Last month after the Combine, we (Greg and Andrew) collaborated on our second official mock for the 2014 NFL Draft. Today, we’ll give you our third mock. This one is post-free agency (the first week and a half that is), which gives us a deeper view of team needs and it gives us a much better view of where teams may head in the draft. We also are switching the spots we are drafting… Greg will take the first pick again, but this time we’ll “snake” our way through the draft. So that means Andrew would get two picks (2 and 3), then Greg 2 (4 and 5), then Andrew 2 (6 and 7), etc. Plus there are some bonus picks at the end this time… Enjoy!
1. Houston Texans select: Blake Bortles (QB, Central Florida)
2nd Mock: Jadeveon Clowney (DE, South Carolina)
1st Mock: Johnny Manziel (QB, Texas A&M)
Bill O’Brien had some glowing things to say about Bortles after his pro day. Couple that with Bridgewater’s struggles at his own pro day and Bortles looks, right now, like the surefire no. 1 pick in this year’s draft. Especially with them trading Schaub and failing to sign a vet.
2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) select: Sammy Watkins (WR, Clemson)
2nd Mock: Greg Robinson (OT, Auburn)
1st Mock (by Atlanta via trade): Jadeveon Clowney (DE, South Carolina)
St. Louis has so many options with this pick. They could take a big time defensive player like Clowney or Mack, but I think they know that the offense is a bigger priority. Greg Robinson is a player we’ve had here, but with Saffold and Long on the team already, I don’t know if they’d use this high of pick on a tackle (even though they may play Saffold at guard again). They could also trade down, but I think that market has cooled considerably vs. a month or two ago. So I think Watkins will make the most sense come draft day. His grade is around what AJ Green and Julio Jones had, and the Rams need a #1 WR for Bradford if they want to bring him success.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Jadeveon Clowney (DE, South Carolina)
1st and 2nd Mock: Teddy Bridgewater (QB, Louisville)
Jacksonville has more holes than team in the NFL. Drafting a QB now, unless extremely special, would be a waste because they won’t succeed for a while. I think that’s why they paid Chad Henne fairly well in the offseason, so he can stem the tide as the starter until they bring in more pieces. What they need in this draft is a franchise player, a real talent, someone they can build around. Clowney could be that guy for the defense. I don’t think Jacksonville would waste the opportunity to land someone like that at this point.
4. Cleveland Browns select: Greg Robinson (OT, Auburn)
2nd Mock: Sammy Watkins (WR, Clemson)
1st Mock: Blake Bortles (QB, UCF)
With Bortles, Watkins, and Clowney off the board here, the next best player is probably Auburn tackle Greg Robinson, but the Browns already have an all-pro LT in Joe Thomas. However, I think that no matter what they do they can get a solid player here. Initially, I was going to go with Johnny Manziel at this pick, but I think the risk/reward is too high here so I believe the Browns will either trade back a few spots or draft the best overall player. Here I think they draft the best overall player in Greg Robinson to start his career on the right side of the line. This solidifies pass protection and it makes this team better in the run game.
5. Oakland Raiders select: Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M)
2nd Mock: Blake Bortles (QB, UCF)
1st Mock: Sammy Watkins (WR, Clemson)
Same thinking here as with the Browns. Whoever plays QB (and with the trade for Matt Schaub you have to assume it is going to be him), they need to be protected. The Raiders let their #1 offensive lineman and left tackle Jared Veldheer leave in FA, and they need to replace him. Matthews does that and could possibly be even better immediately than Veldheer was. In order to build a successful team, you must build from the line out, and that’s what the Raiders need to start to do here.
