Free agency starts tomorrow and each team will begin to have a better idea of their needs going into the 2014 NFL Draft. That being said, it’s never too early for speculation and who doesn’t love a mock draft? Here is my first attempt of the year, the Pre-Free Agency NFL Mock Draft.
Looking for more 2014 NFL draft coverage? Make sure you check out all of Last Word On Sports content, including Nick Frost’s previous mock drafts and Alex Sibo’s excellent scouting reports.
1. Houston Texans: QB Teddy Bridgewater (Louisville)
Ultimately, I think the Texans are going to fall in love with a franchise QB. Quarterback is easily the most important position in football and clearly the Texans needed one last year. Whether it’s Bridgewater, Blake Bortles, or even Johnny Manziel, they need a QB. I will stick with Bridgewater for now though.
2. St. Louis Rams: DE Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina)
As you may have seen in my last article, Clowney would be the best pick for the Rams if he is available. The Rams may trade down from here, but unless they get multiple first round picks, Clowney is the best option. Robert Quinn, Chris Long, and Jadeveon Clowney would be a scary 3rd down pass rush.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Blake Bortles (UCF)
Just like the Texans, the Jaguars badly need a franchise QB. Ideally, whoever they grade as the best QB will still be available here. Either way, Chad Henne and Blaine Gabbert are not the solution.
4. Cleveland Browns: QB Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M)
The Browns are honestly a good QB away from being a playoff team. Sammy Watkins would form a nasty combination with Josh Gordon, but who is throwing them the ball? Just like the Jaguars and Texans, the Browns must address the most important position in the game. Manziel has been linked to the Browns in multiple reports recently.
5. Oakland Raiders: WR Sammy Watkins (Clemson)
The Raiders might be a little disappointed that the top three QBs are off the board already, but Sammy Watkins should cheer them up. Denarius Moore is a solid WR, but Watkins would give the Raiders a true #1. I can’t see them reaching for Derek Carr this early.
6. Atlanta Falcons: OT Greg Robinson (Auburn)
Although Sam Baker is still under contract, he is coming off knee surgery and may be headed to RT. Greg Robinson’s talent may be hard to pass up with Atlanta’s offensive line struggles. Khalil Mack is also an intriguing option for the Falcons.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OLB Khalil Mack (Buffalo)
Mack had an excellent combine and is rising up draft boards, despite playing at a small college football program. Mack is a mixture of power and speed that could translate into a phenomenal pass rusher in the NFL.
8. Minnesota Vikings: CB Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State)
Like Mack, Gilbert is rising rapidly up draft boards after an impressive combine. CB is one of the Vikings top needs and since the top 3 QBs are already off the board, they will settle for Gilbert. Somebody needs to slow down Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, and Jay Cutler.
9. Buffalo Bills: WR Mike Evans (Texas A&M)
The Bills desperately need a #1 WR for EJ Manuel, especially considering that Stevie Johnson might be on his way out. A 4.53 40-yard dash at the combine helped the 6’5” WR tremendously. Evans frequently bailed out Manziel last year and he could do the same for EJ Manuel.
10. Detroit Lions: WR Marqise Lee (USC)
Since Justin Gilbert is off the board, another WR to complement Calvin Johnson would suit the Lions. Lee has #1 WR talent, but with Calvin Johnson, he could turn out to be a fantastic #2 WR. Gilbert might have his work cut out for him in Minnesota.
11. Tennessee Titans: OT Jake Matthews (Texas A&M)
With LT Michael Roos turning 32 this year and RT David Stewart probably not returning next year, the Titans will be ecstatic to steal Matthews at this pick. Matthews could even be a top five pick, so the Titans would have an easy decision.
12. New York Giants: CB Darqueze Dennard (Michigan State)
The Giants defense was ranked 8th last season and they played with Trumaine McBride as the #2 CB. With Dennard, they could form one of the best secondaries in the league. OT Taylor Lewan is another option after a strong combine, especially if the Giants get CB Alterraun Verner in free agency.
13. St. Louis Rams: S HaHa Clinton-Dix (Alabama)
The Rams need an upgrade over Rodney McLeod. With Clinton-Dix and previously drafted Jadeveon Clowney, the Rams would be another CB away from a complete defense. Adding two first-round picks to an already good defense would make the Rams a nasty team this year.
