2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: Complete 2nd Round
By Erik Lambert
Dec 29, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (12) drops back to pass against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. The Giants defeated the Redskins 20-6. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The latest 2014 NFL mock draft continues into the second round as the trades keep flying and teams make some bold moves.
#33 – Washington Redskins (from HOU) – Lamarcus Joyner – S – Florida State
Trade yield: HOU gets QB Kirk Cousins
The nature of why the Texans didn’t go after a quarterback in the first round is revealed when they give their second round choice to the Washington Redskins for Kirk Cousins. In return Washington fortifies their secondary with playmaking safety Lamarcus Joyner.
#34 – Washington Redskins – David Yankey – G – Stanford
Though they didn’t get a first round pick, the Redskins still are able to address some needs at the top of the second. With their other pick they give Robert Griffin III a powerful, intelligent guard out of Stanford in David Yankey.
#35 – Houston Texans (from CLE) – Louis Nix – DT – Notre Dame
The defense wasn’t the problem for the Houston Texans in 2013 but they did struggle at times to contain the run. With Barr coming in to help the pass rush, they next add big nose tackle Louis Nix who can play havoc with offensive lines, plugging up running lanes.
#36 – Oakland Raiders – Timmy Jernigan – DT – Florida State
Dennis Allen is a defensive coach and his Oakland Raiders need talent on that side of the ball, especially up front. Adding Timmy Jernigan is a possible steal. The FloridaState defensive tackle is a force against the run and athletic enough to draw double teams.
#37 – St. Louis Rams (from ATL) – Bradley Roby – CB – Ohio State
With three picks coming their way in the round, the St. Louis Rams can afford to tackle some needs. Bradley Roby fell off somewhat during the year but he is still one of the most athletically gifted corners in the 2014 class with huge potential in the pros.
#38 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Antonio Richardson – OT – Tennessee
Bolstering the trenches on both sides of the ball is a job at hand for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Giving Mike Glennon additional protection would greatly help. Antonio Richardson is a large man with heavy hands who can lock down pass rushers and plow open running lanes.
#39 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Scott Crichton – DE – Oregon State
Gus Bradley likes athletes but he’s also not dumb. He will recognize a pass rusher when he sees one and Scott Crichton is that. For what he lacks in versatility he makes up for his relentlessness, power and technique that helps him get to the quarterback.
#40 – Minnesota Vikings – Brett Smith – QB – Wyoming
They failed to nab a quarterback in the first round but the Minnesota Vikings don’t hesitate in the second. Brett Smith was a late riser on many draft boards. He doesn’t have ideal height but he’s strong, athletic, confident and a well developed passer.
#41 – Buffalo Bills – C.J. Fiedorowicz – TE – Iowa
E.J. Manuel could use a target with size in the passing game, preferably at tight end. C.J. Fiedorowicz won’t win with flash but he’s got the size and deceptive speed to surprise defenses, not to mention the hands. Where he can also help is in blocking too.
#42 – St. Louis Rams (from TEN) – Ka’Deem Carey – RB – Arizona
Zac Stacy was a welcome revelation for the Rams but they still need depth in the backfield. Ka’Deem Carey was a highly productive workhorse at Arizona who displayed good vision and acceleration to hit the hole. He also developed blocking and receiving in the passing game.
#43 – New York Giants – Loucheiz Purifoy – CB – Florida
He’s not quite developed yet as cover man but the athletic potential of Loucheiz Purifoy is at the level of a shutdown corner. He showed flashes of it at Florida, and the New York Giants need to get faster and more agile in the secondary.
#44 – St. Louis Rams – Cyril Richardson – G – Baylor
Having addressed most of their needs, St. Louis can attack the best player on the board and Cyril Richardson is definitely one of those available. The massive guard out of Baylor is nimble and balanced in pass protection and a road grader on the ground.
#45 – Detroit Lions – Marcus Roberson – CB – Florida
The pass defense let down the Detroit Lions one too many times in 2014. They have to get it straightened out, and that means improving coverage from their corners. Marcus Roberson is not a physical type, but he has the length and athleticism to stick with any receiver.
#46 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Jordan Matthews – WR – Vanderbilt
Receiver is not an immediate need for the Pittsburgh Steelers but with Emmanuel Sanders a free agent it would be smart for them to address it. Jordan Matthews is a first round caliber player with good size, great hands and outstanding route running ability.
#47 – Dallas Cowboys – Will Sutton – DT – Arizona State
Bolstering the defensive line is a must for the Dallas Cowboys, and if Monte Kiffin stays then they need a pass rushing defensive tackle. Will Sutton is somewhat undersized but he is quick off the snap, has underrated power and uses his natural leverage to get to the quarterback.
#48 – Baltimore Ravens – Travis Swanson – C – Arkansas
The offensive line needs help for the Baltimore Ravens and a lot of their problems started after losing center Matt Birk. So they look to bolster the position with Travis Swanson. He can pull and anchor in the run game and shows all the ability to call protections at the line.
