NFL Mock Draft 2014

Well it’s time for me to throw my hat into the ring of NFL Draft prognosticators.  While there are many, many Draft analysts that I have my utmost respect for, I always like to put my thoughts on paper and see how it shakes out versus the pros when it comes time for the actual draft.  I am going to mock the first three rounds based on perceived needs and glaring situations where value would dictate the pick. (Value to me is where I rank the individual player)  I am not going to include trades and therefore some QB picks may look funny because they will more than likely go earlier because of some trade scenario.

Round 1
Pick Overall Team
1 1 Houston Texans

Jadeveon Clowney- I’ve been waiting to see Clowney be drafted first overall since he was in high school.  Truly a once in generation talent that can now team up with J.J. Watt to make one of the best defensive line tandems since Reggie White and Jerome Brown.

2 2 St. Louis Rams (from Washington)

Greg Robinson- I have a feeling St. Louis won’t stay here and make this pick, but if they do Robinson makes a lot of sense as he could play RT for a few years and then slide over to the left when he’s coached up at the NFL level.  Even if he completely bombs as an NFL tackle he would be unbelievable (like Larry Allen) at Guard.
3 3 Jacksonville Jaguars

Sammy Watkins-  I’m a big believer in Watkins talent and believe that he SHOULD be the pick here, but you never know what an NFL team is thinking.  They need to get more talented across their roster and look like they want to ground and pound by signing Toby Gerhart to take over at RB.  I think Robinson is a great fit here as well.
4 4 Cleveland Browns

Taylor Lewan- This pick is a tough one for me.  If they didn’t pick Mingo and invest in Kruger last year then Khalil Mack would be hands down the pick, but alas they have those two already.  Mitchell Schwartz has a long injury history (Back issues) and struggled early last year.  They could bump Schwartz down to guard and have two bookends at tackle in Thomas and Lewan that could rival any tackle tandem in the league.
5 5 Oakland Raiders

Khalil Mack- The Raiders need to take a young quarterback in this draft, but Reggie Mckenzie needs to protect his job and put a quality product on the field THIS year.  A young QB at this pick with this much talent on the board at other positions would be a job killer.
6 6 Atlanta Falcons

Jake Matthews- The Falcons would be extremely lucky to have Matthews fall to them here.  I do think there could be a scenario where the Rams trade back and take Matthews before this could take place.
7 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans- Evans is going to be picked by this pick one way or another.  I can definitely see another team trading up to acquire this unique talent at this spot in the draft.  For me, this is the spot where the tier in this draft drops off.
8 8 Minnesota Vikings

Blake Bortles- My buddy Arif Hasan has to be happy about getting a new young arm to groom behind Matt Cassel. Hey if Bortles doesn’t work out you will at least get to see pictures of his girlfriend plastered all over the Twin Cities.
9 9 Buffalo Bills

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix-  This pick is tough.  With everyone who went off the board before this spot Clinton-Dix became the right pick here.  I felt it was too early for Ebron and any offensive lineman here would be a reach with Clinton-Dix on the board. Most teams need three capable safeties now a days and Clinton-Dix’s talent is top notch.
10 10 Detroit Lions

Darqueze Dennard- Dennard is my pick at corner for the Lions, but they could easily like Gilbert more.  I think he is ready to step in and play right away and the Lions do face the Packers and Bears a total of four times every year.
11 11 Tennessee Titans

C. J. Mosley- The Titans are going to a 3-4 and they will need all the athletic-playmaking linebackers that they can get their hands on.  Mosley is a little undersized, but should become a fan favorite for the Titans.  I also would have liked Anthony Barr here.
12 12 New York Giants

Zach Martin- The rebuilding of the Offensive-line is officially on for the G-Men.  Martin is a Pro Bowl guard fresh out of the box and a tough as nails smart Right Tackle if need be.  With Chris Snee’s hips being a question mark, Martin’s versatility will be paramount for the Giants.  I see no scenario where Mike Evans or Taylor Lewan make it to this pick.
13 13 St. Louis Rams

Aaron Donald-His talent changes plans here for the Rams.  You put him next to either of the Rams sack hunting defensive ends and an offensive line will have it’s hands full.  Make a strength stronger is what I would do if Donald was available here.
14 14 Chicago Bears

Timmy Jernigan- Why does it feel like I’m making this pick because I still wish Tommie Frazier was in Chicago?  Even if it’s because I see a little of the old healthy Frazier in Jernigan, it still doesn’t change the fact that the Bears need to keep adding talent to that defensive line that was gashed over and over again last season.
15 15 Pittsburgh Steelers

Justin Gilbert- The Steelers need to get younger in the secondary and Gilbert is fast and has the ideal build to be a top corner in the NFL.  It’s not a sexy pick, but it’s a necessary pick.
16 16 Dallas Cowboys

