2014 NFL MOCK DRAFT
(What Would I Do Version)
1. Houston Texans – Teddy Bridgewater – Louisville – QB
Bridgewater is the most NFL ready QB in the draft. An advantage he has over the other upper echelon QB’s in this class is that he played in a pro-style offense for 3 years at Louisville. I believe he has all the tools that you need to succeed in the NFL and more importantly in Bill O’Brien’s offense. He might not have the size of Bortles, or the illusiveness and fanfare of Manziel but he’s far and away the best prospect on my board and should allow the Texans to make a quick turnaround.
2. St Louis Rams – Jadeveon Clowney – South Carolina – DE
Yes, the Rams do have Robert Quinn and Chris Long but I’d still take Clowney. I would rather have the best defensive line in football (Long, Brockers, Quinn, Clowney) than have a slight upgrade at offensive tackle. You can never have enough pass rushers and Clowney is a special talent. Chris Long is a nice player but most people don’t take pay cuts on their second contract. Drafting Clowney allows you to let Long walk in 2 years without having to fill his spot. Most mocks have them taking an offensive tackle, either Matthews or Robinson. If they were to take one of those I would prefer Matthews. He’s more polished all around.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Khalil Mack – Buffalo – OLB
The Jaguars are in great hands with Gus Bradley at the helm. Much like Pete Carroll, he’s all about pushing players all while maintaining a positive culture. As the coach of the South team at the Senior Bowl this year he stole the show. I have full confidence that he’ll turn the Jaguars around and it all starts with him rebuilding their D. Khalil Mack would be a perfect fit coming off the edge. If he didn’t play his whole career at Buffalo he would be a household name.
4. Cleveland Browns – Johnny Manziel – Texas A&M – QB
It seems like the Browns are getting everything in place to select and build around a player like Johnny Manziel. They’ve made it known they’re looking to make a splash and have recently hired former Redskins OC, Kyle Shanahan. Even though I’m not as high on Manziel as most, considering everything it probably is the right selection. Manziel has so much to work on when it comes to being a pocket passer. I would ideally sign a QB like Ryan Fitzpatrick or Michael Vick who can still run Shanahan’s O and give Manziel a year to learn and grow but I doubt that’s the case. Remember he is only 21 years old and has some exceptional tools to build around. I just question him being a Day 1 starter. If nothing else he’ll be fun to watch and the Browns will matter again.
5. Oakland Raiders – Sammy Watkins – Clemson – WR
Poor Raiders, they have basically whiffed on their last 6 1st Round Picks (Fabian Washington, Michael Huff, JaMarcus Russell, Darren McFadden, Darius Heyward-Bey, Rolando McClain) I think Sammy Watkins is an elite prospect and a near can’t miss. The Raiders haven’t had a 1,000 Yard WR since Randy Moss in 2005. Before that it was Jerry Rice in 2002. They do need a QB but with the cap space they have I’d rather sign a guy like McCown, Vick, Schaub etc to bridge the gap instead of investing the next couple of years in developing a QB. Raiders management is already under enough pressure to improve.
6. Atlanta Falcons – Jake Matthews – Texas A&M – OT
The Falcons desperately need help on both the offensive and defensive lines and I think they would be ecstatic if they were able to pick up a tackle like Jake Matthews. He might not be the explosive athlete that Greg Robinson is but he’s a much more proven pass protector and protecting Matt Ryan should be their main priority.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CJ Mosley – Alabama – ILB
Tampa Bay is in an interesting spot. It wouldn’t hurt to get a guy like Greg Robinson to solidify the offensive line but I like the idea of Lovie Smith building his defense. CJ Mosley would be a perfect fit in Lovie Smith’s D. Mosley is in the mold of a Brian Urlacher/Sean Lee where he can do everything. For what it’s worth Mason Foster was the 32nd rated ILB by Pro Football Focus this past year.
8. Minnesota Vikings – Blake Bortles – UCF – QB
New coaches and new QB’s seems to go hand in hand. Bortles as a prospect is a more accurate Locker. It took Locker a couple years to mature into a legitimate starter and I expect the same for Bortles. The Vikings certainly have some holes to fill on defense but they can use their early 2nd round pick and extra 3rd round pick acquired in the Harvin trade to add depth.
9. Buffalo Bills – Eric Ebron – North Carolina – TE
The Bills need to continue to surround QB EJ Manual with talent. Ebron is a beast and might be one of the best TE prospects since Vernon Davis. I personally like the speed the Bills would have all around their offense starting with Manual, Spiller, Ebron, Goodwin etc.
10. Detroit Lions – HaHa Clinton-Dix – Alabama – S
If Sammy Watkins is here you take him but since he’s off the board I think Detroit should take the best available defensive back. Safeties are at a premium in this league and can really transform a defense on the backend. We’ve seen these past couple of weeks how a safety like Earl Thomas shuts down the middle of the field. Mark Barron went #7 overall in 2012 and I think Clinton-Dix is a better all around player coming out. Passing up on a WR like Mike Evans might also be hard but remember this is an incredibly deep WR class and you still have inconsistent Matt Stafford at the helm. Regardless of how much talent you surround him with it all depends on him taking the next leap.
