jones would be an excellent addition. While the Browns were 11th in sacks last season, they could still use another pass rusher.

One of the best athletes in the draft, Johnson is an instinctive player who moves well and uses his hands and long arms to keep pass rushers at bay. He can improve has a run blocker, but his pass blocking is a necessity with the aging Carson Palmer now at quarterback.

The Bills cut ties with Ryan Fitzpatrick and really do not have a starting caliber quarterback on the roster. Smith is the consensus top quarterback in the draft. Although Smith is not considered a top-10 player, the Bills don’t have much of a choice but to reach for a guy they hope will be their franchise quarterback. Should the Bills pass on a quarterback here, look for new coach Doug Marrone to reunite with his quarterback from Syracuse, Ryan Nassib, in the second round.

The Jets still have a mess at quarterback, but reaching for somebody here would be a mistake. The Jets were near the bottom of the league in sacks and Mingo can rush the quarterback.

Tennessee coach Mike Munchak was a high first-round pick - eighth overall - as a guard. He spoke highly of Warmack at the Combine and the big Alabama guard will fill a big hole on the Titans offensive line.

The Chargers need help on the offensive line, but their biggest need is for interior defensive linemen. Missouri’s Sheldon Richardson might be a better option here, but the Chargers really like Lotulelei despite his health risks.

Ryan Tannehill had a promising rookie season at quarterback. The Dolphins added some weapons for him via free agency this offseason and now must upgrade its offensive line after losing tackle Jake Long to St. Louis. Alabama’s DJ Fluker is an option here, but Cooper is a higher-rated player and still fills a need inside.

We originally had Xavier Rhodes from Florida State here going to Tampa, but the Bucs now have Darrelle Revis and Hayden's stock is rising fast.

If Richardson slides this far, it’d be a steal for Carolina, which needs help inside. Richardson is a top-10 talent who could slip because of other teams’ needs. Richardson is a freakish athlete with a high-motor and the ability to consistently generate an inside pass rush.

Pick a defensive position and that’s where the Saints need help. Vaccaro is a tough competitor who has gained steam since his pro day. He can definitely help improve a defense that ranked last in total yards and second-to-last in passing yards allowed.

Austin is the top-rated receiver in the class. Although a bit undersized, his speed is matched only by his fluidity as a runner and natural pass catcher. The Rams haven’t had a player with that skill set in years and he should be welcomed with open arms by quarterback Sam Bradford.

The Steelers could use another receiver outside to replace the loss of Mike Wallace, now with the Dolphins. But they can’t pass on Ansah slipping to them. The Steelers were uncharacteristically a middle-of-the-pack pass rushing team last year and then they released James Harrison. Ansah is a freakish athlete with a ton of upside, but he’s also still fairly new to football, so there is also a lot of risk.

The Cowboys re-upped Tony Romo with a nice fat contract, now they must ensure they keep their franchise quarterback protected. Warford impressed at both the Senior Bowl and Combine and stood out on a poor Wildcats team last year. The Cowboys desperately need interior line help and Warford could be an opening day starter.

The Giants need a pair of tackles and Fluker is a big, fierce competitor who should help upgrade the position. A strong run blocker and good athleticism for his size, Fluker should be a road grader in the Giants running game.

With Nick Roach and Brian Urlacher both now gone from the Windy City, the Bears continue to revamp their linebacking corps with the athletic Ogletree. Just as Urlacher was, Ogletree is a former safety with a nose for the ball.

At 6-2, 216, Patterson has good size and would be an excellent complement to AJ Green. Patterson is a smooth runner with speed and would be a reliable target for quarterback Andy Dalton.

A tackling machine for the Panthers, Cyprien really shined at the Senior Bowl. FIU’s all-time leading tackler covers well, loves to blitz and is a hard hitter. The Rams have a big need at safety and Cyprien might be the best safety in this draft class.

While Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o is an option here, Brown is a better athlete and a move versatile player. The Vikings need to seriously upgrade the position. Brown has great range and is an instinctive sure tackler with a nose for the ball.

The Colts addressed needs at defensive tackle and safety in free agency and still could use a pass rusher as well as running back and interior lineman. Werner is the best player available and fits a need, especially after the team cut ties with franchise sack leader Dwight Freeney.

