2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: Complete 2nd Round
By Erik Lambert
Dec 13, 2013; Charleston, IL, USA; Towson Tigers defensive tackle Jon Desir (99) pursues Eastern Illinois Panthers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during the fourth quarter at O
The latest 2014 NFL mock draft continues into the second round the first round picks and deals begin to show their impact.
#33 – Houston Texans – Derek Carr – QB – Fresno State
Their gamble to wait on a quarterback seems to have paid off. The Houston Texans find FresnoState standout Derek Carr still on the board. Boasting good athleticism and height, his biggest selling point is an elite arm and the team should find great use for.
#34 – Washington Redskins – David Yankey – OG – Stanford
Nothing can truly get going for the new Washington Redskins offense until they can ensure that Robert Griffin III is protected. Guard is their biggest sore spot up front. David Yankey is big but agile for his size, displaying plenty of strength and intelligence as well.
#35 – Cleveland Browns – Ka’Deem Carey – RB – Arizona
Running the ball was futile most of the season for the Cleveland Browns. Having gotten Zack Martin to help up front, they next need to add a true workhorse back. Ka’Deem Carey has the vision, powerful lower body and versatile skill set they will want.
#36 – Oakland Raiders – Jimmy Garoppolo – QB – Eastern Illinois
Another team that chose to wait on adding another quarterback gets lucky. Jimmy Garoppolo is a small school prospect but the Oakland Raiders must realize his accuracy, decision-making and quick release are all marks the best in the NFL have. With some work he can become more than just a capable starter.
#37 – Atlanta Falcons – Morgan Moses – OT – Virginia
Protecting their own quarterback was every bit an adventure as it was sacking the opponents’ for the Atlanta Falcons. Matt Ryan needs better blockers. Morgan Moses is a mammoth tackle with good feet, length and power to handle any variety of pass rusher thrown at him.
#38 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Scott Crichton – DE – Oregon State
Adding Watkins in the first round was the right decision and now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers go hunting for that needed pass rusher. Scott Crichton is not a premier athlete but he’s big, strong and utterly relentless in attacking the quarterback.
#39 – Chicago Bears (from JAX) – Aaron Donald – DT – Pitt
After a number of big trade downs the Chicago Bears finally make their first pick of this 2014 NFL mock draft. Surprisingly they catch a break when Pitt defensive tackle Aaron Donald falls in their lap. Though undersized, his explosive quickness and natural leverage make him very hard to block.
#40 – Minnesota Vikings – Ryan Shazier – OLB – Ohio State
The loss of Erin Henderson puts the Minnesota Vikings in a pickle. They need help all over on defense but a fast linebacker might help in several areas. Ryan Shazier is a tackling machine with great speed and athleticism which he can use to rush the passer or drop into coverage.
#41 – Buffalo Bills – Austin Seferian-Jenkins – TE – Washington
Adding a big pass target for E.J. Manuel is a priority for the Buffalo Bills, be it at wide receiver or tight end. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is massive both in height and size but retains shockingly good speed and athleticism to be a serious threat catching the ball.
#42 – Tennessee Titans – Trevor Reilly – OLB – Utah
If the 3-4 is on the way for the Tennessee Titans then they will need to think about adding athletic pass rushers on the outside. Trevor Reilly has the tools necessary coming out of Utah and also displays excellent playmaking skill against the run.
#43 – Pittsburgh Steelers (from NYG) – Jordan Matthews – WR – Vanderbilt
Trade yield: Giants get PIT 5th round pick
Normally not too aggressive, the Pittsburgh Steelers unload a 5th round pick to New York for a chance to jump up and grad Jordan Matthews. The 6’3″ receiver from Vanderbilt is smart, strong, with great hands and finds ways to get himself open regardless of who covers him.
#44 – St. Louis Rams – Carlos Hyde – RB – Ohio State
Jeff Fisher still needs that true workhorse running back who can handle the load of carries on the ground, his Frank Gore or Marshawn Lynch. Carlos Hyde is built very similar to those Pro Bowlers with the good vision and stubborn unwillingness to go down.
#45 – Detroit Lions – Odell Beckham Jr. – WR – LSU
Needing another wide receiver to compliment Calvin Johnson, the Detroit Lions go for athletic LSU standout Odell Beckham Jr. His agility and knack for making plays with the ball in the hands should present nice options for Matthew Stafford and also an added bonus on special teams.
#46 – New York Giants (from PIT) – Gabe Jackson – OG – Mississippi State
Having notched an extra pick, the New York Giants look to bolster their beleaguered offensive line. Gabe Jackson is a beast in ever sense of the word. Big, powerful, nasty and remarkably agile he can either drive defenders out of the way or simply wall them off from his quarterback.
#47 – Dallas Cowboys – Cyril Richardson – OG – Baylor
Every year they say they want to run the ball. Well if that’s true than the Dallas Cowboys can’t pass on Baylor guard Cyril Richardson. He is a dominant run blocker at guard with the required footwork and fluidity to hold up just fine in pass protection for Tony Romo.
#48 – Baltimore Ravens – Bradley Roby – CB – Ohio State
Ozzie Newsome always sticks to his board, so while he’d like to add a big receiver for Joe Flacco he instead add the athletic and speedy cornerback Bradley Roby out of OhioState. Though still needing some polish his upside is huge and could provide the Baltimore Ravens defense with another young building block.
