2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: Into the 3rd Round
By Erik Lambert
Oct 12, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) catches a pass as Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves (1) during the first half of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Experts believe things will really start to get interesting around the third round this coming May. Does the 2014 NFL mock draft bear that out?
#65 – Houston Texans – JaWuan James – OT – Tennessee
Ensuring the protection of their new investment at quarterback must weight on the minds of the Houston Texans coaches. JaWuan James is lauded for his size, strength and balance that makes him a better pass protector than most realize.
#66 – Washington Redskins – Ed Reynolds – FS – Stanford
Knee problems hampered part of his college career but Ed Reynolds returned strong and was one of the keys to the powerhouse Stanford defense. The Washington Redskins need somebody reliable in coverage on the back end. Reynolds can be that guy.
#67 – Oakland Raiders – Jarvis Landry – WR – LSU
Wide receiver is an area that needs attention from the Oakland Raiders. Jarvis Landry doesn’t have any special physical gifts but he’s still got talent and unlike most receivers knows exactly how to get the most out of it like he did at LSU.
#68 – St. Louis Rams (from ATL) – Victor Hampton – CB – South Carolina
Jeff Fisher loves tough, scrappy cornerbacks and there is no question Victor Hampton out of South Carolina fits that profile. Though undersized at 5’10” he is tough, physical, athletic and very reliable in coverage provided he can be kept under control.
#69 – New York Jets (from TB) – Dakota Dozier – OG – Furman
Part of the identity that got the New York Jets to two AFC championship was dominant interior blocking on the offensive line. They could use help at guard. Dakota Dozier may come from small Furman college, but his physical ability is anything but small.
#70 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Reilly – OLB – Utah
Still in need of help with their pass rush, the Jacksonville Jaguars add unheralded outside linebacker Trevor Reilly from Utah. The kid is very athletic with burst off the edge and the long arms required to keep blockers off of him on the way to the quarterback.
#71 – Chicago Bears (from CLE) – Kareem Martin – DE – North Carolina
Pass rusher is also a requirement for the Chicago Bears and given the weak depth at 4-3 defensive end they can’t afford to wait anymore. Kareem Martin has the prototypical size, length and instinct to get the quarterback but needs some refinement in technique.
#72 – Minnesota Vikings – Stanley Jean-Baptiste – CB – Nebraska
Big corners are becoming en vogue throughout the league thanks to the Seattle Seahawks. Count the Minnesota Vikings as a team who buys in when they add the 6’3″ Stanley Jean-Baptiste from Nebraska who has playmaking instincts.
#73 – Buffalo Bills – Telvin Smith – OLB – Florida State
A lot of coaches won’t be able to ignore the limited 218 lbs that Telvin Smith weighs coming out of FloridaState but facts are facts. The kid is a dynamic athlete with speed and the ability to deliver hits. The Buffalo Bills might like him next to Kiko Alonso.
#74 – New York Giants – Bashaud Breeland – CB – Clemson
Another team anxious to add some size and athleticism to their secondary. The New York Giants will love the potential possessed by Bashaud Breeland. His technique needs work but his length, speed and toughness make him a complete corner.
#75 – St. Louis Rams – Dominique Easley – DT – Florida
Having already filled most of their needs, the St. Louis Rams are at a point where they can afford to take a gamble. When healthy Dominique Easley was among the most dominant defensive tackles in football. Whether he can move on from two torn ACLs will be the question.
#76 – Detroit Lions – Keith McGill – CB – Utah
He certainly looked good at the scouting combine and Keith McGill, like Jean-Baptiste can really help the Detroit Lions in their secondary. The young man has impressive athleticism despite his 6’3″ size and should help greatly in that tough NFC North.
#77 – San Francisco 49ers (from TEN) – Paul Richardson – WR – Colorado
Having gotten their big receiver early, the San Francisco 49ers seek to add a target with speed. Paul Richardson showcased plenty of that at the scouting combine and his game tape should prove he has what it takes to handle the pro level.
#78 – Dallas Cowboys – Will Sutton – DT – Arizona State
Slimming down will be first priority for Will Sutton whenever he gets chosen because his quickness and burst make him one of the better interior pass rushers in this 2014 NFL mock draft. The Dallas Cowboys will love putting him next to Timmy Jernigan.
#79 – Baltimore Ravens – Martavis Bryant – WR – Clemson
Adding a big receiver was a priority for the Baltimore Ravens, so why not add one with some speed? Martavis Bryant played second fiddle to Sammy Watkins but at 6’4″ with 4.4 speed he is a big-play threat who is also an excellent target in the red zone.
#80 – New York Jets – C.J. Fiedorowicz – TE – Iowa
Tight end provided next to nothing for the New York Jets in 2013, something that has to change if their offense is to get off the ground. C.J. Fiedorowicz is a standout blocker from Iowa but the tape shows a player with deceivingly good hands and ability receiving.