#49 – New York Jets – Gabe Jackson – G – Mississippi State
Arming Geno Smith is important, but so is protecting him. The New York Jets need to keep their offensive line fortified and guard is an area they could use help. Gabe Jackson is a big, physical guy who gets after it on the ground but is surprisingly nimble in pass protection.
#50 – Miami Dolphins – Xavier Su’a-Filo – G – UCLA
He’s not a mammoth like Jackson but that doesn’t overshadow what Xavier Su’a-Filo can do. He’s very athletic for his size, able to move around well and is very polished in his technique. Good upper body strength also allows him to stand his ground against rushers.
#51 – San Francisco 49ers (from CHI) – Deone Bucannon – S – Washington
Trade yield: Bears get SF 4th round pick
Still fielding offers to move down, the Bears swing a deal with the 49ers for a 4th round choice. In return San Francisco moves up to claim Washington safety Deone Bucannon. Big and rangy, he is a fierce hitter but also quite adept at taking the ball away. He is a nice insurance policy in case Donte Whitner leaves in free agency.
#52 – Arizona Cardinals – Trevor Reilly – DE – Utah
He plays defensive end in college but the athleticism, length and explosion are there for Trevor Reilly to make a successful switch to 3-4 outside linebacker. That is one area the Arizona Cardinals would love to get more from in the pass rush. Reilly could become the eventual replacement to John Abraham.
#53 – Green Bay Packers – Shayne Skov – LB – Stanford
Linebacker continues to bring problems for the Green Bay Packers, especially with injuries. They need better depth at the position. Shayne Skov is an explosive athlete who hit gaps hard to blow up running plays and can track ball carriers all over the field.
#54 – Philadelphia Eagles – Paul Richardson – WR – Colorado
Chip Kelly is not shy about taking players high on his board even if they aren’t needs. Paul Richardson is a quick, speedy receiver out of Colorado who can create big plays with his ability. He would be yet another playmaker in that Philadelphia Eagles offense.
#55 – Cincinnati Bengals – Kyle Fuller – CB – Virginia Tech
Cornerback took a few hits for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013 and they must think about improving their young depth. Kyle Fuller has great potential, athletic enough to mirror receivers in coverage and tough enough to play hard against the run.
#56 – Chicago Bears (from SF) – Aaron Donald – DT – Pitt
The Bears continue their defensive overhaul, this time bolstering their weakened defensive line with Aaron Donald. Nicknamed “Donald Devastation”, the Pitt star is ferocious at the line of scrimmage, exploding off the snap and knifing into the backfield to either blow up the run or sack the quarterback.
#57 – San Diego Chargers – Anthony Steen – G – Alabama
Before his injury Anthony Steen was considered one of the top five guards in the country. He should return fully healthy in time and the San Diego Chargers need somebody like him. Not only powerful enough to open running lanes, but quick enough to handle the best pass rushers.
#58 – Indianapolis Colts – Daniel McCullers – DT – Tennessee
The run defense finally came home to roost in New England, and the Indianapolis Colts must fix it. Based on their 3-4 scheme, the best way to do is finding a big nose tackle. At 350 lbs, Daniel McCullers is all that, while also having the strength and good leverage to regularly command double teams.
#59 – New Orleans Saints – Dee Ford – OLB – Auburn
Cameron Jordan and Junior Gallette did a great job invigorating the New Orleans Saints pass rush, but the team could still use somebody at outside linebacker. Dee Ford is undersized yet has great burst off the snap and the speed and athleticism to beat tackles to the quarterback.
#60 – Carolina Panthers – E.J. Gaines – CB – Missouri
The defense is one of the best in the league but the Carolina Panthers still could use some help in the secondary. E.J. Gaines is a long-armed, athletic corner who can latch on to any receiver and plays the football extremely well.
#61 – Jacksonville Jaguars (from SF) – Bishop Sankey – RB – Washington
Trade yield: 49ers get JAX 5th round pick
San Francisco regains some of their draft currency by trading out of the first round. The Jacksonville Jaguars move up to get Bortles some help on the ground. Bishop Sankey is a versatile weapon out of Washington who can run and catch out of the backfield with equal success.
#62 – New England Patriots – Michael Sam – OLB – Missouri
Getting more athletic up front is a task at hand for the New England Patriots defense in the 2014 NFL draft. Adding another pass rusher is never a bad idea. Michael Sam is not big but he has deceptive power and great speed coming off the edge that makes very difficult to block.
#63 – Denver Broncos – James Hurst – OT – North Carolina
James Hurst has fallen off a lot of board because of a late season injury for North Carolina. However, the big offensive tackle is no joke. Though his technique needs work, he not only has the size but the athleticism as well of a pro left tackle. He would make a great depth addition to the Denver Broncos front.
#64 – Seattle Seahawks – Brandin Cooks – WR – Oregon State
Russell Wilson gets another weapon in his arsenal. The Seattle Seahawks add the speedy Brandin Cooks from OregonState. He flies around the field on tape, able to set up defenders with his route running and then beat them deep with great acceleration.
To see the first round of this 2014 NFL mock draft, click here.