Final 2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: 2nd Round
By Erik Lambert
Dec 7, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Carlos Hyde (34) pumps up the crowd prior to the 2013 Big 10 Championship game against the Michigan State Spartans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-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 review the previous rounds, click below. Enjoy!
#33 – Houston Texans – Dee Ford – DE – Auburn
Adding outside pass rush to assist J.J. Watt is high on the priority list. Dee Ford showcased his explosion and athleticism late last season and is a great fit at outside linebacker for the Houston Texans.
#34 – Washington Redskins – Jimmie Ward – SS – NIU
If they pan to get a safety at all, then the Washington Redskins need to do it early. Jimmie Ward is slightly undersized but that didn’t stop him from becoming a complete safety at NIU who thrives in coverage and tackles well.
#35 – Cleveland Browns – Jimmy Garoppolo – QB – EIU
Somebody is going to take a chance on this kid. Why not the Cleveland Browns? Jimmy Garoppolo dominated Division II at Eastern Illinois. He’s got the size, arm strength, accuracy and a lightning quick release. With time he has what it takes.
#36 – Oakland Raiders – Marqise Lee – WR – USC
This could turn out to be an enormous value pick for the Oakland Raiders. Injuries and erratic quarterback play hampered Marqise Lee in 2013 but he is still one of the most dynamic receivers in this 2014 NFL mock draft and will give Matt Schaub another weapon.
#37 – Houston Texans (f/ATL) – Cyrus Kouandjio – OT – Alabama
Another potential value pick. From a talent standpoint Cyrus Kouandjio is a first round but he’s still very young and not fully developed yet. He’s a punishing run blocker with the length and quickness to play left tackle and the power to play right tackle.
#38 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tom Savage – QB – Pitt
Are they committed to Mike Glennon as a long-term option? Recent Tampa Bay Buccaneers activity suggests otherwise. So they are quick to snatch up talented Pitt quarterback Tom Savage to learn behind veteran Josh McCown.
#39 – San Diego Chargers (f/JAX) – Demarcus Lawrence – OLB – Boise State
Having traded back earlier, the San Diego Chargers look to give their defense a boost. Demarcus Lawrence has emerged as one of the top edge pass rushers in the draft and would make a great presence on the outside for the Bolts.
#40 – Minnesota Vikings – Deone Bucannon – SS – Washington State
There are multiple ways to go here but the Minnesota Vikings can’t find value at many positions better than Deone Bucannon, whom they can slide right next to Harrison Smith to form a sweet safety tandem.
#41 – Buffalo Bills – Kyle Van Noy – OLB – BYU
Kiko Alonso was a major find in the 2nd round last year for the Buffalo Bills. Might lightning strike twice. Kyle Van Noy is an athletic, speedy linebacker from BYU who combines great instincts with versatility to play coverage or rush the passer.
#42 – Tennessee Titans – Zach Mettenberger – QB – LSU
Ken Whisenhunt can’t afford to put the Tennessee Titans 2014 season in one basket with Jake Locker. He needs competition. The 6’5″, cannon-armed Zach Mettenberger from LSU offers that opportunity.
#43 – Oakland Raiders (f/NYG) – JaWuan James – OT – Tennessee
Having gotten Schaub another weapon, the Raiders next seek to get him some protection. JaWuan James was a right tackle at Tennessee but has the quickness, footwork and strength to shift to the left side.
#44 – St. Louis Rams – Allen Robinson – WR – Penn State
Sam Bradford gets another weapon from the St. Louis Rams. Allen Robinson is a big target at 6’3″ with a powerful lower body that allows him to go high for the ball or run after the catch. Go-to guy mentality.
#45 – Detroit Lions – Timmy Jernigan – DT – Florida State
Trading Nick Fairley was a tough decision in the first round but the Detroit Lions are quick to rectify it when FloridaState standout Timmy Jernigan falls into their laps in the second. He can replace Fairley right away.
#46 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Louis Nix – NT – Notre Dame
Too much value to pass up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Louis Nix is tailor-made for their nose tackle position and offers the same level of talent that Casey Hampton did when he helped lead them to two championships.
#47 – Dallas Cowboys – Joel Bitonio – OT – Nevada
The entire right side of the Dallas Cowboys offensive line needs work. Joel Bitonio has the athleticism to play right tackle but the size and power to move inside to guard. It will depend on where the Cowboys need him most.