#81 – Miami Dolphins – Kelcy Quarles – DT – South Carolina
Potentially losing two defensive tackles to free agency could really hurt the Miami Dolphins defense. That is why adding Kelcy Quarles is such a big win for them. He is a big, long and active interior pass rusher who can help immediately.
#82 – Chicago Bears – Chris Borland – ILB – Wisconsin
There comes a time when physical upside is trumped by proven ability matched with a great head on the shoulders. Chris Borland is an active, athletic and instinctive middle linebacker who can tackle and deliver hits in the hole. The Chicago Bears coaches would love him.
#83 – Chicago Bears (from CLE) – Terrance Brooks – FS – Florida State
On the flip side, it seems they will have a new pair of safeties for 2014. Terrance Brooks has loads of athletic potential. His speed and agility are equally matched by his toughness when dropping into the box. A highly versatile player.
#84 – Arizona Cardinals – Joel Bitonio – OT – Nevada
Bruce Arians can’t ignore the offensive line forever. It still needs some attention at some point for the Arizona Cardinals. Joel Bitonio has the bend, size and power to anchor at right tackle but also could kick inside to guard, proving his versatile nature.
#85 – Green Bay Packers – Marcus Smith – OLB – Louisville
Getting more dynamic and aggressive up front is a stated goal for the Green Bay Packers. Having added Mosley on the inside, they move outside by bringing in Marcus Smith. With clear speed and long arms he is an instant pass rushing threat with good upside.
#86 – Philadelphia Eagles – Daniel McCullers – DT – Tennessee
Their run defense wasn’t the primary problem but it did cause headaches at times for the Philadelphia Eagles. Improving at nose tackle will help, and the massive-but-quick Daniel McCullers out of Tennessee is exactly who they need.
#87 – Kansas City Chiefs – Yawin Smallwood – ILB – Connecticut
Derrick Johnson remains a fixture at inside linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs but he could use help. Yawin Smallwood was a tackling machine at Connecticut. He’s got good instincts and range to track down ball carriers and underrated blitzing ability.
#88 – Cincinnati Bengals – Chris Smith – DE – Arkansas
Stockpiling pass rushers is a favorite vocation for the Cincinnati Bengals. Chris Smith didn’t have the best production at Arkansas but his outstanding build and good athleticism give him plenty of upside with the right kind of coaching.
#89 – San Diego Chargers – Ross Cockrell – CB – Duke
The scouting combine was a big win for Duke cornerback Ross Cockrell. He showcased his good size and intelligence during the process and his game tape shows an instinct defender who is quite good at taking the ball away.
#90 – Indianapolis Colts – Davante Adams – WR – Fresno State
T.Y. Hilton is now the established big play guy for the Indianapolis Colts but with Reggie Wayne getting older they need a possession guy with reliable hands. Davante Adams isn’t a freak athlete but he has long arms and outstanding mits.
#91 – New Orleans Saints – Billy Turner – OT – North Dakota State
The tackle position is still unsettled somewhat for the New Orleans Saints. Billy Turner comes from a small school but has constantly flashed the frame, foot quickness, strength and nastiness of a future starter in the pros.
#92 – Carolina Panthers – T.J. Jones – WR – Notre Dame
Not every third round receiver is ready to start but T.J. Jones is. The Notre Dame wide out isn’t “special” but he is athletic, smooth, polished and boasts a pair of excellent hands that should make him a very reliable #2 or #3 receiver.
#93 – New England Patriots – Ego Ferguson – DT – LSU
Vince Wilfork is winding down and the New England Patriots want to get more dynamic up front. Ego Ferguson is still raw out of LSU but his size-quickness ratio hints at a player that can become a fixture in the middle with the right coaching.
#94 – Kansas City Chiefs (from SF) – Howard Jones – OLB – Shepherd
A team can never have enough pass rushers and the Kansas City Chiefs know they must start adding depth at outside linebacker. Howard Jones out of small Shepherd was a dominant Division II pass rusher and tested lights out at the combine.
#95 – Denver Broncos – Jeff Janis – WR – Saginaw Valley St.
Scouts are very excited about the future potential of Jeff Janis. Despite coming out of tiny SaginawValleyState he has the frame, speed and leaping ability to become a bonafide starter. He might become the perfect replacement if Eric Decker leaves the Denver Broncos.
#96 – Minnesota Vikings (from SEA) – Anthony Johnson – DT – LSU
Mike Zimmer is an expert at elevate defensive players who were inconsistent in college or for another team. Anthony Johnson has the physical ability to become a stout interior pass rusher but will need time and more polish from the Minnesota Vikings.
For the first round of the 2014 NFL mock draft, click here.
For the second round of the 2014 NFL mock draft, click here.