The 2014 NFL Draft is still more than a month away, but it's never too early to start nerding-out with mock draft. The 2014 class is one of the strongest in recent memory and a majority of the teams with a pick in the top 10 have a lot of different directions they can go in with their respective picks. Here are my current thoughts on how the first round will play out on May 8th at Radio City Music Hall.
1.Houston Texans: Blake Bortles,
quarterback (Central Florida)
The Texans made their intentions with the top overall pick pretty clear this past week when they traded their long-time starting quarterback Matt Schaub to the Raiders and signed journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a short-term contract to backup whomever they draft. Of all the quarterbacks available in the draft, Blake Bortles makes the most sense to land in Houston. In addition to being the most well-rounded quarterback in the 2014 class, Bortles fits the mold of tall, big-armed quarterback that new Texans head coach Bill O' Brien loves to use in his system.
2.St. Louis Rams: Jake Matthews, tackle
(Texas A&M)
I wouldn't be surprised if the Rams traded this pick to a team that wanted to scoop up Jadeveon Clowney, but if they stay put at number two, they're going to take a tackle. Greg Robinson of Auburn and Jake Matthews are about equal in talent, but the family connection between Rams coach Jeff Fisher and Matthews' hall-of-fame offensive lineman father Bruce Matthews- who Fisher coached for years with the Oilers/Titans- makes me think the Rams will take Matthews with this pick.
3.Jacksonville Jaguars: Jadeveon
Clowney, defensive end (South Carolina)
Gus Bradley is a defensive-minded coach who lacks any special defensive pieces in Jacksonville at the moment. Bradley will finally get a player to build his defense around in Clowney, who has arguably the most potential out of any player in this draft class.
4.Cleveland Browns: Derek Carr,
quarterback (Fresno State)
Other top quarterback prospects Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel have rapidly fell on draft boards because of their poor performances in workouts and concerns about their character. The guy to gain the most from the stock drop offs of Bridgewater and Manziel is Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr. Carr has consistently impressed scouts with his arm strength, accuracy and work ethic in every single workout he's participated in. Browns' scouts said after the Combine in February they liked him more than Manziel and with Carr being the only quarterback aside from Blake Bortles to consistently impress in every workout; look for the Browns to lock him down early before another team gets a shot at him.
5.Oakland Raiders: Sammy Watkins, wide
receiver (Clemson)
The Matt Schaub trade changed the directions are Raiders going to do with this pick. The Raiders are still mostly lacking a lot of talent at the skill positions so bringing in a polished receiver prospect in Sammy Watkins with this pick could do them a lot of good. However given the Raiders tendency to make bold picks (Anyone remember the confusion they caused with recent first-round picks Darrius Heyward-Bey in 2009 and cornerback D.J. Hayden last?) so lord knows who they will end up actually taking with this pick.
6.Atlanta Falcons: Greg Robinson,
tackle (Auburn)
Anyone who watched the Falcons for any length of time last year saw just how awful the protection for quarterback Matt Ryan was. Greg Robinson is a freakishly athletic tackle who is excellent in pass-protection and is solid as run-blocker as well. Robinson could be a major figure in putting a stop to Ryan having to get rid of the ball immediately after it's snapped.
7.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans,
wide receiver (Texas A&M)
Outside of Vincent Jackson, no one on the Buccaneers managed to get even 600 receiving yards after number two wideout Mike Williams went down for the year in late October. Even with Williams returning to the fold, the Buccaneers need another weapon in the passing game, and Texas A&M wideout Mike Evans fits the bill. Evans would give the Bucs another physically-imposing wideout with great route-running ability and excellent hands that could cause a whole lot of matchup problems for opposing defenses.
8.Minnesota Vikings: Khalil Mack,
defensive end/outside linebacker (Buffalo)
The re-signing of Matt Cassel pretty much rules out a quarterback with this pick. Everyone knows that new Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is a defensive-minded guy and the Vikings are coming a 2013 campaign where their defense was one of the most laughable in the league. Given Zimmer's defensive background, he's not going to allow himself to pass on a talent like Khalil Mack with this pick. Mack gives the Vikings both an explosive pass-rusher off the edge and another run-stuffer on their new-look defense. For a defense that just lost Jared Allen this offseason and whose best player Chad Greenway just turned 31, Mack would be a godsend.
9.Buffalo Bills: Taylor Lewan, tackle
(Michigan)
If Mike Evans slips to this pick, the Bills will not pass on him. If Evans is off-the-board, I expect the Bills to solidify their offensive line with this pick and Taylor Lewan would certainly do so. Lewan is yet another super-athletic tackle prospect who could help this subpar Bills offensive line get better right away.
