Now that Draft day is finally upon us, it is time to release my final 2014 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Houston Texans: DE Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina)
Unfortunately for the Texans, each quarterback in this draft is either a big risk or just doesn’t have enough talent to deserve the top pick. I’m sure they would love to draft a franchise quarterback here, but it would probably make more sense to assemble one of, if not the best, defensive end duos in the NFL. The Texans might also be looking to trade down (likely with the Falcons), but if they stay here, Clowney will likely be the pick.
2. St. Louis Rams: WR Sammy Watkins (Clemson)
The Rams have a few options here, but trading back is probably the best choice. Potential trade partners include moving back to the fifth selection (Raiders drafting Watkins), moving back to the sixth selection (Falcons drafting Khalil Mack), or possibly even moving back to the tenth selection (Lions moving all the way up for Watkins). If they don’t find a suitable trade partner, they will have to decide between Sammy Watkins, Greg Robinson, and Jake Matthews. It will be a tough choice if they don’t move down, but grabbing a #1 WR can’t hurt their relatively shaky wide receiver core. I would be surprised if they didn’t trade down though.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: OLB Khalil Mack (Buffalo)
I’m going to stick with my last projection for the Jaguars. Sammy Watkins is also a great option, but he has already been taken in this draft. Mack has been compared to DeMarcus Ware, so his expectations are extremely high. He would be a big upgrade at linebacker for the Jaguars. A quarterback is also an option here, but the Jaguars could probably wait until the second round. They displayed interest in Mack with a private visit.
4. Cleveland Browns: QB Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M)
Cleveland hasn’t had this much excitement since LeBron James left. Bringing an exciting player like Manziel into Cleveland certainly can’t hurt. They have expressed interest in Manziel with a private visit. New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is looking for an athletic quarterback to run his offense, and who fits that bill better than Manziel? General manager Ray Farmer recently said that he believes Manziel is a dynamic player and that he is a “good young man,” so his character issues don’t seem to be a problem. The Browns also love Sammy Watkins, but he has already been picked.
5. Oakland Raiders: OT Greg Robinson (Auburn)
The Raiders need a long term solution at the blind side and Robinson certainly fits the bill. Jake Matthews would be the “safe” pick here, but the Raiders are usually daring and Robinson has the greater upside. Blake Bortles could be looked at it, but it seems like the Raiders are content with Matt Schaub for right now and will look at a quarterback in a later round. As I mentioned earlier, the Raiders could be looking to move up and take Sammy Watkins, depending on the price.
6. Atlanta Falcons: OT Jake Matthews (Texas A&M)
Moving up to draft Jadeveon Clowney might cost too much and Khalil Mack is off the board, so Jake Matthews makes the most sense here. Matthews’ versatility and legacy are attractive features that define him as a “safe” pick. The offensive line in Atlanta was atrocious last year, surrendering 44 sacks. The Falcons must protect Matt Ryan better so that he has the time to utilize his offensive weapons. The Falcons have already expressed interest in Matthews with a combine meeting and a private meeting.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans (Texas A&M)
Good luck trying to defend Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans at the same time. Go ahead and ask the Bears how well an offense works when you have two big receiving threats on the same team. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey certainly made Josh McCown look good and I’m sure Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans could do the same.
8. Minnesota Vikings: QB Blake Bortles (UCF)
Although Bortles is considered by some to be the best quarterback in the class, there is a realistic possibility that the Vikings can grab him here. They have expressed considerable interest, including a combine meeting and a Pro Day meeting. General manager Rick Spielman also hinted that quarterback was their biggest need in a session with Vikings beat writers. After dealing with a combination of Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel, and Josh Freeman last season, I’m sure the Vikings would embrace some stability at the position. Bortles fits offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s scheme perfectly.
9. Buffalo Bills: TE Eric Ebron (North Carolina)
Tight end is a position of need and the Bills could take Ebron here, hoping that he would have an impact similar to Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski. The Bills expressed interest in Ebron with a private meeting. Other options include Mike Evans or Jake Matthews, but they are both gone here. Settling for Ebron wouldn’t be the worst outcome and he would provide young quarterback EJ Manuel with a reliable target to make quick passes to.
10. Detroit Lions: CB Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State)
Although the Lions would love to pull off a big trade to land Sammy Watkins, cornerback is definitely also a position of need. Gilbert is a dynamic playmaker and the Lions expressed interest in Gilbert with a private meeting. The Lions have to play in a division with many dynamic receivers, so if they don’t fix their secondary, they will continue to get burned.
