The Way Too Early 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 26-32
By Erik Lambert
September 22, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) runs for a touchdown following an interception in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Ending the first round doesn’t disappoint with the unexpected. Certain NFL teams are familiar, others are newcomers. Yet they all have one thing in common: a great thirst to get better. Where do they go in this mock draft?
#26 – Cincinnati Bengals – Louchiez Purifoy – CB – Florida
Marv Lewis not only wins the division for the first time since 2005, he finally gets his first playoff victory as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. Then his team is promptly hustled out in the divisional round. Seemingly on the right track and boasting a team filled with young talent, the Bengals are one of the few teams that can take the best player on their board. In that case they may gun for Louchiez Purifoy. The Florida corner is ridiculously athletic, having the size and speed to cover any receiver. His lack of interceptions is really the only question about his game but scouts believe it’s because teams simply don’t throw at him. Cincinnati will be glad to hear that.
#27 – Green Bay Packers – James Hurst – OT – North Carolina
Same story, different verse. The Green Bay Packers win their division for the third-straight year and once get ousted in the divisional round. A lot of their problems still remain unsolved. Among the biggest is the offensive line. While they did invest some draft picks this past April in some young blood, injuries have continued to dog their top choices like Derrick Sherrod and most recently Brian Bulaga. Protecting Aaron Rodgers continues to be their best hope for contention and so Ted Thompson makes it a point to invest another high pick to try to turn the line around. He makes a very solid play by scooping up James Hurst. The North Carolina tackle has an excellent combination of size and athleticism. His quick hands and feet allow him to easily handle speed rushers. With another year in college he should be among the most polished tackles in the draft.
#28 – San Francisco 49ers – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu – CB – Oregon
There is no question the championship window is wide open for the San Francisco 49ers but unfortunately they suffer a slight Super Bowl hangover this season, losing in the divisional round. Anxious to erase what few weakness they have on the roster, Trent Baalke goes right after his ever-shifting secondary that has kept itself together through cheap free agents and older veterans. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu may be a hard name to pronounce but it isn’t hard to see his talent. Aside from a slight height concern, he has all the tools from speed to athleticism, physicality, closing burst and ball skills to play corner in the NFL. His inexperience is a big reason scouts are watching him in 2013. Expectations are for him to make a big jump. San Francisco will be glad to have him in order to settle down their secondary.
#29 – New England Patriots – Timmy Jernigan – DT – Florida State
Once again the AFC championship game involves the New England Patriots but again they can’t get over the hump to the Super Bowl. The loss of a number of weapons on offense and a defense that while opportunistic is still weak in some areas proves too much to overcome for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. A big problem they’ve tried to tackle is in the middle of the defensive line. Vince Wilfork is aging and nearing retirement over the next few years. The Patriots signed veteran Tommy Kelly but his decline already started inOakland. They need a serious boost in the middle or risk it becoming a huge liability. Timmy Jernigan is a great place to start. Strong, quick and athletically gifted for his size, he was already a key part of the Florida State defense before becoming a starter. As he makes that transition expectations are huge for him. If he produces, it will attract lots of attention, including from the Patriots.
#30 – Seattle Seahawks – Kareem Martin – DE – North Carolina
Despite some nagging injuries, the Seattle Seahawks get hot at the perfect team and much like their rival from San Francisco ride it through the playoffs. Though they fall short in the NFC championship game, it is a clear sign the team is on the right path and only needs to continue feeding the machine. With a number of their defensive ends becoming free agents in 2014, there is no question they could use some fresh, cheap blood in the system. Kareem Martin is an excellent pick. Versatile for his size, he can play left or right defensive end and has the experience with switching fronts at North Carolina. His quick first step has scouts very excited. If he can improve his overall physical strength then he is as good a pickup as there is.
#31 – Atlanta Falcons – Lache Seastrunk – RB – Baylor
After so many years of frustration the Atlanta Falcons finally reach the Super Bowl, but unfortunately come up just short. Knowing they have a roster good enough to compete, they must deliberate on where to go next. Given where the strength of their team lay, it’s no question they must feed quarterback Matt Ryan as many weapons as possible. There probably isn’t one better than running back Lache Seastrunk. The Baylor product is perhaps the fastest player in college football at the moment along with good size and strength for playing as a full-time starter. He is a home run waiting to happen. Where he needs work is pass protection and receiving. That is a big reason why he falls to the bottom of the first round. Not that the Falcons are complaining. They’ve had success for years without throwing to the backs, and Steven Jackson will be happy to share some carries with a younger kid in order to preserve his body.
#32 – Denver Broncos – Ryan Shazier – OLB – Ohio State
It was a tough call deciding who wins the Super Bowl in 2014, but it’s hard to bet against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. They have the easiest schedule of any team in the league, a bevy of extra weapons for Manning to use on offense and a defense that got a nice boost to their already solid unit with defensive tackle Sylvester Williams. This proves to finally get Manning over the hump. It also means he likely will retire if that happens. The temptation to pick up another quarterback is strong but the Broncos already made an investment in Brock Osweiler and decide to stick with him. With that done, they choose to go for the best player left on the board. Ryan Shazier is a prototypical weak side linebacker in a 4-3 defense. He plays remarkably well around the line of scrimmage and can rush the passer when asked. John Fox will be glad to have him in the NFL.