2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: Into the 3rd Round
By Erik Lambert
Oct 6, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste (16) against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Experts believe things will really start to get interesting around the third round this coming May. Does the 2014 NFL mock draft bear that out?
To see rounds one and two, click the links below. Otherwise enjoy!
#65 – Houston Texans – Trevor Reilly – OLB – Utah
J.J. Watt is the Man in the pass rush department for Houston but they need a presence at outside linebacker. Trevor Reilly is that kind of athlete who can fill that void.
#66 – Washington Redskins – Stanley Jean-Baptiste – CB – Nebraska
Long corners are becoming en vogue in around the league and Stanley Jean-Baptiste is every bit of 6’3″ with good instincts and agility to go with it.
#67 – Oakland Raiders – Zach Mettenberger – QB – LSU
They sweat it out for three rounds but the Raiders finally go after a quarterback and get a good one. Zach Mettenberger has the size (6’5″) and arm strength of a future starter.
#68 – Atlanta Falcons – Troy Niklas – TE – Notre Dame
Tony Gonzalez is done and the Falcons can’t waste time grieving. Troy Niklas doesn’t have the production but he’s another big athlete with good hands out of Notre Dame.
#69 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bashaud Breeland – CB – Clemson
Lovie Smith got Alterraun Verner to replace Revis but he needs another reliable corner for his defense to function. Bashaud Breeland is raw, but very tough, agile and aware.
#70 – San Diego Chargers (f/JAX) – Daniel McCullers – DT – Tennessee
It’s never a bad time to add a massive run stuffer and the Chargers could use one. Daniel McCullers may be big to a fault but his quickness for his size makes him a force in the middle.
#71 – Cleveland Browns – Tre Mason – RB – Auburn
Running back remains an issue to this point for Cleveland. Not after this pick. Tre Mason may be short but his toughness, powerful legs and vision make him a constant threat.
#72 – Minnesota Vikings – A.J. McCarron – QB – Alabama
Like Oakland they waited for a quarterback but the Minnesota Vikings aren’t disappointed. Mike Zimmer gets a big, smart and experienced quarterback in A.J. McCarron.
#73 – Buffalo Bills – Jordan Matthews – WR – Vanderbilt
It’s a surprise he fell this far but the Buffalo Bills can celebrate getting Jordan Matthews. Is he fast? No. Can he make big catches and take over games? Yes.
#74 – New York Giants – Paul Richardson – WR – Colorado
Eli Manning loves to have fast receivers like Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. With Nicks gone they need a replacement. Paul Richardson has the speed and the savvy.
#75 – St. Louis Rams – Bishop Sankey – RB – Washington
Running back might not be the first choice but the Rams won’t be disappointed with Bishop Sankey. The kid is a multi-level threat who can run, receive and block.
#76 – Detroit Lions – Marcus Smith – DE – Louisville
Martin Mayhew loves to stockpile pass rushers for Detroit. Marcus Smith is a fine addition to that group with his good burst, long frame and notable instinct.
#77 – San Francisco 49ers (f/TEN) – Marcus Martin – C – USC
Jonathan Goodwin is out, leaving the center position in a tough spot for the 49ers. Marcus Martin is still a bit raw but his physical potential could erase Goodwin’s memory quickly.
#78 – Dallas Cowboys – Dakota Dozier – OG – Furman
The guard positions still aren’t quite settled for Dallas and Tony Romo isn’t getting younger or healthier. He may come from a small school, but Dakota Dozier plays like a man.
#79 – Baltimore Ravens – Ka’Deem Carey – RB – Arizona
Ray Rice is officially in serious trouble and now so is the Baltimore running game. They can’t afford to go into the season without stability there. Ka’Deem Carey is strong and tough with good vision and acceleration.
#80 – Chicago Bears (f/NYJ) – Kareem Martin – DE – North Carolina
Defensive end got an overhaul in Chicago but that doesn’t mean they should stop adding to it. Kareem Martin still needs work on his technique but physically the kid can be is a good as he wants to be.
