A friend of ours worked up a Mock NFL Draft and was kind enough to share it with us. We will be providing our own analysis and comments, and we encourage any of our readers to comment as well. Thanks Craig for the use of your Mock Draft as a starting point for our Draft analysis.
2014 NFL Mock Draft
I am in no way an expert. I am a fan of everything offseason related. These are my opinions based on months of looking at mock drafts, big boards, game tape, and listening to podcasts and NFL radio. I have no connections to insider info related to what teams are thinking or who is on their big boards. Now go ahead and rip me for being stupid and not sharing your opinions or thinking the way you think.
Also, I did not take any trades into consideration for this mock. I believe there will be several moves made but I just left teams in their designated spots.
1. Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Clowney is the most athletic player in the draft this year. The potential and freak athleticism he possesses should be enough to make this kid the #1 pick, especially for a team that has to face Andrew Luck twice a year. The Texans could go QB with the first overall selection but they don’t need to. There isn’t much separation (if any) between the 1st tier and 2nd tier QB’s in this draft, plus they have 2 serviceable QB’s on the roster now in Case Keenum and Ryan Fitzpatrick, so why take a QB #1 overall when there is no Andrew Luck type QB’s in this draft? If they do decide to take a signal caller, look for it to be Blake Bortles. In my view, he is the second coming of Ben Roethlisberger and the Texans could afford to sit him and develop him for a year or two.
2. St. Louis Rams: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
Robinson has been described as the most athletic OT in this years draft. Some have even compared him to the likes of Orlando Pace which is huge praise. He isn’t the most polished tackle and has room for improvement, but the Rams need to look O-line if the Texans take Clowney and they can’t trade out of the 2nd pick. Alternatively, the could take Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M. Jeff Fischer apparently has ties to the Matthews family, and Jake has been described as the most NFL ready tackle by many experts. Personally, I think the pick is one of these two guys, but Robinson’s size, speed, and upside win out here.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
Yes, I know they need a QB in the worst way, but take a look at the roster and tell me they couldn’t use help EVERYWHERE. Again, there is no standout QB and even if they do take one (I’m looking at you Johnny Manziel) who the hell is he going to throw the ball too? I like Cecil Shorts, and yea they have Justin Blackmon who is serving an indefinite suspension for his third violation of the league substance abuse policy, but they don’t have anybody who scares a defense. What good is a QB if he has no weapons? Peyton Manning isn’t in this draft, but a WR who has the potential to be the next A.J. Green or dare I say, Calvin Johnson, is. Sammy Watkins is a special player. He has size (6’1’’), speed (4.43, 40), hands, and a killer work ethic. The Jags have a long way to go, but this is a player who can draw attention from opposing defenses and would be great for the Jags.
4. Cleveland Browns: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Here is where I’m going to buck the trends of other mocks. If Sammy Watkins is on the board, he’s the pick. If he’s not, the popular thing to do is plug in a QB here. Why? Mike Evans has climbed up draft boards and he was already a top 10 pick. If Watkins is compared to Green and Johnson (either Johnson), then Evans should be compared to receivers like Brandon Marshall. Couple that with the fact that many experts don’t see a lot of separation between Watkins and Evans and you get why I’m choosing Evans over the QB’s. The Browns have two picks in the first round and they need to make a splash with both of them. Taking a special talent like Evans to pair with Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron here and waiting on the QB until pick 26 or 35 is the smart move for the Browns. That’s a scary pass catching trio.
