A lot of the time in the NFL, there is stability at the top of the draft. You know who is going to be selected with the first overall pick. It is obvious, there is a clear cut player. Sometimes you even know who the top two picks will be, 2012 for example, we knew it would be Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. As the 2014 NFL draft approaches we have a clue of who might go first, but whoever is taken or whatever the Houston Texans do with the first pick at Radio City Music Hall this week will shape not only their future, but the future of 31 other franchises. So what will it be Houston? The menacing defensive beast Jadeveon Clowney? The heart and pride of College Station, TX, Johnny Football himself? You could trade the pick, possibly foiling the draft plans of several teams or maybe you will shock the football world with something nobody else expects? Bill O’Brien, Houston Texans, you guys are on the clock…
1. Houston Texans – DE/OLB, South Carolina, Jadeveon Clowney
I think in the end the Texans are going to take Clowney. A trade with the Atlanta Falcons would not shock me here, however if the Texans elect to keep the pick I do not see how they will pass on Clowney. He may not end out being as good as he is hyped up to be, but I still think it is most likely he will become an elite pass rusher in the NFL and work out for the Texans in the long run.
2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) – OT, Auburn, Greg Robinson
It comes down to a tackle or a wide out here. Since the draft is richly flowing with a lot of receiving prospects, the Rams will elect to take a blocker. I think they’ll choose Robinson over Jake Matthews because he has a higher ceiling. The Rams should not be too concerned about right now as they are in currently what has become the toughest division in football and are on the outside looking in.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – OLB, Buffalo, Khalil Mack
The Browns have their hearts set on Johnny Manziel and I could see a potential trade for him. If Jags keep the pick Khalil Mack seems like the most logical selection. The Jags may consider Sammy Watkins here but Gus Bradley is a defense-oriented coach and I expect his draft decisions to reflect that.
4. Cleveland Browns – QB, Texas A&M, Johnny Manziel
I said it a year ago; the Browns want an exciting guy that will finally bring success to Cleveland. They will do anything they can to get Manziel. If they need to trade up, I think they will.
5. Oakland Raiders – WR, Clemson, Sammy Watkins
The Raiders need a clear-cut number one receiver. Watkins will make it easy for newly acquired quarterback Matt Schaub to succeed early. Would not be shocked if the Raiders addressed quarterback later in the draft.
6. Atlanta Falcons – OT, Texas A&M, Jake Matthews
I’m sure the Falcons want Clowney or Mack with their first pick. If they don’t trade up for one of the edge rushers this would be a perfect pick for them. The Falcons O-line let up 44 sacks, 100 QB hits and 206 hurries last season. Not to mention Matt Ryan had possibly one of the worst seasons of his career. Jake Matthews will come in ready to contribute in the blocking game day one and the Falcons will be able to have a bounce back season in what is shaping up to be a tough division.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR, Texas A&M, Mike Evans
Evans will serve as a strong target downfield opposite Vincent Jackson whether it’s Glennon or McCown under center.
8. Minnesota Vikings – QB, UCF, Blake Bortles
Bortles is able to operate under pressure and excells at throwing on the run. I think that he will be able to run the play-action with Adrian Peterson very well. Minnesota is a solid fit for him.
9. Buffalo Bills – OT, Michigan, Taylor Lewan
It makes all the sense in the world for them to take Lewan here, they could use an upgrade at right tackle and at that point he would probably be the best player on the board.
10.Detroit Lions – DT, Pittsburgh, Aaron Donald
It took a while for the Lions to climb back into relevancy, and they don’t want to fall back out of it. They want to get back to their winning ways now. Look for them to draft someone who can come in and contribute immediately. I think that Aaron Donald fits this model; the Lions will also be sticking with the 4-3 next year. With Fairley set to become a free agent next year Donald could come in and take over. Suh and Donald could wreak havoc on quarterbacks for many years to come.
11. Tennessee Titans – CB, Oklahoma St., Justin Gilbert
The Titans lost Alterraun Verner to the Buccaneers this offseason and there is a shortage of excellent cornerbacks currently available in the NFL. I think this comes down to Gilbert and Darqueeze Dennard. Gilbert’s ceiling is slightly higher than that of Dennard’s, he also has strong one-on-one coverage skills.
12. New York Giants – TE, North Carolina, Eric Ebron
I’m sure the Giants would have loved to get their hands on Aaron Donald here and maybe they would even trade up for him. However, with him off the board I see them taking Ebron here. He is without a doubt the number one tight end going into the draft. Ebron will certainly help Eli Manning in his bounce back campaign next season. He could use some work on his blocking but he will be an immediate threat downfield for the Giants.
13. St. Louis Rams – S, Alabama, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
I thought about having the Rams take a wide receiver here but it is a deep draft for wide outs. They are set at strong safety with T.J. McDonald and they could use a top-notch ball hawking free safety to come in and play the opposite side of the field. Even though Calvin Pryor is more talented overall than Clinton-Dix in my opinion, Clinton-Dix is a better fit with the Rams because he will be able to spread the field and contribute to the pass defense better.
