Welcome to the second part of my midseason mock draft. Miss out on the first part? It can be found here or Click Here to See A Complete List of All LWOS NFL Draft Articles.
9. Buffalo Bills- Haha Clinton-Dix, FS
The Bills are a team that falls into the category of “could have done better if not for injuries”. Although they are not having a good season, it would have been a lot better if they didn’t have to start three different quarterbacks. Nonetheless, they still have holes that need filling. Their offensive line needs upgrading, as a replacement to Andy Levitre needs to be found. And although their defence has been good, the Bills could do with an improvement at outside linebacker.
But their biggest need is at free safety. Unless a miracle happens, Jarius Bryd will be leaving Buffalo at the end of the year. Losing one of the top three safeties in the league will leave a huge hole in the Bill’s defence. Luckily for them, Alabama junior Haha Clinton-Dix is an excellent prospect, and fully deserves to be the first safety taken in 2014. The only thing that may stop that from happening is off the field concerns.
10. Cleveland Browns- Loucheiz Purifoy, CB
Michael Lombardi and the Browns front office have a golden opportunity to reform the team into their own with the 2014 draft, but they must make sure they don’t waste it. Although they have two first round picks, they have four main needs. The most glaring of these is a QB, but I think it would be a reach to take one hear considering who is left.
The same can be said for guard and running back. Both positions need upgrading, but lack someone that is good enough to be taken here yet fits what the Browns want. Their other need is at corner. For far too long they’ve failed to give Joe Haden the support he needs and deserves on the other side of the field. By adding Gators stud Loucheiz Purifoy across from him, the Browns can elevate their defence to the upper echelon of the NFL.
11. Philadelphia Eagles- Bradley Roby, CB
This pick is pretty simple for the Eagles. Their offence has done very well under Chip Kelly, and still ranks in the top five in the league for yards per game even though they have started three different quarterbacks. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for their defence. They rank 30th for total yards per game allowed, and 31st for passing yards.
The Eagles secondary needs upgrading badly. I expect them to use both free agency and the draft to do this. They are prime candidates to pick up Jarius Bryd in free agency, who could do a lot to help their awful group of safeties. They also need to get better at corner, and Bradley Roby will definitely help them improve. Although he has had a disappointing start to the season, he has a penchant for making big plays that the Eagles can’t ignore.
12. St Louis Rams- De ’Anthony Thomas, RB
To complete the new Rams offence, they will need a new running back who is more experienced in a spread system. Fortunately, De ‘Anthony Thomas fits the bill perfectly. He is the definition of an offensive weapon, with the ability to turn a game in both the passing and running game. Although this may be a long shot, I think this change could really help St. Louis. If nothing else, who doesn’t love the idea of Johnny Manziel, De ‘Anthony Thomas and Tavon Austin together on the same team?
13. Baltimore Ravens- WR Mike Evans
The Ravens have only a few needs, but they are glaring. After concentrating on defence last year, the offence has been a disappointment this year. The team ranks in the bottom four for rush yards per game and yards per rush, and need to improve their run game. But a bigger issue is Joe Flacco’s lack of options in the passing game.
After losing Dennis Pitta and Anquan Boldin before the season started, the Ravens receiving core is extremely weak. To fix this, I see them picking up Mike Evans. Combining uncover-able size with speed and the ability to make highlight reel catches every week, I expect Evans’ draft stock to rapidly rise once teams start looking at him in detail once the offseason comes.
14. Miami Dolphins- Jake Mathews, OT
This is another simple pick. The Dolphins offensive line has been a mess this season after losing former number one overall pick Jake Long in free agency. They currently lead the NFL in sacks per game allowed, and have to upgrade their tackles.
Luckily, there are a quite a few top tackles available for the second year in a row. It’s unlikely Jake Mathews will fall down to the 14th pick come May, as he is a fantastic lineman who can help in both the passing and running game. He could have easily declared last year and ended up being picked in the top half in the first round, and so will be even better with another year under his belt.
15. Oakland Raiders- Ra’Shede Hageman, DT
The Raiders have been one of this year’s most surprising teams, and look set for a mid-round draft pick after many predicted they could be in the Teddy Bridgewater stakes. After picking up a CB in the first round last year, I have seen the Raiders selecting someone on offence in a lot of other mocks. But I think many are exaggerating their needs at tackle, which should be solved when players return from injuries.
Although a strong case can be make for taking a wide receiver to help Terrelle Pryor, I think they have more pressing needs. Oakland failed to find adequate replacements to defensive tackles Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour last offseason. This can be corrected here by taking Minnesota monster Ra’Shede Hageman. He can cause a lot of disruption, and would garner a lot of attention from opposing offenses, freeing up room for his teammates to cause more trouble as well.
16. Tennessee Titans- Cyrus Kouandio, OT
The Tennessee Titans have been good this year when Jake Locker has been fit. The team has a positive record when Locker starts, and he has the 8th best passer rating in the league. That will be a lot tougher after this year, as both of the Titans starting tackles are over 30 and will hit free agents at the end of this season.
This year provides the perfect opportunity to find a replacement for at least one of them. Not only is Cyrus Kouandio an excellent player, but he is a perfect fit for the Titans with former teammate Chance Warmack already in Tennessee.
For Part 3 of the Mock Draft and Picks 17-24, Click Here.