5. Oakland Raiders: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
With both receivers off the board and Matt Schaub taking over the offense look for the Raiders to take the best lineman on their board. Jake Matthews is a day 1 starter on a struggling O-line. He immediately makes a difference and adds both protection for Schaub and someone for 2 running backs who are trying to revive their careers someone to run behind. The Raiders spent money in free agency to bolster the Defense, so adding a playmaker in the trenches only makes sense. Alternatively, they could take Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo. He would be a centerpiece for their defense for years to come, but let’s face it, games are won and lost in the trenches, and the Raiders need to start winning.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
Small school prospects are starting to make people look twice at waiting for them. Khalil Mack is a reason why. Just watch this guy on tape and he is clearly the #1 linebacker in the draft. The kid is all over the field, he does well in every aspect of the position. He drops back in coverage, he’s explosive, he has great pursuit, great instincts, and he has a talent for knocking the ball loose. Watch the Ohio St. game and tell me this kid can’t compete with the big schools and I’ll call you a moron. Mack can go anywhere from #1 overall to #10 but I highly doubt he makes it past #6 to the Falcons. The Falcons would love to get their hands on Robinson or Matthews here, but Mack is in no way a consolation prize.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
The Bucs would love to get their hands on Watkins or Evans but fail to get either. Mack is off the board and so are the two OL worth drafting inside the top 10. Trading back could be an option, but as I said, I’m not taking trades into consideration for this draft. So, Bortles is the pick. He needs time to develop and he would get that time with the Bucs. They have to serviceable QB’s on the roster and Bortles would be a guy you hand the keys to the franchise to in a year or two.
8. Minnesota Vikings: CJ Mosley, LB, Alabama
The Vikings need a QB but I think they might be a little gun shy after reaching and missing on Christian Ponder a few years ago. Bortles would be a good pick but he’s off the board. HC Mike Zimmer didn’t have very nice things to say about Johnny Football and Teddy Bridgewater hasn’t had a good time in showing off his skills. The Vikings need help on defense S, CB, DT, and LB are all needs. I think 8 is a little soon to be taking any of the S or CB in this draft. Aaron Donald would be a good fit at DT to replace an aging Kevin Williams, but CJ Mosley is clearly the best player available and at a position of need at that. He’s the 2nd best linebacker in the draft and was extremely productive at Alabama.
9. Buffalo Bills: Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
Barr is a raw talent and has plenty of room for improvement. The kid was a RB and only played the last two seasons at LB and was a First Team All-American. Eventhough he is a raw talent, he is a day 1 starter and he’s only going to get better...Theoretically.
10. Detroit Lions: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma St.
The Lions need S and CB real bad. Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix could be the pick here but the Lions are in a division with some scary receivers and need someone that can take those receivers out of plays. Justin Gilbert is the man to do it.
11. Tennessee Titans: Darqueze Denard, CB, Michigan St.
The titans are in dire need of a CB and Denard is the 2nd best CB on the board and has good size and great ball skills. Don’t be surprised if they snag one of the top QB’s though.
12. NY Giants: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Taylor Lewan could end up being the best tackle to come out of this draft. He has all of the tools to be a pro-bowler and would have been in the discussion of best tackle last year if he decided to come out early. The Giants had a terrible O-line last year and look to protect Eli with this pick.
13. St. Louis Rams: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Yea, I said it. Johnny Football is a better QB than Sam Bradford everyday of the week. How many years are the Rams going to add pieces around Bradford only to be sniffing the bottom of the NFC West? Yes, it sucks for them to be in a division with 3 of the better teams in the NFC (2 of the best in the NFL) but it’s time to start competing with those teams. Manziel might be just as much of a bust as Bradford, but the Rams should take him just on his playmaking ability alone. S is a position of need, but it’s a deep position.
14. Chicago Bears: Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
The Bears have had a great offseason and they finally get the big man to anchor their much improved D-line. Aaron Donald is the perfect replacement for Henry Melton who went down with a season ending knee injury last season and left for the Cowboys this season. S is again a position of need, but the Bears were gashed with the run game last season, and that’s just not Chicago Bears football. Calvin Pryor should be the safety here if they would decide to take one. He’s phenomenal in the box, but Aaron Donald is a monster in the middle.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio St.
The Steelers need to replace Ike Taylor. Roby is the best available and has the size, speed, and aggressiveness to fit the Steeler D.
16. Dallas Cowboys: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St.
The Cowboys defensive front 7 is in shambles. Henry Melton is a great pick up (and cheap) at DT, but the NFC East has some talented RB’s (Lesean McCoy, Alfred Morris) so adding a big body (299 lbs) with a high motor and the ability to play on both passing and running downs next to Melton should be a no brainer.
