2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: Complete 2nd Round
By Erik Lambert
Jan 25, 2014; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad quarterback Derek Carr of Fresno State (4) drops back to pass against the North squad during the first quarter at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The latest 2014 NFL mock draft continues into the second round. Though the trades begin to die down for the time being, the surprising picks don’t.
#33 – Houston Texans – Morgan Moses – OT – Virginia
Before anything else Bill O’Brien must ensure his new young quarterback is protected, which means bolstering the tackle position. Morgan Moses is a dancing bear out of Virginia with the size to handle bull rusher and nimble feet and long arms to corral the speed rushers.
#34 – Washington Redskins – David Yankey – OG – Stanford
It’s not a sexy pick but Jay Gruden has to know that Robert Griffen III was hit way too often in 2013. The Washington Redskins can’t let that continue. David Yankey is a big, powerful and intelligent guard out of Stanford who doubles as a leader on the field. He can step right in and help anchor the depleted Redskins interior.
#35 – Cleveland Browns – Cyril Richardson – OG – Baylor
Few if any teams were worse at running the ball in 2013 than the Cleveland Browns. Obviously Johnny Manziel is the future but in order to make him more effective he will need protection and more out of the ground attack. Cyril Richardson is a powerhouse guard out of Baylor who dominates when running and has the needed feet to pass block.
#36 – Oakland Raiders – Derek Carr – QB – Fresno State
The freefall finally ends for FresnoState quarterback Derek Carr and the Oakland Raiders are thrilled. Once expect to go in the top ten to fifteen picks, Carr will land with a major chip on his shoulder on a team desperate for stability at the quarterback position. His elite arm, athleticism and confident leadership could be a huge boost.
#37 – Atlanta Falcons – Austin Seferian-Jenkins – TE – Washington
Tony Gonzalez is retired, probably for good this time. Replacing him will be next to impossible but the Atlanta Falcons must not let the tight end position dilute into a second-rate area. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a massive athlete out of Washington with the shiftiness, speed and hands to make plays through the air but also is a stout blocker.
#38 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Scott Crichton – DE – Oregon State
Lovie Smith was right to stay patient in the first round. He got a game changer at receiver and still manages to get a solid pass rusher in the second that fits his system perfectly. Scott Crichton is not a versatile athlete, but as a defensive end he is explosive, relentless, and powerful when driving through blocks to the quarterback.
#39 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Trent Murphy – DE – Stanford
Finding a right position in the pros will be difficult for Trent Murphy since he isn’t big enough to play defensive end. However, his pass rush skill is impossible to ignore. The Jacksonville Jaguars need more players like him and could find a good spot on the roster for his services.
#40 – Oakland Raiders (from MIN) – Aaron Donald – DT – Pitt
Reggie McKenzie is having himself a quality draft so far and he strikes again with his newly acquired second round pick from Minnesota. Aaron Donald has emerged as arguably the best interior pass rusher in the 2014 draft class. He’s immensely explosive off the snap, has great quickness and shoots gaps about as well as anybody.
#41 – Buffalo Bills – Ryan Shazier – OLB – Ohio State
Hoping to put somebody next to Kiko Alonso on defense, the Buffalo Bills are very fortunate to find OhioState standout Ryan Shazier still on the board. Though somewhat light, the Buckeye uses his length and speed to suck up ball carriers and flood passing lanes. He is one of those guys who always appears all over the field.
#42 – Tennessee Titans – Jimmy Garoppolo – QB – Eastern Illinois
Ken Whisenhunt said he planned to increase competition on the Tennessee Titans roster, and that includes the quarterback position. Jake Locker gets company when the team drafts fast-rising Eastern Illinois star Jimmy Garoppolo. Though only proven against second-rate competition the kid has the body, arm, accuracy and release of a pro.
#43 – New York Giants – Bradley Roby – CB – Ohio State
Adding more speed and athleticism to the secondary is something the New York Giants have on their to-do list for sure in 2014. Bradley Roby had a tough year at OhioState but his athletic potential remains as high as ever. His speed-agility combination allows him to mirror receivers wherever they go. He simply needs to improve his technique.
#44 – St. Louis Rams – Carlos Hyde – RB – Ohio State
Jeff Fisher loves running backs who can grind it out on the ground. Given the fierce defenses the St. Louis Rams will face in the NFC Wet, finding one such back is crucial. Carlos Hyde has plenty of game tape to confirm that style is his game. Compact, strong and tough he is very hard to bring down once he’s got momentum going.
#45 – Detroit Lions – Odell Beckham Jr. – WR – LSU
Calvin Johnson is still a beast but he can’t carry the load forever. The Detroit Lions have to find him some help at wide receiver. Odell Beckham Jr. is one of those jack-of-all-trades types. His athletic skill is obvious on tape and he was very productive for LSU both on offense and the return game.
#46 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Louis Nix – DT – Notre Dame
They may have planned to go elsewhere but the Pittsburgh Steelers cannot pass on Louis Nix this late into the second round. The Notre Dame nose tackle is the best in this draft at that position. He’s a perfect fit for the Steelers front with the size, strength and quickness to make running the ball difficult for every opponent.
#47 – Dallas Cowboys – Xavier Su’a-Filo – OG – UCLA
If they are ever to truly balance the offense the Dallas Cowboys must fill in the last of their issues on the offensive line. Guard is the primary spot. Xavier Su’a-Filo is overlooked out of UCLA but the young man is a technician with an excellent power base that makes him a very good run blocker and more than adequate in pass protection.
#48 – Baltimore Ravens – Trevor Reilly – OLB – Utah
Pass rush isn’t a problem for the Baltimore Ravens yet but it soon might be with age catching up to Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. Trevor Reilly is a defensive end out of Utah but his body type and athleticism hints that a change to outside linebacker could maximize his skill set.
