Thursday, May 8, 2014

2014 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 (Updated 5/8, Draft Day)

1.Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end (South Carolina)
With the all the hype around Jadeveon Clowney going into this draft, he kind of has to be the first pick in the draft. Clowney is an absolute freak atheetically and someone with his skill set at defensive end doesn't come around often. Whether it be Houston or someone else holding the pick, it would be an absolute shock if Clowney wasn't selected number one overall.

2.St.Louis Rams: Greg Robinson, tackle (Auburn)
I had Jake Matthews penciled into this slot for a long time due to his family connections with Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, but I'm now starting to believe that they will take Greg Robinson with this pick. Robinson reminds me of 2013 top five pick Lane Johnson with his freakish athleticism for his size (6'5, 320 pounds) and polish as a blocker in both the running and passing game. Robinson would be a perfect match alongside talented veteran Jake Long at tackle and bolster the Rams offensive line immensely.

3.Jacksonville Jaguars: Khalil Mack, outside linebacker/defensive end (Buffalo)
The Jaguars selection at number three starts off the most intriguing section of the first round in my opinion. Their pick and the two that follow them (Browns at four and Raiders at five) will dictate the tone of the rest of the first round as all three of them have a lot of needs and players they could feasibly draft  in the top five with elite talent. Personally, I think the Jaguars are going defense with this pick because of head coach Gus Bradley's previous tenure as defensive coordinator in Seattle. The best defensive player available at this juncture is Khalil Mack and, I think he'll pay dividends for this team. The Jaguars are desperate for a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball and Mack provides just that. He is an absolutely explosive edge-rusher, plays the run well and can even drop back a bit in coverage when called upon. I actually have Mack rated above Jadeveon Clowney because he is a more well-rounded player with a higher motor and stronger work ethic. Mack is the type of defensive phenom that Bradley has been looking for since he took over as head coach and should be able to instantly turn around this paltry Jaguars defense.

4.Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel, quarterback (Texas A&M)
There are a lot more sensible picks to pick at number 4 than Johnny Manziel, but I have a sneaking suspicion the Browns are going to select him anyways. Manziel is a flashy pick that will garner a lot of excitement and attention for a franchise that hasn't had a lot of either in recent years.

5.Oakland Raiders: Sammy Watkins, wide receiver (Clemson)
The Raiders are desperate for an impact player at a skill position with the jobs of head coach Dennis Allen and general manager Reggie McKenzie on the line. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins would be just what the doctor ordered. Watkins is a great intermediate route-runner with sneaky speed and rare playmaking ability. If anyone is going to bail out the Raiders offense in 2014, it's going to be Watkins.

6.Atlanta Falcons: Taylor Lewan, tackle (Michigan)
If you watched the Falcons play at all last season, you know that Matt Ryan had essentially no time to check his reads before threw the ball. Luckily for the Falcons, there is lot of top-level talent at tackle available in this draft that could help fix that problem. Taylor Lewan has been rapidly rising up draft boards since his character issues checked out and rightfully so, he's a powerful, technically-sound tackle that has the potential to be one of the best blind-side protectors in the league. Lewan would be a huge upgrade for the Falcons o-line and could ended up being a crucial piece for the Falcons as they look to get back into the playoff hunt after a disastrous 4-12 campaign in 2013.

7.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, wide receiver (Texas A&M)
I thought the Buccaneers needed Mike Evans before they traded Mike Williams. Now that Williams is a Buffalo Bill, they really need Evans. Evans is the type of imposing physical presence that gives secondaries fits. Put him alongside another big bruiser in Vincent Jackson and the results could be deadly. Evans could be the piece that sends the already much-improved Buccaneers over-the-top and into a serious contender.

8.Minnesota Vikings: Blake Bortles, quarterback (Central Florida)
New Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is a defensive guru and surely the plethora of intriguing defensive prospects in this draft class is grabbing his attention. That being said, the Vikings top need is a quarterback and I think Zimmer will go against his inkling for defense to select the best available signal-caller. Blake Bortles is the most polished quarterback in this draft class with his combination of arm strength, intelligence and surprising amount of mobility; making him the perfect fit for a Vikings squad that desperately needs someone besides Matt Cassel or Christian Ponder under center in 2014.

9.Buffalo Bills: Jake Matthews, tackle (Texas A&M)
Jake Matthews has kind of got lost in the shuffle amongst the top tackle prospects since Taylor Lewan's recent stock surge. The relative lack of attention of late for Matthews should cause him to slip a little bit; which is great news for the Bills picking at number nine. Matthews started all four years at Texas A&M and was never anything less than rock-solid in all areas of the game. Matthews is easily a top-5 talent, so the Bills would be getting a serious steal here.