11. Tennessee Titans: OT Taylor Lewan (Michigan)
The Titans currently are slotting Michael Roos to start at left tackle and Michael Oher to start at right tackle. Roos turns 32 in October and he is entering the final year of his contract. Oher hasn’t been very impressive so far in his career, struggling miserably at left tackle and performing adequately at right tackle, at best. Clearly, tackle is a position of need and at worst, Lewan would become the franchise left tackle next year.
12. New York Giants: OT Zack Martin (Notre Dame)
The Giants take another tackle with the versatility to play guard, just like last year with Justin Pugh. The offensive line played miserably last year, with only Pugh playing well. The best other options include defensive tackle Aaron Donald or tight end Eric Ebron (already drafted here). While the Giants could use another defensive tackle, Donald is more of a pass rushing defensive tackle. The Giants typically draft big-bodied run stoppers. I could see the Dolphins trying to move up here because they are desperate for an offensive lineman and the Giants wouldn’t mind an extra pick.
13. St. Louis Rams: CB Darqueze Dennard (Michigan State)
After drafting Sammy Watkins to fill their need at wide receiver, the Rams could look to shore up their secondary with Dennard. The Rams have expressed interest in Dennard with a private meeting and this move would allow Trumaine Johnson to move to nickelback, where he is better suited. Other options include one of the top safeties (HaHa Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor) or an offensive lineman (but the top offensive linemen are already taken here).
14. Chicago Bears: S HaHa Clinton-Dix (Alabama)
The Bears’ secondary is in shambles and they will look to fix this glaring weakness during the draft. The Bears already expressed interest in Clinton-Dix with a private workout and they seem to be in good position to take him. If the Rams end up going with Clinton-Dix, the Bears would definitely be interested in Dennard. Although they are basically left with whoever is left, both players are good options.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: OLB Anthony Barr (UCLA)
The Steelers usually nab talented players that fall in the draft for some reason, and Anthony Barr would fit that description. He would fit their 3-4 scheme excellently and they have expressed interest in Barr with a private meeting. Barr used to be considered a top five pick, but for some reason his draft stock has fallen and the Steelers are in prime position to land him. After losing LaMarr Woodley and Larry Foote this offseason, linebacker is a position of need as well.
16. Dallas Cowboys: DT Aaron Donald (Pittsburgh)
Donald’s stock has been rising rapidly, but I just couldn’t fit him in until now. If he lasts until this pick, the Cowboys should have an easy decision. Defensive line help is definitely needed and Donald would bring some explosiveness to a diminished line. The Cowboys have already expressed a large amount of interest through a combine meeting and a private meeting, so this seems like the perfect match.
17. Baltimore Ravens: S Calvin Pryor (Louisville)
The Ravens need another safety to complement Matt Elam, and Pryor could be their man. The WR class is very deep and the Ravens could easily get a good receiver next round, especially considering they signed Steve Smith and re-signed Jacoby Jones, eliminating the desperate need. Offensive tackle is another option, but the top tackles will all likely be gone, as they are here. They might prefer Clinton-Dix over Pryor, but he is no longer available and Pryor isn’t a bad consolation prize.
18. New York Jets: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (LSU)
The Jets have a plethora of wide receiver options here, including Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks, and Marqise Lee. I can’t see them taking somebody at another position considering their need at wide receiver, but I wouldn’t be surprised if any of these three players were selected. Beckham Jr. has received a lot of interest from the Jets, including a combine meeting and a private meeting, so I am going to slot him here.
19. Miami Dolphins: LB CJ Mosley (Alabama)
I think the Dolphins are definitely going to look to trade up for either Taylor Lewan or Zack Martin, but if they stay here, CJ Mosley would definitely be an intriguing option. The Dolphins don’t have a natural middle linebacker, and if Mosley is still available here, he could fill that role. The move would also allow Dannell Ellerbe to move to his normal position, weakside linebacker.
20. Arizona Cardinals: DE Kony Ealy (Missouri)
John Abraham just turned 36, so his replacement will be needed soon and Ealy could study under him. Ealy would add another dominant pass rusher to an already dominant defensive line, giving opposing offensive lines plenty to worry about. Another intriguing option would be either quarterback Teddy Bridgewater or quarterback Derek Carr, depending on who the Cardinals evaluate higher. Carson Palmer is turning 35 this year, so the Cardinals may take advantage of one of these players sliding.