6. Atlanta Falcons select: Khalil Mack (LB, Buffalo)
2nd Mock (by Minnesota via trade): Johnny Manziel (QB, Texas A&M)
1st Mock (by St. Louis via trade): Greg Robinson (OT, Auburn)
This was a no brainer. Mack killed it at the combine, and guys like Merrill Hoge are starting to say Mack is better than Clowney and should go #1 overall. The Falcons need to improve the defense and Mack is thought to be versatile enough to play in any scheme. They would be very pleased with this selection I think.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Mike Evans (WR, Texas A&M)
1st and 2nd Mock: Khalil Mack (LB, Buffalo)
I’ve been convinced that Tampa Bay would go defense here, as Lovie Smith builds around that side of the ball. But with the top two defensive guys off the board, I’m not sold on drafting any other defender this high, especially since they added nice free agents. So instead, I think they’ll give McCown another target in the passing game. Evans would pair nicely with Vincent Jackson, and that would allow McCown to have two solid targets just like he had in Chicago last year.
8. Minnesota Vikings select: Marqise Lee (WR, USC)
2nd Mock (by Atlanta via trade): Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M)
1st Mock: C.J. Mosley (LB, Alabama)
They still don’t have a QB, but as you can see after all the workouts, the QBs are falling fast. They still have Josh Freeman and Matt Cassel, and the addition of another weapon on offense will help their entire team. They can draft a QB later in this round (by trading up) if they really wanted. I also think they will be major players for Mark Sanchez.
9. Buffalo Bills select: Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan)
2nd Mock: Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan)
1st Mock: Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M)
This pick will be very dependent on what happens with Lewan’s legal situation. He was arrested this week on three counts of assault. If he is exonerated then he can still go this high. He is an excellent athlete who can both run block and pass block at a high level.
10. Detroit Lions select: Justin Gilbert (CB, Oklahoma State)
2nd Mock: Mike Evans (WR, Texas A&M)
1st Mock: Marqise Lee (WR, USC)
We’ve went WR here in both mocks so far, but they just added Golden Tate, so they won’t draft a WR at this spot now. That means the most pressing need is at CB, and it just so happens that Gilbert is one of the best players available at this spot. He’d be a great addition to an improving offense, and cornerback play is so important since they play the Bears and Packers twice each.
11. Tennessee Titans select: Anthony Barr (OLB, UCLA)
1st and 2nd Mock: Anthony Barr (OLB, UCLA)
In a rare occurrence, this pick hasn’t changed in any of our mocks. He’s a great fit for the Titans and they need to add some impact defensive players. I considered CJ Mosley too (whose right there with Barr on big boards), and I also believe that a wide receiver could be in play if the right guy were available.
12. New York Giants select: Eric Ebron (TE, North Carolina)
2nd Mock: Eric Ebron (TE, North Carolina)
1st Mock: Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan)
Ebron still makes the most sense here for the Giants. Eli needs a target and Ebron is the best TE in the draft this year. He will help the Giants and has become even more of a ‘need’ with the departure of Brandon Myers to Tampa Bay.
13. St. Louis Rams select: Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix (S, Alabama)
2nd Mock: Marqise Lee (WR, USC)
1st Mock: Justin Gilbert (CB, Oklahoma State)
The Rams could use a boost on the back end of their defense. They lost Quentin Mikel in free agency which created a bit of a need. Clinton-Dix is the best combo safety in the draft, as he is a little bit better in coverage than Calvin Pryor is. This will be an important position for the Rams as they need to shore up the “back 7” to compliment their excellent “front 4”.
14. Chicago Bears select: Aaron Donald (DT, Pittsburgh)
2nd Mock: Aaron Donald (DT, Pittsburgh)
1st Mock: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S, Alabama)
The Bears filled some holes via free agency, but they are still thin at every position on defense. The interior of the line in particular could use another key player, especially since they couldn’t re-sign Henry Melton. Donald has been on the rise for months and is the pick as of today. Cornerback is likely the next “need”, followed by safety, defensive end, and linebacker.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Calvin Pryor (S, Louisville)
2nd Mock: Louis Nix III (DT, Notre Dame)
1st Mock: Mike Evans (WR, Texas A&M)
The Steelers have to get younger on defense, and they are particularly thin in the secondary. I believe Pryor is the best defensive player on the board along with Mosley. Pryor gets the nod because he fits the Steelers mold as a “big hitter.” I believe they also could go WR here, but I think Pryor is better value. They could very easily trade down as well.