Letroy Guion was not very good last year and the Vikings need another productive big body next to Kevin Williams. At 6-3, 313, Sylvester Williams is just that. The former Tar Heel is quick off the snap, a violent tackler and surprisingly nimble for his size.

Lacy is just a natural fit in the Packers offense. He’s a big, powerful back with quickness and great hands out of the backfield. The Packers haven’t had a runner like and, after losing out on Steven Jackson, Lacy is cut from the same cloth and should make a dynamic offense even more potent.

The Texans have a good group of tight ends, but do not have a solid No. 2 receiver to complement Andre Johnson. Hopkins has the potential to eventually succeed Johnson as the Texans’ top wideout. With good size, decent speed and excellent route running, Hopkins does an excellent job of creating separation downfield.

Following their playoff loss to Baltimore, it was painfully obvious that the Broncos need to upgrade their secondary. Trufant comes from NFL bloodlines and has good size and speed to be a solid NFL starter, and he isn’t afraid to play a little bump-and-run press coverage.

The Patriots could use a pass rusher, but after losing Wes Welker and cutting Brandon Lloyd, the Pats need a receiver. Allen is 6-2, 206, isn’t a burner but runs precise routes, has a long stride and reliable hands. If New England does go defensive end, Texas A&M’s Damontre Moore and SMU’s Margus Hunt would be excellent choices. 

While grabbing Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert as an eventual replacement for Tony Gonzalez will be tempting, Atlanta’s need for another pass rusher is more pressing. The team could still bring back John Abraham, but Moore would still be an excellent choice. Moore is 6-4 with long arms and can line up at either end.

The 49ers could use another receiver like Tennessee’s Justin Hunter, or a safety like Florida’s Matt Elam. But once Delanie Walker bolted to the Titans, another tight end opposite Vernon Davis became the top priority for Jim Harbaugh’s team. Eifert has all the skills to be a successful tight end in the NFL. At 6-6, 251, his size and strength are ideal and he’s got very good hands - especially when going over the middle.

The Irish complete the first round as the Ravens grab the heir apparent to the now-retired Ray Lewis. Te’o, despite the fake girlfriend hoax, is an aggressive, instinctive player with a nose for the ball. He blitzes well and is excellent in coverage and could actually be an upgrade over Lewis’ on-field production the last two years in Baltimore.

The final college football matchup for the 2012-13 season, BCS No. 1 Notre Dame vs BCS No.2 Alabama, definitely brings back an old school feel to college football. Most experts are picking Alabama to win, but many are predicting it will be a closer game than the opening line spread. 

Both teams in the 2013 BCS National Championship have been battle tested this season. 

Notre Dame had to win two games in overtime and a slew of other close games. The Fighting Irish only allowed one goal-line rushing touchdown all season which came against the Sooners. The most rememberable goal line stand came against Stanford along with controversy. 

Three of the final five games for Alabama were tightly knitted. The Tide's games against LSU, Texas A&M, and Georgia were all decided by five points or less. Alabama went 2-1 versus those opponents with the only loss coming against Texas A&M and Heisman QB Johnny Manziel.  

Each team has a rich college football history. Alabama has won two of the last three BCS national championships, but Notre Dame has not won a national title since 1988. Despite the many other high-octane spread offenses in college football, the Tide and Fighting Irish have etched their way to the top this season by way of defense and top caliber linemen on both sides of the ball.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said at a recent press conference, “And in keeping with the venue where we are, you have two blue chip stocks that are going to go against each other." (DecaturDaily.com)

The Fighting Irish are obviously led by their defensive front and star linebacker Manti Te'o who acquired a hoard of awards this season. Despite the stellar defense of the Tide, Alabama's top talent is on the offensive line spotlighted by a trio of soon to be NFL players in Barrett Jones, DJ Fluker, and Chance Warmack.   

Alabama looks to have the edge on Notre Dame in just about every category, but that does not necessarily mean they will be the victor. As I often tell others, remember this is college football. When there are big games between closely matched teams, anything can happen. The SEC has won six straight national titles, but historically speaking, the Tide are just 1-5 against the Irish. I figure the luck of the Irish will be the curse of the SEC. Why? Because this is college football. 