#49 – New York Jets – Xavier Su’a-Filo – OG – UCLA
Running the ball remains the bread and butter for the New York Jets and a big help to that endeavor must come from beefing up the guard positions. Xavier Su’a-Filo is an understated prospect out of UCLA but one who boasts excellent technique and a clear power base he uses to great effect.
#50 – Miami Dolphins – Tre Mason – RB – Auburn
Wanting Lamar Miller to be tougher is a nice idea but the Miami Dolphins simply need a running back who can handle a full load of carries every game. Tre Mason did that all season for Auburn and did it better than anybody. His small size belies his strength, great vision and versatility to run inside, outside or catch passes.
#51 – Chicago Bears – Deone Bucannon – SS – Washington State
Phil Emery loves big athletes and that is exactly what Deone Bucannon is. At 6’1″ he got great size and length for a strong safety. He plays tough and physical, showing a willingness to not just tackle but hit. On top of that his six interceptions reflect a player who is just as dangerous in coverage.
#52 – Arizona Cardinals – Antonio Richardson – OT – Tennessee
Life in the NFC West can become quite miserable if a team doesn’t have a strong offensive line. The Arizona Cardinals could use help in that area. Antonio Richardson has the size, long arms and power of a high quality tackle and should fit in nicely.
#53 – Green Bay Packers – Kyle Fuller – CB – Virginia Tech
Sam Shields is a free agent and the Green Bay Packers are expected to overhaul their defense. Kyle Fuller has the preferred height and athleticism of a starting cornerback along with a clear willingness to tackle.
#54 – Philadelphia Eagles – Jimmie Ward – SS – Northern Illinois
Safety remains a sore spot for the Philadelphia Eagles and in need of some tweaking. Jimmie Ward has risen up 2014 NFL mock draft boards every week due to his excellent blend of range, instincts and toughness for the position.
#55 – Cincinnati Bengals – Lamarcus Joyner – S/CB – Florida State
He may only be 5’8″ but there is no questioning what Lamarcus Joyner can do on the football field. He’s physical, brings tons of energy, shows great awareness and physicality in coverage and finds ways to get his hands on the football. The Cincinnati Bengals could use somebody like that on the back end of their defense.
#56 – San Francisco 49ers (from KC) – Dominique Easley – DT – Florida
Never shy about taking chances on players with injury histories, the San Francisco 49ers pull the trigger on a another red flagged case. Prior to tearing his ACL in 2013 there was not more dominant defensive lineman in college football than Dominique Easley. His ability to control the line of scrimmage and press the pocket are too good to pass on.
#57 – San Diego Chargers – Trent Murphy – OLB/DE – Stanford
The freefall of the reigning season sack leader finally ends. Trent Murphy suffered from a decided lack of athleticism that turns a lot of team off but his ability to get after quarterbacks is not an accident. The San Diego Chargers recognize this and pull the trigger.
#58 – Indianapolis Colts – DaQuan Jones – DT – Penn State
Inconsistency marked the Indianapolis Colts defense all season and they especially struggled stopping the run. Adding some size and strength to the interior of their defensive front can help with that, and DaQuan Jones thrived in that role for PennState.
#59 – New Orleans Saints – Jackson Jeffcoat – DE – Texas
The defense made a remarkable recovery for the New Orleans Saints but they still need work in some areas. Adding an outside pass rusher would be a huge help. Jackson Jeffcoat is a defensive end out of Texas but his length, athleticism and explosion hint he will make an even better outside linebacker.
#60 – Carolina Panthers – Jack Mewhort – OT – Ohio State
Offensive line is favorite target area for the Carolina Panthers front office and with free agency about to impact the unit it’s likely the team will look to add a high round blocker. Jack Mewhort isn’t a top athlete but his size, strength and ability to run block make him an excellent solution at right tackle.
#61 – Chicago Bears (from SF) – Loucheiz Purifoy – CB – Florida
Finding athletes is the primary goal for the Bears front office in rebuilding the defense. Loucheiz Purifoy is still raw and unpolished as a corner but he already has shown flashes of what he can become. The agility and speed are there along with a long frame and near effortless fluidity to mirror receivers wherever they go.
#62 – New England Patriots – Kelcy Quarles – DT – South Carolina
Defensive tackle could be in serious trouble for the New England Patriots depending on what happens with Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly. Either way they need to add some youth in that area. Kelcy Quarles is a long, athletic interior pass rusher who explodes off the snap and finds way to disrupt blocking schemes.
#63 – Denver Broncos – Jeremiah Attaochu – OLB – Georgia Tech
Anybody who watched the Super Bowl saw a team that seemed to lack a sense of urgency and passion in the biggest game of their lives. It might be best for them to add players who bring those traits to the table. Jeremiah Attaochu is not only an agile and explosive speed rusher, he’s also contentious and very fiery on the field.
#64 – Seattle Seahawks – Troy Niklas – TE – Notre Dame
Wide receiver and tight end were key need positions for the Seattle Seahawks. Having gotten one in the first round, they address the other at the end of the second. Troy Niklas doesn’t have the production but his size, athleticism and soft hands are impossible to miss on tape.