Tuesday, May 6, 2014

2014 NFL Mock Draft

1. Houston Texans (2-14) - Blake Bortles (QB/UCF)


Houston is keeping their pick pretty close to the chest, but if they don't trade the pick, it will be between Bortles and Jadeveon Clowney. Unlike 2006,  quarterback is more likely to be picked. Houston has not added a starting-caliber signal caller this offseason and they have someone who can get to the quarterback in J.J. Watt, though they are thin at that position.

Bortles has ties to Texans Head Coach Bill O'Brien as well. UCF Head Coach George O'Leary, was a mentor to O'Brien when the two were at Georgia Tech.

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



This pick is more likely to be traded since a lot of teams are interested in acquiring Clowney. St. Louis could go for the defensive end as well. but with both Robert Quinn and Chris Long maning the defensive line, tackle is a much more significant need.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13) - Johnny Manziel (QB/Texas A&M)


The Jaguars need a new face of the franchise and Manziel could become that guy. There are concerns about Manziel's size and style of play, but the Jaguars have the protection necessary to help prevent injury. More importantly for the Jaguars, Manziel could help sell tickets.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12) - Jadeveon Clowney (DE/South Carolina)


Quarterback is a need, but with Clowney available, the Browns will likely wait until their second first round pick to select a signal caller. Clowney will strengthen the defensive line for the Browns.

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


Oakland does not have much to offer at receiver and needs a deep-ball threat for their offense. Watkins has great speed and acceleration, but he excels at running after the catch.

6. Atlanta Falcons (4-12) - Khalil Mack (OLB/Buffalo)


If Atlanta does not trade up and select Clowney, Mack will be a good consolation. Atlanta's pass rush was horrendous last season and needs to be upgraded.

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


Tampa already has Vincent Jackson, who Evans is comparable to, but that doesn't rule out another big-bodied receiver. Josh McCown was successful in Chicago with two large receivers in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

8. Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1) - Teddy Bridgewater (QB/Louisville)


The Vikings declined to pick up Christian Ponder's option for next season, so the team is likely looking for their signal caller of the future this week.  Bridgewater is the most NFL-ready quarterback in this draft class.

9. Buffalo Bills (6-10) - Jake Matthews (OT/Texas A&M)


Buffalo is looking to trade up to select either Watkins or Clowney, but if they are stuck here, finding someone to protect E.J. Manuel will be necessary. Matthews has experience at both right and left tackle.

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


The Lions will need to plug up their leaky secondary in this draft. Gilbert isn't a physical cornerback, but has the size and speed to be successful in the NFL.

11. Tennessee Titans (7-9) - Anthony Barr (OLB/UCLA)


Tennessee needs a pass rusher who can consistently get to the quarterback if they expect to dethrone Andrew Luck. Barr has become a sack machine since converting from fullback two years ago.

12. New York Giants (7-9) - Eric Ebron (TE/North Carolina)


New York needs a new pass-catching threat and if Evans isn't available, the team will likely take Ebron instead.

13. St. Louis Rams (7-9) - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S/Alabama)


Going offense with their first pick, the Rams also need to upgrade their defense with their next selection. Clinton-Dix serves as an immediate upgrade to the Rams secondary.

14. Chicago Bears (8-8) - Aaron Donald (DT/Pittsburgh)


Chicago could not stop the run to save their lives last season. Defensive tackle Henry Melton signed with the Cowboys in the offseason, so defensive tackle is the team's biggest need at the moment.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) - Darqueze Dennard (CB/Michigan State)


Secondary is need for Pittsburgh, who has a 34-year-old Ike Taylor currently starting. Dennard could start off as a nickel back before emerging as a starter.

16. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) - Taylor Lewan (OT/Michigan)


With the top defensive ends and tackles selected, the Cowboys are better served selecting  an offensive tackle to help solidify their offensive line. Lewan would serve as a right tackle in Dallas.

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


The Ravens passing game suffered when they traded Anquan Boldin to San Francisco. Torrey Smith is talented, but he is their only reliable receiving option and the Ravens will need to address this in the draft.

18. New York Jets (8-8) - Odell Beckham (WR/LSU)


Offensive help has been an obvious need for the Jets this offseason.  Chris Johnson was added, but if they expect Geno Smith to take the next step, they need to bring in a reliable receiver.

19. Miami Dolphins (8-8) - Zack Martin (OT/Notre Dame)


Miami signed Branden Albert during the offseason, but the team allowed a whopping 58 sacks last season, so their work along the offensive line is far from over. Martin profiles as a right tackle, but could also play guard if needed.

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


Arizona has lost Karlos Dansby to free agency and Daryl Washington is facing a possible suspension for assaulting his ex-girlfriend. Outside linebacker is becoming a need for the team and could be addressed with Shazier.

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


Green Bay's play at safety was terrible last season. Pryor is a hard-hitting strong safety who would fit great in Green Bay.

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


After losing DeSean Jackson, the Eagles will look for a speedy replacement for him on offense. Cooks and his 4.33 40-yard dash time will fit nicely in Philadelphia.

23. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) - C.J. Mosley (MLB/Alabama)


Kansas City can go after the best player available at this spot and Mosley can help solidify their run defense.  There are concerns about Mosley's durability since he was banged up last season at Alabama, but he is a great value at no. 23.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5) - Jason Verrett (CB/TCU)


Cornerback is by far the biggest need for Cincinnati due to age, injury and uncertainty across the top players at the position. Verrett and 2012 top pick Dre Kirkpatrick could become a fearsome duo in years to come.

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


With both Dwight Freeney and Melvin Ingram coming off of season-ending injuries, the Chargers will seek another young pass rusher to help build their defense for the future.

26. Cleveland Browns (4-12) - Derek Carr (QB/Fresno State)


Cleveland plays the waiting game and still gets one of the top quarterbacks available without having to reach for him. Carr will likely sit out in 2014 and learn from Brian Hoyer for a season before taking the reigns.

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


New Orleans won games last year despite being unable to get to the quarterback, but when their offense stalled, their defense was unable to bail them out due to the lack of pressure. Adding someone who can rack up sacks will be needed.

28. Carolina Panthers (12-4) - Cody Latimer (WR/Indiana)


Carolina completely gutted their receiving core and did not make any serious additions in free agency. Cam Newton needs a new no. 1 option and the Panthers will likely find that man in the draft.

29. New England Patriots (12-4) - Kelvin Benjamin (WR/Florida State)


A track star, the speedy Benjamin will serve as an upgrade to the mediocre receiving group the Patriots are carrying into 2014.

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


A monster along the defensive line, Hageman is a great value selection for the 49ers. Cornerback and wide receiver are needed too, but I doubt the 49ers will want to take Bradley Roby given his off-field issues and there aren't any top receivers available.

31. Denver Broncos (13-3) - Xavier Su'a-Filo (G/UCLA)


Denver needs a guard who can start immediately for them and the 38-year-old Peyton Manning. Su'a-Filo will hep make an immediate impact to the Broncos running game.

32. Seattle Seahawks (13-3) - Stephon Tuitt (DE/Notre Dame)


Seattle needs to add youth to their pass rush, especially with Cliff Avril playing on the final year of his contract.

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