While there is little science involved when projecting a mock draft that is still over two months away, the speculation and debate keeps the offseason interesting. Rest assured, between now and April, things will change dramatically, but as of now, this is how we see things shaping up.

Pewter Report draft analyst Eric Dellaratta has the first of the 2013 first-round mock drafts. Pewter Report's Scott Reynolds will debut a new 2013 Bucs 7-round mock draft later this month.

2013 NFL DRAFT - ROUND ONE
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel/OT/Texas A&M
New head coach Andy Reid opts for the best offensive lineman in the draft. Joeckel is an NFL-ready left tackle and the Chiefs, or any other NFL team for that matter, can't afford to pass up a potential 10-year cornerstone.
 
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Sheldon Richardson/DT/Missouri
Head coach Gus Bradley will want relentless defensive linemen. Richardson has a non-stop motor and will be a riser following the combine.
 
3. Oakland Raiders – Geno Smith/QB/West Virginia
Oakland finds its quarterback of the future. Geno Smith could compete with Carson Palmer and Terrelle Pryor for the starting job as a rookie.
 
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Dee Milliner/CB/Alabama
The Eagles secondary was atrocious in 2012. If Philadelphia chooses to address the cornerback position, they could draft Milliner, who is the best cornerback in the draft.
 
5. Detroit Lions – Bjoern Werner/DE/Florida State
The Lions desperately need a pass-rusher. The team let go of veteran defensive end Kyle Vanden Boesch, who had just 3.5 sacks in 2012. Werner is one of the safest picks in the draft.
 
6. Cleveland Browns – Damontre Moore/DE/Texas A&M
Cleveland adds a pass rusher to complement Jabaal Sheard. PewterReport.com doesn’t think that Moore is worth this pick, but it seems that NFL teams have taken a liking to the defensive end.
 
7. Arizona Cardinals – Eric Fisher/OT/Central Michigan
Pass protection was a huge issue for the Cardinals in 2012. Fisher can play left or right tackle at the NFL level.
 
8. Buffalo Bills – Ryan Nassib/QB/Syracuse
Ryan Nassib is not worth this pick, but the Bills desperately need a quarterback and he has lots of connections with Buffalo. His former head coach Doug Maronne is Buffalo’s new head coach. Nassib might not last until Buffalo’s second-round pick.
 
9. New York Jets – Barkevious Mingo/OLB/West Virginia
It’s time for the Jets to add an outside pass-rusher to go along with interior lineman Muhammad Wilkerson and Quinton Coples. Mingo is an athletic freak, who could turn into a dominant pass rusher with time.
 
10. Tennessee Titans – Star Lotutlelei/DT/Utah
Lotulelei is great value for the Titans at this selection. The big defensive tackle is extremely strong and would fit in just about any defense.
 
11. San Diego Chargers – Lane Johnson/OT/Oklahoma
Lane Johnson had a huge week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. He raised his draft stock tremendously. San Diego has a huge need at offensive tackle.
 
12. Miami Dolphins – Chance Warmack/OG/Alabama
Miami takes the best player available with this selection. They could use a standout interior lineman to go next to underrated center Mike Pouncey.
 
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Johnthan Banks/CB/Mississippi State
It’s no secret that the Buccaneers will be searching for cornerbacks this offseason. The 2012 free agent acquisition, Eric Wright, is a candidate to be released because of his large contract. It is uncertain if the Bucs will re-sign veteran E.J. Biggers, who will be an unrestricted free agent in March. The Bucs have Leonard Johnson, Myron Lewis, Brandon McDonald, Danny Gorrer, and James Rogers under contract for next season. Tampa Bay’s team website also has second-year defensive back Keith Tandy listed as a cornerback. The Bucs clearly need some star power on the outside of their defense. Adding a cornerback like Banks gives the Bucs a defensive back with very good size, production, and cover skills.
 
The senior cornerback amassed 16 interceptions over the course of his four-year college career. In addition to those turnovers, he also broke up 26 passes, forced five fumbles, and one sack. Banks never had a season where he didn’t total at least three interceptions. He’s a consistent playmaker, which is exactly what NFL teams will be looking for. The former Bulldog is listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, which is an ideal size for an NFL cornerback. New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese compared Banks to New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie. The Hail State Beat conducted an interview with Reese and he had this to say regarding Banks:
 
“Well, some teams like him. He’s been rated pretty good by the combine and he’s an interesting guy. He’s a height-weight-speed guy, what we call it in the National Football League. He has all those specific characteristics that we like.”
 