17. Baltimore Ravens: Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
The Ravens should be excited that Ha Ha fell this far. He could go #10, #13, #15, or #16 if not sooner. The Ravens get a great player at a position of need.
18. NY Jets: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
I really want to put Zack Martin, OL, ND here. He is a versatile lineman that can be a tackle or guard, but is probably best suited for guard. But the Jets need to bolster their receiving core. Eric Ebron would be a tempting choice here to pair with Jeff Cumberland in the TE ranks but Eric Decker hasn’t proven that he can be THE guy so adding a receiver that can play inside or outside, has good speed, decent size, and is best suited for their West Coast offense is the smart move here.
19. Miami Dolphins: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
The Dolphins need a RT, Cyrus is a RT, and a good one at that. He’s 6’7’’ 320 lbs, and only 21 years old. He’s raw, but has tremendous ability. Zack Martin is the popular pick here, but again, I think he is better suited at the G position. I would not be surprised if he ends up being the pick though.
20. Arizona Cardinals: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno St.
I’m drinking the Derek Carr Kool-aid. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikings took him at #8 but I think they are afraid of repeating a past mistake. Arizona gets Carson Palmer’s eventual replacement here instead of a pass rusher or safety.
21. Green Bay Packers: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
The Packers get a very productive pass catching TE that falls further than expected to improve a receiving core that has been depleted. Outside of Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, Aaron Rodgers is making guys look better than they actually are. In Ebron, he gets a big target (6’4”) to replace Jermichael Finley.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
The Eagles could look to receiver here and take Brandon Cooks or Marquis Lee, but they have sworn to the best player available mentality and have been missing Brian Dawkins since they let him leave for Denver years ago. Pryor is a guy who is good in coverage but even better in the box. He will receive plenty of fines for laying people out in his career, and will fit nicely in Billy Davis’s defense.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
He’s small, but he is a playmaker.A Biletnikoff Award winner last season, he’s got the speed to score from anywhere on the field. Andy Reid drafted Desean Jackson several years ago, and drafts a carbon copy of him here.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio St.
The Bengals could look at Kony Ealy or Dee Ford here to replace Michael Johnson, but I think Shazier could be the better pick. He’s a versatile player who can blitz from anywhere as well as cover anywhere. Disruptive is a word often used to describe him.
25. San Diego Chargers: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech.
The Chargers get a position of need and a good player to fit it. Fuller is a great cover corner who can play just as well in zone coverage and is willing to play the run. He will match up well against the receivers in the AFC West.
26. Cleveland Browns: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
The Browns get their QB. Bridgewater has been said to be the most NFL ready QB in the draft and he will get a chance to prove it in Cleveland. The only man on the roster in his way is Brian Hoyer. If he should win the job, he will have plenty of weapons to throw to.
27. New Orleans Saints: Dee Ford, LB, Auburn
Rob Ryan had the Saints defense back in form last season. Aggressive play calling seemed to be the weapon of choice and Dee Ford is just another pass rusher to get after opposing QB’s.
28. Carolina Panthers: Zack Martin, OL, ND
The Panthers need WR’s but they also need to replace Jordan Gross who was one of the best OT in the league. I’ve said that Martin will probably be best suited to play G, but the Panthers can’t pass on him here.
29. New England Patriots: Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
Vince Wilfork is getting a little old and has anchored this defense for what seems like forever. It’s time to get a young guy who can learn and play next to one of the best DT’s to ever play the game.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Verrett is much more talented than being selected at the bottom of the first round. His size (5’9” 189 lbs) is the only thing keeping him from being selected at the top of the round. The 49ers are in desperate need at CB (google Chris Culliver) and they steal one of the best here at 30.
31. Denver Broncos: Marquise Lee, WR, USC
Denver is in need of CB and OL. They got bullied up front in the Super Bowl and could very well go with Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA, but with Eric Decker’s departure they have a hole to fill at WR. Lee can step in on day 1 and benefit from the presence of Peyton Manning and the pass catching crew in Denver.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
Seattle’s defense was absolutely insane last year. Now it’s time for the offense to catch up. Adding Amaro gives Russell Wilson another weapon and a big target in the middle of the field.