10.Detroit Lions: Anthony Barr, outside linebacker (UCLA)
Secondary is clearly the top need for the Lions, but their front office has a lot of faith in the development of 2013 second round pick Darius Slay to emerge as a top corner, so I think they'll go in a different direction at number 10. They desperately need another pass-rusher alongside Ziggy Ansah and, I think Anthony Barr could help them out a lot. Barr is a bit raw since he's only played linebacker for a couple of years now, but his upside is sky-high, and The Lions aren't afraid to take a chance on a guy who could become a premier edge-rusher in the NFL (see Ansah in 2013, who proved to be worth the gamble with a very solid rookie campaign).

11.Tennessee Titans: Justin Gilbert, cornerback (Oklahoma State)
The Titans lost an absolute stud at corner this offseason in Alterraun Verner. Justin Gilbert has the cover skills and knack for creating turnovers that should reduce some of the sting of Verner's departure for the Titans.

12.New York Giants: Zack Martin, tackle/guard (Notre Dame)
Top offensive lineman are at a premium in this draft with so many teams having gaping holes in their offensive line. Few teams are more desperate for o-line help than the Giants, who were abysmal across the board in 2013 and lost veteran tackle David Diehl to retirement this offseason. Zack Martin is a very intriguing prospect with his versatility to lineup anywhere on the line and fantastic durability. Martin would be a great piece to have alongside free-agent additions Geoff Schwartz and J.D. Walton in the Giants overhauled offensive line.

13.St. Louis Rams: HaHa Clinton-Dix, safety (Alabama)
If the Rams want to contend in the stacked NFC West, they need more playmakers on defense. HaHa Clinton-Dix not only fills a need at safety for the Rams, but brings a dynamic presence to back-end of the defense with his range, coverage skills and ability to dole out bone-crushing hits.

14.Chicago Bears: Aaron Donald, defensive tackle (Pittsburgh)
The Bears have a lot of needs on defense going into this draft, but none is of higher precedence than defensive tackle. The 2013 Bears rushing defense was amongst the worst I've ever seen and a lot of that has to do with the lack of quality interior defensive lineman disrupting the line of scrimmage. Because of this need, I think Aaron Donald is a no-brainer pick for the Bears at number 14. Donald may be a bit undersized (6'1, 285 lbs) for a defensive tackle, but he makes for up it with elite speed (he ran the fastest 40 for a defensive tackle in the history of the Combine with a time of 4.68) and power. Donald's knack for exploding off-the-line and stopping the run is exactly what the Bears defense needs to get back on the right track in 2014.  

15.Pittsburgh Steelers: Darqueze Dennard, cornerback (Michigan State)
In order for the Steelers talented but seasoned defense to avoid a full-on collapse a la the 2013 Bears, they need to start getting younger on defense now. With longtime reliable starter Ike Taylor showing signs of wear in 2013, cornerback Darqueze Dennard would be the perfect place to start. Dennard fits the traditional Steelers mold of toughness with his physical play and exceptional tackling ability for a corner. Dennard's ability to create turnovers would also be a welcome addition to a Steelers team that has had trouble taking the ball away the past few years.
 
16.Dallas Cowboys: Kony Ealy, defensive end/outside linebacker (Missouri)
The Cowboys defense is so broken right now that it would be silly for them to use this pick on anything else. Their defensive line especially took a hit this offseason with the loss of Jason Hatcher and DeMarcus Ware. With needs at both defensive tackle and end, I expect them to take the best available defensive lineman with this pick- and that man is Kony Ealy. Ealy is not the most polished edge-rusher right now because of his relative lack of power , but he's got solid quickness and instincts to make up for it. Even the potential for Ealy to become a star is more than enough to justify the Cowboys selecting him with this pick.
17.Baltimore Ravens: Calvin Pryor, safety (Louisville)
The Ravens did just draft Matt Elam in the first round last year, but with the departure of James Ihedbigo in free agency, the Ravens have a hole to fill at safety. Calvin Pryor would give the Ravens an enforcer safety with solid coverage skills that the team hasn't had since Ed Reed was in his prime. I'm sure Ozzie Newsome will consider other avenues at this pick (offensive line, wide receiver, tight end), but he won't be able to pass on an elite safety prospect that has the tools to be one of the game's best.