Odell Beckham Jr.-  obviously this doesn’t fit an immediate need for the Cowboys, but I think this is where he will be picked.  Ideally the Cowboys would trade back from this spot if Donald, Jernigan, and Mosley were all off the board.
17 17 Baltimore Ravens

Morgan Moses- The Ravens offensive line was abysmal last season.  Michael Oher has since left in free agency and the Right Tackle spot is currently manned by Ricky Wagner who looked out classed when he played last season.  I think Yanda would be able to take the VERY talented Moses under his wing and make the right side of the Ravens line a strength.
18 18 New York Jets

Eric Ebron- I’m not in love with this pick for the Jets because I really like Jeff Cumberland, but they could make quite a tandem for whoever ends up taking the snaps under center.  Ebron is a big time talent, but the Jets could really use an upgrade at the wide receiver position so if Beckham slips he could be the pick.
19 19 Miami Dolphins

Kyle Fuller- Corner is not a glaring need for the Dolphins, but Fuller would be a very good value here.  Fuller has excellent closing speed in coverage and seemed to play the trail technique at a pro level while in college.  The Dolphins need a Right Tackle, but it would have been a reach here.
20 20 Arizona Cardinals

Derek Carr- The Cardinals took Ryan Lindley as a developmental quarterback a few years ago, but Carr gives them a quarterback that is used to having a defense tell him where to throw the ball and being able to put the ball where he wants it.  Carr is not a finished product and will do well to watch Palmer keep the chains moving with traffic all around him.
21 21 Green Bay Packers

Anthony Barr- It’s hard for me the believe that Anthony Barr would last this long in the draft, but in this scenario he does.  Barr is a little raw as far his pass rushing skills, but his athleticism and first step are top notch.  There would be many meetings at the QB for Barr and Matthews if this actually happened.
22 22 Philadelphia Eagles

Calvin Pryor- The Eagles are desperate for a safety falls right in their lap.  With Pryor manning the back of their defense the Eagles can be even more aggressive to try and get the ball back in the hands of their dynamic offense.

23 23 Kansas City Chiefs

Marqise Lee-  The Chiefs need a better compliment to Dwayne Bowe then Donnie Avery and they get it in Lee.  I think Lee will make a lot of fans in Kansas City with his personality and his skills.  Last year was tough on Lee, as he fell off from the previous year, but he has all the skills needed to be a star.
24 24 Cincinnati Bengals

Kony Ealy- The departure of Michael Johnson and the fact that Margus Hunt isn’t ready to be an NFL starter makes this the pick for the Bengals.
25 25 San Diego Chargers

Jeremiah Attaochu- The Chargers have a big need at Outside Linebacker and Attaochu is going to be a very good outside linebacker in the NFL.  He’s a little raw, but man when he locks on the ball carrier or quarterback he explodes.  I wouldn’t be surprised by a trade back here with a team trying to trade up to this spot to take a quarterback.
26 26 Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis)

Johnny Manziel- In this scenario the Browns would be able to get Manziel 22 picks after most people have them taking him.  I doubt he makes it this far in the draft, because believe it or not, he IS really good at football.  He’s a ton of fun to watch and man would it be cool to watch him scramble around and then throw it down field for Greg little to drop it.  Just kidding.
27 27 New Orleans Saints

Dee Ford-  Call me crazy but Dee Ford playing Outside Linebacker in a Ryan defense seems pretty exciting.  Ford would bring a new dimension to this defense and could be key in getting the ball back in Drew Brees’ hands quicker.
28 28 Carolina Panthers

Brandin Cooks-  Carolina is weaponless when it comes to the wide receiver position.  Cooks immediately upgrades the talent level of the Panthers’ wide receiver corps and should be able to contribute right away either from the slot or the outside.
29 29 New England Patriots

Ra’Shede Hageman- Hageman is a beast and probably will go higher on draft day, but in this scenario he doesn’t become a great fit until this spot in the draft.  Hageman will make Chandler Jones that much better by taking up blockers and wreaking havoc.
30 30 San Francisco 49ers

Bradley Roby- Roby is a bit of a project at corner, but he has all the tools to be a great corner in the NFL.  He has the perfect build, great speed and leaping ability and yet Jared Abbrederis of Wisconsin made him look like fool this season.  His tape screams coach me up, but his workouts scream pick me.
31 31 Denver Broncos

Stephon Tuitt- Tuitt can play defensive end or defensive tackle for the Denver Broncos and would be a great pick down here.  With Derek Wolfe’s health being a concern I think the Broncos have to address the defensive line early in the draft.
32 32 Seattle Seahawks

Xavier Su’a-Filo- The Seahawks have the luxury of just tweaking an already stacked roster.  The glaring weakness last year was the right side of the offensive line and Su’a-Filo would be an upgrade over J.R. Sweezy.  He can even bump out to tackle and hold his own.
Round 2 will be posted May 2nd – feel free to make fun of the picks in the comment section below. Wow did I make a mistake with the first pass at this mock draft by leaving Aaron Donald off the board.