2013 NFL Draft: Matt Barkley's stock is falling with health, accuracy concerns

The Kansas City Chiefs are likely to be the first or second team selecting a player overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. Given the state of play and lack of talent at quarterback on the depth chart, it's widely assumed the team will take a signalcaller in the first round at one of those top choices. Yet this year, there's not a clear choice for an impact quarterback like Andrew Luck last season.

Matt Barkley was a good bet to be that guy just one year ago when he announced he would return to school at USC for another season. Yet this year has not gone according to plan. Russ Lande of the National Football Post has Barkley's draft status falling, perhaps even to the 2nd round. He writes:

Now he must prove to NFL teams he is healthy when he undergoes a physical at the Combine. Overall, there are many things to like about Barkley and that is why I gave him a high second round grade off his junior film, but he is not the premier prospect like Robert Griffin III or Andrew Luck coming out of college.

WIth shoulder concerns from last game and interceptions thrown at the wrong time in big games, Barkley has a lot of work to do to alleviate the concerns of scouts around the NFL. Yet given the need at the quarterback position for so many teams, Barkley is likely to find a home early in the draft anyway.