18.New York Jets: Eric Ebron, tight end (North Carolina)
Rex Ryan could very well go defense yet again here with the Jets having a huge need for a corner after letting go of Antoinio Cromartie this past offseason. While Ryan loves to pick defense early, the depressing performance of his receivers last year should force him to get a top-flight prospect to add to second-year quarterback Geno Smith's arsenal. Eric Ebron is perhaps the most promising tight end prospect since Vernon Davis with his excellent hands and dynamic playmaking ability. Ebron's stock has fallen a bit over concerns about his personality, but that shouldn't really alarm a team like the Jets. Getting Ebron this late in the first round would be a massive success for the Jets, who need an impact vertical threat more than any other team in the 2014 draft.
 
19.Miami Dolphins: C.J. Mosley, inside linebacker (Alabama)
With all the top-rated offensive lineman gone by the time they pick (in this mock at least), the Dolphins have to go in a different direction. C.J. Mosley is easily a top 10 level talent, but concerns over his injury history will knock him right into the Dolphins lap at 19.

20.Arizona Cardinals: Derek Carr, quarterback (Fresno State)
With all the top pass-rushers off-the-board, the Cardinals decide to go with their quarterback of the future. Derek Carr has shot up draft boards since the Combine thanks to his incredible accuracy, great arm, quick release and decent mobility. Give him a year or two to hone his craft behind Carson Palmer and I think Carr will blossom into something really special.
  
21.Green Bay Packers: Ra'Shede Hageman, defensive tackle/end (Minnesota)
The Packers need a lot of help in the middle of their defensive line. B.J. Raji's play has been awful of late and they don't have anyone currently on the roster to take his place if he continues to decline. Ra'Shede Hageman is a big body with a whole lot of power and the versatility to be bounced to the outside of the line in certain packages. Even with his off-the-field problems, Hageman is worth the gamble as the Packers nose tackle of the future.

22.Philadelphia Eagles: Brandin Cooks, wide receiver (Oregon State)
Unless you've been purposely avoiding NFL media over the past couple months, you know that the Eagles released their number one wideout DeSean Jackson in late March. On the current roster, there's really no receiver that can live up to Jackson's role of speedster wideout. Enter Brandin Cooks. While Cooks isn't the exact same player as Jackson, he has the combination of speed and excellent hands that make him an ideal player to thrive in Chip Kelly's offense.
 
23.Kansas City Chiefs: Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver (LSU)
I seem to be the only person that doesn't Odell Beckham Jr. will be a top 15 pick. I honestly think Beckham Jr. will be available for the Chiefs at number 23. Beckham thrives in running intermediate routes and has excellent vision after the catch, making him the perfect fit for the Chiefs' conservative offense.
  
24.Cincinnati Bengals: Kyle Fuller, cornerback (Virginia Tech)
The Bengals don't have a whole lot of problems on either side of the ball, but they could use another cornerback alongside Leon Hall to sure up the secondary. Kyle Fuller is a durable, well-rounded corner that would do just that.

25.San Diego Chargers: Bradley Roby, cornerback (Ohio State)
The only really weakness to the 2013 Chargers was their god awful secondary play, especially at the cornerback position. For a team that lacked physicality and talent at corner last year, Bradley Roby would be a godsend. Roby is a quick, tough corner with all the physical tools to be a number one corner in the NFL.

26.Cleveland Browns: Marqise Lee, wide receiver (USC)
The Browns are hungry for more offensive weapons to put alongside Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron to help get them out of the basement. Marqise Lee-who was once considered a top 10 talent- has the quickness and route-running skills to be something special. Lee is certainly not a sure thing with his shaky hands and average size/strength, but the Browns front office isn't afraid to take risks, so Lee makes a whole lot of sense at this point in the draft.
 
27.New Orleans Saints: Jason Verrett, cornerback (TCU)
The Saints are kind of strapped for a number two corner after cutting ties with Jabari Greer to get under the salary cap prior to the start of free agency. Jason Verrett would be a nice compliment to Keenan Lewis with strong physicality for his relatively small size (5'9', 172 lbs) and outstanding ball skills. Verrett would also be the sole corner picked in the first round that has the benefit of having a future hall-of-famer (Champ Bailey) as a mentor.

28.Carolina Panthers: Cyrus Kouandjio, tackle (Alabama)
It's pretty much a toss-up as to whether or not the Panthers will select a wide receiver or offensive lineman with this pick. With the sheer depth at wide receiver in this draft class, offensive lineman seems to be the more sensible pick here. Cyrus Kouandjio has major health concerns coming off a major knee injury and a failed physical at the Combine. Kouandjio also wasn't exactly the epitome of consistency at Alabama, but with his huge upside and utter dominance at times, The Panthers will be willing to roll the dice on him as the successor to Jordan Gross.
 
