2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: 3rd Round Raids
By Erik Lambert
Nov 2, 2013; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Allen Robinson (8) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Illinois 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
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?
To see the previous rounds, click below. Enjoy!
#65 – Houston Texans – Antonio Richardson – OT – Tennessee
Johnny Manziel does his best work when properly protected. The Houston Texans bolster the depth of their front with big Antonio Richardson who has the strength and length to man the right side opposite Duane Brown.
#66 – Washington Redskins – Terrance Brooks – FS – Florida State
Their defensive front got some needed upgrades but the Washington Redskins are still lacking playmakers on the back end. Terrence Brooks was an underrated key to the FloridaState defense and has the instincts and range to make plays in coverage.
#67 – Oakland Raiders – Allen Robinson – WR – Penn State
An outstanding value pick for the Oakland Raiders here. Allen Robinson has a chance to go in the first round and they manage to get him in the third. Great size at 6’3″ with explosive leaping ability and can run after the catch.
#68 – Atlanta Falcons – Ja’Wuan James – OT – Tennessee
He played on the right side at Tennessee but review of the tape on Ja’Wuan James show a big kid with very good footwork that signals he might be better suited for left tackle. Matt Ryan needs better protection for the Atlanta Falcons.
#69 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – David Yankey – OG – Stanford
David Yankey was a steady rock for Stanford during his college career. He has the size and power of a guard but also played pretty well at tackle when asked. That versatility is something the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can use up front.
#70 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Tre Mason – RB – Auburn
Toby Gerhart is the going to get his chance at a full-time job but that doesn’t mean the Jacksonville Jaguars shouldn’t bring in some help. Tre Mason is a quality back who can add some speed and receiving ability to their backfield.
#71 – Cleveland Browns – Stanley Jean-Baptiste – CB – Nebraska
Long corners are becoming the hot ticket among teams and this 2014 NFL mock draft is no different. Stanley Jean-Baptiste is an intriguing talent at 6’3″ with good playmaking instincts. Needs to improve his fluidity in coverage. Could also move to safety.
#72 – Minnesota Vikings – Bashaud Breeland – CB – Clemson
Cornerback was not exactly a position of strength for the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. It could use another boost in talent. Clemson standout Bashaud Breeland plays tough and physical in coverage and plays the run very well. A perfect Mike Zimmer corner.
#73 – Buffalo Bills – A.J. McCarron – QB – Alabama
E.J. Manuel struggled on the field and staying healthy last season. His consistency needs to improve this season but the Buffalo Bills also need to improve their backup situation. A.J. McCarron is an proven game manager from Alabama who can become even more.
#74 – New York Giants – Dakota Dozier – OG – Furman
Geoff Schwartz was a great addition for the New York Giants offensive line but their interior blocking still needs more help. Furman guard Dakota Dozier is one of the top sleepers in this draft.
#75 – St. Louis Rams – Bishop Sankey – RB – Washington
Zac Stacy and Bennie Cunningham are nice between-the-tackles runners but the St. Louis Rams could really use a multi-threat back who can run but also catch and pass protect. Bishop Sankey fills all those boxes.
#76 – Detroit Lions – Billy Turner – OT – North Dakota State
If Matthew Stafford is going to reach the pinnacle of his ability with Sammy Watkins he’ll need pass protection. Tackle could use some help in that department. Billy Turner is a physically gifted small school prospect who could man the left side.
#77 – San Francisco 49ers (f/TEN) – Cody Latimer – WR – Indiana
One of the fast risers in this draft. Indiana wide receiver Cody Latimer not only has the size the San Francisco 49ers need at 6’3″ but he also has really good speed and athleticism. He’ll make a great slot option early but can develop into more later.
#78 – Dallas Cowboys – Dezmen Southward – SS – Wisconsin
Safety was a problem most of last season for the Dallas Cowboys. They really could use more speed and athleticism on the back end. Dezmen Southward stands a solid 6’0″ with 4.38 timed speed. He’s a terrific athlete but needs work on his fundamentals.
#79 – Baltimore Ravens – Marcus Martin – C – USC
The offensive line gets another boost for the Baltimore Ravens. Marcus Martin might not be the most polished center in the draft but he certainly has the highest upside, not yet having tapped the potential of his strength and quickness.
#80 – New York Jets – Cyril Richardson – OG – Baylor
Another big, powerful guard who spent time at tackle during college. Cyril Richardson could be the best run blocker of any offensive linemen in the 2014 class. That is sweet music to the ears of the New York Jets who just picked up Chris Johnson.
#81 – Dallas Cowboys (f/MIA) – Kareem Martin – DE – North Carolina
More defensive end help lands in Dallas. North Carolina standout Kareem Martin has intriguing size-to-speed combination with the prowess to rush in three and two-point stances. He’s not a finished product but under Rod Marinelli he will be.
#82 – Chicago Bears – Pierre Desir – CB – Lindenwood
Cornerback is in need of a youth infusion for the Chicago Bears with Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings over 30-years old. Pierre Desir is an ideal pick. He’s still in need of polish but his physical skill is starter worthy once coached up.
