2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: 2nd Round Begins
By Erik Lambert
Nov 20, 2013; Toledo, OH, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies safety Jimmie Ward (15) warms up before the game against the Toledo Rockets at Glass Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-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.
To see the first round action, click here. Otherwise, enjoy!
#33 – Houston Texans – Morgan Moses – OT – Virginia
Having gotten their franchise QB, the Texans must account for what he will do as a rookie: hold the ball. That means protection. Morgan Moses is big, strong and has good feet.
#34 – Washington Redskins – Jimmie Ward – SS – NIU
Getting a playmaker on the back end of the defense remains paramount for Washington. Jimmie Ward has shot up draft boards of late. He’s physical but plays with the range of a corner.
#35 – Cleveland Browns – Gabe Jackson – OG – Mississippi State
Physicality and consistency both lacked a lot for the Cleveland Browns offensive line last year, especially along the interior. Gabe Jackson is an animal at guard who can bulldoze running lanes or weigh anchor in protection.
#36 – Oakland Raiders – Timmy Jernigan – DT – Florida State
Talk about a value pick. Several experts have Timmy Jernigan going in the first round but the Oakland Raiders, who need more youth up front on defense get him for a fraction of the cost. He will instantly improve their run defense.
#37 – Atlanta Falcons – Cyrus Kouandjio – OT – Alabama
A hazy injury history could really hamper Cyrus Kouandjio but at age 20 the kid is still growing into his body. He’s already a top talent at tackle and the Falcons would be foolish to pass him at this point.
#38 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jimmy Garoppolo – QB – EIU
Lovie Smith and the Bucs warned they would take a quarterback. They just never said when. They finally pounce here, grabbing a high upside FCS star in Jimmy Garoppolo. He’s got the height, accuracy and quick release. All he needs is development.
#39 – San Diego Chargers (f/JAX) – Bradley Roby – CB – Ohio State
The Bolts finally make their first pick after trading back and it proves to be a good one. Bradley Roby needs to work on consistency issues but his athletic ceiling is sky high and should add some playmaking punch to that porous secondary.
#40 – New York Giants (f/MIN) – Stephon Tuitt – DT – Notre Dame
Trade: 43rd and 152nd (5th) picks to Vikings for 40th pick
The losses of Linval Joseph and Justin Tuck still linger for the Giants. They need a disruptor on the defensive line. Stephon Tuitt has the versatility to play end or tackle regardless of the situation.
#41 – Buffalo Bills – Ryan Shazier – OLB – Ohio State
Kiko Alonso could really use help at linebacker for Buffalo. Ryan Shazier is a freaky fast tackling machine who has the vision to track ball carriers and the instincts to blitz or play coverage.
#42 – Tennessee Titans – Marcus Roberson – CB – Florida
Losing Alterraun Verner during a defensive scheme switch was tough for Tennessee. They need better cover corners to make their new system work. Marcus Roberson has his deficiencies in terms of strength but his ability to latch onto receivers is self-evident.
#43 – Minnesota Vikings (f/NYG) – Scott Crichton – DE – Oregon State
Keeping Everson Griffen isn’t enough to compensate for the loss of Jared Allen. Minnesota needs more out of their defensive ends. Scott Crichton isn’t a premier athlete but he’s tough, strong, and utterly relentless.
#44 – St. Louis Rams – Allen Robinson – WR – Penn State
Sam Bradford has plenty of speed at the receiver position but he really could use a target with size. Not only is Allen Robinson 6’3″ he could jump out of the gym. A classic go-get-it type of receiver.
#45 – Detroit Lions – Antonio Richardson – OT – Tennessee
Matthew Stafford got good protection for long stretches in 2013 but the Detroit Lions still have some holes to plug up front. Antonio Richardson is a massive, long-armed blocker from Tennessee who can fill right in on the right side.
#46 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Pierre Desir – CB – Lindenwood
Don’t let the small school syndrome fool you. Though still raw, Pierre Desir is a future starter in this 2014 NFL mock draft. His size, length, and athleticism make him a perfect fit for Pittsburgh, who need young depth at corner.
#47 – Dallas Cowboys – Kelcy Quarles – DT – South Carolina
Henry Melton and Kony Ealy get some extra help up front. Kelcy Quarles didn’t get much attention at South Carolina last season. That’s a shame because he posted 9.5 sacks and has intriguing physical upside.
#48 – Baltimore Ravens – Kyle Van Noy – OLB – BYU
Ozzie Newsome sticks to the board and there is no doubt Kyle Van Noy is among the best available. He’s not a pure pass rusher but he can harass the quarterback, which goes along well with his tremendous instincts and athleticism.