16. Dallas Cowboys select: Timmy Jernigan (DT, Florida State)
2nd Mock: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S, Alabama)
1st Mock: Timmy Jernigan (DT, Florida State)
Even with the signing of Henry Melton, whose health and motivation were questioned by Bears GM Phil Emery this week, the Cowboys are in need of more defensive line help. Their defense as a whole needs a boost, but as I stated earlier, when you are building or “re-building” in the absence of a franchise QB (who the Cowboys already have), it starts with the line and moves out from there. The Cowboys need a lot of help on defense, but this is a good start.
17. Baltimore Ravens select: Zach Martin (OL, Notre Dame)
2nd Mock: Zach Martin (OT, Notre Dame)
1st Mock: Cyrus Kouandjio (OT, Alabama)
The Ravens need some offensive line help, and Martin can play at any of the 5 positions on the line. He will be solid for many years as a starter on the offensive line and can help replace the loss of Michael Oher.
18. New York Jets select: Darqueze Dennard (CB, MSU)
2nd Mock: C.J. Mosley (LB, Alabama)
1st Mock: Eric Ebron (TE, UNC)
With the recent loss at corner (Cromartie), I believe this is now a direction they need to go. WR is still an option (despite signing Eric Decker), but I think Rex will prefer getting his defense back to the highest level. There is also solid depth at receiver so impact players will be available in the second round.
19. Cleveland Browns (via trade with Miami) select: Johnny Manziel (QB, Texas A&M)
2nd Mock (by Philadelphia via trade): Timmy Jernigan (DT, Florida State)
1st Mock (Miami): Zack Martin (OT, Notre Dame)
In this mock we felt that the QB’s would fall due to recent pro day failures (except Bortles) and QB additions in free agency by TB and Oakland. If that happens, the question becomes which team will trade up first to nab their guy. Cleveland has more options due to multiple first and third round picks (this trade would be for 26 and 71), so I think this would be a great spot to jump up and grab Manziel. The reward is very high so he’s worth the risk. I like him more than Teddy after Bridgewater struggled on his pro day. Cleveland fans would be excited.
20. Arizona Cardinals select: Louis Nix (DT, Notre Dame)
2nd Mock: Justin Gilbert (CB, Oklahoma State)
1st Mock (by Denver via trade): Darqueze Dennard (CB, MSU)
Nix is a solid, productive, disruptive defensive tackle. The Cardinals signed Antonio Cromartie in the offseason to assist in the secondary, but they need help on the defensive front. Nix will provide that and will help out the linebackers and secondary by eating up blockers.
21. Green Bay Packers select: C.J. Mosley (ILB, Alabama)
2nd Mock: Calvin Pryor (S, Louisville)
1st Mock: Louis Nix III (DT, Notre Dame)
With the re-signing of B.J. Raji and Mike Neal, and the addition of Julius Peppers, Mosley can come in and provide an above average linebacker at the position next to AJ Hawk for now, and eventually replace Hawk as the signal caller of this defense. Steal coming this late in the draft.
22. Philadelphia Eagles select: Brandin Cooks (WR, Oregon State)
2nd Mock (by Denver via trade): Darqueze Dennard (CB, MSU)
1st Mock: Stephon Tuitt (DE, Notre Dame)
The Eagles could go defense here, but with DeSean Jackson on his way out of Philly, I think they are in dire need of some help at wide receiver. Cooks ran the fastest 40 time at the combine for wideouts, so he’d be an ideal choice to replace Jackson.
23. Kansas City Chiefs select: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, LSU)
2nd Mock: Brandin Cooks (WR, Oregon State)
1st Mock: Loucheiz Purifoy (CB, Florida)
KC won last year with their great defense. The offense has to do more this year to maintain success. Beckham is on the rise over the last month, and could be a breakout star in the NFL. I’ve heard some scouts say he’s the third best receiver in the draft, so this would be value for him.