I am intensely thorough in covering college football and the parity, a word often used in this sport, is growing more and more each season. Basically, all the favorites in BCS Bowl games could lose in an upset, but of course, the trick is figuring out which ones. 

I would say that Notre Dame, Louisville, and Northern Illinois are all underdogs with a good chance to win, but I could also see the Cardinals and Huskies being blown out which is what many other experts and bettors believe to be the outcome. 

Northern Illinois and Florida State both had late season coaching departures. NIU lost head coach Dave Doeren to NC State at the same position and former FSU defensive coordinator Mark Stoops took the head coaching position at Kentucky (Coaching Carousel). The Seminoles are thought of as the more talented team and have a statistically top notch defense, but the Huskies should have a larger chip on their shoulder. This game could end in a blowout victory for Florida State or a dramatic close win for Northern Illinois.   

Louisville is a talented team, but young which is one reason for the close games and upset losses this season. Florida has done a great job of winning, but not always impressively. UF just barely managed to eke out a victory against Louisiana-Lafayette and the talent of the Cardinals matches up better with the Gators than most give them credit. If highly prospected QB Teddy Bridgewater can move the ball for Louisville with accurate passes, then the Cardinals can pull it off. But if the Florida defense led by safety Matt Elam keeps him in check, the running game and defense of Louisville will have trouble picking up the slack. 

Oklahoma is slightly favored against Texas A&M, but I am picking the Aggies to win the Cotton Bowl. It has been some time since the Sooners have won a big game as well as I am just not confident in quarterback Landry Jones as a clutch player. And really, who wouldn't pick Aggies QB Johnny "Football" Manziel. Jones has thrown eight interceptions over the last eight games of the season while Manziel threw just two picks in the last five games. This should be a fun bowl to watch. 

The Fiesta Bowl and Rose Bowl features match ups with opening lines under double digits. But I still believe that Oregon should have no problem handling Kansas State. If the Ducks get an early lead as they do so often, the Wildcats will have difficulty keeping up with their style. 

Stanford should also take care of Wisconsin, but the Badgers did look good in the Big Ten Championship. Wisconsin running back Montee Ball will need another great outing to give his team a chance, but Stanford has the third best rated defense in rushing yards allowed per game.

In many ways, bowl games are highly unpredictable, because it largely depends on which team "shows up" to play. I am predicting some big upsets since I can be a rebel at times, but I would only take my Irish pick to Vegas, especially to beat the spread. 

The hog mollies on the offensive line never seem to get enough attention in college football so here is a rundown of the best O-linemen in the nation for the 2012 season. The top 20 offensive linemen are ranked along with a summary of the top five and notes on the rest. The ranking is based on the best college football linemen not NFL prospects, but information on draft status is included. Bench, squat, and 40-yard dash numbers are provided for the top five. Four of the top five linemen have weight room numbers listed from high school and some of the other players have more recent weight room numbers posted. 

Size: 6'5 302 pounds
Bench Max: 335 pounds 
Squat Max: 490 pounds 
40 Yard Dash: 4.9 seconds 
Stats: Only nine missed assignments in 587 snaps (98.5 percent) and 100 percent on assignments in four games last season according to Rolltide.com
Draft Rating: Second/ Late First Round

Size: 6'6 335 pounds
Bench Max: 375 lbs 
Squat Max: 525 lbs 
40 Yard Dash: 4.9 secs 
Stats: 22 career starts at right tackle
Draft Rating: Early/Mid First Round

DJ Fluker is a behemoth on the offensive line and is the top rated lineman on Mel Kiper's Big Board at six overall. He has played mostly right tackle for the Crimson Tide, but there is a chance that he could be a guard at the next level. His posted weight is actually less than it was in high school and he is currently listed as 335 pounds. Fluker may not be as accomplished as his teammate Barrett Jones, but there are high expectations for him due to his physicality alone. With a little refinement, he should easily maintain his NFL Draft stock. 

Size: 6'8 302 lbs 
Bench Max: 335 lbs  
Squat Max: 450 lbs 
40 Yard Dash: 4.72 secs 
Stats: Started 22 games in two seasons 
Draft Rating: Mid/Early First Round

After a misfit freshman season that involved antics and penalties, Taylor Lewan came back strong and matured some as a sophomore. He is an athletic lineman that has good power for his build and incredible length with his 6'8 height to fight off defenders. The Wolverine lineman has definite first round potential for the NFL Draft coming into his junior season. Lewan started all 13 games last season at left tackle and his athleticism should translate well in the pros. 