#49 – New York Jets – Gabe Jackson – OG – Mississippi State
Rex Ryan loves to get after it on the ground and for that he loves maulers on his offensive line. Gabe Jackson is every bit of that coming out of MississippiState. He brings size, power and a mean streak to the table that enables him to drive defenders off the ball. He’s also got good footwork to anchor in pass protection.
#50 – Miami Dolphins – Ka’Deem Carey – RB – Arizona
Offensive line remains a priority but the Miami Dolphins also could use a true three-down running back for Ryan Tannehill to feed. Ka’Deem Carey came on strong in 2013 out of Arizona, displaying the vision and power to consistency create yardage. On top of that he’s developed his receiver and pass protection skills.
#51 – Chicago Bears – Deone Bucannon – SS – Washington State
A number of options lay open for the Chicago Bears but they can’t ignore how poorly the safety position performed last season. It badly needs an infusion of playmaking ability. Deone Bucannon brings loads of skill from WashingtonState including a physical mentality that makes him good tackler and hitter. It also overshadows his range and instincts in coverage.
#52 – Arizona Cardinals – Antonio Richardson – OT – Tennessee
The selected pass rusher first but the Arizona Cardinals can’t ignore tackle forever. This time they go in that direction by taking Tennessee standout Antonio Richardson. While his immense size makes him questionable for the left side, there is no doubt his long arms, strong hands and power means he has the capacity to play on either side.
#53 – Green Bay Packers – Stephon Tuitt – DE – Notre Dame
Linebacker would be more preferred but any way the Green Bay Packers can improve their presence up front will help. Getting a talent like Stephon Tuitt this late in the draft the 2014 NFL mock draft qualifies. The Notre Dame defensive end is very versatile, able to use his strength, quickness and speed in a variety of different fronts to rush the passer.
#54 – Philadelphia Eagles – Lamarcus Joyner – CB – Florida State
His official designation is cornerback but there is little doubt that the future for Lamarcus Joyner is at safety. People will get on him about being 5’8″ but that hasn’t stopped the FloridaState star from being the overlooked leader and playmaker for a national championship team.
#55 – Cincinnati Bengals – Telvin Smith – OLB – Florida State
Adding speed to the linebacker position could help in so many ways for the Cincinnati Bengals. Telvin Smith brings plenty of that which he uses to great effect in coverage and when blitzing. Scouts are worried about his light 218-lbs frame but there is plenty of skill there for the Bengals to use.
#56 – San Francisco 49ers (from KC) – Stanley Jean-Baptiste – CB – Nebraska
What better way to topple the Seahawks than by stealing their blueprint? The San Francisco 49ers take a page right out of their book by swiping 6’3″ cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste from Nebraska. Not only big but athletic and instinctive, he will become a problem for those other NFC West receivers.
#57 – San Diego Chargers – Jackson Jeffcoat – DE – Texas
Improving the defense remains a must for the San Diego Chargers. Adding some outside pass rush could help greatly. Jackson Jeffcoat is a defensive end out of Texas but his speed and athletic potential, not to mention plenty of length signals he may be in store for a move to outside linebacker.
#58 – Indianapolis Colts – DaQuan Jones – DT – Penn State
Stopping the run was a task above the Indianapolis Colts in 2013. It’s a priority going into 2014, and it starts with bolstering their presence up front. DaQuan Jones is a big, powerful defensive tackle out of PennState with the quickness to plug up running lanes and the ability to command double teams.
#59 – New Orleans Saints – Kyle Fuller – CB – Virginia Tech
A natural ballhawk coming out of Virginia Tech, Kyle Fuller has the length and speed required of modern corners. He’s also a willing tackler against the run, something the New Orleans Saints will learn to appreciate. Rob Ryan must make sure to keep the young man disciplined.
#60 – Carolina Panthers – Brandin Cooks – WR – Oregon State
Last year they doubled up on defensive tackles and struck gold. Why can’t the Carolina Panthers do it again with receivers? Having landed a big body in round one, they go after a speed guy in round two and are very fortunate to find Brandin Cooks on the board. The NCAA leading receiver is not only fast but quick, agile and dangerous with the ball in his hands.
#61 – Baltimore Ravens (from SF) – Jack Mewhort – OT – Nevada
Utilizing their extra pick from San Francisco, the Baltimore Ravens seek to give Joe Flacco added protection as well as help to re-establish their ground attack. Jack Mewhort is a blue collar blocker out of OhioState. Big, strong and tough he gets after it in the run game and doesn’t back down from anybody in pass protection.
#62 – New England Patriots – Dakota Dozier – OG – Furman
Tom Brady has always worked best when his protection is solid. The New England Patriots have to think about revamped the interior of their offensive line starting at guard. Dakota Dozier comes out of small Furman but looks like he belongs at the top. Big and athletic for his size, he can handle almost anybody in pass protection and boasts the quickness to pull and get to the second level when run blocking.
#63 – Denver Broncos – Dominique Easley – DT – Florida
This is the definition of the gambler’s pick. Dominique Easley was perhaps the most dominant defensive lineman in college football to start the 2013 season. Then he tore his ACL, marking the second time he’s suffered that injury. The Denver Broncos are playing high risk/high reward in hoping he becomes that interior disruptor they’re missing.
#64 – Seattle Seahawks – Bishop Sankey – RB – Washington
Marshawn Lynch has his ring. He also has a lot hits building up on what will be a 28-year old body next season, which is a dangerous age range for running backs. The Seattle Seahawks are defined by their ground game, so keeping it strong is a must. Bishop Sankey is a terrific runner but doubles as a solid receiver and pass protector too.
To view the first round selections of this 2014 NFL mock draft, click here.