It’s draft day. After 9 months of scouting, reporting, information gathering and mock drafting, the 2014 NFL Draft has finally arrived.
This mock draft doesn’t have any listed trades, but certainly accounts and discusses them. This is a reflection of what I’ve heard from people in and close to teams in the league.
Johnny Manziel slips, Odell Beckham Jr. is coveted, Aaron Donald is the surprise of the first round and learn about Ja’Wuan James of Tennessee.
1. Houston Texans – Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
-The Texans would like to move out of the pick, but odds are they won’t find a trade worth doing that fits value-wise. Clowney fits the defense better than most realize. There’s still an outside shot of Khalil Mack, but it’d be a major surprise.
2. St. Louis Rams – Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
-St. Louis has been rumored to be open to trading for a while, but they seem locked in with this pick. He can play right tackle or guard as a rookie and eventually take over for Jake Long at left tackle.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
-This pick is tough to pick between Watkins and Khalil Mack, and I’ve heard both are strong options. I’ll still lean Watkins, as the team can’t trust Justin Blackmon long-term. A trade down with Atlanta is possible.
4. Cleveland Browns – Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
-Seems like major reach to me, but I’ve heard Evans is the pick for the Browns if he’s here. They’re rumored to like him more than Sammy Watkins. They’ll target their quarterback with their second first-rounder.
5. Oakland Raiders – Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
-This would be a major surprise, but I’ve heard Donald is the pick. Tough to believe that they’d pass on Khalil Mack or Sammy Watkins, but Donald makes sense to keep this defensive line a strength. They’re still a strong contender to trade down.
6. Atlanta Falcons – Khalil Mack, DE, Buffalo
-The Falcons may need to move to #3 to secure Mack, which I’ve heard is very possible. Finding an edge rusher would be ideal for the Falcons, and Mack is obviously an ideal value.
7. Tampa Bay Bucs – Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
-I’m not buying the Johnny Manziel rumors at all. If Aaron Donald is available, I think he’s the pick. If not, they’ll take one of the best offensive linemen left. Matthews is that man here.
8. Minnesota Vikings – Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
-If Mack, Evans and Donald are off the board, I’d guess the Vikings are trading down. They’ll have suitors looking for Odell Beckham Jr, Taylor Lewan and Anthony Barr. If they move down, I think Dennard is their target.
9. Buffalo Bills – Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
-I’ve had Martin linked to the Bills since the Senior Bowl, and I think he’s still the pick here, even if Taylor Lewan is on the board. Martin can play right tackle or guard for the Bills, who need to improve upfront to help CJ Spiller and EJ Manuel.
10. Detroit Lions – Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State
-The Lions two biggest needs are linebacker and safety, and neither is a good value here at 10. I think Detroit looks to move back, probably for a team looking for Anthony Barr (the Eagles) or Odell Beckham Jr. (the Jets). If they move down, it’ll come down to Shazier or HaHa Clinton-Dix. I’ll lean Shazier.
11. Tennessee Titans – Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
-The Titans only have Shaun Phillips as an experienced 3-4 outside linebacker, and they need to address it long term. Barr’s UCLA defensive coordinator is now the linebackers coach in Tennessee, so the connection is there.
12. New York Giants – Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
-Adding Justin Pugh was the start of the Giants overhaul on their offensive line. William Beatty needs replacing, and Lewan can fill the left tackle role for the future. Look for them to trade up to 8th overall to secure Lewan.
13. St. Louis Rams – Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
-The Rams could look at receiver, linebacker or safety, but Justin Gilbert feels like a cornerback Jeff Fisher would covet. He’s going to land somewhere in the top-15, and St. Louis is a fit.
14. Chicago Bears – HaHa Clinton-Dix, SAF, Alabama
-Chicago needs to get younger in the secondary, and safety is a good place to start. Clinton-Dix is the draft’s best safety, and if he doesn’t go 10, this is a very possible landing spot.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
-The Steelers need the defensive line help, and Hagemen fits their mold of defensive linemen. If he’s on the board, I’d bet strongly he’s the pick.
16. Dallas Cowboys – Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
-Where Manziel lands on draft day is almost anyone’s guess, but my gut feeling is that it won’t be in the top-10 picks. I believe the Cowboys are serious about their interest in Manziel and will take him if he’s available.
17. Baltimore Ravens – Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
-Eugene Monroe is set on one side, but the Ravens need to find a right tackle in this draft. Moses has experience there and for many teams is viewed as a top-20 prospects (even though I disagree with that assessment).
