2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: 2nd Round
By Erik Lambert
Apr 20, 2013; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish nose tackle Louis Nix (1) gestures before a two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter of the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
The latest 2014 NFL mock draft continues with an updated big board following the first round action.
#33 – Houston Texans – Louis Nix – DT – Notre Dame
I for one definitely buy the Ryan Mallett rumors about the Houston Texans. So in that vain, they got their second pass rusher in Clowney and now fortify that front with a dominant run plugger in Louis Nix.
#34 – Washington Redskins – Xavier Su’a-Filo – OG – UCLA
The top safeties are all gone, as are the corners. Meanwhile the best guard remains available. This really isn’t a very hard pick for the Washington Redskins who have to better protect RGIII.
#35 – Cleveland Browns – Cyrus Kouandjio – OT – Alabama
Johnny Manziel is the man of the hour for the Cleveland Browns. Top priority is now protecting him and it starts with shoring up that offensive line. Cyrus Kouandjio has first round talent and is ideally built to play at right tackle with his size and power.
#36 – Oakland Raiders – Derek Carr – QB – Fresno State
They got their defensive stud early. Now Oakland Raiders need long-term insurance for their Matt Schaub experiment. Derek Carr is still there and they reportedly have big interest in him. It’s a good fit with great potential.
#37 – Atlanta Falcons – Kony Ealy – DE – Missouri
Patience paid off for the Atlanta Falcons in the first round and it does again here as they manage to land that needed pass rusher in Kony Ealy, who many had going on Day 1. He’s a fit for their defense with good size and explosion off the edge.
#38 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Scott Crichton – DE – Oregon State
From a scheme perspective there isn’t a better team for Scott Crichton to go to. Lovie Smith loves bigger, stronger defensive ends with high motors and that is the calling card of the OregonState product.
#39 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Marqise Lee – WR – USC
The freefall of Marqise Lee finally ends and the Jacksonville Jaguars are grateful. Having just added their quarterback, they get him an undervalued weapon who will be able to great big plays in the passing game.
#40 – Seattle Seahawks (f/MIN) – Jace Amaro – TE – Texas Tech
The world champs built their legacy on later round success and so traded out of the first round. They kickstart their 2014 NFL mock draft by giving Russell Wilson a big target at tight end in the polished and proven Jace Amaro.
#41 – Buffalo Bills – Kyle Van Noy – OLB – BYU
Kiko Alonso was a second round steal in 2013 at linebacker. The Buffalo Bills seek for lightning to strike twice with Kyle Van Noy, an instinctive and speedy talent who can play next to the Bills’ new star and fortify the front seven of that defense.
#42 – Tennessee Titans – Jimmy Garoppolo – QB – EIU
Jake Locker dodged the early bullet but the Tennessee Titans are going to give him competition at some point. They do so here with promising small school star Jimmy Garoppolo who has the size, arm, accuracy and release a pro needs to win.
#43 – New York Giants – Morgan Moses – OT – Virginia
Eli Manning got another weapon in the first round. This time the New York Giants give him more protection. Morgan Moses is a proven pass protector from Virginia with the size to play right tackle, allowing the Giants to kick Justin Pugh inside.
#44 – St. Louis Rams – Cody Latimer – WR – Indiana
Sam Bradford has protection now but his arsenal of weapons is still developing. Adding another playmaker at wide receiver could really help the cause. Cody Latimer was a late riser with size and speed who showed flashes on tape of a true playmaker.
#45 – Detroit Lions – Kareem Martin – DE -North Carolina
Willie Young was a tough loss at defensive end for the Detroit Lions in free agency. Keeping their front beefed up is a must in that division. Kareem Martin has the size for the scheme and his pass rush prowess can be nurtured into something special.
#46 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Phillip Gaines – CB – Rice
Frankly the Ryan Shazier pick was a head scratcher but the Pittsburgh Steelers still have a chance to get a quality corner for their secondary. Phillip Gaines is a premier athlete with speed who does his best work playing physical press coverage.
#47 – Dallas Cowboys – Timmy Jernigan – DT – Florida State
The scouting combine drug test killed his first round hopes but Timmy Jernigan is still one of the best defensive tackles in this 2014 NFL mock draft. Rod Marinelli will love putting him next to Henry Melton for the Dallas Cowboys.
#48 – Baltimore Ravens – Carlos Hyde – RB – Ohio State
Typical Ozzie Newsome. He just drafts good players period. Carlos Hyde is a strong, tough and versatile runner out of OhioState with proven production who offers the Baltimore Ravens insurance with Ray Rice.
