Final 2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: 3rd Round
By Erik Lambert
Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) is under pressure by the Auburn Tigers during the fourth quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Experts believe things will really start to get interesting around the third round this year. Does the 2014 NFL mock draft bear that out?
To review the previous rounds, click below. Enjoy!
#65 – New England Patriots (f/HOU) – C.J. Fiedorowicz – TE – Iowa
Having moved down for an extra pick, the New England Patriots give themselves some insurance for Rob Gronkowski by taking the underdeveloped but highly promising tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz who can double as a blocker and pass catcher.
#66 – Washington Redskins – Gabe Jackson – OG – Mississippi State
Securing the well-being of Robert Griffin III and opening up the run game are both priorities for the Washington Redskins. Gabe Jackson is a massive, power guard who has the athletic traits to help with both.
#67 – Oakland Raiders – Phillip Gaines – CB – Rice
The secondary is far from settled for the Oakland Raiders. They really could use some help at corner, especially with those strong AFC West passing attacks. Phillip Gaines had an outstanding pre-draft process and displays the size and speed to match with any receiver.
#68 – Atlanta Falcons – Laurent Duvernay-Tardif – OT – McGill
This pick might come as a surprise to some but the Atlanta Falcons are a passing team and so they need pass protectors. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is a late riser from Canada who has the balance, size and strength to stonewall pass rushers.
#69 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rashaad Reynolds – CB – Oregon State
Alterraun Verner was a nice addition in free agency but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need more help at corner. Rashaad Reynolds isn’t tall but his athleticism, toughness and ball skills make him a great fit for Lovie Smith’s defense.
#70 – San Diego Chargers (f/JAX) – Jarvis Landry – WR – LSU
Keenan Allen is the main man in town for the San Diego Chargers. They need to add some help around him now. Grabbing the savvy and sure-handed Jarvis Landry would be a great way to start.
#71 – Cleveland Browns – Brock Vereen – FS – Minnesota
Replacing T.J. Ward with Donte Whitner wasn’t the ideal scenario for the Cleveland Browns. Safety still needs more attention on defense. Brock Vereen is a good-sized, athletic kid who showed instincts and intelligence at Minnesota.
#72 – Minnesota Vikings – Christian Jones – ILB – Florida State
Linebacker is a mess for the Minnesota Vikings right now and Mike Zimmer should know that. He needs upgrades in speed and athleticism. Christian Jones brings loads of both from FloridaState.
#73 – Buffalo Bills – Antonio Richardson – OT – Tennessee
E.J. Manuel was sacked too much in 2013. That can’t fly for the Buffalo Bills again, so they use this 2014 NFL mock draft to bring in help with the massive-but-nimble Antonio Richardson who showed at Tennessee he can pass protect against the best.
#74 – New York Giants – Dominique Easley – DT – Florida
Defensive line play is what drove the New York Giants to championships in 2007 and 2011 and is how their defense goes. Dominique Easley has well-documented knee concerns but he’s still perhaps the best interior pass rusher in this class.
#75 – St. Louis Rams – Antone Exum – CB – Virginia Tech
Jeff Fisher likes his corners tough and ornery. Antone Exum was built for that at Virginia Tech. He has the size and agility to play tight coverage but adds more value thanks to his toughness against the run.
#76 – Detroit Lions – Stanley Jean-Baptiste – CB – Nebraska
The secondary remains the problem for the Detroit Lions on defense. Cornerback and safety both need help. Stanley Jean-Baptiste has the athleticism and ball skills for corner but his sheer size might make him a great free safety too.
#77 – San Francisco 49ers (f/TEN) – Marcus Smith – DE – Louisville
Aldon Smith has a very uncertain future with the San Francisco 49ers, leaving their pass rush in equally foggy straits. Marcus Smith is a long, explosive pass rusher out of Louisville who can give them some needed depth in a key area.
#78 – Dallas Cowboys – A.J. McCarron – QB -Alabama
Anybody who thinks the signing of Brandon Weeden eases the quarterback concerns for the Dallas Cowboys needs to stop watching football. A.J. McCarron has at least one thing on his record that Tony Romo doesn’t. He wins championships.
#79 – Baltimore Ravens – Dion Bailey – FS – USC
Matt Elam was a fine addition at safety but the position needs more help for the Baltimore Ravens. Dion Bailey showed great versatility at USC and has the range and ball skills to become a starter at the pro level.
#80 – Chicago Bears (f/NYJ) – Bashaud Breeland – CB – Clemson
At some point Phil Emery plans to draft an eventual replacement for Charles Tillman at corner. Bashaud Breeland is an excellent choice. He won’t have to start right away, has the athleticism, size and toughness against the run the Chicago Bears are looking for.
#81 – Miami Dolphins – Jack Mewhort – OT – Ohio State
The right side of the offensive line gets a serious makeover as the Miami Dolphins add OhioState powerhouse Jack Mewhort. Big, powerful and nasty he will plow open running lanes for them from Day One.
