Now that the regular season has ended, twenty teams have started focusing on the future. For some, that means finding a new head coach (my take on the six vacancies can be found here). For others, it means planning which free agents to go after. But for all, it means looking towards the 2014 draft. And although there is more than four months until the league convenes in radio city music hall, but it is not too soon to start looking at who could go where.
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1. Houston Texans- Teddy Bridgewater, QB
The Texans badly need a QB. Even though the Texans receivers and offensive line gave their QBs more than adequate help (the team had the least passes dropped and the o-line only gave up one sack per 16 snaps), Case Keenum and Matt Schaub combined to finish in the bottom ten for interception %, yards per pass and completion. Their replacement Teddy Bridgewater is an outstanding QB who cemented himself as the consensus best player at his position with his performance at the Russell Athletic Bowl.
2. St. Louis Rams- Jake Mathews, OT
This is where things start to get a bit trickier. The Rams have bigger needs, and there are teams below them who would be willing to give up a decent hall (although not as good as the one they got from Washington 2012) to move up to no. 2. But as I am not including trades in this mock, I have the Rams taking the safe option. Jake Mathews is a top offensive tackle who has played fantastically on both the left and right sides of the o-line. With RT Rodger Saffold a free agent and LT Jake Long currently out with an ACL injury, Mathews would help protect the Rams QB for years to come.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Derek Carr, QB
The Jaguars undoubtedly need a QB. Although they have other needs, they can be filled through free agency (the Jags are projected to have over $55 million in space this season). With Jay Cutler re-signed, none of the free agent QBs are good enough. Who they take is really down to personal preference. I personally prefer Johnny Manziel to Derek Carr (side not- although some in the media may want you to believe Carr’s bad performance in the Las Vegas Bowl has ruined his draft stock, it hasn’t), Manziel is a love/hate prospect who not everyone will like. Carr has a big arm and good accuracy, and has the potential to be a good starting QB at the next level.
4. Cleveland Browns- Johnny Manziel, QB
I mentioned above that Johnny Football is a love/hate prospect. If the reports out this week are anything to go by, the Browns front office love Johnny Football. Combine this with their need for a QB, and the pick makes perfect sense. He may not be perfect, especially off the field, but if there is one thing Cleveland needs it is excitement and optimism, and the former Heisman winner would bring that in bucket loads.
5. Oakland raiders- Anthony Barr, OLB
When May arrives, this pick will depend a lot on who the Raiders get in free agency, and who the front office likes the most. The fact is they have quite a few needs, and could easily take a WR or QB here. But instead I have them taking a pass rusher, namely UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr. Why not Jadaveon Clowney you may ask? CBS sports analyst Dane Brugler puts it perfectly- “The Raiders use multiple looks on defence and will tinker with different 3-4 formations, something they’ll show more of if Oakland can add a talented pass rusher like Barr.”
6. Atlanta Falcons- Jadaveon Clowney, DE
I admit it would be surprised if Clowney fell to the 6th pick come May. Although there are unquestionable character issues, his raw ability is incredible. As it is, I have him landing in Atlanta in my mock. If this were to happen in the draft, it would be a run-to-the-podium pick. Atlanta desperately needs to improve its pass rush- the team was ranked dead last in this area by PFF this season, and only two of the team’s defensive ends registered a single sack. Clowney would fit well in their 4-3, and immediately help their defence.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Sammy Watkins, WR
After missing out on Clowney, the Bucs could go one of three ways- WR, TE or OT. The best player available at these positions is Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins, whose blend of speed, hands and route running would make Mike Glennon’s life a lot easier.
8. Minnesota Vikings- Brett Hundley, QB
Hundley is by no means the best player available, but he fills the Vikings biggest need. None of Cassel, Ponder or Freeman are the answer, and although the team also has holes at cornerback and defensive end, they need to find a new signal caller. Of those left, Hundley is in my opinion the best available (I’m not yet completely sold on Blake Bortles), and you only have to look at his Sun Bowl performance to see what he could become at the next level.
9. Buffalo Bills- Khalil Mack, OLB
If there was one notable criticism of my midseason mock, it was me having the Bills take a safety to replace Jarius Byrd. I have taken the feedback on board and this time have the team filling another its needs at outside linebacker. The best available prospect is Khalil Mack, who finishes his career with 16 forced fumbles, 75 tackles for loss and 28.5 sacks.
10. Detroit Lions- Justin Gilbert, CB
The Lions have three primary needs heading into the offseason- outside linebacker, wide receiver and cornerback. Which of these positions they choose to go with in the first will depend entirely on who is available. Although taking a WR is more important (their receivers lead the league in drops this year with 58), there is no player around who deserves to be picked here and fits what they want. Instead, I see them taking a corner, and Justin Gilbert combine good coverage ability with the size and speed needed to compete with the NFC North’s excellent set of receivers.
11. Tennessee Titans- Cyrus Koundjio, OT
With Michael Otto an impending free agent and David Stewart likely to be cut, the Titan have a need at offensive tackl. Although some may debate if Alabama’s Koundjio is the best tackle available, he has experience in a similar blocking scheme to that used by Tennessee, and should have immediate chemistry with former teammate Change Warmack.
12. New York Giants- CJ Mosley, OLB
There are multiple directions in which the Giants could go here. Their biggest needs are at WR, OLB and CB. I see them going with a linebacker in the form of the fantastic CJ Mosley. The Crimson Tide player will finish his career with over 310 tackles, and oozes first round talent.
13. St Louis Rams- Ha-Ha Clinton Dix, FS
After filling in an offensive need with their first pick, I see the team going to the other side of the ball and selecting a safety the second time around. That means taking the only first-round-quality safety in this draft class (and the third straight Alabama player) Ha-Ha Clinton Dix.
14. Chicago Bears- Vic Beasley, DE
Now that Jay Cutler has been re-signed, the Bears will now concentrate on defence for the rest of the offseason. One of the primary issues last year was the pass rush- the team ranked join last with the Jaguars for sacks, with barely half the number league leaders Carolina got. To solve this, I have them taking Clemson edge rusher Vic Beasley, who has 12 sacks so far this year, the 6th highest total in the FBS.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers- Taylor Lewan, OT
Although the Steelers finished the season in style, they still have a lot of holes that need filling across the team. Although you could argue that cornerback and the defensive line are bigger priorities, a player of Taylor Lewan’s talent cannot be passed on, especially with Big Ben requiring better protection.
16. Baltimore Ravens- Mike Evans, WR
One of only two picks which has not changed since my first mock, the Ravens are still in desperate need for playmakers to help Joe Flacco. Mike Evans is an excellent deep threat who should make the most out of Flacco’s huge arm and take some of the load of Torrey Smith’s back.
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