Size: 6'6 322 lbs
Bench Max: N/A
Squat Max: N/A
40 Yard Dash: 5.32
Stats: Started all 14 games in 2011 and played in 38 games for career 
Draft Rating: Late First/ Early Second Round

Ricky Wagner is a durable lineman that rose from walk-on to NFL prospect thus far in his college career. He was a consensus honorable mention on the All-Big Ten team for the past two seasons and is a first team preseason All-American on various lists for 2012. He performs well as a blindside pass blocker at left tackle and is consistently good all around in his play. Wisconsin has traditionally done a great job of prepping players for the NFL and Wagner should be the next. 

Size: 6'3 300 lbs
Bench Max: 340 lbs 
Squat Max: 500 lbs 
40 Yard Dash: 5.3 secs
Stats: 22 career starts and 36 games played
Draft Rating: Second/Third Round

Experienced right guard Omoregie Uzzi is a powerful run blocker for the Ramblin Wreck. He earned First Team All-ACC in 2011 and is a Second Team Phil Steele's 2012 Preseason All-American. His effort on the line helped his team rank second nationally in rushing yards last season with 316.5 yards per game and they ranked in the top four rushing yards in each of his three seasons. He is the most questionable of the top five due to a late season injury, but if he fully recovers, expect another strong season. 

There are a lot of good players on this list that could have placed in the top five and that may have higher NFL Draft potential.  Luke Joeckel is a first round prospect, Gabe Ikard has had an outstanding college career, and Travis Frederick's weight room numbers are freakish. Here are the rest of the top 20 offensive linemen in college football for 2012 with their height, weight, and a note on each:

6. C Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma: 6'4 295 lbs, 88 knockdowns on 860 snaps in 2011 according to SoonerSports.com.
7. OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M: 6'6 310 lbs, First round NFL Draft potential at 16 on Mel Kiper's Big Board.
8. OG Travis Frederick Wisconsin: 6'4 328 lbs, school record 770-lb squat & benchs around 500 lbs. 
9. OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina: 6'3 310 lbs, 2012 Phil Steele's All-American First Team.
10. OT Alex Hurst, LSU: 6'6 340 lbs, 71.5 knockdowns in 767 plays in 2011 according to LSUSports.net.
11. OG Chance Warmack, Alabama: 6'3 320 lbs, started 26 straight games.
12. OT Chris Faulk, LSU: 6'6 325 lbs, 500-lb squat & 73.5 knockdowns in 724 snaps in 2011 according to LSUSports.net. 
13. OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M: 6'5 305 lbs, started all 13 games in 2011 & son of Bruce Matthews.
14. OG Alvin Bailey, Arkansas: 6'5 319 lbs, 2011 All SEC Second Team (Coaches), 440-lb bench press & 555-lb squat.
15. C Dalton Freeman, Clemson: 6'5 285 lbs, 36 career starts & 2012 Rimington Award Watch List. 
16. OG Larry Warford, Kentucky: 6'3 336 lbs, 1 QB sack & graded 87.5 percent in 2011 according to NFLDraftScout.com.
17. OG Blaize Foltz, TCU: 6'4 310 lbs, 2011 All MWC First Team, posted 580-lb bench press & 800-lb squat.
18. C Khaled Holmes, USC: 6'4 305 lbs, 2011 All Pac-12 Second Team.
19. OG Mason Walters, Texas: 6'6 315 lbs, started 25 games in a row at right guard.
20. OG Marcus Martin, USC: 6'3 325 lbs, 2011 Freshman All-American First Team by various publications.

Honorable Mention: OG Lane Taylor Oklahoma State (6'3 328 lbs), OT Oday Aboushi Virginia (6'6 310 lbs), OG Braden Hansen BYU (6'6 313 lbs), C Braxston Cave* Notre Dame (6'3 304 lbs), OT Morgan Moses Virginia (6'6 336 lbs), OG Chris McDonald Michigan State (6'5 299 lbs), OG Carson York Oregon (6'5 284 lbs), and OT Cameron Fleming Stanford (6'6 308 lbs). *Cave benchs 520 lbs.

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