18. New York Jets – Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU
-If the Jets want Beckham, they’ll have to trade up. I think a move with the Lions is legitimate, and I’ll say the Jets find a way to land him. If they don’t, Brandin Cooks looks like the pick.
19. Miami Dolphins – Ja’Wuan James, OT, Tennessee
-Ideally, Miami would like to move down to take James, but I wouldn’t rule out them staying put and drafting him. He’s played 49 straight games at right tackle for the Volunteers, and fills their biggest need.
20. Arizona Cardinals – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
-Blake Bortles is their top quarterback, and with him available, it’ll be tempting. But, I think Bruce Arians wants a seam stretching tight end too badly to pass on Ebron at this point. Ebron, Ford, Pryor and Bortles are all in play here.
21. Green Bay Packers – Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
-Surprising to have Kyle Fuller land here, but if he does fall to 21, it’d be a shock to see the Packers pass on him. He can play safety or cornerback as a rookie and develop into their long-term feature cornerback.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
-We have a mid-round grade on Jordan Matthews, but I’ve been told that he won’t leave the first round. If the Eagles can’t secure Odell Beckham Jr, Matthews might be the next option for them at receiver. Bradley Roby and CJ Mosley are also options.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Calvin Pryor, SAF, Louisville
-The rumors of the team trading Eric Berry are legitimate. Whether they do or not, they’ll need depth and versatility at safety. Sanders Commings is likely their free safety of the future, and Pryor, along with Berry, can give the team a lot of versatility in the defensive backfield.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
-Andy Dalton is going to command a 10 million dollar a year deal for the next 3-4 years. The Bengals are notoriously cheap, and the idea of getting Bridgewater (who’s probably just as good if not better right now) for 5 years at far less money may be too good to pass on. If not quarterback. Bradley Roby or Kony Ealy fit.
25. San Diego Chargers – Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
-With Bradley Roby on the board, it’s hard to imagine the team passing on him. But, if Louis Nix is here, I’ve heard they probably won’t pass. They’re need at nose tackle is desperate, and they can’t afford to let the draft’s best slip past them.
26. Cleveland Browns (via IND) – Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
-After all the Johnny Manziel fanfare, the Browns likely won’t end up with him. They favor Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo from all I’ve heard. I’ll give the edge to Carr here.
27. New Orleans Saints – Marcus Martin, OC, USC
-I’m not a Marcus Martin first-round fan, but he can probably step in right away and start for the Saints. They have no center on the team capable of playing right now, and Martin got a last second invite to the draft. I’m just putting the pieces together here.
28. Carolina Panthers – Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
-The Panthers would love if Roby falls to them, as the cornerback position is quietly their biggest need. Joel Bitonio, Cyrus Kouandjio and Brandin Cooks are all in the mix here as well.
29. New England Patriots – Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
-The Patriots are likely to trade down, but Ealy is a guy that I’ve heard they view as a worthwhile player at this spot. I have a feeling Ealy find a home well before this point, though. Don’t be surprised if they take Dominique Easley here or in a trade back. This is my likely landing spot for Blake Bortles for a team that trades up.
30. San Francisco – Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
-Odds are Brandin Cooks is gone by this point, but it may only take 7-8 spots of trading up to secure him for the 49ers. He can give this team a unique vertical threat for the future.
31. Denver Broncos – Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA
-Rumors are that the Broncos covet Su’a-Filo and he’s their trade-up target. He may end up being here at 31, but don’t be surprised if they move up for their man. A cornerback and CJ Mosley may also be in the mix.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Marqise Lee, WR, USC
-Marqise Lee has a very good chance of falling out of the first round. Personally, I think he’s a top-15 prospect in this class, and Pete Carroll will likely strongly advocate for him if he starts to slide.