24. Cincinnati Bengals select: Bradley Roby (CB, Ohio State)
1st and 2nd Mock: Kony Ealy (DE, Missouri)
The Bengals had multiple injuries at this position last season and Terence Newman is not a long term solution at that position. Roby has elite speed, and even if his coverage skills do not show up as much on tape as you’d like, he has quite a bit of upside.
25. San Diego Chargers select: Ryan Shazier (OLB, Ohio State)
2nd Mock: Bradley Roby (CB, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Jace Amaro (TE, Texas Tech)
The Chargers locked up Manti Te’o last season in the second round on the inside of their linebacking corps, and Shazier will help to build that young corps even more. Shazier will be a tackling machine and is best on the weak side. He will be a more athletic version of Lance Briggs as a ceiling, but has a low floor also.
26. Miami Dolphins (via trade with Cleveland) select: Xavier Su’a-Filo (OG, UCLA)
2nd Mock (Cleveland): Ryan Shazier (LB, Ohio State)
1st Mock (Cleveland): Kelvin Benjamin (WR, Florida State)
There is a “reach” every year in the first round, so I’m calling it here. Miami desperately needs help on their offensive line, and Albert (whom they signed in free agency) is just a start. Su’a-Filo is the best guard in the draft, so after trading down earlier, I think they pull the trigger here. Remember that last year the Bears “reached” in the first round to take a guard in Kyle Long. He ended up in the Pro Bowl. Xavier had a great combine and could definitely help Miami.
27. New Orleans Saints select: Kony Ealy (DE, Missouri)
2nd Mock: Morgan Moses (OT, Virginia)
1st Mock: Vic Beasley (OLB, Clemson)
The Saints addressed the back end of the defense via free agency, but they could still use another defensive end. Ealy is the second best end in this draft, and he could bring an immediate impact. If they really like an offensive tackle in this spot, they could go that direction. But the Saints should always worry about the defense more than the offense when Drew Brees is running the show.
28. Carolina Panthers select: Kelvin Benjamin (WR, Florida State)
2nd Mock: Allen Robinson (WR, Penn State)
1st Mock: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, LSU)
The Panthers really blew it this offseason by not signing any wide receivers (outside of Cotchery). They are now almost forced into taking one at this spot. If they don’t, they can trade down into the second round and have two picks there and pick up two receivers in that round.
29. New England Patriots select: Kyle Fuller (CB, Virginia Tech)
2nd Mock: Jace Amaro (TE, Texas Tech)
1st Mock (by Cleveland via trade): Carlos Hyde (RB, Ohio State)
I don’t know a ton about Fuller, but with the addition of Revis (1 year deal only), the Pats need help on the other side (Browner suspended for four games). Fuller is rated very high by Scouts Inc. (89 overall), and is a run support type corner who will play better in zone than man but is football smart and will not make a lot of mental mistakes. Belichick can make something of this kid, and they could use the depth at the very least.
30. San Francisco 49ers select: Jason Verrett (CB, TCU)
2nd Mock: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, LSU)
1st Mock: Davante Adams (WR, Fresno State)
The 49ers are one of the most complete teams in the NFL, but they are a little thin at cornerback. Verrett is the best one available and is coming off a great combine last month. But expect the 49ers to take a CB here, and I think it’s possible to see them trade up for one they really love.
31. Denver Broncos select: Lamarcus Joyner (CB, Florida State)
2nd Mock (by Miami via trade): Cyrus Kouandjio (OT, Alabama)
1st Mock (by Arizona via trade): Ra’Shede Hagemon (DT, Minnesota)
Joyner’s stock has taken a hit over the last couple of months, but he is still a very quality cornerback. Denver did add Talib in free agency at that position, but they lost DRC, cut Champ Bailey, and have three other corners from last year’s team unsigned. This is their greatest need and Joyner could help. Denver is another team that I could see trading up for a guy they really covet, which is actually what we predicted in mocks 1 and 2.
32. Seattle Seahawks select: Stephon Tuitt (DL, Notre Dame)
2nd Mock: Trent Murphy (DE, Stanford)
1st Mock: Morgan Moses (OT, Virginia)
Tuitt will be surprised to fall this far after the career he had at Notre Dame. The problem is that he is a little bit of a tweener (not a true DE or DT) but has the versatility to play both. He will replace Red Bryant on the Seahawks line.
