2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: 2nd Round Salvo
By Erik Lambert
Sep 1, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio (71) on the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Cowboys Stadium. Alabama beat Michigan 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The latest 2014 NFL mock draft continues into the second round as the trades keep flying and teams make some bold moves.
To see the previous round, click below. Enjoy!
#33 – Houston Texans – Cyrus Kouandjio – OT – Alabama
Bill O’Brien has to make sure his rookie quarterback is protected in order to help him grow. Houston needs help at the tackle spots. Cyrus Kouandjio has great length and power, best suited for the right side where he can open running lanes.
#34 – Washington Redskins – Jimmie Ward – SS – NIU
Their moves to improve the front seven on defense won’t be worth much unless the Redskins get a playmaker on the back end. Jimmie Ward can hit and tackle like a safety but has the speed and range of a corner.
#35 – Cleveland Browns – Jimmy Garoppolo – QB – Eastern Illinois
Probably the biggest sleeper in this 2014 NFL mock draft. Jimmy Garoppolo has all the tools from size, to accuracy, vision and a quick release. He’s not used to big league speed, which is why he might not start right away but his long-term outlook is very high.
#36 – Chicago Bears (f/OAK) – Deone Bucannon – SS – Washington State
Trade: 51st and 94th (3rd) picks to Raiders for 36th pick
Sensing the Rams are keen on taking a safety, Chicago jumps up the board to undercut them. Deone Bucannon has been gaining a lot of steam lately. He’s a big, physical hitter out of Washington State but has the speed and instincts for coverage.
#37 – St. Louis Rams (from ATL) – Ra’Shede Hageman – DT – Minnesota
Robbed of Bucannon, the Rams instead bolster their defensive front with a value pick in Ra’Shede Hageman. The kid is an athletic freak for his size at 6’6″, 310 lbs. He’s a force against the run and with more work can become dominant on the interior.
#38 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jason Verrett – CB – TCU
Lovie Smith got help with Alterraun Verner for his secondary but he still needs more bodies at cornerback. Jason Verrett will remind him a lot of Tim Jennings. Short as he might be, his speed, fluidity and knack for taking the ball away are perfect for the Bucs.
#39 – New England Patriots (f/JAX) – Louis Nix – DT – Notre Dame
Vince Wilfork is still in-house but the Patriots have to know his days are numbered. Getting younger up front is a priority. Louis Nix is a mirror image of the All-Pro nose tackle and could become his eventual successor.
#40 – Minnesota Vikings – Kyle Van Noy – OLB – BYU
A really good value pick here. Minnesota has concerns to address at the linebacker position. Kyle Van Noy has speed and instincts that rank among the best in this class. He can bring a pass rush off the edge or create havoc in coverage.
#41 – Buffalo Bills – Jace Amaro – TE – Texas Tech
They missed out on Eric Ebron in the first round but the Bills get a nice consolation price. Jace Amaro led the NCAA in receiving for tight ends last year and is a natural pass catcher. He’s a nice, big target who knows how to get open.
#42 – Tennessee Titans – Zach Mettenberger – QB – LSU
Jake Locker may be the man now but his hold on the starting job is tenuous. Ken Whisenhunt has every reason to go find some competition and the big, strong Zach Mettenberger from LSU has the experience and ability he’s looking for.
#43 – New York Giants – Timmy Jernigan – DT – Florida State
Losing Linval Joseph was a tough blow for New York but that problem could dissipate quickly by landing national championship star Timmy Jernigan in the second round. He’s a gifted run blocker who has upside in the pass rush department.
#44 – Miami Dolphins – Carlos Hyde – RB – Ohio State
Trade: 50th and 116th (4th) to Rams for 44th pick
If Ryan Tannehill can’t overtake the Patriots with Taylor Lewan and now Carlos Hyde added to his arsenal, then the Miami Dolphins have a problem. Hyde is a true three-down running back who grinds out tough yards but also lends a hand as a receiver too.
#45 – Jacksonville Jaguars (f/DET) – Morgan Moses – OT – Virginia
Johnny Manziel is absolutely deadly when he trusts his protection. Luke Joeckel is coming back from injury but the Jaguars still need to improve their front. Morgan Moses is a massive human being with surprisingly quick feet. He can fit in on the right side and anchor as a pass protector.
#46 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Martavis Bryant – WR – Clemson
Ben Roethlisberger would love some size added to his receiving corps. Here the Pittsburgh Steelers see his size and throw in some speed. Martavis Bryant is all of 6’4″ but has clear 4.4/40 speed to get downfield fast. A great outside threat to compliment Antonio Brown.
#47 – Dallas Cowboys – David Yankey – OG – Stanford
Tony Romo is coming off a back injury. If Dallas is going to ensure his survival in 2014 they need to guarantee better protection. Bringing in the All-American David Yankey who thrived at both tackle and guard for Stanford is a perfect solution.