#83 – Cleveland Browns (f/PIT) – Ka’Deem Carey – RB – Arizona
Ben Tate was signed as the future starter for the Cleveland Browns but when at Houston did he show the durability to handle that level of carries? If the Browns GM is smart he’ll hedge his bets by adding Ka’Deem Carey, a proven workhorse out of Arizona.
#84 – Arizona Cardinals – Phillip Gaines – CB – Rice
Patrick Peterson is their main man at corner but in order to take their defense to another level they need to get him a wingman. Phillip Gaines has intriguing physical ability out of Rice that flash at the scouting combine. Does his best work in press coverage.
#85 – Green Bay Packers – Jonathan Dowling – SS – Western Kentucky
Speed and range are the trademarks of Western Kentucky safety Jonathan Dowling. He loves to hit and has a knack for taking the ball away as well. The Green Bay Packers need somebody like that.
#86 – Baltimore Ravens (f/PHI) – Brock Vereen – FS – Minnesota
Matt Elam could use some help for the Ravens at safety. Brock Vereen quietly had a great scouting combine and his game tape showed an athlete with the range and cover skills desired in a free safety.
#87 – Kansas City Chiefs – Trai Turner – OG – LSU
The guard position took a huge hit for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. They almost certainly have to address it in the draft as quickly as possible. Trai Turner is a powerful interior man from LSU who excels in run blocking.
#88 – Cincinnati Bengals – Laurent Duvernay-Tardif – OT – McGill
Drafting well is part of the reason the Cincinnati Bengals have become really good of late and part of that is finding quality players in unexpected places. In need of offensive line help, they might find a gem up north in Canada with Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.
#89 – San Diego Chargers – Trevor Reilly – OLB – Utah
Adding more pass rush from the outside is something the San Diego Chargers must handle sooner than later. Trevor Reilly has the physical tools and athleticism coupled with country strength that will serve him well against bigger blockers.
#90 – Indianapolis Colts – Weston Richburg – C – Colorado State
Interior blocking really hampered Andrew Luck a lot in 2013 despite the Indianapolis Colts success. Weston Richburg is a solid center prospect who has enough technique and talent to shift to guard if necessary. Good versatility.
#91 – New Orleans Saints – Jackson Jeffcoat – DE – Texas
Cameron Jordan and Junior Gallette have the interior pressure handled for the New Orleans Saints but they really could use some heat coming off the edge. Jackson Jeffcoat is a defensive end at Texas but his body type and athleticism signal a better fit in a 3-4.
#92 – Carolina Panthers – Rashaad Reynolds – CB – Oregon State
Captain Munnerlyn was probably one of the most underrated losses the Carolina Panthers suffered in free agency. Cornerback really needs a boost for them. Rashaad Reynolds doesn’t meet the ideal height requirements but everything else about him is starter-worthy.
#93 – New England Patriots – Russell Bodine – G/C – North Carolina
Bill Belichick loves versatile players regardless of the position they play. The New England Patriots are thin on the interior of their offensive line. Russell Bodine brings experience as a center with the ability to play guard as well.
#94 – Chicago Bears (f/SF) – Jeff Janis – WR – Saginaw Valley
Wide receiver is set at the top for Chicago but they should be on the lookout for quality depth. Jeff Janis is another great developmental option for them. He fits their profile at 6’3″ with 4.4 speed but needs to work on his consistency. Great upside pick.
#95 – Denver Broncos – Dominique Easley – DT – Florida
If it really is about 2014 for the Denver Broncos, then they can afford to take gambles in this draft just like they did free agency. Dominique Easley is a question mark due to a torn ACL, but before that injury he was the best interior pass rusher in college football.
#96 – Minnesota Vikings (f/SEA) – Andre Williams – RB – Boston College
Toby Gerhart was a tough loss for the Minnesota Vikings but it was a loss they expected. Replacing him is a priority though. Being able to nab Andre Williams in the third round, who led the NCAA in rushing in 2013 would accomplish that task.
#97 – Pittsburgh Steelers (comp) – Colt Lyerla – TE – Oregon
Somebody is going to take a risk on tight end Colt Lyerla. The Pittsburgh Steelers have the veteran leadership to handle the gifted but troubled youth. Heath Miller is their starter but he’s 31. The team needs a successor in place. Lyerla is worth the risk.
#98 – Green Bay Packers (comp) – Jarvis Landry – WR – LSU
It’s a virtual guarantee that every year the Green Bay Packers will select at least one receiver in the draft. If they were to get Jarvis Landry this late it would be a major success. While not explosive he has outstanding hands, body control and savvy.
#99 – Baltimore Ravens (comp) – Marcus Roberson – CB – Florida
Marcus Roberson is not ready to match up with NFL receivers but his press coverage ability is tough to ignore. If the Florida kid can bulk up and improve his strength, he has long-term upside for the Ravens.
#100 – San Francisco 49ers (comp) – Brandon Coleman – WR – Rutgers
Defensive backs are getting bigger in the NFC West and the San Francisco 49ers need to keep pace on the offensive side in this 2014 NFL mock draft. Rutgers receiver Brandon Coleman is a perfect counter with his huge 6’6″ frame and deceptive athleticism.