2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: Complete 2nd Round
By Erik Lambert
Nov 23, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) celebrates a touchdown against the Texas A
The latest 2014 NFL mock draft continues into the second round as the trades keep flying and teams make some bold moves.
#33 – Houston Texans – Jimmy Garoppolo – QB – Eastern Illinois
This will go down as one of the stunners of the draft. Jimmy Garoppolo does project as a possible 2nd rounder but none would expect this early. However, his latest showings prove he has the complete repertoire essential to start in the pros, mentally and physically.
#34 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from WAS) – Jace Amaro – TE – Texas Tech
Trade yield: Redskins get TB 5th round pick
The mercurial Bucs stay on the move, this time jumping up the board to swipe Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro. It is a high quality pick at a position of need. Amaro is big, fast for his size with good hands and is a proven producer.
#35 – St. Louis Rams (from CLE) – Carlos Hyde – RB – Ohio State
Zac Stacy had a breakout season but is he a #1 guy? The St. Louis Rams should bring in help in case he isn’t. Carlos Hyde will remind a lot of people of Marshawn Lynch. He finds the hole very well and once downhill is a load to bring down.
#36 – Oakland Raiders – Zach Mettenberger – QB – LSU
Offensive coordinator Greg Olson has a history with big quarterbacks. Oakland needs some competition and Zach Mettenberger is right up his alley. The 6’5″ monster from LSU is a classic pocket passer with a gun for an arm who showed considerable improvement throughout 2013.
#37 – Atlanta Falcons – Zack Martin – OT – Notre Dame
Having gotten their pass rusher, the Atlanta Falcons look to give Matt Ryan more protection. Zack Martin is a smart, strong tackle from Notre Dame who rarely gets caught out of position and plays with a nasty edge.
#38 – Washington Redskins (from TB) – Lamarcus Joyner – S – Florida State
They managed to get an extra pick for later and still get a quality talent for themselves. Lamarcus Joyner may lack height but he doesn’t like talent. The FloridaState safety can do so many things well and the Washington Redskins will love him on the back end of their defense.
#39 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Reilly – DE – Utah
Gus Bradley is still on the lookout for pass rush help and somebody who can fill his LEO linebacker position. Trevor Reilly has the length and athleticism coming out of Utah to fill that role.
#40 – Minnesota Vikings – Xavier Su’a-Filo – OG – UCLA
With their quarterback locked up, the Minnesota Vikings must fortify his offensive line. Guard is an area that needs shoring up. Xavier Su’a-Filo has a powerful build, good quickness and uses his hands to great effect.
#41 – Buffalo Bills – Antonio Richardson – OT – Tennessee
The offensive line played well in 2013 but the Buffalo Bills can’t stop trying to improve. The tackle spot could use some attention. Antonion Richardson is a massive blocker out of Tennessee whose size and strength would make him ideal to anchor the right side.
#42 – Tennessee Titans – Deone Bucannon – S – Washington
They filled one need in the first round. Now the Tennessee Titans seek out help on the back end of their defense. Deone Bucannon has good size for a safety, a physical nature when tackling and has that natural instinct to get the football.
#43 – New York Giants – Kyle Van Noy – OLB – BYU
Jon Beason was a huge help at linebacker but the New York Giants need more young talent at the position. Kyle Van Noy has excellent recognition skills and is quick to locate the ball and get to it. He’s very good in coverage and displays plenty of range.
#44 – St. Louis Rams – Paul Richardson – WR – Colorado
Les Snead says his team doesn’t need a #1 receiver, but it does need more production from the passing game, especially in that division. Paul Richardson has plenty of speed and athleticism to go along with a lanky 6’1″ frame and good hands.
#45 – Detroit Lions – Jason Verrett – CB – TCU
Getting better in the secondary has to be a priority for the Detroit Lions. Jason Verrett has size questions but he is a natural ball hawk with explosive athleticism to close fast. He can play man or zone with equal effectiveness.
#46 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Louis Nix – DT – Notre Dame
Remarkably fortunate to land him this late, the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t waste time scooping up Louis Nix. The Notre Dame nose tackle is a perfect fit for the Steelers’ system: big, powerful, and quick he can shut down running lanes with the best.
#47 – Dallas Cowboys – Scott Crichton – DE – Oregon State
The defensive line renovation continues for the Dallas Cowboys and they get another quality pickup here. Though not the best athlete, Scott Crichton is a prototypical 4-3 end with excellent bulk and a relentless motor that allows him to harass quarterbacks regularly.
#48 – Baltimore Ravens – Travis Swanson – C – Arkansas
Joe Flacco needs better protection and the center position was no absent from blame. Travis Swanson is the best by far on the board in this 2014 NFL mock draft. He has the ideal quickness and intelligence for the position.