10.Detroit Lions: Justin Gilbert,
cornerback (Oklahoma State)
2014 needs to be the year Lions stop ignoring their problems at cornerback in the draft. Justin Gilbert is an exceptional prospect with good coverage skills and top-flight speed that would make their previous passes on corners in recent years acceptable.
11.Tennessee Titans: Anthony Barr,
outside linebacker (UCLA)
The Titans need some serious help across their front seven. Anthony Barr would give them a piece to build around with his speed and agility off the edge.
12.New York Giants: Eric Ebron, tight
end (North Carolina)
The Giants offense needs all the help they can get after a disastrous 2013 campaign from Eli Manning and the loss of Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Myers in free agency. Eric Ebron is arguably the most athletic and complete tight end prospect since Vernon Davis who's presence in this offense alongside Victor Cruz and Ruben Randle could be lethal.
13.St. Louis Rams: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix,
safety (Alabama)
The middle of the Rams secondary has been soft for the past few seasons. The addition of a two-way safety that lays down bruising hits on the regular like Ha Ha Clinton-Dix would change that right away.
14.Chicago Bears: Aaron Donald,
defensive tackle (Pittsburgh)
The Bears run defense was absolutely laughable last season amidst all the injuries to starters in their front seven and poor tackling from the guys that actually suited up for the entire season. The horrid 2013 defense paired with the loss of starting defensive tackle Henry Melton to free agency makes Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald a logical pick for the Bears at number 14. Donald has been wildly impressive in workouts with his top-end speed ( Donald ran a 4.69 40 at the combine) and athleticism for a guy that weighs almost 300 pounds. Donald has huge upside and appears to have the unique talent that the Bears need to rebuild their defense.
15.Pittsburgh Steelers: Darqueze
Dennard, cornerback (Michigan State)
The Steelers secondary is getting old fast. The only viable corner they have on their roster that's under the age of 30 is Cortez Allen. The Steelers could counteract that movement by taking Darqueze Dennard in the first round. Dennard is a little bit raw, but his rare tackling ability for a defensive back and excellent ball skills would give the Steelers a high-upside corner for their talent coaching staff to develop.
16.Dallas Cowboys: Timmy Jernigan,
defensive tackle (Florida State)
The Cowboys defensive line from 2013 is pretty much gone with DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher and Anthony Spencer all leaving the Lone Star State this offseason (Spencer hasn't officially signed elsewhere yet, but the Cowboys will not be retaining him). With practically no cap space left and a defensive line that's in shambles, the Cowboys will have to turn to the draft for help in the rebuilding process. I expect Timmy Jernigan to be the best defensive lineman available when the Cowboys pick at 16 and with his power and size to clog the middle of the line, Jernigan could end up being a nice asset for the Cowboys defense to have.
17.Baltimore Ravens: Calvin Pryor,
safety (Louisville)
The Ravens just drafted a safety last year in the first round in Matt Elam, but with their struggles in the middle of the secondary last season, I would not be at all surprised to see them go safety in the first round once again this year. Calvin Pryor is the type of gritty, high-effort, hard-hitting player that Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome loves to have on his team. Call me crazy, but if Pryor further develops his game at the next level, he could end up being a similar caliber of player as Ravens icon Ed Reed.
18.New York Jets: Kyle Fuller,
cornerback (Virginia Tech)
With the release of Antonio Cromartie and underwhelming performance of 2013 first-round pick Dee Milliner in his rookie year, the Jets looks pretty strapped at cornerback heading into 2014. Knowing Rex Ryan's love for defensive players, I'm sure he'll target a corner with this pick. Ryan would love to see Darqueze Dennard fall here, but as of right now, I don't see that happening. Luckily for Ryan, this draft is loaded with talent at the cornerback position and Virginia Tech corner Kyle Fuller would make a lot of sense with this pick. Fuller is just a step below Dennard in terms of potential and I think Ryan could mold him into a pretty special corner.
19.Miami Dolphins: Zach Martin, tackle/guard
(Notre Dame)
The Dolphins have done a bit of rebuilding to the abysmal offensive line with the acquisitions of tackle Branden Albert and guard Shelley Smith in free agency. The draft should continue that rebuilding process with the selection of Notre Dame's Zach Martin. Martin has the versatility to play either tackle or guard and could end up being a pivotal piece in the Dolphins offensive line overhaul.
20.Arizona Cardinals: Bradley Roby,
cornerback (Ohio State)
The Cardinals did just bring in veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie to be a potential starter in their secondary, but he is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he played the worst football of his entire career. The Cardinals need to find someone long-term to start opposite Patrick Peterson and Bradley Roby has the quickness, physicality and coverage skills to do so. Roby does have some undeniable character issues- but with a positive mentor like Peterson- those could be easily fixed.
