2014 NFL Mock Draft Update With Trades: Setting Fire to Smokescreens
Jan 25, 2014; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Derek Carr of Fresno State (4) walks off the field after throwing a touchdown pass to South squad tight end Crockett Gilmore of Colorado State (not pictured) against the North squad during the first quarter at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
For the purposes of this mock draft exercise, we’re going to take a look at what it will be like if there is fire where all the smokescreens seem to be popping up in trade rumors, player rumors, and everything in between.
1. Atlanta Falcons (f/HOU): Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
The Falcons trade up to get their guy, the most talented prospect in this year’s draft and a huge upgrade to their pass rush.
2. St. Louis Rams (f/WAS): Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
The Rams have been rumored to really like Mack. It’s easy to understand why when you think about what their pass rush is, and what it could be with him in the fold.
3. Detroit Lions (f/JAX): Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
The heaviest rumor for the Lions is that they want to trade up to get Sammy Watkins at all costs. They pay the price to move up ahead of Cleveland here.
4. Cleveland Browns: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
The Browns are threatening to take Carr at #4 overall, is the rumor. They won’t be able to snag him in the late 1st round is the rumor. So, get your guy now if you want him bad enough. Carr the first QB off the board? It’s anyone’s guess.
5. Minnesota Vikings (f/OAK): Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
The Vikings had dinner with Bortles and his PARENTS. It’s like they’re trying to marry the kid. I think this has some serious substance. Plus, the Raiders would like to trade down.
6. Houston Texans (f/ATL): Aaron Donald, DL, Pittsburgh
So you think Aaron Donald can be a top 10 pick? How about sixth overall? Donald has been called the best defensive prospect in this draft by some. With J.J. Watt in Houston, he could be a beast.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
The Bucs reportedly have Johnny Heisman on their short list. It would make for a really interesting start to the Lovie Smith era.
8. Oakland Raiders (f/MIN): Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Do the Raiders really prefer Lewan to every other tackle in the draft? It’s hard to believe, but they preferred DJ Hayden to every other corner in last year’s draft, so it’s possible.
9. Buffalo Bills: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
The Bills cash in on the fall of Greg Robinson here. He has a chance to go in the top 3 picks.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (f/DET): Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
The Jags are suffering through picking Justin Blackmon a couple of years ago. They get a big time playmaker at receiver here who compared himself to Brandon Marshall, and could have a heck of a crew if Blackmon can screw his head on straight.
11. St. Louis Rams (f/TEN): Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The Rams trade up ahead of the Giants to get Jake Matthews and fortify their offensive line after taking Khalil Mack with their first pick.
12. New York Giants: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
The rumor is the Giants aren’t (or shouldn’t) let Ebron past their pick. So why not?
13. Tennessee Titans (f/STL): Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
Most mock drafts have the Titans picking Barr this year. Last year, most mocks had them picking Chance Warmack. Are the Titans predictable?
14. Chicago Bears: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Bears have a need at the KR position but Gilbert can fill so much more than that. He could contribute for them in a similar role to what Patrick Peterson contributes to Arizona.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
The Steelers could go with a defensive back or lineman here as well, but Beckham is too good to pass up on.
16. Miami Dolphins (f/DAL): Zack Martin, OL, Notre Dame
The Dolphins trade up here to get the guy they’ve had the most connection to in mock drafts. With the Ravens’ reported interest, moving up to get Martin makes sense.
17. Baltimore Ravens: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
The Ravens and GM Ozzie Newsome love ‘Bama prospects, and Clinton-Dix happens to be the BPA who fits a position of need.
18. New York Jets: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
Well no more do the Bradley Roby rumors make sense if rumors of his DUI are true. Dennard is clean. And he’s probably a better prospect anyway.
19. Dallas Cowboys (f/MIA): Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
After their trade down, the Cowboys get a hard-hitting safety and a hot prospect in Calvin Pryor. This would be a good pick but they could also try and find someone to fit their front seven.
20. Arizona Cardinals: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
The Cardinals are rumored to be taking a QB with one of their first two picks. Why not take advantage of Bridgewater’s fall here?
21. Green Bay Packers: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
This might be the player Packers fans want the most. He also happens to be the best player on the board. Go figure.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Marqise Lee does the same things DeSean Jackson did for the Eagles, but I think Lee is a better prospect and eventually will be a better player than Jackson ever was or will be.
23. San Francisco 49ers (f/KC): Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
With a million picks in one draft, it makes sense to move up. Getting Kyle Fuller is a great snag for the Niners who have a short list of needs but CB is one of them.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
Jernigan would be a great value for the Bengals here, and they’re always looking for that top value. Since San Fran moved up ahead of them and got Kyle Fuller, I think Jernigan would be a great pickup to fortify that defensive front.
25. San Diego Chargers: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
The Chargers need CB and DL as well as pass rusher but they also don’t have an elite group of wide receivers. Pairing former Cal WR Keenan Allen with another Pac 12 stud in Brandin Cooks who has a very complementary style of play would make Philip Rivers very happy.
26. Cleveland Browns (f/IND): Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
The Browns picked Derek Carr with their first pick, so why not take his college teammate with their 2nd? Adams has some rough edges to work on, but pairing him with Josh Gordon, Jordan Cameron, Ben Tate, and now Derek Carr is very intriguing.
27. New Orleans Saints: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
The Saints continue their defensive backfield overhaul with potentially the best slot corner in the draft. This would be a great pick for them.
28. Carolina Panthers: Joel Bitonio, OL, Nevada
The Panthers have gotten some band-aids in free agency for their WR woes, so they need to really address OT with their top pick. Bitonio is a versatile, athletic player who would fill their biggest need.
29. New England Patriots: Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh
This situation would be similar to the Packers taking Aaron Rodgers in the first round when Brett Favre’s time was winding down. The smoke here is that New England reportedly loves Savage. Well, this is their time to get him if they want him.
30. Kansas City Chiefs (f/SF): Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA
The Chiefs have lost some major pieces of their offensive line this offseason. Getting Su’a-Filo might be boring but it’s necessary and a solid pick.
31. Denver Broncos: Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
What’s the smoke here? I think the Broncos wouldn’t hesitate to add a WR in round one, one with size, and I think Latimer’s name is among the hottest in draft circles. He could easily go at the bottom of round one and replace Eric Decker for Denver.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
Moses was invited to the draft, and some believe him to be a top 15 player. The Seahawks would love to make him their new right tackle.