2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: 3rd Round Run
By Erik Lambert
Sep 28, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (86) runs with the ball after making a catch in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Hawkeyes won 23-7. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-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?
To review the previous round, click below. Enjoy!
#65 – New England Patriots (f/HOU) – C.J. Fiedorowicz – TE – Iowa
Rob Gronkowski is no guarantee moving forward for the Patriots. C.J. Fiedorowicz has great blocking ability with highly underrated speed and soft hands to catch passes.
#66 – Washington Redskins – Phillip Gaines – CB – Rice
Cornerback is far from solved for the Washington Redskins. Phillip Gaines showed his athletic prowess at the combine and proved his man coverage skill at Rice.
#67 – Oakland Raiders – Kelvin Benjamin – WR – Florida State
This could turn into a bigtime steal for the Oakland Raiders. Getting the 6’5″ Kelvin Benjamin in the third round offers playmaking potential for their offense.
#68 – Atlanta Falcons – Bishop Sankey – RB – Washington
Stephen Jackson was a flameout with the Atlanta Falcons, so they need to help the running backs. Bishop Sankey is a proven all-around talent who fits their scheme.
#69 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Martavis Bryant – WR – Clemson
Jeff Tedford said he wants speed at receiver. Though they added Mike Evans, bringing in the 6’4″ Martavis Bryant with his 4.4 speed might change the NFC South dynamic.
#70 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Trent Murphy – DE – Stanford
Gus Bradley got some veteran help with his pass rush but he still needs a young talent on the edge. Trent Murphy dominated college football in 2013 and is Bradley’s type of player.
#71 – Cleveland Browns – Stanley Jean-Baptiste – CB – Nebraska
Joe Haden is the man in the Cleveland Browns secondary but they need to find him help at the opposite corner. Adding the 6’3″ Stanley Jean-Baptiste who flashed ballhawk skills at Nebraska qualifies.
#72 – Minnesota Vikings – Antone Exum – CB – Virginia Tech
The beauty of Antone Exum is his versatility. He has the size, athleticism and speed for corner but also boasts experience at safety. Minnesota needs help at both.
#73 – Buffalo Bills – Terrence Brooks – FS – Florida State
Jairus Byrd was a tough loss for the Buffalo Bills. Replacing him won’t be easy. Terrence Brooks has the range, agility and ball skills to do it.
#74 – New York Giants – Marcus Martin – C – USC
Zack Martin should help at tackle or guard but center remains a problem for the New York Giants. Marcus Martin is the most talented in this 2014 NFL mock draft.
#75 – St. Louis Rams – Jordan Tripp – OLB – Montana
Linebacker is okay but not settled for the St. Louis Rams. Jordan Tripp is an overlooked small school athlete who can play inside or outside thanks to great athleticism.
#76 – Detroit Lions – Rashaad Reynolds – CB – Oregon State
There really isn’t a part of his game to nitpick with Rashaad Reynolds save for his 5’10” height. He might be one of the more consistently good corner in this class.
#77 – San Francisco 49ers (f/TEN) – Paul Richardson – WR – Colorado
Size came in the second round. Now the San Francisco 49ers pour on the speed by adding burner Paul Richardson from Colorado.
#78 – Dallas Cowboys – Dakota Dozier – OG – Furman
His steady climb up boards is not an accident. Dakota Dozier drove much of the offensive success at Furman and has the dimensions to do the same for the Dallas Cowboys.
#79 – Baltimore Ravens – Jack Mewhort – OT – Ohio State
Michael Oher is out and the Baltimore Ravens have to get his right tackle spot taken care of. Adding the big, powerful and experience Jack Mewhort would be their ideal solution.
#80 – New York Giants (f/NYJ) – Devin Street – WR – Pitt
Victor Cruz wanted an outside threat for Eli Manning and the Giants oblige. Devin Street has plenty of speed to get vertical along with a 6’3″ frame to go up and get the ball.
#81 – Miami Dolphins – Carl Bradford – LB – Arizona State
Their free agent spending last year didn’t solidify the linebacker issues for the Miami Dolphins so they bring in the physical, instinctive and versatile Carl Bradford.
#82 – Chicago Bears – Pierre Desir – CB – Lindenwood
Phil Emery needs to load up an aging cornerback position with young talent. Pierre Desir is a great option. He’s still raw but his size, athletic skill and coverage ability project well to the pro game.