21.Green Bay Packers: Jace Amaro, tight
end (Texas Tech)
The Packers intentions with this pick are kind of vague at the moment. They have a lot of places where they can improve, but no place where they are in desperate need of assistance. With the pending loss of Jermichael Finley in free agency and the mediocrity of Andrew Quarless, the Packers could look to take another big-body tight end in Jace Amaro with this pick to put another intriguing cog in their passing attack. However if Ha Ha Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor slips this far, they'll take one of them over Amaro in a heartbeat.
22.Philadelphia Eagles: Jason Verrett,
cornerback (TCU)
The Eagles defense could use improvement basically everywhere, but the secondary is where they especially struggled in 2013. With the top safety prospects off the board at this time, the Eagles will look to bolster their corners and the speedy and intelligent Jason Verrett out of TCU certainly has the potential to do so.
23.Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Su'a
Filo, guard/center (UCLA)
I had mocked a receiver to the Chiefs in this spot for a while, but the Chiefs just lost both their starting guards (Geoff Schwartz and Jon Asamoah) in free agency, so I think that's where they will end up going with this pick. Xavier Su'a Filo is a scrappy lineman with the ability to play guard or center who could serve as a vital piece in the rebuilding of the suddenly depleted Chiefs offensive line.
24.Cincinnati Bengals: Kony Ealy,
defensive end (Missouri)
The Bengals just lost Michael Johnson in free agency and despite them still have a number of guys that can step in at the position; I believe they will select Kony Ealy with this pick. The Bengals love to stack their defensive line with pass-rushers and Ealy is one of the strongest pure pass-rushers available in the draft.
25.San Diego Chargers: Louis Nix,
defensive tackle (Notre Dame)
The Chargers have a major need at cornerback, but with all the first round-level talents at the position already gone, they'll go with Louis Nix to help secure the middle of their defensive line. Nix could end up being a steal at this spot thanks to his imposing size (6'2, 342lbs) and strength that could make him the league's next elite nose tackle.
26.Cleveland Browns: Odell Beckham,
wide receiver (LSU)
Even with the addition of Andrew Hawkins this offseason, the Browns still need another weapon in the passing game besides Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron. Odell Beckham may be a bit undersized for the position, but he's got great instincts after the catch and a reliable set of hands that would serve as a nice compliment to the size and physicality of Gordon.
27.New Orleans Saints: C.J. Mosley,
inside linebacker (Alabama)
The Saints defense has undeniably gotten much better since Rob Ryan took over as defensive coordinator last season at basically every position besides linebacker. Inside linebacker C.J. Mosley could be the guy to put an end to those problems. Mosley is an exceptional talent who can do everything you want a linebacker to do in both the running and passing game. If he can overcome his lingering injury problems, Mosley could be an absolute stud.
28.Carolina Panthers: Brandin Cooks,
wide receiver (Oregon State)
There will be absolute shockwaves if the Panthers don't select a wide receiver with this pick. The team is absolutely barren at the position after cutting ties with longtime top wideout Steve Smith and losing veterans Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Dominik Hixon to free agency this offseason. Luckily for the Panthers, this draft is loaded with promising wide receiver prospects, and Brandin Cooks out of Oregon State seems like a great fit to led the revival of the Panthers receiving corps. Cooks is a sure-handed and lightning-quick slot receiver coming off an excellent Combine who just seems like the perfect fit to help out Cam Newton and this offense right away.
29.New England Patriots: Ra'Shede
Hagman, defensive tackle/end (Minnesota)
Even if Vince Wilfork ends up staying with the Patriots this season, the team needs to find his replacement. Ra'Shede Hagman would fit the bill nicely with the size, power and speed to be Wilfork's protégé.
30.San Francisco 49ers: Marqise Lee,
wide receiver (USC)
The 49ers have an undeniable lack of depth in their receiving corps that was exposed over and over again when Michael Crabtree missed the first 11 games of the 2013 with an Achilles injury. Marqise Lee certainly is not a flawless prospect, but he would at least bring the 49ers a glimmer of hope at having a true third option at the wide receiver position.
31.Denver Broncos: Dee Ford, defensive
end/outside linebacker (Auburn)
The Broncos may have just brought in DeMarcus Ware in free agency, but they're hungry to bring in more pass-rushers to place alongside Von Miller. Dee Ford would certainly help out the cause with solid speed off the edge and ability to play either defensive end or outside linebacker.
32.Seattle Seahawks: Stephon Tuitt,
defensive end/tackle (Notre Dame)
It's quite clear by now that the Seahawks don't have any glaring problems that need to be addressed in the draft. Knowing the Seahawks, they'll go defense with pick, and Notre Dame's Stephon Tuitt makes a lot of sense for their style of play. Tuitt is an explosive player that can be played on the inside and outside of the defensive line that would make a nice replacement for the recently departed Red Bryant and Chris Clemons within the Seahawks defensive line rotation.