Banks has a lot of upside, and with the right coaching he could become a very valuable asset to the Buccaneers. Some other players the Bucs could look at in this scenario include BYU defensive end Ezekial Ansah, Ohio State defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins, or Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
 
14. Carolina Panthers – Jonathan Hankins/DT/Ohio State
The Panthers need run-stuffers in the middle of their defense. They have had some bust draft picks at the defensive tackle position in recent years.
 
15. New Orleans Saints – Ezekial Ansah/DE/BYU
New Orleans is transitioning to a 3-4 defense this offseason. The team could develop Ansah behind Will Smith and Martez Wilson before letting him loose.
 
16. St. Louis Rams – Kenny Vaccaro/S/Texas
It appears that the Rams have a keeper in cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Now, the team must get him some help over the top. Vaccaro is a very solid safety who should be selected in the top-20.
 
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jarvis Jones/OLB/Georgia
PewterReport.com is predicting a little bit of a slide for Jones. We don’t see the top-five pass-rusher that some are comparing to Denver’s Von Miller. However, Jones is a good player and a good fit for the Steelers defense as a pass-rushing outside linebacker.
 
18. Dallas Cowboys – Sharrif Floyd/DT/Florida
Monte Kiffin loves defensive lineman and Floyd is a good one. The former Gator is very disruptive and has a motor that teams will love.
 
19. New York Giants – Alec Ogletree/LB/Georgia
The Giants cut Michael Boley last week leaving a void at the linebacker position. Ogletree is an athletic linebacker that would fit best as a 4-3 outside linebacker.
 
20. Chicago Bears – Zach Ertz/TE/Stanford
This is too high for Ertz, but the Bears need a tight end in the worst way. Kellen Davis can’t be the starter heading into 2013.
 
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Manti Te’o/LB/Notre Dame
Rey Maualuga will be a free agent in March, so the team will be searching for a replacement at middle linebacker. The Te’o situation is crazy, but Cincinnati is not afraid to take troubled players.
 
22. St Louis Rams (from Washington) – Jonathan Cooper/OG/North Carolina
Quarterback Sam Bradford gets hit way too much. The Rams have to find some lineman to keep him upright. Cooper is a nasty, athletic guard that would help out the Rams' front five.
 
23. Minnesota Vikings – Keenan Allen/WR/California
With Percy Harvin on the way out, the Vikings have to find a go-to receiver if they want quarterback Christian Ponder to take the next step.
 
24. Indianapolis Colts – Barrett Jones/C/Alabama
Protecting Andrew Luck should be a priority for Indianapolis. Jones is very versatile and could play all over the Colts’ offensive line.
 
25. Seattle Seahawks – D.J. Fluker/OT/Alabama
The Seahawks need to upgrade the right tackle position. Fluker is a monstrous, road-grading blocker that could help pave the way for Marshawn Lynch.
 
26. Green Bay Packers – Dion Jordan/OLB/Oregon
Jordan is too good for the Packers to pass on him at this selection. Other than Clay Matthews, the team has struggled to find another pass rusher.
 
27. Houston Texans – Cordarelle Patterson/WR/Tennessee
Patterson has too much raw talent to slip out of the first round. He will likely go in the top 20 after the Combine. The Texans need a talented receiver to pair with veteran Andre Johnson.
 
28. Denver Broncos – Desmond Trufant/CB/Washington
Trufant really made a name for himself during Senior Bowl week. Denver could groom Trufant behind veteran Pro Bowler Champ Bailey.

29. New England Patriots – Matt Elam/S/Florida
Elam is a very physical, hard-hitting safety that would be a great fit in the Patriots defense. He still needs some coaching, but he could be a very good defensive back under Bill Belichick.
 
30. Atlanta Falcons – Datone Jones/DE/UCLA
Atlanta struggled to get to the quarterback all season long. They need to find a young defensive end like Jones to rush the passer.
 
31. San Francisco 49ers – Eric Reid/S/LSU
The 49ers could lose safety Dashon Goldson in free agency. If they can’t re-sign him, they will be looking for another hard-hitting safety to fill the void. Reid is a heat-seeking missile out on the football field and would be a perfect fit.
 
32. Baltimore Ravens – Kevin Minter/LB/LSU
Ray Lewis ended his career on top, and now GM Ozzie Newsome will be looking for the next Hall of Fame linebacker. Minter is a very talented inside linebacker that would fit well with Baltimore.