2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: Shuffling in the Top 10
Feb 22, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack speaks at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
1. Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
The Texans could trade this pick, but I don’t think any team will be able to afford it. If they are willing to pay up, Houston’s getting a heck of a coup for this pick. Clowney with J.J. Watt is undoubtedly the most intriguing possibility in this draft defensively.
2. St. Louis Rams (f/WSH): Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
The Rams have to take Mack, right? The thought of adding him to their pass rush is ridiculous.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
The Jaguars took Justin Blackmon in the top 5 a couple of years ago, but Watkins is too intriguing a playmaker to pass on if both of the top defenders are gone. Unless the Jags view some QB in this draft as way better than the others, I could definitely see them snagging Watkins.
4. Cleveland Browns: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
Drafting Robinson would give the Browns a phenomenal pair of bookend tackles with he and Joe Thomas.
5. San Francisco 49ers (f/OAK): Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
**BLOCKBUSTER TRADE**
The Niners deal this year’s first, second, and third as well as a 2015 first and maybe some throw in picks to the Raiders for the rights to add the big playmaker out of Texas A&M.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Falcons take the best tackle on the board to help their protection of Matt Ryan. This is a safe and boring pick, but necessary.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
The Bucs make a huge splash and take the polarizing signal caller out of Texas A&M and get the Love Smith era started off with a bang.
8. New York Giants (f/MIN): Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
**TRADE**
The Giants move up four spots, sending a third round pick to the Vikings for the rights to select Taylor Lewan to protect Eli Manning’s blind side and fill their biggest need.
9. Buffalo Bills: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
The Bills get Clinton-Dix to replace Jairus Byrd on the back end of a young, up-and-coming secondary.
10. Detroit Lions: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
The Lions make a bit of a splash here and take the most athletic tight end in the draft, a big speedy playmaker who could take a lot of attention off of Calvin Johnson.
11. Tennessee Titans: Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
The Titans, moving to a 3-4 defense, add a fantastic athlete here in Anthony Barr who has loads of potential as a pass rusher.
12. Minnesota Vikings (f/NYG): Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
The Vikings were able to move down and add an additional pick, maybe more, and still get the QB they prefer.
13. St. Louis Rams: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Rams pair their first pick of Khalil Mack with the electrifying Justin Gilbert, the top cornerback prospect in the draft.
14. Chicago Bears: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
Donald will be a beast in the middle of the Bears’ defense. He is an extremely hard worker who knows how to get after the ball carrier.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
The Steelers make a bit of a surprising pick here with Kyle Fuller but this is a player that is really on the rise and fits Pittsburgh’s scheme.
16. Arizona Cardinals (f/DAL): Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
The Cardinals beat the Ravens and Dolphins to the punch, and draft Martin to be their new right tackle with Jared Veldheer as the new left tackle.
17. Baltimore Ravens: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
With most of the top linemen off the board, the Ravens go after one of the top playmakers at wide receiver still available. Beckham has strong mitts and explosive ability after the catch.
18. New York Jets: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
The Jets address their void at CB with the selection of Dennard, who is one of the best prospects left on the board and fills a big need.
19. Miami Dolphins: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
With the top right tackle candidates off the board, the Dolphins take what many believe to be the top non-pass rushing linebacker in the draft.
20. Dallas Cowboys (f/ARZ): Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Dallas trades down with Arizona, picking up an extra mid-round pick and change while still getting Calvin Pryor. The Cowboys have a ton of picks in the later rounds so they could use some extra picks to stockpile in 2015 or cash in on a veteran available that could fill a need.
21. Green Bay Packers: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
The Packers take the ultra-athletic tackling machine out of Ohio State who can play all over the formation.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Philly replaces DeSean Jackson with a player that has better potential in the NFL than Jackson did coming out. Lee would be a great fit with this explosive offense.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
The Chiefs add a machine at the receiver position with speed, quickness, and strong hands.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
The Bengals take the best defender on the board, an explosive defensive tackle with violent hands.
25. San Diego Chargers: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
The Chargers fill their need at nose tackle with the best true 3-4 nose in the entire draft. They pair Nix back with his UND teammate Manti Te’o in the middle of the defense.
26. Cleveland Browns (f/IND): Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
The Browns were able to get Greg Robinson with their first pick, and get their guy at QB late in the first. They could take Carr at #4 overall.
27. New Orleans Saints: Demarcus Lawrence, DE/LB, Boise State
The Saints take a rising pass rush prospect who fills a high priority need for them at the bottom of round one.
28. Carolina Panthers: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
The Panthers need to address their offensive line early in the draft and Kouandjio is a powerful tackle who can step in and start right away.
29. New England Patriots: Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
The most popular pick for the Pats in mock drafts, Hageman presents an athletic option at defensive tackle to rotate in for New England.
30. Oakland Raiders (f/SF): Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
The Raiders’ trade down in the first round wasn’t done in blind faith. They are able to cash in on the fall of Teddy Bridgewater at the bottom of round one.
31. Denver Broncos: Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
The Broncos taking a WR? Get outta here. Get ready for this as a very real possibility. Cody Latimer is a name on the rise. He could be a sleeper late first rounder for a number of teams, Denver included.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
The Seahawks get their new right tackle at the bottom of round one and fill a hole on the offensive line.