11. Tennessee Titans – Anthony Barr - UCLA - OLB
Tennessee would love to acquire an elite pass rusher and Barr definitely has the tools to do that. He’s a freak athlete who right now wins with speed and I think new Defensive Coordinator, Ray Horton, could really develop him. Horton turned Daryl Washington into an All-Pro during his time in Arizona.
12. New York Giants – Greg Robinson – Auburn - OT
The Giants would have loved to have Mosley fall to them but they ended up getting a steal in Greg Robinson. Robinson is an incredible athlete for his size and a dominant run blocker. Part of the reason why the Giants got off to such a poor start this year is because they couldn’t protect Eli. The Giants signed OT Will Beatty to a huge contract last offseason and he rewarded them by having a disastrous year. Beatty gave up an NFL leading 13 sacks. Drafting Robinson gives them the flexibility to move Pugh and Beatty around as they choose to solidify the line.
13. St Louis Rams – Taylor Lewan - Michigan - OT
The Rams are up again and I have them addressing their offensive line this time. Jake Long isn’t a young pup anymore and will be coming off a torn ACL and MCL. OT Rodger Saffold will be a free agent so I think this would be a smart decision. I look for the Rams to improve their secondary and add more weapons at wide out in the upcoming rounds.
14. Chicago Bears – Louis Nix – Notre Dame - DT
The Bears were last in the NFL at stopping the run this past year and had some of the worst safety play in the NFL. I think giving Henry Melton the Franchise Tag and drafting Nix would be a great start improving the 2nd worst defense in the league. Nix has received some criticism for having a down year but to his defense he was injured.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Timmy Jernigan – Florida State – DT
The Steelers have plenty of needs (OT/DT/CB/S/WR) so this was a tough selection. The Steelers were 21st against the run and 25th in sacks this past so getting a hybrid DT in Jernigan who can do both seems like a great fit. WR is definitely an option since Emmanual Sanders is likely leaving. Ike Taylor is getting up there in age so a DB like Justin Gilbert was also tempting.
16. Baltimore Ravens – Mike Evans – Texas A&M – WR
The Ravens offense definitely sputtered this past year. Dennis Pitta is a free agent and Ed Dickson has been a disappointment so they really lacked a playmaker alongside Torrey Smith. Mike Evans is too good to pass up here. Michael Oher and Eugene Monroe are free agents and probably only have enough money to resign one of them. Alabama OT Cyrus Kouandjio was hard to pass up.
17. Dallas Cowboys – Calvin Pryor – Louisville – S
Dallas two biggest needs are at safety and defensive line. I have them addressing the safety position. Pryor is a rangy hard-hitting safety that still needs some work in coverage. Had I gone the defensive line route Aaron Donald and Kony Ealy would’ve been the selection. I feel there is solid depth there this year and they can address it in the 2nd round.
18. New York Jets – Jace Amaro – Texas Tech – TE
The Jets have arguably the worst set of skill position players in the NFL. Tight End is a need for the Jets and Amaro will create mismatches from Day 1. Amaro has some concerns as how he’ll hold up as a blocker in the NFL but I use him in the mold a la Jimmy Graham, who was split wide on 70+% of snaps last year. Marqise Lee and Odell Beckham would have been great selections here but considering the depth at WR I’d rather take a talent like Amaro.
19. Miami Dolphins – Zach Martin – Notre Dame – OT
Ryan Tannehill was sacked a league high 59 times this past year (11 higher than the next best, Joe Flacco, 48) so maybe now the Dolphins will address their offensive line problems. Last year they moved up to #3 in the draft and everyone thought it was to draft Lane Johnson. Well they took Dion Jordan who had a very quiet rookie year. They also passed on trading for Brandon Albert last offseason and considering the whole Incognito & Jon Martin situation it’s safe to say their line is a mess. Zach Martin had a great Senior Bowl and looks to be one of the safest linemen in the draft. The jury still isn’t out if he’s a G or T at the next level but either way I think this is a great pick.
20. Arizona Cardinals – Justin Gilbert – Oklahoma State – DB
The Cardinals had an impressive season despite not making the playoffs but they still have some large holes to fill. Their OL could use some improvements. They need a young pass rusher. They relied on the ageless John Abraham this past year. Another option they could go is selecting a DB to matchup alongside Patrick Peterson. Sometimes a great secondary creates the pass rush you need. In Gilbert they get the rangy elite athlete that is the top DB on most boards. If Peterson wants to leave the same way Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie did they’ll have a #1 waiting in the wing.
