2014 NFL Mock Draft

With the NFL 2013 Season only a few days away I thought I'd have some fun and create a 2014 Mock Draft.

1. Oakland Raiders – Teddy Bridgewater – QB – Louisville

They’re having a QB battle between Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor right now. Would you rather have Aaron Rodgers or a once in a decade defensive talent? We’ve recently seen how QBs can turn around a franchise. I’m going with Bridgewater without much thought.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jadeveon Clowney – DE – South Carolina

Clowney is a once in a decade defensive talent and an amazing consolation prize. The Jaguars have been terrible in recent years at drafting defensive lineman (Tyson Alualu, Derrick Harvey, Quentin Groves, Andre Branch) but with Clowney they can’t miss.

3. Buffalo Bills – Taylor Lewan – LT – Michigan

Doug Marrone and the Bills picked up their franchise QB in EJ Manuel now they’ll attempt to protect him. Lewan arguably would have been a Top 10 pick last year too.

4. New York Jets – Sammy Watkins – WR – Clemson

The Jets desperately need to surround Geno Smith with some talent on offense. Mark Sanchez was never the answer but the supporting cast he had to work with was pathetic. Sammy Watkins has all the tools to be a playmaker in the NFL. We saw the chemistry Geno Smith had with Tavon Austin at West Virginia maybe he can have the same success with Watkins.

5. San Diego Chargers – Jake Matthews – LT – Texas A&M

The Chargers could take their biggest weakness in recent years and turn it to strength for years to come with the acquisition of Matthews at LT. DJ Fluker who was selected in April should hold down the other tackle position.

6. Tennessee Titans – Marcus Mariota – QB – Oregon

If the Titans are picking at 6 it’s probably because of Jake Locker and that means it’s time to move on. Marcus Mariota has the physical tools to duplicate what Colin Kapernick has done in San Francisco. While Kaepernick has a much stronger arm Mariota still has room to grow. He’s only 19.

7. Arizona Cardinals – Anthony Barr – OLB – UCLA

With teams passing more and Tight Ends becoming more athletic by the year there is a need to have someone who can rush the passer and cover in space. Barr fits this mold. In his first year at linebacker he record 13 Sacks and 21 Tackles For Loss. Considering Daryl Washington, an ILB, led the team in sacks last year I definitely think Barr would be the right pick. Carson Palmer isn’t the long term solution at QB but I think there is still great value at QB in the 2^nd round. They could pick up someone like Cornell’s Jeff Mathews, Miami’s Stephen Morris, SJSU David Fales, Wyoming Brett Smith.

Sidenote: Has there ever been a quieter 4 game suspension than Daryl Washington’s? 134 tackles, 9 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT – 2^nd Team All-Pro last year.

8. Philadelphia Eagles – Bradley Roby – DB – Ohio State

Everyone will want the Eagles and Chip Kelly to select De’Anthony Thomas but I think the right move would be to grab Bradley Roby. Philadelphia really lacks depth in the secondary and in a division with Dez Bryant, Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nick that’s not a good weakness to have.

9. Minnesota Vikings – Aaron Lynch – DE – South Florida

Aaron Lynch was a Freshman All-American at Notre Dame who transferred to South Florida. Lynch is 6’6” 245 LBS and is a freak athlete. He’s got an enormous ceiling and is said to be more impressive than Jason Pierre-Paul when he was a USF. Jared Allen is a year older and will be a free agent after this season. With the upside that Lynch brings and the depth at QB in this draft the Vikings might wait until Round 2 to address that position.

10.  Cleveland Browns – Tajh Boyd – QB – Clemson

I like what the Browns have going for them. They’ve built a nice defense equipped with plenty of pass rushers. They’re getting more talented at the offensive skill positions and I think with better QB play they could compete for a playoff spot. I think they give Weeden another year at the helm to see what he’s got and then move on. Boyd has plenty of tools to succeed at the NFL. I see a little Donovan McNabb and Troy Smith in him.

11. Carolina Panthers – Marqise Lee – WR – USC

Marquis Lee is a very polished receiver who would fit in perfectly alongside Steve Smith. The Panthers have lacked a worthwhile #2 WR for years now and while I still think they’ll have to address the secondary I think Lee is the right choice.

12. Detroit Lions – CJ Mosley - OLB – Alabama

Mosley is one of the most NFL ready prospects in college football. Linebacker is an area that could use some improvement and I think Mosley would start right away in Detroit. Plus how can the Lions possibly pass up the opportunity to have two CJ Mosley’s on their team?  (CJ Mosley, 9 year vet backing up Fairley at DT)

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Khalil Mack – LB – Buffalo

I think Freeman plays well enough this year to keep his job and receives a reasonable extension. They could use a playmaking Tight End like Austin Seferian-Jenkins but I think they decide to improve their defense and select Khalil Mack. Mack isn’t a household name but will become one soon. This past weekend vs Ohio State he finished with 9 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown. He’s 6'3" 245 LB and runs a 4.65 – 40.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers – Louis Nix – DT – Notre Dame

They very well could address their offensive line, which has looked suspect yet again, but I have them going with Louis Nix here. Nix reminds people a lot of BJ Raji and would certainly fill an area of need at NT. With the defense getting older and older I like the recent move of drafting Jarvis Jones and think they should continue getting younger on that side of the ball.

15. Miami Dolphins – Cyrus Kouandijo – OT – Alabama

With Jake Long’s departure the Dolphins have a huge hole to fill. They spent $100 million on WR this offseason and they wont be able to use them if Tannehill is always lying on his back. Kouandijo is now the anchor of the Alabama offensive line and with another strong year he should go in the top half of the 1^st Round.

