2014 Mock Draft Round 1
- Updated: April 13, 2014
Houston Texans- Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney would have been the first pick of last year’s draft after his rookie season. There was a lot of speculation about who would be this year. For some reason, Clowney’s stock took a nosedive earlier in the draft process but lately he’s been climbing right back up to where you should have been all along. This gives the Texans the scariest two pass rushers in the league.
St . Louis Rams- Khalil Mack. I think Mack is the second best player in the draft. Absolutely wreaks havoc on opposing quarterbacks and running backs. His athletic ability allows him to cover the quicker backs in the flat and he is someone that I don’t believe Jeff Fisher will pass on.
Jacksonville Jaguars- Greg Robinson. Robinson is a extremely strong and athletic, a few minor flaws in his technique that can be overcome quickly in the NFL. If the Jaguars coach him correctly, then they will have a franchise left tackle for many, many years to come.
Cleveland Browns- Jake Matthews. With the current development with Pro Bowl center Mack, the Browns have an immediate need for Jake Matthews. Mathews has played all five positions on the offense of line but grades out highest at offensive tackle. He will be an impact for any NFL team that picks him.
Oakland Raiders- Sammy Watkins. Probably the most versatile and explosive player in this years draft. Watkins most likely won’t be here but as I was going through the needs I did not see the Rams having a need for Watkins when they just spent the last three drafts building up the receiving corps. If this actually does happen with the moves that the Raiders have made in free agency, they could very well close the gap on the Chiefs and the Chargers.
Atlanta Falcons- CJ Mosley. Atlanta is defense deficient in the middle and Mosley is a big, quick, and ferocious middle linebacker that can anchor the defense for years. The last few years the defense has been seriously neglected, and after last year’s meltdown you have no choice but to get physical really quick. Mosley can be that guy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Anthony Barr. The consensus is a big wide out here, but I think they need to lock down Barr. Like Mosley, Barr is another guy you can build a defense around. Great talent and a strong voice.
Minnesota Vikings- Teddy Bridgewater. Well it is about time, right. I mean a month ago, QBs were all the rage in the draft process, so why did they all drop? I think the hype didn’t show up in the combine, and it seemed no one wanted to throw except “second-tier guys”. Good thing too… if your a Vikings fan.
Buffalo Bills- Kelvin Benjamin. After Watkins I like Benjamin as the best fit here. He is a little raw but but the franchise upside is more than Evans. Opening up the offense for Johnson and Spiller would be a huge opportunity for Buffalo to cash in on.
Detroit Lions-Eric Ebron. This is almost not fair. The Lions have been trying to find a complement to Calvin Johnson for a few years now, and it never seems to work out. Maybe they find it in a TE who can do it all.
Tennessee Titans- Blake Bortles. The Titans’ experiment with Jake Locker, even though he should be good to go for OTA’s, has to be over at this point. Bortles has been considered a can’t miss, and the Titans will look at it as a can’t-pass moment.
New York Giants- Mike Evans. It just seems like there are presents for everyone this year. Eli would love this big wideout from Texas A&M. Most people have him ranked higher than Benjamin, but I believe it works out better for both franchises in the long run with this draft.
St. Louis Rams- Taylor Lewan. Now its time for the Rams to get an All Pro lineman.
Chicago Bears- Justin Gilbert. A seriously gifted cover corner that can start day one. With an old secondary, Gilbert could be their future.
Pittsburgh Steelers-Stephon Tuitt. The Steelers should see a lot of versatility in a 305-lb package in Tuitt. The ability to play inside and outside on the defensive line should make Tomlin dance on the sidelines. Seriously, stay on the sidelines Mike.
Dallas Cowboys- Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The Cowboys are in desperate need of a high-level safety and Clinton-Dix could be just that.
Baltimore Ravens- Calvin Prior. With the departure of Reed, the Ravens have a giant hole at the free safety position. Prior is a violent hitter who can defend the run. Look out Goldson and ‘Hitner’ because Prior could be right there for thumper of the year.
New York Jets-Marquise Lee. The Jets whiffed on DeSean Jackson in free agency. Ironically, Lee probably is the closest style wise to Jackson in the draft. Lee could pop the top off a lot of defenses in the NFL and coupling him with Vick could make him even more enticing.
Miami Dolphins- Jace Amaro.Texas A&M has its 3rd first rounder of the draft. Amaro, coupled with Charles Clay, could make a Gronk/Hernandez type duo in Miami. Miami has done well in free agency fixing the line issues, so Amaro is a bonus here.
Arizona Cardinal- Zack Martin. Keeping Palmer off his back should be priority No. 1 for Arizona. Martin will most likely make a move inside, but with his length, he would still be a viable option at tackle.
Green Bay Packers- Ra’Shede Hageman.Green Bay is in desperate need for secondary pass rushers and Hageman could be a perfect fit with the Packers. As a converted tight end, Hageman has the speed to get through the line. Hageman most likely will have a learning curve to overcome, but if he catches on, he will be Clay Matthews best friend.
Philadelphia Eagles- Demarcus Lawrence. Chip Kelly’s offense should still be on track, even with the loss of Jackson. This draft, Chip needs to focus in on improving the defense. Lawrence will be able to put pressure off the edge and could also be a fit as a rushing linebacker.
Kansas City Chiefs- Darqueze Dennard.The Chiefs needs have the need for a big strong press corner and find it in Dennard. The former Spartan reminds me of a humble corner who came out of Stanford a couple years ago.
Cincinnati Bengals- Brandin Cooks.With Bernard hoping to make the jump, another top-tier receiver to complement Green. Those two could run the gauntlet for years as a dual threat in the AFC North.
San Diego Chargers- Bradley Roby. The speedy corner would be a perfect fit for the Chargers. Roby could walk on as the nickel and will be a nice contributor on special teams.
Cleveland Browns- Johnny Manziel. Thanks Indy. Here is the franchise QB everyone wanted earlier all thanks to the massive over evaluation that the Colts had on Trent Richarson.
New Orleans Saints- Ryan Shazier. Sean Payton knows that closing the championship gap will mean giving Ryan some new toys. Shazier can cover and is a sure tackler that could help close the gap.
Carolina Panthers- Odell Beckham Jr. Desperation for a wide receiver will land them a Hines Ward clone. Beckham Jr. has strong hands and always seems to come down with the ball. Great pick with long-term capabilities.
New England Patriots- Louis Nix III. After Wilfork put a scare in Foxboro when he asked for his release, the Patriots are going to want to find the heir to his thrown. Nix III could be that guy, but the Patriots will probably trade out of this spot.
San Francisco 49ers- Carlos Hyde. This season you will see the rise of Lattimore. As the current trend in the NFL is a thunder and lightning combo, and this could be a good one. They probably won’t go RB here but I feel like the Niners have the luxury of going in several different directions.
Denver Broncos- Gabe Jackson. Time for the Broncos to reinvest in the offense line, and a guard to blow holes through defenses would work well for anyone, including a team that stacked up in free agency.
Seattle Seahawks- Troy Nilas. Niklas is an all-around tight end. Zack Miller has been ok as an outlet for Russell Wilson but Niklas could open up a whole new side for Wilson.
This is a fantasy dream draft. I do believe that the selections would make positive impacts on the team.
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