Bonus: Ten More Picks
33. Houston Texans select: Demarcus Lawrence (OLB, Boise State)
The Texans need some depth at OLB. Lawrence has prototypical size and has the ability to be a 3 down OLB for the Texans.
34. Washington Redskins select: Morgan Moses (OT, Virginia)
Since we didn’t include any second rounders in previous drafts, this is our first selection for Washington in any mock. Washington brought in a lot of quality defenders through free agency, but I still believe RGIII needs more help on offense. So I’d expect either a WR here or help on the offensive line. Moses is the best prospect left between those two options, and there is plenty of depth to add a quality WR later.
35. Jacksonville Jaguars (via trade with Cleveland) select: Teddy Bridgewater (QB, Louisville)
Jacksonville has multiple picks in the fourth and fifth rounds, and I say they send one of them to Cleveland here in order to move up ahead of Oakland in this round. They do this to select Teddy Bridgewater as the QB of their future. Teddy was once considered the favorite to go #1 overall, so this is a steal. We predict he’ll slide due to his poor pro day, and this would be similar to Geno Smith last year.
36. Oakland Raiders select: Derek Carr (QB, Fresno State)
The Raiders are said to “have a huge crush on” Carr, and even with the trade for Matt Schaub, they need an insurance policy and someone who can challenge Schaub for the starting job (at least in their minds). Derek Carr, welcome to the black hole.
37. Atlanta Falcons select: Dee Ford (DE, Auburn)
The Falcons desperately need a pass rush, and Ford is probably the best pure pass rusher in this draft. He has had some injuries that kept him out of the combine but he is the real deal. Great value here in the second round!
38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Ra’Shede Hageman (DT, Minnesota)
I believe Tampa would take the best defensive player available here after going WR in round 1. Clearly, that is Hageman. He’s been in every one of our first round mocks. He fell here and Tampa would be pleased, very pleased.
39. Cleveland Browns (via trade with Jacksonville) select: Davante Adams (WR, Fresno State)
So far in this draft Cleveland has picked the best offensive lineman (Robinson), the second best QB (Manziel), and here they grab a very solid receiver than could be their team’s new #2. Obviously we think they need help on offense as the defense was already solid. I think the Browns and their fans would be giddy to start the year if the draft played out like this.
40. Minnesota Vikings select: Jimmy Garrapolo (QB, Eastern Illinois)
Garrapolo has been rocketing up draft boards. He has great pocket awareness, an almost Aaron Rodgers’ like quick release, and from all accounts throws a very accurate ball. The Vikings got a WR in the first round, but grabbed what could be their QB of the future with this pick.
41. Buffalo Bills select: Jerry Attaochu (OLB, Georgia Tech)
The Bills drafted a great ILB last year in Kiko Alonso, Attaochu is a bit raw, but his athletic ability is off the charts and he has a lot of room to grow mentally. Buffalo is a good place for him to do that. Think of a poor man’s Ziggy Ansah.
42. Tennessee Titans select: Cyrus Kouandjio (OT, Alabama)
Cyrus was once considered a top ten pick. His stock started slipping however, and really fell after the combine due to medical/physical concerns. If he’s in shape though by the time the draft rolls around, this is a spot that is well worth the risk. His upside is tremendous and he’s still very young. The Titans are losing multiple tackles this offseason, and bring in Oher isn’t the only move they need to make.
As more time passes, we’ll do this again. But enjoy the offseason for now, and be mindful of the pro days and private workouts.
NOTE: This mock was completed on Sunday. Word broke on Monday that Cleveland wouldn’t be attending Manziel’s pro day. We had Johnny Football going to the Browns at 19. I doubt that happens now. But we didn’t wanted to re-do the entire mock after this bit of news broke. Deal with it. Bridgewater is now more likely the QB Cleveland would target in the first round, Carr or another would be their target in second.
By: The Sports Guys
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