16. Kansas City Chiefs – Stephon Tuitt – DE – Notre Dame

Tuitt’s been extremely productive at Notre Dame and would be a great fit in Kansas City.  I think he could step in and be more productive than Mike DeVito and Tyson Jackson.

17. St Louis Rams –  Austin Seferian-Jenkins – TE – Washington

As I stated earlier Austin Seferian-Jenkins is an animal who is currently rewriting the record books at Washington. He’s 6’6” 270 LBS and a mismatch for defenders. He has had some off the field troubles but might be too talented of a weapon for the Rams to pass up. They rolled the dice on Janoris Jenkins a couple years ago and that turned out just fine.

18. Chicago Bears – Ryan Shazier – LB – Ohio State

I thought about having the Bears go with a CB here because Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman are both over 30 and Free Agents but with Urlacher retired and Briggs 33 years old I think they try to get another playmaker in the mix.

19. Dallas Cowboys – De’Anthony Thomas – OW – Oregon

I have to think De’Anthony Thomas will go in the first round it is just a question of where. He’s not the WR and route runner Tavon Austin was but is still a special talent. What better stage for him than Jerry’s World.

20. New York Giants – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu – CB – Oregon

The Giants love stock piling pass rushers but I think they need to invest in a CB. Corey Webster really struggled this past season and Prince Amukamara has either been a disappointment or injured. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu lacks a bit in the height region but has the speed and ball skills you like to see in a CB.

21. Indianapolis Colts – Loucheiz Purifoy – CB – Florida

This looks to be a CB rich draft with is great news for the Colts who need help badly in the secondary. Purifoy has the size, speed, and skill to excel at the next level. He’s listed At 6-feet, 190 ponds and runs a sub-4.4 40.  Purifoy was suspended for Florida’s season opener so he has some ground to make up.

22. Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Matthews – WR – Vanderbilt

Baltimore really needs help at WR and I think Matthews would be a perfect complement to Torrey Smith. Matthews has nice size at 6’3” 200 and can play anywhere on the field. Considering they gave the keys to Joe Flacco they might as well surround him with talent to succeed.

23. New Orleans Saints – Kyle Van Noy – OLB – BYU

Rob Ryan has come and in brought his 3-4 defense with him. The Saints lack pass rushers and Van Noy brings just that. Van Noy recorded 13 sacks and 22 tackles for loss last season. He is a little undersized at 6’3” 235 but he could possibly play a hybrid DE/OLB role like Von Miller. You pair him with Cam Jordan and that could be a productive duo for years to come.

24. St Louis Rams (Washington Redskins) – Lache Seastrunk – RB – Baylor

I love Lache Seastrunk and although I think Daryl Richardson is a serviceable starter in the NFL I think they try and get a home run hitter in Seastrunk. Seastrunk is an explosive runner who can cut on a dime. He apparently ran a 4.36 40 this offseason. I think he’s in for a huge year. Would like to see him more involved in the passing game.

25. Cincinnati Bengals – Kareem Martin – DE – UNC

The Bengals quietly have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL. How far they go this year I think rests on Andy Dalton’s shoulders. I have them taking Kareem Martin here because I think Michael Johnson will be too expensive to keep. He’s got similar size to Johnson in that he’s 6’6” 265 but needs to be a little more productive on the field.

26. Green Bay Packers – James Hurst – OT – UNC

Packer fans are hoping third time is the charm. With the injuries to recent 1^st Round Picks Bryan Bulaga and Derrick Sherrod I think the Packers need to look for OT help again. Hurst held his own against Jadeveon Clowney last week and if he continues to impress I think he would be a steal at the end of the 1^st. He’s got great size at 6’7” 305.

27. Houston Texans – Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix – S – Alabama

Clinton-Dix is the total package and would be a huge addition to the Texans secondary that has struggled in recent years. Clinton-Dix finished this year past year strong having interceptions in his final 3 games vs. Auburn, Georgia and Notre Dame. Ed Reed is near retirement and DJ Swearinger was drafted this past season but I think Clinton-Dix is more of a sure thing going forward.

28. Atlanta Falcons – Dominique Easley – DT – Florida

I’m higher on Easley than most but I think he’d be a great addition to the Falcons defensive line that needs pass rushers. Easley is a bit of a “tweener” when it comes to his position because of his size (6’2” 280) but he’s one of the quickest off the ball in college football. I think he’s in for a huge year.

29. New England Patriots – Brandon Coleman – WR – Rutgers

Naturally the Patriots would pick Brandon Coleman because he went to Rutgers but in all seriousness I think it would be a great selection. Coleman has outstanding size at 6’6” 220 with enough speed. Could certainly help stretch the field.

30. Seattle Seahawks – Cyril Richardson – G – Baylor

Guard is a position they haven’t had a consistent presence at the past couple of years. I wasn’t impressed with JR Sweezy this preseason. The Seahawks would be ecstatic if Richardson fell to them at 30. Richardson was the Big 12 Lineman Of The Year last season.

31. Denver Broncos – Jason Verrett – CB – TCU

Champ Bailey will be another year older and we have no clue which Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will show up this year. Jason Verrett is one of the better cover corners in college football and is all over the field. A knock on him is his size (5’10” 182 LBS). He should find a spot in the 1^st round this year.

32. San Francisco 49ers – Aaron Colvin – CB – Oklahoma

The 49ers have a plethora of picks so they could go many directions with this and it wouldn’t matter. I think they try to impove the secondary. Carlos Rogers, Asomugha and Whitner may not be around in a couple years and Aaron Colvin would help provide some depth.  He has played both corner and safety at Oklahoma.