#49 – New York Jets – Austin Seferian-Jenkins – TE – Washington
Rex Ryan got his way in the first round. Now the New York Jets have to continue loading up on offense. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a two-way talent who can block but has the speed and hands to create mismatches down the field.
#50 – Miami Dolphins – Jeremy Hill – RB – LSU
Character flags aside, it’s hard to argue that Jeremy Hill is right up there with Hyde as the best running back in the 2014 class. The Miami Dolphins need a workhorse on the ground and he has the size, strength and toughness for it.
#51 – Chicago Bears – Stephon Tuitt – DE – Notre Dame
They bypassed defensive tackle early to shore up the secondary but the Chicago Bears come right back to land a first round talent in Stephon Tuitt. He has the size and length for defensive tackle but the speed for defensive end. Highly versatile and disruptive.
#52 – Arizona Cardinals – Tom Savage – QB – Pitt
Quarterback was a possibility in round one but the Arizona Cardinals went elsewhere. This time they might go after Carson Palmer’s heir. Tom Savage will remind Bruce Arians a lot of Ben Roethlisberger.
#53 – Green Bay Packers – Demarcus Lawrence – DE – Boise State
Julius Peppers is a temporary option at outside linebacker. The Green Bay Packers need something long-term. Getting a solid talent like Demarcus Lawrence would be exactly what they want.
#54 – Philadelphia Eagles – Martavis Bryant – WR – Clemson
Chip Kelly loves speed but also prefers size. The Philadelphia Eagles have a big hole to fill at wide receiver. Martavis Bryant has a rangy 6’4″ frame but also that rare speed to take a play deep.
#55 – Cincinnati Bengals – Lamarcus Joyner – S – Florida State
Here’s a simple enough statement. If he were two inches taller Lamarcus Joyner would be a first round pick. He’s tough, athletic, instinctive and a great leader in the secondary who can make plays. The Cincinnati Bengals can find a home for him.
#56 – San Francisco 49ers (f/KC) – Ra’Shede Hageman – DT – Minnesota
Justin Smith is 35-years old. The San Francisco 49ers have nobody to replace him at defensive end. Ra’Shede Hageman is an athletic freak built to play that position with outstanding length, power and quickness.
#57 – San Diego Chargers – Jeremiah Attaochu – OLB – Georgia Tech
Corner was a top need the San Diego Chargers filled in round 1. They strike on defense again here, adding an instinctive, fiery and speedy threat on the edge in Jeremiah Attaochu. A well-rounded football player who can help in a variety of ways.
#58 – Indianapolis Colts – Joel Bitonio – OT – Nevada
Jadeveon Clowney is in Houston. That makes the protection of Andrew Luck even more imperative. Joel Bitonio is a versatile blocker out of Nevada with the length and quickness to play right tackle but might fit better at guard.
#59 – New Orleans Saints – Keith McGill – CB – Utah
Fledgling depth in the secondary hurt the New Orleans Saints late last season. They need to shore up the corner spot and after watching Seattle beat them twice, mirroring their style by adding the 6’3″ Keith McGill seems appropriate.
#60 – Carolina Panthers – Rashaad Reynolds – CB – Oregon State
The receiver question is answered but ther are still areas to go after for the Carolina Panthers. Cornerback is a big one after losing Captain Munnerlyn to free agency. Rashaad Reynolds is a tough, savvy defensive back who plays the run and pass well.
#61 – San Francisco 49ers – Allen Robinson – WR – Penn State
Adding size at receiver is something the San Francisco 49ers need to accomplish. Allen Robinson stands 6’3″ with an explosive lower body that allows him to win jump balls and also create plays after the catch.
#62 – New England Patriots – Gabe Jackson – OG – Mississippi State
They went defensive line early. This time the New England Patriots give Tom Brady some needed interior protection with the massive and powerful Gabe Jackson out of MississippiState.
#63 – Denver Broncos – Chris Borland – ILB – Wisconsin
Bradley Roby was a steal in the first round. Here the Denver Broncos add some needed leadership to their defense with the undersized but athletic and instinctive Chris Borland. A deceptively hard hitter and always around the ball.
#64 – Seattle Seahawks – Jack Mewhort – OT – Ohio State
Breno Giacomini is gone so the Seattle Seahawks have a hole to plug at right tackle. Jack Mewhort thrived over there at OhioState and he fits their profile given his great size and run blocking mentality.