14. Chicago Bears: S Calvin Pryor (Louisville)
Safety is one of the biggest positions of need for the Bears and Pryor is battling Clinton-Dix to become the first safety drafted. Pryor hits hard and has great athleticism, something the Bears will certainly be intrigued by.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: OLB Anthony Barr (UCLA)
The Steelers often take the best player available and with the news that the Steelers have cut OLB LaMarr Woodley, Barr could be his replacement. Fitting well into their 3-4 scheme, Barr has a ton of talent and if he slides to the Steelers, look for them to pounce.
16. Dallas Cowboys: DT Aaron Donald (Pittsburgh)
The Cowboys need a DT and Donald is rising rapidly up draft boards after an impressive combine. I would be extremely surprised if the Cowboys passed on Donald here, but Jerry Jones could definitely do something unexpected.
17. Baltimore Ravens: LB CJ Mosley (Alabama)
WR is a possible selection here, but with the top 3 WRs gone and a very deep class, they could get a good one in the second round. If Mosley slides this far, it should be an easy decision for the Ravens.
18. New York Jets: TE Eric Ebron (North Carolina)
Ebron is extremely talented and he could go much higher in the draft. Since TE is not a valued position, Ebron could slip to the Jets. If he does, the Jets will be very happy.
19. Miami Dolphins: OT Taylor Lewan (Michigan)
Although the Dolphins are connected with multiple free agent offensive linemen, nobody has signed yet and Lewan would be a great value pick. If they invest $10 million annually in a LT, this pick is less likely, but for now they definitely need offensive line help.
20. Arizona Cardinals: QB Derek Carr (Fresno State)
If Carr is available at 20, I could see the Cardinals taking a shot. Carson Palmer is 34 and if they feel Carr can be a franchise QB, they will seize the opportunity.
21. Green Bay Packers: TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Washington)
With Jermichael Finley hitting free agency, the Packers could replace him with Seferian-Jenkins. Although a defensive player is probably more needed, another target for Rodgers would make the Packers offense even scarier.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: DT Ra’Shede Hageman (Minnesota)
Hageman possesses the size and ability to command double teams that would make him a nice fit as nose tackle in Philadelphia. At 6’6”, 315-pounds, Hageman could be a force that the Eagles wouldn’t pass up.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (LSU)
Alex Smith needs more weapons to fully utilize his capabilities. After a great combine, Beckham has moved into the 1st round and could form a dangerous combination with Dwayne Bowe.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Zack Martin (Notre Dame)
Offensive tackle is one of the Bengals biggest needs this year and if the versatile Martin falls to them, he could play guard or tackle. Some have compared Martin to Logan Mankins, so it would be hard to pass up on him if the Bengals evaluate him similarly.
25. San Diego Chargers: DE Kony Ealy (Missouri)
Ealy’s size and athleticism will be hard to pass up if he’s still available at 25. Pass rusher is also a position of need so I doubt the Chargers would pass on Ealy here.
26. Cleveland Browns: WR Brandin Cooks (Oregon State)
Now that the Browns have their franchise quarterback, they need to get a complement to Josh Gordon. After running a 4.33 at the combine, Cooks is rising rapidly.
27. New Orleans Saints: WR Kelvin Benjamin (Florida State)
In a very deep WR class, the WRs are coming off the board hot! After cutting both WR Lance Moore and RB Darren Sproles, the Saints need a playmaker. Colston is also aging, so Benjamin would be a good fit.
28. Carolina Panthers: CB Jason Verrett (TCU)
With Captain Munnerlyn hitting free agency, the Panthers could use a CB. WR is also a position of need, but the top six are off the board. I expect the Panthers to address the WR position in free agency anyway.
29. New England Patriots: TE Jace Amaro (Texas Tech)
The Patriots are at their best when they have a dominant TE duo. Without Hernandez, Amaro could fill that void. The Patriots definitely missed that combination last year.
30. San Francisco 49ers: DT Louis Nix (Notre Dame)
If Nix drops this low, the 49ers would surely be excited. With Justin Smith turning 35 this year, a replacement will be needed soon.
31. Denver Broncos: DE Stephon Tuitt (Notre Dame)
The Broncos could use some help on the defensive line and Tuitt would be a good value pick. He has very good upside.
32. Seattle Seahawks: G Xavier Su’a Filo (UCLA)
Offensive guard was one of the biggest weaknesses of the Super Bowl champions last year and they could definitely use an upgrade. Su’a Filo would also be a good value pick.
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