ROUND TWO
33. Houston – Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
34. Washington – Joel Bitonio, OG, Nevada
35. Cleveland – Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
36. Oakland – Jeremiah Attaochu, DE, Georgia Tech
37. Atlanta – Dominique Easley, DT, Florida
38. Tampa Bay – Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State
39. Jacksonville – Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
40. Minnesota – Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
41. Buffalo – Cody Lattimer, WR, Indiana
42. Tennessee – Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
43. New York Giants – CJ Mosley, ILB, Alabama
44. St. Louis – Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
45. Detroit – Jimmie Ward, SAF, Northern Illinois
46. Pittsburgh – Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood
47. Dallas – Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State
48. Baltimore – Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame
49. New York Jets – Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn
50. Miami – Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi
51. Chicago – Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State
52. Arizona – Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech
53. Green Bay – Deone Bucannon, SAF, Washington State
54. Philadelphia – Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice
55. Cincinnati – Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU
56. San Francisco – Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina
57. San Diego – Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
58. New Orleans – Martavius Bryant, WR, Clemson
59. Indianapolis – Weston Richburg, OC, Colorado
60. Carolina – Jack Mewhort, OT, Ohio State
61. San Francisco – Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame
62. New England – Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
63. Denver – Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina
64. Seattle – Marcus Smith, DE, Louisville
ROUND THREE
65. Houston – Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh
66. Washington – Keith McGill, CB, Utah
67. Oakland – Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
68. St. Louis – Terrance Brooks, SAF, Fresno State
69. New York Jets (via TB) – Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
70. Jacksonville – Caraun Reid, DT, Princeton
71. Cleveland – Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
72. Minnesota – Carl Bradford, OLB, Arizona State
73. Buffalo – Vinnie Sunseri, SAF, Alabama
74. New York Giants – Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State
75. St. Louis – AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama
76. Detroit – Jaylen Watkins, CB, Florida
77. San Francisco – Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin
78. Dallas – Lamarcus Joyner, SAF, Florida State
79. Baltimore – Dion Bailey, SAF, USC
80. New York Jets – Bashaun Breeland, CB, Clemson
81. Miami – Trai Turner, OG, LSU
82. Chicago – Brent Urban, DT, Virginia
83. Cleveland (via PIT) – Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
84. Arizona – Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
85. Green Bay- Trent Murphy, OLB, Stanford
86. Philadelphia – Yawin Smallwood, ILB, Uconn
87. Kansas City – Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers
88. Cincinnati – David Yankey, OG, Stanford
89. San Diego – Travis Swanson, OC, Arkansas
90. Indianapolis – Justin Ellis, DT, Louisiana Tech
91. New Orleans – Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
92. Carolina – Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss
93. New England – Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
94. San Francisco – Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia
95. Denver – Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
96. Minnesota (via SEA) – Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
Here is Alex Brown of Optimum Scouting’s Final Mock Draft
Round
Round Pick
Overall
Team
Player
Position
College
1
1
1
Houston
JaDeveon Clowney
DE
South Carolina
1
2
2
St. Louis
Greg Robinson
OT
Auburn
1
3
3
Jacksonville
Johnny Manziel
QB
Texas A&M
1
4
4
Cleveland
Sammy Watkins
WR
Clemson
1
5
5
Oakland
Khalil Mack
OLB
Buffalo
1
6
6
Atlanta
Jake Matthews
OT
Texas A&M
1
7
7
Tampa Bay
Mike Evans
WR
Texas A&M
1
8
8
Minnesota
Aaron Donald
DT
Pittsburgh
1
9
9
Buffalo
Zack Martin
OT
Notre Dame
1
10
10
Detroit
Odell Beckham Jr.
WR
LSU
1
11
11
Tennessee
Anthony Barr
OLB
UCLA
1
12
12
NY Giants
Taylor Lewan
OT
Michigan
1
13
13
St. Louis
HaHa Clinton-Dix
SAF
Alabama
1
14
14
Chicago
Kyle Fuller
CB
Virginia Tech
1
15
15
Pittsburgh
Rashede Hageman
DE
Minnesota
1
16
16
Dallas
Ryan Shazier
OLB
Ohio State
1
17
17
Baltimore
Morgan Moses
OT
Virginia
1
18
18
NY Jets
Eric Ebron
TE
North Carolina
1
19
19
Miami
Ja’Wuan James
OT
Tennessee
1
20
20
Arizona
Blake Bortles
QB
UCF
1
21
21
Green Bay
Justin Gilbert
CB
Oklahoma St.
1
22
22
Philadelphia
Jimmie Ward
SAF
Northern Illinois
1
23
23
Kansas City
Brandin Cooks
WR
Oregon State
1
24
24
Cincinnati
Teddy Bridgewater
QB
Fresno State
1
25
25
San Diego
Jason Verrett
CB
TCU
1
26
26
Cleveland
Derek Carr
QB
Fresno State
1
27
27
New Orleans
Dee Ford
OLB
Auburn
1
28
28
Carolina
Cyrus Kouandjio
OT
Alabama
1
29
29
New England
Austin S. Jenkins
TE
Washington
1
30
30
San Francisco
Bradley Roby
CB
Ohio State
1
31
31
Denver
Xavier Su’a-Filo
OG
UCLA
1
32
32
Seattle
Stephon Tuitt
DT
Notre Dame