#48 – Baltimore Ravens – Ka’Deem Carey – RB – Arizona
Ray Rice is not only in legal trouble but he’s also getting older. Baltimore really has nobody who can replace him as the feature back. Ka’Deem Carey might not have intriguing speed, but he doesn’t need it. He finds holes, hits them and doesn’t go down easy. Vastly overlooked talent.
#49 – New York Jets – Austin Seferian-Jenkins – TE – Washington
The rebuild of the Jets offense begins to have one major word associated to it: size. Having already added the 6’5″ Kelvin Benjamin in round one, they throw in the 6’5″ Austin Seferian-Jenkins from Washington who doubles as a good receiver and blocker.
#50 – St. Louis Rams (f/MIA) – Terrence Brooks – FS – Florida State
The Rams need a safety and they go after one from the national champs. Terrence Brooks gets glossed over having played on a talent-rich defense at Florida State but his athleticism, speed, range and awareness make him a promising free safety prospect.
#51 – Oakland Raiders (f/CHI) – Davante Adams – WR – Fresno State
Matt Schaub is the man of the hour and the Oakland Raiders must do everything possible to help him. Adding more receiving help tops the list. Davante Adams has great hands, length and the explosion to go up at get jump balls with enough speed to get open.
#52 – Arizona Cardinals – Demarcus Lawrence – DE – Boise State
Adding an outside rusher to replace John Abraham is something Arizona knows they have to do. A fast-rising talent in Demarcus Lawrence could be their answer. He has the explosion, bend and length to come off the edge in any defense.
#53 – Green Bay Packers – Troy Niklas – TE – Notre Dame
Many are afraid of Troy Niklas less because of character or talent issues and more due to his limited production. That is less due to him and more of the offense he played it. Niklas is only scratching the surface of what his size, speed and good hands can accomplish.
#54 – Philadelphia Eagles – Jeremiah Attaochu – OLB – Georgia Tech
Trent Cole remains a steady force for Philadelphia but the team really has no young options at outside linebacker. Georgia Tech spark plug Jeremiah Attaochu has the ability and the attitude to become that solution.
#55 – Cincinnati Bengals – Rashaad Reynolds – CB – Oregon State
Cornerback is at a real transition point for Cincinnati. They really need young blood at the position. Rashaad Reynolds may not have preferred size but his toughness, instincts, intelligence and athleticism show he can start for any secondary.
#56 – San Francisco 49ers (from KC) – Jordan Matthews – WR – Vanderbilt
Adding more size to the receiving corps is one of the goals for San Francisco and they will love a dedicated, savvy prospect like Jordan Matthews. He led the SEC in receiving, boasts a 6’3″ frame and plays the position like a pro.
#57 – Carolina Panthers (f/SD) – Ja’Wuan James – OT – Tennessee
Trade: 60th and 168th (5th) picks to Chargers for 57th pick
Jordan Gross was a big loss for the Panthers and they can’t afford for the offensive line to weaken just when the offense is starting to figure things out. Adding a good pass protector on the edge is a must. Ja’Wuan James has the size, length and nimble feet for it.
#58 – Indianapolis Colts – Xavier Su’a-filo – OG – UCLA
Andrew Luck is the main reason the Indianapolis Colts win. Keeping him upright and giving him a running game are two priorities. Xavier Su’a-Filo can help accomplish both, possessing the power to open lanes and the technique to wall off rushers.
#59 – New Orleans Saints – Pierre Desir – CB – Lindenwood
Cornerback became a sore spot for the Saints defense last year and needs a boost in depth at the very least. Pierre Desir can help with that initially and possesses the length and speed to become a front-line starter with a little more polish.
#60 – San Diego Chargers (f/CAR) – Jarvis Landry – WR – LSU
Philip Rivers uncovered a gem last year with Keenan Allen but the Chargers would much like to find a secondary target to draw away double coverage for their new star. Jarvis Landry is a consummate worker who gets open, makes the tough catches and does everything right.
#61 – San Francisco 49ers – Paul Richardson – WR – Colorado
The other part of the 49ers need at receiver was speed. Having added Matthews for his hands, they next bring in Colorado standout Paul Richardson for his legs. The added deep threat brings yet another dimension to San Francisco they were lacking.
#62 – New England Patriots – Weston Richburg – C – Colorado State
Interior blocking hampered Tom Brady more often than he would’ve liked in 2013. Settling down the center position could really help matters. Weston Richburg has the quickness, size, technique and intelligence of a long-term starter. He can plug and play right away too.
#63 – Denver Broncos – Scott Crichton – DE – Oregon State
DeMarcus Ware was a flashy free agent signing but there’s no guarantee he’ll completely solve the pass rush losses of Robert Ayers and Shaun Phillips. Besides, Scott Crichton is a great value pick this late in the second round and will bring an edge to that front.
#64 – Seattle Seahawks – Trent Murphy – DE – Stanford
Sometimes pass rushers are just pass rushers. Nobody said they had to be elite athletes. Trent Murphy dominated college football last season. He knows how to get to the quarterback. Pete Carroll should be able to find a place for him.