21. Green Bay Packers: LB Ryan Shazier (Ohio State)
Shazier’s value is dramatically increasing and he fills a position of need for the Packers. In the 3-4 defensive scheme, he could fill the hole at one of the inside linebacker positions. Another option would be tight end Jace Amaro or tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who would fill the void left after the Jermichael Finley injury.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Brandin Cooks (Oregon State)
Luckily for the Eagles, Cooks is still available here to replace the deep threat they lost after releasing DeSean Jackson. The Eagles are reportedly “very interested,” in Cooks, but he might not make it this far in the draft. If he does, this should be an easy decision. If he isn’t available, another wide receiver like Marqise Lee could be the selection, and they have expressed a large amount of interest in Lee as well, including a combine meeting and a private meeting.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Marqise Lee (USC)
Dwayne Bowe turns 30 in September and the Chiefs lack a true #2 wide receiver after him. The Chiefs expressed interest in Lee with a combine visit and he would provide Alex Smith with another offensive weapon, which is crucial to his success. Other options include a quarterback to replace Alex Smith or the Chiefs trading back and targeting Xavier Su’a Filo to bolster their depleted offensive line.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Kyle Fuller (Virginia Tech)
Cornerback is easily the greatest position of need for the Bengals, and Fuller projects as an everyday starter at the position. The Bengals already expressed interest in Fuller with a private meeting and his value fits at this selection. Another intriguing option would be quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, as the Bengals may be losing patience with Andy Dalton.
25. San Diego Chargers: CB Jason Verrett (TCU)
The Chargers desperately need a cornerback and luckily Verrett is still available. Verrett plays bigger than his actual size of 5’10” and the Chargers have already expressed interest with a combine visit. If Verrett isn’t available, the Chargers could look to improve their defensive line, taking Louis Nix, Ra’Shede Hageman, or Dee Ford.
26. Cleveland Browns: WR Allen Robinson (Penn State)
Allen Robinson’s draft stock is rising rapidly, adding to the large amount of wide receivers that could potentially go in the first round. After taking their franchise quarterback earlier, the Browns can give him another weapon here. The Browns desperately need a #2 wide receiver to line up with Josh Gordon, and Robinson could certainly fill that hole.
27. New Orleans Saints: CB Bradley Roby (Ohio State)
Cornerback is definitely a position of need and the Saints have already expressed interest in Roby with a private meeting. Roby had a poor 2013 season, but with a large number of teams looking to draft cornerbacks early and teams having hope that he could return to his 2012 form, Roby has a good chance of sneaking into the first round. The Saints could also look to target a wide receiver here, but with the top six off the board already, the Saints could decide to wait.
28. Carolina Panthers: WR Kelvin Benjamin (Florida State)
The Panthers are absolutely desperate for some help at wide receiver, so this pick might be a reach. Some teams have expressed concerns with Benjamin’s speed, but his size is impressive and could be extremely intriguing to the Panthers. Don’t be surprised if the Panthers try to move up for one of the top five wide receivers though.
29. New England Patriots: DT Ra’Shede Hageman (Minnesota)
Vince Wilfork is coming off of a torn Achilles and turning 33 in November, while Tommy Kelly is turning 34 in December, so youth at the defensive tackle position is necessary. Hageman could use a year behind these veterans to develop his skills and become a force for years to come. Another route the Patriots could look at would be a tight end. Jace Amaro and Austin Seferian-Jenkins should be available here, and the Patriots could be looking to form another dominant tight end duo.
30. San Francisco 49ers: DE Dee Ford (Auburn)
The 49ers will likely trade up to get either a wide receiver or a cornerback, but if they stay here, another pass rusher couldn’t hurt. Ford probably wouldn’t be the ideal pick, but the NFC West is dominated by great pass rushers. He would be a good value at 30 and he could become a real possibility if the 49ers can’t work out a favorable trade.
31. Denver Broncos: G Xavier Su’a Filo (UCLA)
After losing guard Zane Beadles in free agency, the Broncos could definitely use an upgrade at guard. Xavier Su’a Filo is widely regarded as the best guard in the class and since the Broncos are going all in for a championship this season, they probably won’t be looking for a player to develop. Su’a Filo can step in immediately and make an impact on their offensive line.
32. Seattle Seahawks: DE Stephon Tuitt (Notre Dame)
Tuitt’s versatility along the defensive line will entice the Seahawks, who could use depth at both defensive tackle and defensive end. The Seahawks lost multiple key depth players, so a player like Tuitt could become a key asset. Another option here could be tight end Jace Amaro, who could give Russell Wilson another target on offense.
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