Thursday, May 8, 2014

2014 Draft Day Mock

1. Houston Texans (2-14) - Jadeveon Clowney (DE/South Carolina)



From what I have been hearing, the Texans are pretty much locked in on Clowney, unless they can find a suitable trade partner, but their asking price is high. Houston wants a deal similar to the RGIII trade, but on a sliding scale, in which the further down they trade, they bigger return.

I think Blake Bortles is the better option for the Texans, but Clowney is the top player available in the draft, so I can't fault them for taking him instead. My biggest concern, however, is how he will fit in a 3-4 defense, but the Texans will likely point to the success they saw out of Mario Williams when they changed schemes.

2. St. Louis Rams (7-9) - Greg Robinson (OT/Auburn)



Given Jake Long's injury history as well as their fragile quarterback, the Rams need to find a way to upgrade their offensive line. Robinson will likely start off as a right tackle before shifting to the left side when Long inevitably gets injured.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13) - Khalil Mack (OLB/Buffalo)



Quarterback is still in play here, especially with Bortles available, but the rumor mill has stated that the Jaguars are more focused on waiting until Round 2 for a quarterback. A pass rush is an obvious need for Jacksonville, so Mack would be an asset.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12) - Blake Bortles (QB/UCF)



Sammy Watkins is an option, but with the top signal caller available at this spot, it is doubtful that Cleveland will let him slide any further. Bortles can sit for a year while Brian Hoyer starts before taking over in 2015.

5. Oakland Raiders (4-12) - Sammy Watkins (WR/Clemson)



A deep-ball threat that Oakland needs, Watkins could become an immediate offensive weapon for the Raiders.

6. Atlanta Falcons (4-12) - Jake Matthews (OT/Texas A&M)



With none of the top pass-rushing options available, the Falcons will instead look to upgrade their pass protection. Matthews, son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, has experience on both the right and left side.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) - Mike Evans (WR/Texas A&M)



Johnny Manziel is an option here, but I think in the end the Bucs will take Evans instead. Similar to how the Bears are set up with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, the Bucs can utilize two physically imposing receivers with Evans and Vincent Jackson.

8. Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1) - Aaron Donald (DT/Pittsburgh)



Minnesota has reportedly been interested in finding a front seven pass rusher, even after drafting Sharrif Floyd last season. With Kevin Williams officially gone, Donald and Floyd could form a fearsome combo along the defensive line.

9. Buffalo Bills (7-9) - Taylor Lewan (OT/Michigan)



Buffalo will still try to trade up for Watkins or Clowney, but if they aren't willing to pay king's ransom, they will instead seek for a blindside protector for E.J. Manuel.

10. Detroit Lions (7-9) - Justin Gilbert (CB/Oklahoma State)



Detroit needs to find a way to plug up their leaky secondary. Gilbert is not a physical cornerback, but he has the size and speed to be a solid cornerback in the NFL.

11. Tennessee Titans (7-9) - Johnny Manziel (QB/Texas A&M)



Tennessee declined the fifth-year option on Jake Locker's contract and has brought in a new head coach in Ken Wisenhunt. This season, Locker could retain his starting role and take another step up, forcing Tennessee to re-sign him and trade Manziel or if he flops or is injured again, they could part ways with him and name Manziel the starter one year after holding the clipboard.

12. New York Giants (7-9) - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S/Alabama)



Giants 101 has reported that the team is not sold on Eric Ebron due to personality concerns, so the team will likely look elsewhere at this slot. C.J. Mosley is also an option, but New York has been known to avoid the linebacker position in the first round, especially the mike position. Clinton-Dix comes into play for New York int he wake of Will Hill's suspension.

13. St. Louis Rams (7-9) - Odell Beckham (WR/LSU)



St. Louis added Tavon Austin last season, but offensive weapons are still needed. Defense could also be addressed here, but with Clinton-Dix and Donald off the board, it is unlikely.

14. Chicago Bears (8-8) - C.J. Mosley (MLB/Alabama)



Chicago's run defense was horrific last season. Defensive tackle is a much more significant need, but with Donald already selected, the Bears will need to find another way to upgrade their run defense.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) - Anthony Barr (OLB/UCLA)



Pittsburgh has finished 22nd, 24th and 25th in sacks over the past three seasons. If the team wants go back into the playoffs, they will need to find a consistent threat to opposing quarterbacks.

16. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) - Zack Martin (OT/Notre Dame)



Dallas had addressed their offensive line needs over the past few seasons, but they still need help at right tackle. Martin can also play guard if needed.

17. Baltimore Ravens (8-8) - Marqise Lee (WR/USC)



Baltimore traded Anquan Boldin to San Francisco last season and nobody emerged to take his place.  Baltimore needs another reliable option to take the pressure away from Torrey Smith.

18. New York Jets (8-8) - Eric Ebron (TE/North Carolina)



The Jets need passing weapons if they want Geno Smith to step up this season. Ebron has been linked to a few top 10 teams, but if he slips here, expect the Jets to pounce on him.

19. Miami Dolphins (8-8) - Ja'Wuan James (OT/Tennessee)



This is absolutely a reach, but Miami is desperate to find offensive line help, even after signing Branden Albert. The most likely scenario for the Dolphins is that the team will trade up in order to try and select Lewan or Matthews.

20. Arizona Cardinals (10-6) - Ryan Shazier (OLB/Ohio State)



Quarterback is an option here too, but I have a feeling Arizona will likely wait until next year to take their signal caller of the future. Karlos Dansby left the team in free agency, so replacing him will be a priority.

21. Green Bay Packers (8-7-1) - Calvin Pryor (S/Louisville)



Unafraid to deliver a big hit, Pryor could be a force in the NFL and a much needed upgrade to the Packers secondary.

22. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) - Brandin Cooks (WR/Oregon State)



Philadelphia let DeSean Jackson go to Washington and Jeremy Maclin is coming off of an ACL injury. The team will need to bring in another receiver, preferably a speedy one to replace Jackson.

23. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) - Xavier Su'a-Filo (G/UCLA)



The Chiefs are reportedly enamored with Su'a-Filo and are trying to find a way to trade down and acquire more picks before selecting him. If they are unable to move, however, I can't imagine them not taking him if they truly like him that much.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5) - Darqueze Dennard (CB/Michigan State)




The Bengals luck out and are able to land one of the top cornerbacks in the draft. As stated in previous mocks, adding a cornerback is a serious need for multiple reasons. Dennard and Dre Kirkpatrick could form a fearsome combo in the secondary.

25. San Diego Chargers (9-7) - Dee Ford (DE/Auburn)


San Diego's top two pass rushers are coming off of season injuries. Dwight Freeney probably doesn't have much left in the tank to begin with. The Chargers will need to bring in a young pass rusher to groom.

26. Cleveland Browns (4-12) - Cody Latimer (WR/Indiana)


With a second first round pick, the Browns could bring in an offensive asset for the new quarterback in town. Cornerback could also be addressed here as well.

27. New Orleans Saints (11-5) - Demarcus Lawrence (DE/Boise State)


If the Saints expect to become a serious Super Bowl threat, they need to find a way to get to the quarterback. Lawrence could be a starting point.

28. Carolina Panthers (12-4) - Kelvin Benjamin (WR/Florida State)


Carolina's wide receiver depth chart is awful, especially after letting their top two receiver walk. Cam Newton needs a reliable target in order to progress.

29. New England Patriots (12-4) - Jason Verrett (CB/TCU)


Darrelle Revis was signed, but he will only be here for one season. When he leaves, the Patriots will need a NFL-ready replacement.

30. San Francisco 49ers (12-4) - Ra'Shede Hageman (DT/Minnesota)


Massive, but nimble, Hageman can play both defensive end or tackle and is a reliable weapon in the pass rush.

31. Denver Broncos (13-3) - Stephon Tuitt (DE/Notre Dame)


The Broncos have focused on rebuilding their defense in the wake of the unit's performance in the Super Bowl. Adding another lineman will be necessary early in the draft. Tuitt could line up across from Derek Wolfe.

32. Seattle Seahawks (13-3) - Morgan Moses (OT/Virginia)


The Seahawks pass protection was less than stellar last year, especially when Russell Okung was injured.  Adding a right tackle is needed at some point.

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