21. Green Bay Packers – Jimmie Ward – Northern Illinois – S
I was torn on this selection. I think the Packers need to address either their secondary or defensive line in the 1st Round. The top 2 safeties are off the board but I still think Jimmie Ward is a great fit. Ward is a true free safety that can line up anywhere. He’s had a great postseason and was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Back at the Senior Bowl. Ward is around 5’11 190 pounds but has a 6’4” wingspan. His coverage abilities might be the best in this safety class, giving him the ability, I believe, to even play nickel corner.
RaShede Hageman has been a popular choice here in mock drafts lately. He’s probably the 2nd most physically gifted DL in the draft (behind Clowney) and can play anywhere along the line. With all that being said his natural talent hasn’t fully translated to the field. In the games of his that I’ve watched he wasn’t really a factor in the run game at all. He has all the potential in the world but right now stands as a boom or bust prospect. I’m sick of the Packers wasting early picks on defensive lineman they fail to develop especially when their window is closing.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – Odell Beckham Jr – LSU – WR
Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin are free agents and Jason Avant’s time in Philadelphia may also be over. Odell Beckham would be a perfect fit in Chip Kelly’s offense. His ability to create in space is special and despite his lack of size is pretty physical. Also has experience returning punts and kicks. Philadelphia needs secondary help but I love this fit too much.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Bradley Roby – Ohio State – DB
The Chiefs biggest needs are at WR, TE and FS. Unfortunately at this pick I don’t think there is a TE or Safety worth selecting here. I think they’d be happy getting a 1st Round talent in Bradley Roby and take a WR who slips to them in the later rounds. He had spectacular sophomore year but disappointed some this year. I also think Roby offers some versatility. If he doesn’t work out at corner I could definitely see him transition to become a FS.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Jason Verrett – TCU – DB
With Leon Hall coming off another Achilles injury, Terrance Newman turning 36 and Dre Kirkpatrick disappointing I definitely think Cincinnati takes the top DB left on the board here. I think Verrett would be a perfect fit. Outside of height I think he’s the total package. He’s a willing tackler, able to play man coverage both press and off.
25. San Diego Chargers – Darqueze Dennard – Michigan State – DB
Dennard’s fallen a little bit but should be starting from Day 1 for the Chargers who are in desperate need of improving their secondary. Dennard uses his hands too much for my liking and I think that’ll lead to penalties at the next level. He very comfortable in man coverage and makes the WR play at his pace
26. Cleveland Browns – Marqise Lee – USC – WR
The Browns get a great value here in Marqise Lee. His hands were shaky this past year, which I know Browns fans are sick of seeing (Top 3 WR dropped 31 passes last year), but pairing him up with Gordon & Cameron is an exceptional young core to build around Manziel. Lee reminds a bit of Reggie Wayne, who also went late in the 1st round.
27. New Orleans Saints – Cyrus Kouandjio - Alabama – OT
Protecting Drew Brees should always be the Saints #1 priority and with their RT Zach Strief being a free agent it makes all the sense in the world to find his replacement by drafting Cyrus Kouandjio. He’s an exceptional athlete who I think would be best off starting out as a RT. I would love to see Rob Ryan gets an elite pass rusher here but they’ll have to wait until Round 2.
28. Carolina Panthers – Bradin Cooks – Oregon State – WR
The Panthers have neglected to surround Cam Newton with any talent at the WR position and with Steve Smith getting up there in age I think you have his replacement in Brandin Cooks. Cooks won the Biletnikoff Award this past year and has exceptional speed and agility.
29. New England Patriots – Ra’Shede Hageman – Minnesota – DT
As I stated earlier Hageman is one of the most physically gifted lineman in this class. He has the size of former Patriots great, Richard Seymour. A Chandler Jones, Wilfork, Hagemen defensive front would definitely be imposing. The Patriots might not be great at drafting WR’s but they seem to squeeze the most out each player at every other position.
30. San Francisco 49ers - Jarvis Landry – LSU – WR
The 49ers biggest need is probably at corner and with 13 potential picks I think they could definitely move to get one. With what is left on the board though I think they’ll look to bolster their offense. The 49ers are a much more dynamic team with Crabtree in the lineup and with Boldin being a free agent they’ll look for a WR like Jarvis Landry. Landry was the safety net for Zach Mettenberger much like Crabtree is to Kaepernick. He also brings the toughness that the 49ers will love.
31. Denver Broncos – Ryan Shazier – Ohio State – OLB
With Chris Harris tearing his ACL and Champ Bailey’s starting days coming to an end the Broncos would really like to get a DB here that could immediately step in. With 4 DB’s already off the board I think they upgrade at outside linebacker. Shazier is a personal favorite of mine. He flies around like a missile and should be a 3-down OLB at the next level.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Xavier Su-a-Filo – UCLA – OG
The Seahawks biggest area of weakness is their offensive line. JR Sweezy and James Carpenter were the 52nd and 66th ranked guard by Pro Football Focus this year. Too often this season Russell Wilson was scrambling for life his life on passing plays. Su’a-Filo would fit nicely into their zone blocking scheme and should be able start right away.
No comments:
Post a Comment