14. Chicago Bears – CB, Michigan St., Darqueze Dennard
The Bears definitely need to address the defensive side of the ball here, they are another team that would have loved Aaron Donald but with him off the board I think they target Darqueze Dennard here. I think he can bring the competitive energy and playmaking capability that the Bears need to add to their defense.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB, Virginia Tech, Kyle Fuller
Cornerback is an immediate need for the Steelers. Despite the fact that Gilbert and Dennard are both of the board I don’t think that will stop them from pulling the trigger on a corner. I think that Kyle Fuller is an NFL ready guy who can not only come in and contribute on the field but he can became a leader for this team. I can see him as a longtime Steeler.
16. Dallas Cowboys – DE/OLB, UCLA, Anthony Barr
The Cowboys lost Jay Ratliff, DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher this offseason. They must address the defensive front, specifically the line. Despite the fact that Anthony Barr has only been playing on the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys believe he can be converted from an OLB to a 4-3 DE.
17. Baltimore Ravens – OT, Notre Dame, Zack Martin
Thanks to the struggles and departure of The Blind Side man Michael Oher, the Ravens have a strong need at right tackle. As much as I think they will consider Calvin Pryor here, Zack Martin would fit perfectly in Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme, which has been a paradise for running backs. He could contribute positively to Ray Rice’s hopeful bounce back season next year and the offense overall.
18. New York Jets – WR, LSU, Odell Beckham Jr.
The Jets need a stable wide receiver to help either Geno Smith and/or Michael Vick under center next season. Beckham will be able to fit in a variety of packages and contribute to the return game.
19. Miami Dolphins – S, Louisville, Calvin Pryor
The Dolphins are a strong trade down candidate as it would be a reach to take a tackle, tight end, guard or maybe even a cornerback here. If for some strange reason the Dolphins decide to keep this pick I think they will be go with the best available player of a position that has somewhat of a need for them. That would be either C.J. Mosely or Calvin Pryor. In the end I think they need a safety more than an inside linebacker. So Pryor it is.
20. Arizona Cardinals – QB, Fresno St., Derek Carr
Steve Keim and Bruce Arians agenda come draft day is usually to take the best available player, however here the Cardinals may have to choose between addressing a need by taking a quarterback or taking the best available player. I think it would be best for them to grab a QB here. I think they’ll take Derek Carr. Carr has a very strong arm and deep passes are certainly sets that Bruce Arians likes to run often.
21. Green Bay Packers – DT, Florida St., Timmy Jernigan
Even though he is under contract for this year, B.J. Raji’s days in Green Bay may be coming to a close. Timmy Jernigan would fit well in Dom Capers’s 3-4 scheme and could become the next in line for the position. At the same time it could inspire Raji to give it his all in a contract year with a youngster knocking on the door for playing time.
22. Philadelphia Eagles, Oregon St., Brandin Cooks
I think the Eagles go cornerback or wide receiver here. It would be hard for them to pass up on Brandin Cooks after the release of Desean Jackson. He is an extremely capable deep threat and he could be plugged right in at the slot.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – G, UCLA, Xavier Su’a-Filo
Su’a-Filo makes the most sense here for the Chiefs. With the departures of several offensive lineman, the Chiefs and their offensive line oriented head coach Andy Reid have a dire need at guard.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – CB, TCU, Jason Verrett
I would be shocked if the Bengals don’t take Verrett with this pick. He would be one of the best players on the board and addressing their top need. Easiest pick to predict in this mock so far.
25. San Diego Chargers – DT, Notre Dame, Louis Nix III
It was reported recently that Nix would welcome a reunion with his former college teammate Manti Te’o. He would also fit well in San Diego as their nose guard on defense.
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis) – ILB, Alabama, C.J. Mosely
This has already been a major drop for C.J. Mosely. The Browns could plug him in alongside Karlos Dansby and take their front seven to the next level. Expect them to address a receiver in one of the next few rounds.
27. New Orleans Saints – CB, Ohio St., Bradley Roby
The Saints would like to improve their secondary, as their pass defense has been a problem in recent years. At this point in the draft Roby will be the best defensive back available.
28. Carolina Panthers – WR, USC, Marqise Lee
Jason Avant would be the Panthers number one receiver if the season started today. I’ve said enough.
29. New England Patriots – TE, Washington, Austin Seferian-Jenkins
The Patriots will probably trade down and still take the same guy, however if they don’t I still expect them to take a tight end with their first pick. They would like a vertical threat to mesh well with Rob Gronkowksi and maybe even assume the first spot on the depth chart if Gronk can’t stay healthy.
30. San Francisco 49ers – DE/OLB, Auburn, Dee Ford
Ford’s presence would be felt immediately on defense. Wide receiver and cornerback can be addressed later in the draft.
31. Denver Broncos – OLB, Ohio St., Ryan Shazier
Selecting Shazier will enable the Broncos to move Trevathan inside. Imagine Shazier, Trevathan and Miller. Scary.
32. Seattle Seahawks – DE, Missouri, Kony Ealy
Ealy would certainly fit right in with Richard Sherman and the Seattle Seahawks as Michael Bennett’s replacement. He was quoted recently saying he was the best defensive end in the draft. Sound familiar? “Best damn corner in the league.” He would be a welcomed addition to the legion of boom in their quest of a repeat as super bowl champions.
Sports Compass 