Round 2
33. Houston Texans: AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama
It’s going to be a QB. McCarron is a great game manager and will have plenty of weapons just like he did in Alabama.
34. Washington Redskins: Xavier Su’a - Filo, OG, UCLA
A big body to protect RG3 and arguably the best G in the draft
35. Cleveland Browns: Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio St.
A punishing runner to complement Ben Tate.
36. Oakland Raiders: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
The Raiders get a replacement for Lamarr Houston.
37. Atlanta Falcons: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
The Falcons missed out on the top two tackles, now they get added protection for Matt Ryan
38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.
The Bucs finally get their receiver, and he’s a big one who is projected to go in the first round
39. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jimmy Garoppollo, QB, Eastern Illinois
The Jags are in desperate need of a QB and get one here
40. Minnesota Vikings: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
Comes from a pro style offense under Cam Cameron, who is buddies with Norv Turner.
41. Buffalo Bills: Jimmy Ward, S, Northern Illinois
They lose Jairus Byrd but gain a great center fielder in Jimmy Ward.
42. Tennessee Titans: Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
With the departure of Chris Johnson, Mason provides a suitable replacement.
43. NY Giants: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
Eli misses Kevin Boss and Jeremy Shockey. He gets a big body TE who can catch the ball here.
44. St. Louis Rams: Deone Bucannon, S, Washington St.
The Rams get an extremely physical S at a position of need
45. Detroit Lions: Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
The Lions wanted Sammy Watkins, instead they get a receiver who has terrific size-speed combo
46. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU
The Steelers need to get younger on defense and they continue to do so here.
47. Dallas Cowboys: Demarcus Lawrence, DE/OLB, Boise St.
The loss of Demarcus Ware hurts in a big way, but Lawrence could be a big asset in the pass rush department
48. Baltimore Ravens: Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada
A big man to replace Michael Oher at RT
49. NY Jets: Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech
Another pass rushing toy for Rex Ryan to get his defense back to being one of the best in the league
50. Miami Dolphins: Louis Nix III, DT, ND
Nix can fill the void left by Paul Soliai, but can he be used on passing downs?
51. Chicago Bears: Terrance Brooks, S, Florida St.
An underrated safety that can help a defense defend over the top with good ball skills
52. Arizona Cardinals: Stephon Tuitt, DT, ND
Originally projected as a 1st rnd talent, Cardinals improve their pass rush.
53. Green Bay Packers: Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
The Packers need help inside and Borland could be this years Lavonte David.
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Allen Robinson, WR, PSU
The Eagles get another big target for Nick Foles. Lacks top end speed but somehow excels at YAC. Polished route runner but needs to improve catching balls across the middle.
55. Cincinnati Bengals: Marcus Martin, C, USC
The Bengals want to eat the clock with their run game to help out Andy Dalton. Martin is an athletic center that can provide lanes up the middle.
56. San Francisco 49ers: Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss
Good perimeter speed and deep ball catch ability.
57. San Diego Chargers: Daquan Jones, DT, PSU
The Charges lack a true NT, at 6’4’’ 322 lbs Jones fills the role
58. New Orleans Saints: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno St.
Big and Fast, great hands and goes across the middle. Another weapon for Sean Peyton and Drew Brees. Can replace Lance Moore as possession receiver and Sproles’ speed.
59. Indianapolis Colts: Lamarcus Joyner, CB, Florida St.
Versatile player with range, blitz ability, and good instincts
60. Carolina Panthers: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
The Panthers need WR’s even with the signings in the offseason. All Matthews did in college was break records.
61. San Francisco 49ers: Trent Murphy, DE/OLB, Stanford
Aldon Smith might not play this season and his production needs to be addressed.
62. New England Patriots: Troy Niklas, TE, ND
We all know the Patriots love 2 TE sets.
63. Denver Broncos: Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood
Tall corner with great closing speed who fills a need.
64. Seattle Seahawks: Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson
Another weapon for Russell Wilson. Tall Fast receiver who can play outside or inside.
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