29.New England Patriots: Louis Nix III, nose tackle (Notre Dame)
Chances are slim that the Patriots actually keep this pick, but if they do Louis Nix III is the selection they should make. Vince Wilfork is getting up there in age (will be 33 in November) and they need to draft his understudy now. Nix is the perfect fit for this system and if he can work at staying in shape all the time, Nix should end being a similar force as Big Vince in New England.
  
30.San Francisco 49ers: Cody Latimer, wide receiver (Indiana)
The 49ers have 10 picks in this draft, so it would be far from a shocker if they traded up to get a more coveted player in the top 15 or so. If they stay put at 30, fast-rising Indiana wideout Cody Latimer should be their selection. Jim Harbaugh had Latimer run plays from their playbook after his pro day and Latimer's combination of size, agility and speed make him an ideal number three wideout for the 49ers.
31.Denver Broncos: Ryan Shaizer, outside/inside linebacker (Ohio State)
After the Broncos major free agency haul, there really isn't many holes they need to address in the draft. Ryan Shaizer is an extreme athletic linebacking prospect that the Broncos could consider playing at inside linebacker to replace Wesley Woodyard, who left the team in free agency this offseason. If inside linebacker doesn't work out, Shaizer's top-flight speed and ability to cover the field would still be a nice asset for the Broncos to have as an outside linebacker option.
32.Seattle Seahawks: Joel Bitonio, tackle/guard/center (Nevada)
The Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks only real need in this draft is offensive line. Joel Bitonio is not the most talented player left on the board, but his ability to play all five positions on the offensive line makes him an excellent fit for the defending champs who value versatility over everything else.

Round 2
33.Houston Texans: Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback (Eastern Illinois)
34.Washington Redskins: Morgan Moses, tackle (Virginia) 
35.Cleveland Browns: Carlos Hyde, running back (Ohio State)
36.Oakland Raiders: Timmy Jernigan, defensive tackle (Florida State)
37.Atlanta Falcons: Jeremiah Attaochu, defensive end/outside linebacker (Georgia Tech)
38.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Xavier Su'a-Filo, guard (UCLA)
39.Jacksonville Jaguars: Teddy Bridgewater, quarterback (Louisville)
40.Minnesota Vikings: DeMarcus Lawerence, defensive end/outside linebacker (Boise State)
41.Buffalo Bills: Jace Amaro, tight end (Texas Tech)
42.Tennessee Titans: Jeremy Hill, running back (LSU)
43.New York Giants: Stephon Tuitt, defensive end (Notre Dame)
44.St.Louis Rams: Stanley Jean-Baptiste, cornerback (Nebraska)
45.Detroit Lions: Kelvin Benjamin, wide receiver (Florida State)
46.Pittsburgh Steelers: Allen Robinson, wide receiver (Penn State)
47.Dallas Cowboys: Dominique Easley, defensive tackle (Florida)
48.Baltimore Ravens: Scott Crichton, defensive end (Oregon State)
49.New York Jets: Marcus Roberson, cornerback (Florida)
50.Miami Dolphins: Ja'Wuan James, tackle (Tennessee)
51.Chicago Bears: Pierre Desir, cornerback (Lindenwood)
52.Arizona Cardinals: Kyle Van Noy, outside linebacker (BYU)
53.Green Bay Packers: Jimmie Ward, safety (Northern Illinois)
54.Philadelphia Eagles: Deone Buccannon, safety (Washington State)
55.Cincinnati Bengals: Dee Ford, defensive end/outside linebacker (Auburn)
56.San Francisco 49ers: LaMarcus Joyner, cornerback/safety (Florida State)
57.San Diego Chargers: Trent Murphy, outside linebacker/defensive end (Stanford)
58.New Orleans Saints: Marcus Martin, center (USC)
59.Indianapolis Colts: Weston Richburg, center (Colorado State)
60.Carolina Panthers: Jordan Matthews, wide receiver (Vanderbilt)
61.San Francisco 49ers: Ego Ferguson, defensive tackle (LSU)
62.New England Patriots: A.J. McCarron, quarterback (Alabama)
63.Denver Broncos: Bashaud Breeland, cornerback (Clemson)
64.Seattle Seahawks: Davante Adams, wide receiver (Fresno State)     

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