2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: 4th Round Fury
By Erik Lambert
Oct 19, 2013; Champaign, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Jared Abbrederis (4) runs with the ball after a catch in the first quarter of the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Wisconsin wins 56-32 over Illinois. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports
This 2014 NFL mock draft takes the mayhem into the 4th round. How do things shake out for the teams?
To review the previous rounds, click below. Enjoy!
#101 – Houston Texans – Cameron Fleming – OT – Stanford
Right tackle could use some help for the Houston Texans. Cameron Fleming thrived at that spot for Stanford with his size and strength.
#102 – Washington Redskins – Preston Brown – ILB – Louisville
London Fletcher has likely played his last down for the Washington Redskins. Adding the heady and tough Preston Brown will help ease his loss.
#103 – Atlanta Falcons – Billy Turner – OT – North Dakota State
Protecting Matt Ryan remains a job the Atlanta Falcons need to complete. Billy Turner showed in the pre-draft process he has the body, footwork and strength to man the right or left sides.
#104 – New York Jets (f/TB) – Bruce Ellington – WR – South Carolina
Eric Decker and Jace Amaro add size for the New York Jets receivers. Adding Bruce Ellington brings speed, agility and playmaking instinct that could thrive in the slot.
#105 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Terrance West – RB – Towson
Toby Gerhart will get first crack at starting running back but the Jacksonville Jaguars need depth. Terrance West carried small Towson to credibility on back with a nice mix of skills.
#106 – Chicago Bears (f/CLE) – Christian Jones – LB – Florida State
An extremely talented physical specimen, FloridaState linebacker Christian Jones played inside in college but has the ability to play outside as well. Very versatile with huge upside for the Chicago Bears.
#107 – Oakland Raiders – Ego Ferguson – DT – LSU
Vance Walker was a tough loss at defensive tackle so the Oakland Raiders look to bolster the position with the raw but physically imposing interior pass rusher Ego Ferguson.
#108 – Minnesota Vikings – David Yankey – OG – Stanford
His average combine hurt his stock but Stanford guard David Yankey was still one of the best in the country and will prove that for the Minnesota Vikings.
#109 – Oakland Raiders (f/BUF) – Chris Watt – OG – Notre Dame
Kevin Boothe was signed to help at guard but he’s not a sure thing. Chris Watt is big, strong and like all Irish linemen, technically-advanced.
#110 – St. Louis Rams – Victor Hampton – CB – South Carolina
Jeff Fisher likes his cornerbacks feisty and athletic. Victor Hampton was every bit of both at South Carolina and should help replace Cortland Finnegan.
#111 – Detroit Lions – Kelcy Quarles – DT – South Carolina
The loss of Ndamukong Suh must be addressed and the Detroit Lions accomplish that by adding the big, long Kelcy Quarles who thrived as a pass rusher in 2013.
#112 – Tennessee Titans – Lache Seastrunk – RB – Baylor
Chris Johnson was a tough loss for the Tennessee Titans, but a necessary one. Lache Seastrunk has that home run speed and vision that should remind fans of the former star.
#113 – New York Giants – Jaylen Watkins – CB – Florida
Jaylen Watkins is a good pick for the New York Giants. He has the length and athleticism to play corner but also the toughness and instincts to switch to safety.
#114 – Jacksonville Jaguars (f/BAL) – Jared Abbrederis – WR – Wisconsin
Every team needs that possession receiver who knows how to get open at the right time. Jared Abbrederis is that kind of player and the Jacksonville Jaguars reap the rewards.
#115 – New York Jets – Brandon Thomas – OT – Clemson
Brandon Thomas was shooting up draft boards before a badly timed ACL injury. He still has great upside and should make a successful switch to guard for the New York Jets.
#116 – Miami Dolphins – Cyril Richardson – OG – Baylor
So the word is the Miami Dolphins want to run the ball. There probably isn’t a better run blocker in this 2014 NFL mock draft than Cyril Richardson. Enormous, strong and more nimble than he gets credit for.
#117 – Chicago Bears – Anthony Johnson – DT – LSU
Call him the Dominique Easley insurance policy. Anthony Johnson is still very raw but his explosion off the snap, foot speed, and functional strength offers long-term upside as an interior pass rusher.
#118 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Jeff Janis – WR – Saginaw Valley St.
Emmanuel Sanders is gone. The Pittsburgh Steelers expect Markus Wheaton to take his place but they still need more help. Jeff Janis, at 6’3″ has tremendous speed for his size and dominated for his small program.
#119 – Dallas Cowboys – Aaron Murray – QB – Georgia
Every quarterback on the Dallas Cowboys roster is over 30-years old, save for Caleb Hanie. They need a young project to groom. Aaron Murray dominated the SEC and has the necessary tools to pan out.