#49 – New York Jets – C.J. Fiedorowicz – TE – Iowa
Don’t let the numbers tell the story. While his production wasn’t over the moon at Iowa, C.J. Fiedorowicz has the athletic capacity to become a solid target for the New York Jets, never mind how good of a blocker he already is.
#50 – Miami Dolphins – Bishop Sankey – RB – Washington
They have some talent at running back but the Miami Dolphins don’t have a true bell cow to feed the ball regularly. That changes when they pickup Bishop Sankey. His great vision and agility belie his toughness and ability to run with power. Also a receiving threat.
#51 – Chicago Bears – Aaron Donald – DT – Pitt
Phil Emery continues to rework the defensive line. Their pass rush gets another big bump with the addition of Pitt defensive tackle Aaron Donald. While on the shorter side, he is an animal coming off the snap, able to knife through gaps or simply use natural leverage to drive blockers into the backfield.
#52 – Arizona Cardinals – Morgan Moses – OT – Virginia
Bruce Arians could really use help at offensive tackle. Morgan Moses still has a lot to prove to scouts but he has enough good tape to prove his size, length and athleticism should make him a solid end blocker. Arians should be able to help him.
#53 – Green Bay Packers – Ed Reynolds – S – Stanford
Safety has become a problem for the Green Bay Packers following the loss of Nick Collins and Charles Woodson. They look to revamp it with Ed Reynold. Big and physical, he come down hill with an attitude but has the range necessary to play coverage.
#54 – Philadelphia Eagles – Brandin Cooks – WR – Oregon State
It’s not a big need but Chip Kelly can always find uses for another fast receiver. Brandin Cooks was a stat machine in 2013 for OregonState. He isn’t too small and showcases some impressive speed and acceleration on film that demonstrates how he gets open.
#55 – Cincinnati Bengals – Bradley Roby – CB – Ohio State
Adding depth at cornerback would really help the cause for the Bengals. Bradley Roby didn’t have the ideal 2013 season but he is still highly agile and very fast. With more work on his technique he has great upside.
#56 – San Francisco 49ers (from KC) – Marcus Roberson – CB – Florida
Carlos Rogers is a free agent, so the San Francisco 49ers must look to keep the corner position bolstered. Marcus Roberson is not overly physical but his size and athletic skill allows him to play very good coverage.
#57 – San Diego Chargers – Jackson Jeffcoat – DE – Texas
Getting more help from the outside pass rush is something the Chargers need to address. Jackson Jeffcoat plays defensive end at Texas but his athleticism and size show he can make the switch to linebacker and produce.
#58 – Indianapolis Colts – DaQuan Jones – DT – Penn State
Stopping the run is top priority for the Indianapolis Colts. Period. A great way to help that is by getting bigger up front on defense. DaQuan Jones is not a pass rusher, but in a phone booth his size and strength make him very hard to push out of the way.
#59 – New Orleans Saints – Martavis Bryant – WR – Clemson
Project receivers are nothing new to the New Orleans Saints and Martavis Bryant is an important one. After what happened in Seattle, the team needs more size at the position. The 6’4″ Bryant could help so much once he gets his technique under control.
#60 – Carolina Panthers – Tre Mason – RB – Auburn
Wide receiver was the big need position on offense but the Carolina Panthers are still built to run the football. DeAngelo Williams is getting up there in age. Tre Mason showcased his abilities on that miracle run for Auburn and is a true workhorse type.
#61 – Oakland Raiders (from SF) – Donte Moncrief – WR – Ole Miss
Trade yield: 49ers get OAK 5th round pick in ’14 and 7th in ’15
The Raiders aren’t done revamping their offense. They swing a deal with the 49ers to go after Donte Moncrief. He isn’t a burner, but the Ole Miss receiver has the size, strength and route running savvy to give defensive backs nightmares.
#62 – New England Patriots – Pierre Desir – CB – Lindenwood
Bill Belichick is a wizard with corners and never fears taking risks. The New England Patriots do just that with Pierre Desire. Despite coming out of small Lindenwood, his length, agility and footwork are the marks of a pro level cover man.
#63 – Denver Broncos – Loucheiz Purifoy – CB – Florida
Cornerback took a lot of rough hits for the Denver Broncos. Champ Bailey is nearing retirement as well. They need depth in that area. Loucheiz Purifoy has good size and elite level athleticism that the coaches can mold into something special.
#64 – Seattle Seahawks – Jack Mewhort – OT – Ohio State
Russell Wilson was not adequately protected for most of 2013 and that won’t fly if they want to continue to contend. Jack Mewhort isn’t the best athlete but his size and power project to a very good right tackle. The Seattle Seahawks need help there.
To see the 2014 NFL mock draft first round action, click here.