#82 – Chicago Bears – Kelcy Quarles – DT – South Carolina
Another area of need gets a big addition. The Bears are thin at defensive tackle. Kelcy Quarles has size, explosion and length that helped him notch 9.5 sacks in 2013. He has loads of potential and is a perfect fit for their system under Mel Tucker.
#83 – Cleveland Browns (f/PIT) – E.J. Gaines – CB – Missouri
Joe Haden is the man now for the Browns secondary but they know the best thing they can do is get him some help. E.J. Gaines constantly gets overlooked but he has the athleticism, recovery speed and physicality to play tight coverage against anybody.
#84 – Arizona Cardinals – Jeremy Hill – RB -LSU
Running back was a problem for the Arizona Cardinals last season. They need a workhorse who can tote lots of carries every game and get first downs. Jeremy Hill has his character flaws but his power, size and acceleration are hard to pass on.
#85 – Green Bay Packers – Dezmen Southward – FS – Wisconsin
Inexperience is really the only thing holding back safety Dezmen Southward. He has every physical trait desired in a centerfield-type defender and would make a great fit for the Green Bay Packers provided they trust Dom Capers to coach him up.
#86 – Miami Dolphins (f/PHI) – Shayne Skov – ILB – Stanford
Inside linebacker was anything but solved last season and needs more competition. Shayne Skov was a fixture for Stanford and when healthy has the range, leadership and thumping power teams strive for.
#87 – Kansas City Chiefs – Dakota Dozier – OG – Furman
Losing two starting guards in free agency can be devastating for a lot of teams The Kansas City Chiefs will face that test in this 2014 NFL mock draft. Adding Furman guard Dakota Dozier would go a long way towards passing it.
#88 – Cincinnati Bengals – Billy Turner – OT – North Dakota State
Anthony Collins is gone but the need to protect Andy Dalton is not. The Cincinnati Bengals add a promising small school talent in Billy Turner who flashed at the Senior Bowl.
#89 – San Diego Chargers – David Yankey – OG – Stanford
David Yankey played tackle first for Stanford before becoming an All-American at guard. He’s big, smart, powerful and a great leader up front. He will bring some stability to that San Diego Chargers line.
#90 – Indianapolis Colts – Trai Turner – OG – LSU
So they want to run the ball with Trent Richardson? If the Indianapolis Colts ever hope to accomplish that he needs blocking, and so does Andrew Luck. Trai Turner is rising fast on board and is known best for his punishing run blocking.
#91 – New Orleans Saints – Cameron Fleming – OT – Stanford
Terron Armstead might have a future at left tackle but the New Orleans Saints still need work on the right side. Cameron Fleming has the size and lower body strength along with a very healthy head on his shoulders.
#92 – Carolina Panthers – Travis Carrie – CB – Ohio
Ron Rivera took a serious hit to the secondary in free agency and the Carolina Panthers must replenish. Travis Carrie has good size and athleticism along with the vision required to function in a primarily zone scheme.
#93 – New England Patriots – Weston Richburg – C – Colorado State
Tom Brady can’t function with pressure in his face and a lot of it came at him up the middle last season. So the New England Patriots start at center with the polished and promising Weston Richburg.
#94 – San Francisco 49ers – Marcus Martin – C – USC
Unlike Richburg, Marcus Martin is still a work in progress but he’s also bigger and stronger. That is what makes him a great candidate for the San Francisco 49ers who just lost veteran Jonathan Goodwin.
#95 – Denver Broncos – Kareem Martin – DE – North Carolina
Von Miller was hampered by injuries last year and Demarcus Ware is no guarantee at his age. Throw in the loss of Robert Ayers and the Denver Broncos need pass rushers. Kareem Martin is still developing but is already proving he can find ways to the quarterback.
#96 – Minnesota Vikings (from SEA) – Ross Cockrell – CB – Duke
Mike Zimmer is a wizard with defensive backs so it’s only natural the Vikings feed the machine at some point. Ross Cockrell did some great things for Duke. He has good size, awareness and the body control to play the football in the air.
#97 – Pittsburgh Steelers (comp) – Trent Murphy – DE – Stanford
There is not enough to be feel good about in regards to the Pittsburgh Steelers pass rush, which is a problem. Adding Trent Murphy, who led the nation in sacks last year, has to help that cause.
#98 – Green Bay Packers (comp) – DaQuan Jones – DT – Penn State
Very good size and power belie how quick PennState defensive tackle DaQuan Jones is. He brings a physicality to the trenches, something the Green Bay Packers need more of. He’ll make a solid fit at defensive end for them.
#99 – Baltimore Ravens (comp) – Ka’Deem Carey – RB – Arizona
Nobody is certain regarding the future of Ray Rice in Baltimore, on or off the field. They need young depth at running back. Arizona star Ka’Deem Carey gets overlooked because he’s not fast but he finds holes, breaks tackles and can catch passes.
#100 – San Francisco 49ers (comp) – Devin Street – WR – Pitt
Having gotten more speed at receiver in the first round, the 49ers seek to add some size here. Devin Street still has some developing to do but his 6’3″ frame brings a needed dimension to the San Francisco offense.