#83 – Cleveland Browns (f/PIT) – Jeremy Hill – RB – LSU
Ben Tate is expected to become the starter but he doesn’t boast reliable durability. The Cleveland Browns have to grab some insurance and Jeremy Hill is that big, workhorse type they’ll love to have.
#84 – Arizona Cardinals – Zach Mettenberger – QB – LSU
Bruce Arians needs a project to start grooming behind Carson Palmer, who is 34. Zach Mettenberger has the big body and cannon arm Arians likes in his quarterbacks.
#85 – Green Bay Packers – Will Sutton – DT – Arizona State
The defensive front of the Green Bay Packers is in transition and looking to get more dynamic. Will Sutton can be that for them given his natural leverage and burst off the line.
#86 – Philadelphia Eagles – Marcus Roberson – CB – Florida
Marcus Roberson doesn’t lack for coverage ability but in order to get to where the Philadelphia Eagles want him, he needs to add strength.
#87 – Kansas City Chiefs – Antonio Richardson – OT – Tennessee
Antonio Richardson played left tackle at Tennessee but he has the size, length and power made for the right side, making him a good replacement for Eric Fisher.
#88 – Dallas Cowboys (f/CIN) – Brandon Coleman – WR – Rutgers
The thing to remember is that Dez Bryant is the biggest receiver on the Dallas Cowboys roster at 6’2″. That would change the moment his team added the 6’6″ Brandon Coleman.
#89 – San Diego Chargers – Trai Turner – OG – LSU
Interior blocking was a problem for the San Diego Chargers last season. Trai Turner can turn that around and also help open lanes for Ryan Matthews.
#90 – Indianapolis Colts – Kevin Norwood – WR – Alabama
T.Y. Hilton is the deep threat of the future for the Indianapolis Colts but they still need a young possession guy to compliment him. Kevin Norwood perfected that art at Alabama.
#91 – New Orleans Saints – Dri Archer – RB – Kent State
Darren Sproles was a tough loss and one the New Orleans Saints would like to fix. Dri Archer has the speedy, shifty style that can make him a dynamic threat in their offense.
#92 – Carolina Panthers – Travis Carrie – CB – Ohio
Captain Munnerlyn was a big loss for the Carolina Panthers defense. Their secondary is awfully thin. Adding the instinctive, tough ballhawk Travis Carrie would alleviate the stress.
#93 – New England Patriots – Weston Richburg – C – Colorado State
The center position was a problem for the Patriots in 2013 and hasn’t seen much upgrade. Weston Richburg is that smart, quick technician type who can be plugged in right away.
#94 – Chicago Bears (f/SF) – Dominique Easley – DT – Florida
If not for two unlucky injuries, there is no question Dominique Easley is a first round lock. His ability to create pressure from the interior borders on the dominant. Enormous upside if he stays healthy.
#95 – Denver Broncos – Ka’Deem Carey – RB – Arizona
Montee Ball is the new lead running back but the Denver Broncos have issues to sort out behind him. Ka’Deem Carey is extremely underrated given his vision, power and ability to gash defenses.
#96 – Minnesota Vikings (from SEA) – Andre Williams – RB – Boston College
Toby Gerhart took his chance in to start in Jacksonville, leaving the depth behind Adrian Peterson razor thin. Andre Williams, who led the NCAA in rushing, erases that problem.
#97 – Pittsburgh Steelers (comp) – Ed Stinson – DE – Alabama
Nobody talks about him and that is a shame. Ed Stinson was quietly one of the best players on the Alabama defense and would make a great defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
#98 – Green Bay Packers (comp) – Jarvis Landry – WR – LSU
James Jones is gone, leaving a big roster spot to fill at receiver. Jarvis Landry is not a flashy athlete but his pass-catching ability and knack for the big play can’t be ignored this late in the 2014 NFL mock draft.
#99 – Baltimore Ravens (comp) – Trevor Reilly – OLB – Utah
Pass rush drives the success of the Baltimore Ravens defense and theirs is getting older. Trevor Reilly is a country strong kid from Utah with the atleticism to fit well at outside linebacker.
#100 – San Francisco 49ers (comp) – DaQuan Jones – DT – Penn State
Adding size and power to their defensive front is on the agenda for the San Francisco 49ers as their superstar Justin Smith fights off father time at age 35.