#81 – Miami Dolphins – Will Sutton – DT – Arizona State
The loss of Paul Soliai put a dent in the defensive line for Miami. Will Sutton has loads of potential on the interior if he can shore up his work ethic.
#82 – Chicago Bears – Victor Hampton – CB – South Carolina
Like Jason Verrett, South Carolina corner Victor Hampton will get questioned for his size but his athletic ceiling and gritty toughness should fit right in with the new Bears defense.
#83 – Cleveland Browns (f/PIT) – Christian Jones – ILB – Florida State
Mike Pettine likes his linebackers to have range and athleticism. Few have more than Christian Jones. He is a very nice substitute for the departed D’Qwell Jackson.
#84 – Arizona Cardinals – Jeremy Hill – RB – LSU
Jonathan Dwyer was a nice addition but the Arizona Cardinals still need a difference-maker at running back. Jeremy Hill is a classic bell cow with terrific vision and deceptive speed for his size.
#85 – Pittsburgh Steelers (f/GB) – JaWuan James – OT – Tennessee
The offensive line played better down the stretch last season for Pittsburgh but they still need blocking help. JaWuan James has terrific upside given his dimensions and athleticism.
#86 – Philadelphia Eagles – Martavis Bryant – WR – Clemson
Big receivers who can run. That is something Chip Kelly loves and Martavis Bryant is that player. At 6’4″ he can go up top for the ball but also yields 4.4/40 speed to get downfield in a hurry.
#87 – Kansas City Chiefs – Ed Reynolds – FS – Stanford
Eric Berry could really use a wingman on the back end of the Chiefs defense. Ed Reynolds has the range and body of a pro free safety and showed improved awareness in coverage last season.
#88 – Cincinnati Bengals – Will Clarke – DE – West Virginia
The loss of Michael Johnson hurts but the Bengals must move on. Will Clarke can help them do it. He has outstanding length and size coupled with blossoming pass rush skill.
#89 – San Diego Chargers – Devin Street – WR – Pittsburgh
Philip Rivers likes big receivers who can go up and get the football. Devin Street is that kind of guy from Pitt. His great hands and body control will make him a money down target.
#90 – Indianapolis Colts – Jared Abbrederis – WR – Wisconsin
Not all great receivers were great athletes. That must be made clear. Jared Abbrederis is not a gamebreaker type but he is extremely smart, very sound in his technique and gets the most out of what he has.
#91 – New Orleans Saints – Loucheiz Purifoy – CB – Florida
Rob Ryan proved he could turn a defense around in 2013. That is why Loucheiz Purifoy is his kind of project: ridiculously athletic and boasting so much potential but in serious need of polish.
#92 – Carolina Panthers – E.J. Gaines – CB – Missouri
Captain Munnerlyn was a tough loss for Carolina and they need to think about finding a replacement. E.J. Gaines is much like the former Panther: short but strong, tough and instinctive.
#93 – New England Patriots – Weston Richburg – C – Colorado State
The interior blocking from the guards to the center needs work in New England. Weston Richburg is a Patriots type with his intelligence, quickness and leadership qualities.
#94 – Kansas City Chiefs (f/SF) – Yawin Smallwood – ILB – Connecticut
Derrick Johnson could use help at the inside linebacker spot. Yawin Smallwood is a tackling machine from Connecticut who also lends a helping hand in coverage.
#95 – Denver Broncos – Bruce Ellington – WR – South Carolina
As if Peyton Manning needs another weapon. Bruce Ellington is a speedy little bugger from South Carolina who is a nightmare with the ball in his hands.
#96 – Minnesota Vikings (f/SEA) – Christian Kirksey – OLB – Iowa
Zimmer loves athletic linebacker in his system like Vontaze Burfict in Cincinnati. Christian Kirksey is built in that same mold. He finds the football and is an asset in coverage.