#120 – Arizona Cardinals – Brock Vereen – FS – Minnesota
Brock Vereen has the intelligence, range and athleticism desired in a classic free safety and offers something the Arizona Cardinals need for their secondary.
#121 – Green Bay Packers – Travis Swanson – C – Arkansas
Evan Dietrich-Smith was a hard loss for the Green Bay Packers at center. They add the sturdy, smart technician Travis Swanson to replace him.
#122 – Philadelphia Eagles – Justin Ellis – DT – Louisiana Tech
Stopping the run was something the Philadelphia Eagles struggled with at times last year. Justin Ellis is that big nose tackle type who fits their scheme and can swallow running lanes.
#123 – Cincinnati Bengals – Bene Benwikere – CB – San Jose State
He’s not a tackler at this point but San JoseState corner Bene Benwikere is a ball hawk type in coverage who is a great fit for the Cincinnati Bengals scheme.
#124 – Kansas City Chiefs – Shayne Skov – ILB – Stanford
Derrick Johnson remains a fixture at inside linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs but he needs help. Shayne Skov has the range, toughness and intelligence to thrive alongside the Pro Bowler.
#125 – San Diego Chargers – Shaq Evans – WR – UCLA
Keenan Allen could use some help at wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers. Shaq Evans isn’t flashy but has the size, hands and technique to flourish as a possession guy.
#126 – New Orleans Saints – Ronald Powell – OLB – Florida
Outside pass rush is something that needs to be handled for the New Orleans Saints. Ronald Powell has plenty of ability in that area but he lacks discipline.
#127 – Cleveland Browns (f/IND) – Dion Bailey – FS – USC
Dion Bailey played both safety and linebacker at USC, which makes him an ideal choice to replace T.J. Ward at the strong safety spot given his coverage-tackling mix of abilities.
#128 – Carolina Panthers – Dezmen Southward – FS – Wisconsin
Mike Mitchell was a hard loss for the Carolina Panthers at safety. Dezmen Southward tested outstanding at his pro day and flashed his ability on tape. Still needs refining.
#129 – Chicago Bears (f/SF) – E.J. Gaines – CB – Missouri
Phil Emery continues to load up the secondary for Chicago. This time he adds E.J. Gaines, a shorter but athletic, tough and versatile corner from Missouri who played well both in coverage and against the run.
#130 – New England Patriots – Will Clarke – DE – West Virginia
Will Clarke is often compared to New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones, so it’s only fitting the team bolsters their pass rush with the West Virginia product.
#131 – Denver Broncos – T.J. Jones – WR – Notre Dame
Eric Decker is gone and Wes Welker is getting up there in age. The Denver Broncos can’t let the receiver position lax. T.J. Jones is a polished product from Notre Dame who does everything well and boasts terrific hands.
#132 – Seattle Seahawks – Caraun Reid – DT – Princeton
Stockpiling pass rushers to assist the secondary is what made the Seattle Seahawks world champions. They continue with that plan by adding explosive interior man Caraun Reid.
#133 – Detroit Lions (comp) – Ed Reynolds – FS – Stanford
Louis Delmas is gone and the Detroit Lions have to replace him, even if it’s just from a leadership standpoint. Ed Reynolds can do that given his success at Stanford.
#134 – Baltimore Ravens (comp) – Jackson Jeffcoat – DE – Texas
The pass rush gets another boost for the Baltimore Ravens as they add the underrated, athletic Jackson Jeffcoat out of Texas to can switch to outside linebacker.
#135 – Houston Texans (comp) – Loucheiz Purifoy – CB – Florida
Still so raw but there is no denying the long-term potential of Loucheiz Purifoy. If his strength and technique can improve the Texans might have a steal here.
#136 – Detroit Lions (comp) – Robert Herron – WR – Wyoming
His prowess as a receiver is still being defined but the Lions can, at the very least take advantage of the speedy Robert Herron as a kick returner.
#137 – New York Jets (comp) – Howard Jones – OLB – Shepherd
Rex Ryan knows pass rush is what drives his defense and getting more from the outside will help. Howard Jones is a small school type but his explosion and athleticism are hard to miss.
#138 – Baltimore Ravens (comp) – Josh Mauro – DE – Stanford
The Ravens make another addition to the defense, this time on their line to help replace Arthur Jones. Josh Mauro is still growing but his length, power and discipline offer promise.
#139 – Atlanta Falcons (comp) – Colt Lyerla – TE – Oregon
If they are willing to gamble, the Falcons might be able to find that tight end receiving threat for Matt Ryan by taking the troubled but physically gifted Colt Lyerla.
#140 – New England Patriots (comp) – Christian Kirksey – OLB – Iowa
The linebackers took some tough hits in terms of injuries and then free agency for New England. Christian Kirksey is a versatile type who tackles but also can cover receivers or tight ends in the slot.