Welcome to the final part of my mid-season mock draft. Missed any of the other parts? Where have you been! Make sure you go back and read parts one, two and three or Click Here to See A Complete List of All LWOS NFL Draft Articles.
25. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis Colts)- Tajh Boyd, QB
After solving their only problem on defense with their own first round pick, I expect the Browns to go offense with the one they gained from the Colts in the Trent Richardson trade. Although finding his replacement is a priority, there isn’t a running back left who warrants such a high pick.
Instead, I expect them to fill their biggest need with a QB. Of the signal callers left, the best is Tajh Boyd. I would not be surprised to see Boyd drafted this low due to questions over his height and his unexceptional performance this season (22nd QBR in FBS and 36th completion percentage) But he still has a lot of talent and experience, and deserves a first round pick.
26. Cincinnati Bengals- CJ Mosley, OLB
Although the Bengals do not excel in one particular area, they are consistently strong across the board (they rank in the top 12 for yards per game for both rushing and passing on defense, and for passing on offense). But there are still improvements that need to be made.
Their main need is at OLB, where a replacement to the aging James Harrison needs to be found. Fortunately, the best pure 4-3 line-backer is still available. CJ Mosley has been a staple of the Crimson Tide defense ever since his freshman year, and is strong in all facets of the game needed to be an outside line-backer.
27. New England Patriots- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE
The Patriots are having a bizarre season whichever way you look at it. They aren’t playing like a team that has won 75% of their games, yet have managed to grind out success (they’ve won four games by seven points or less). The best possible situation for the Patriots is that they got Louis Nix III to replace Vince Wilfork at nose tackle. If they can’t get him, I expect them to fill their next biggest need, which is in the receiving core.
Although they could take a WR, I believe TE is a more pressing need after the loss of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski injury woes. Before this season, many believed Austin Seferian-Jenkins to be the best tight end in the 2014 class. But he has been disappointing this season due to Washington concentrating on running the ball with Bishop Sankey (the Huskies rank 78th in the FBS at pass play percentage). Sefarian-Jenkins is still an immensely talented player and almost uncover able at 6’6.
28. San Francisco 49ers- Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB
The 49’ers are in a fantastic position going into this year’s draft. Not only are they on a five game winning streak, but they have five picks in the first three rounds. As a result, expect them to trade up at least one to fill their two biggest needs at WR at CB. Without any trades, I have them taking a corner here because Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is better than any WR available.
The 49’ers need to improve their group of cornerbacks, and find a replacement for the aging Carlos Rodgers. Oregon corner Ekpre-Olomu may not be the tallest corner, but makes up for it with fantastic speed and instincts.
29. New Orleans Saints- Khalil Mack, OLB
If you ever needed proof of the value of a good coach, then just look at what Sean Peyton has done to the Saints this season. They have dominated the pass game, ranking in the top five for yards per game on both sides of the ball. But there their defense is still has holes, the biggest of which is at right outside line-baker.
The best OLB still available is Khalil Mack. Mack has been fantastic this season, and is the only player in FBS to rank in top 40 for both sacks (7) and interceptions (3). There is a very good chance the Buffalo star will not be around at the bottom of the first round come May, as he is rising up the boards of many with a strong 2013.
30. Denver Broncos- Vic Beasley, DE
Is it possible to describe Denver’s offense as anything other than ‘unstoppable’? They average over 460 yards per game, have over 50% more passing yards than half of the rest of the league, and average at least 12 more points per game that any other team. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for their defense. They rank 3rd last in the league for passing yards allowed per game, and are in the bottom five for points per game allowed.
What has been notable this season is the drop off in their pass rush. Last year, with Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, they ranked second in the league with 3.1 sacks per game. This year, they have seen a significant drop off in production, with a disappointing averaged of 2.3 sacks in the last three games. Fortunately, there are an abundance of pass rushers in the 2014 class. Vic Beasley is having a monster year for Clemson, and is currently equal first for sacks in the FBS
31. Seattle Seahawks- Gabe Jackson, OG
Here are a few stats to sum up the Seahawks season: rushing YPG- 4th. Opponent passing YPG-2nd. Opponent pass play percentage-8th (why do teams even try?). Defense interception percentage- 1st. NFC West- 1st.Pass yards per game- 30th. Yards per pass- 7th. Sack %- 30th.
If anything is going to make this Seattle team better, it is improving their protection of Russell Wilson. I believe the best way to do that is with Mississippi State Guard Gabe Jackson. The redshirt senior did not give up a sack all of last season, and has won the SEC lineman of the week award twice this season.
32. Kansas City Chiefs- Jace Amaro, TE
Wow. Just wow. The Chiefs have had a remarkable turnaround under Andy Reid and Alex Smith. Their defence has been incredible, scoring as many touchdowns as the Jacksonville offence. And although their offence has been much improved and made little mistakes (they are second in the league with only 0.9 giveaways per game), they have been nothing special, and rank 4th last for yards per play.
I believe the best way to improve the offence is to give Alex Smith a viable option at tight end, at the best available is Jace Amaro. The Texas Tech receiver has been on fire this season, and has already racked up over 1000 yards. In fact he could end the season with the FBS tight end receiving yards record if he continues at his current pace.