#49 – New York Jets – Davante Adams – WR – Fresno State
Rex Ryan got his needed corner so now the Jets can resume upgrading the offense. Davante Adams is a quality find in the second round. His good size, deceptive speed and reliable hands will be most welcome for Michael Vick or Geno Smith.
#50 – Miami Dolphins – Carlos Hyde – RB – Ohio State
Having bolstered their offensive line, the Dolphins have to gain a presence on the ground. Carlos Hyde is a legit bell cow who can wear a defense down over the course of a game.
#51 – Chicago Bears – Terrance Brooks – FS – Florida State
Chris Conte has seemingly survived free agency thus far but the Chicago Bears vowed to bring him competition at free safety. Terrance Brooks has loads of athletic potential, good instincts and length which will make him a serious threat to start.
#52 – Arizona Cardinals – Jaylen Watkins – CB – Florida
Improving at corner and safety were both note for Arizona. The beauty of Jaylen Watkins is he has the athletic traits to play either position. He has the speed and athleticism for corner and the toughness for safety.
#53 – Green Bay Packers – Trent Murphy – DE – Stanford
Improving the disruptability of the defensive front was paramount for Green Bay. Nabbing the NCAA sack leader in 2013 this late in the second round in Trent Murphy counts as helping accomplish that goal.
#54 – Philadelphia Eagles – Deone Bucannon – SS – Washington State
Chip Kelly likes big athletes and needs a presence at safety. Deone Bucannon can be both. His size, length and physicality are well documented but it’s his potential in coverage that will intrigue the Eagles.
#55 – Cincinnati Bengals – Lamarcus Joyner – S – Florida State
There really aren’t many holes to fill for Cincinnati and it still seems too early to address the quarterback position. So they go after another proven playmaker for their defense, this time at safety. Lamarcus Joyner may be short, but he doesn’t play that way.
#56 – San Francisco 49ers (from KC) – Ego Ferguson – DT – LSU
It might seem a tad early for Ego Ferguson to come off the board but when a team has the number of picks San Francisco does, they can afford it. Ferguson is a versatile defensive tackle who can move all around the line for them.
#57 – San Diego Chargers – Jeremiah Attaochu – OLB – Georgia Tech
Finding an outside linebacker to rush the passer is of course a priority for the Chargers, but so is finding some more attitude and passion on that side of the ball. Jeremiah Attaochu checks the boxes is all those categories.
#58 – Indianapolis Colts – Craig Loston – SS – LSU
Antoine Bethea was an overlooked loss the Colts had to endure in free agency. It will be hard to replace him but Craig Loston of LSU can do it. He’s not a top tier athlete but he plays physical, makes tackles and is a vocal leader on the back end.
#59 – New Orleans Saints – Donte Moncrief – WR – Ole Miss
A lot of turnover has been happening on offense for New Orleans. One area they could use some youth (and size) is wide receiver. Donte Moncrief is their kind of guy: big, deceptively fast with an excellent route running tree.
#60 – Carolina Panthers – Jack Mewhort – OT – Ohio State
Wide receivers are the top priority but offensive line strength is what makes the Panthers go. Keeping it bolstered is almost of equal importance. Jack Mewhort is a big, nasty blocker out of OhioState. He opens running lanes and fears nobody.
#61 – San Francisco 49ers – Keith McGill – CB – Utah
Taking a page from the Seahawks playbook, San Francisco adds some size and length to their secondary with the 6’3″ Keith McGill. He’s not a polished gem yet but the ability is there for him to become a mainstay on the outside.
#62 – New England Patriots – Jarvis Landry – WR – LSU
Tom Brady doesn’t necessarily need an explosive receiver. What he needs is a “reliable” receiver, somebody he can go to on money downs when he has to have a conversion. Jarvis Landry isn’t an athletic phenom but he gets open and makes the play.
#63 – Denver Broncos – Brandon Thomas – OG – Clemson
The loss of Zane Beadles really hampers the Denver Broncos on the offensive line, largely viewed as a primary reason for their Super Bowl disaster. Brandon Thomas played tackle in college but has the size, strength and footwork to become a fixture inside.
#64 – Seattle Seahawks – DaQuan Jones – DT – Penn State
The loss of Red Bryant dealt a rather heavy blow to the run defense for Seattle. Replacing him won’t be easy. DaQuan Jones is a great place to start. The PennState defensive tackle is a quick and powerful load who can hold up the run.