#48 – Baltimore Ravens – Kelvin Benjamin – WR – Florida State
You can’t teach 6’5″. The Baltimore Ravens know that and decide to put it to the test by scooping up Kelvin Benjamin, the massive FloridaState receiver and hero of the national championship. Huge upside provided the coaches can smooth out his work ethic.
#49 – New York Jets – Austin Seferian-Jenkins – TE – Washington
Arming the offense further is paramount for the New York Jets. They bring in a tremendous talent here with tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. He’s a big target but also fast and athletic enough to get himself open down the field.
#50 – Miami Dolphins – Jace Amaro – TE – Texas Tech
While Seferian-Jenkins is the better athlete, Jace Amaro is the more proven receiver. He was the most prolific tight end in college football in 2013 and is exactly what the Miami Dolphins need for Ryan Tannehill, which is a big target with soft hands.
#51 – Chicago Bears – Carlos Hyde – RB – Ohio State
This will come as a surprise to many but then again Chicago Bears GM Phil Emery is notorious for that. The fact is the Bears have Matt Forte turning 28-years old and coming off a year in which he had over 360 touches. Chicago needs to think about getting him some help. Carlos Hyde, for all his fame as a runner, fits the Bears offense thanks to his receiving and pass blocking abilities.
#52 – Arizona Cardinals – Jeremiah Attaochu – OLB – Georgia Tech
Edge rushing was a big reason why the Arizona Cardinals took a leap forward on defense last season. Jeremiah Attaochu can help keep that going. An athletic and fiery kid, he not only will make plays but he’ll demand more of teammates.
#53 – Green Bay Packers – Troy Niklas – TE – Notre Dame
Aaron Rodgers runs the show for the Green Bay Packers and that means keeping him armed. Tight end has fallen off in talent for them, so they seek to brace it up with Troy Niklas, a rising talent from Notre Dame with intriguing upside.
#54 – Philadelphia Eagles – Martavis Bryant – WR – Clemson
Chip Kelly loves size and he loves speed. So it’s only natural he’d look for both when seeking a replacement for DeSean Jackson. Martavis Bryant stands a rangy 6’4″ and posted a 4.4/40-yard dash at the combine. He has a knack for the big play, something the Philadelphia Eagles can take advantage of.
#55 – Cincinnati Bengals – Scott Crichton – DE – Oregon State
Replacing Michael Johnson isn’t going to be easy but the Cincinnati Bengals give it a good stab here. Scott Crichton isn’t a top athlete but he’s strong, big, relentless and well-versed in how to get to the quarterback.
#56 – Dallas Cowboys (from SF) – Lamarcus Joyner – S/CB – Florida State
Playmaking, athleticism and leadership are in short supply for the Dallas Cowboys secondary. Lamarcus Joyner provided all of that for FloridaState. The fact he’s just 5’8″ is less a problem and more a footnote. That is how good he is.
#57 – San Diego Chargers – Keith McGill – CB – Utah
Molded in the Richard Sherman image, Utah corner Keith McGill is a 6’3″ monstrosity with suprising speed and athleticism that allows him to matchup with any receiver. The San Diego Chargers would love to have him to bolster their 29th ranked pass defense.
#58 – Indianapolis Colts – Terrence Brooks – FS – Florida State
Antoine Bethea was a huge loss for the Indianapolis Colts and they can’t afford to wait too long to replace him in this 2014 NFL mock draft. So they scoop up Terrence Brooks, a great athlete who has the speed for free safety and the toughness for strong.
#59 – New Orleans Saints – Jordan Matthews – WR – Vanderbilt
Size became a serious issue for the New Orleans Saints receivers in the playoffs. They need more of it. Jordan Matthews is their kind of guy: precise, intelligent, strong, soft hands and 6’3″. His limited speed should be covered up by their creative offense.
#60 – Carolina Panthers – Davante Adams – WR – Fresno State
Receivers are clearly still a priority for the Carolina Panthers and they can’t wait any longer. Davante Adams isn’t huge but he’s got good size, good speed and some of the best hands in the draft. He knows how to get open to make the play, which matters most.
#61 – San Francisco 49ers – Pierre Desir – CB – Lindenwood
Cornerback might get some extra attention on day two from the San Francisco 49ers. They strike here first by adding small school talent Pierre Desir who has the ideal length, power, and athleticism to play press coverage for their defense.
#62 – Houston Texans (f/NE) – Tre Mason – RB – Auburn
Trade: 65th (2nd) and 181st (6th) picks to Patriots for 62nd pick
The Texans sense an opportunity and make a deal with the Patriots to jump back into the second round where they grab more help at running back. Tre Mason dominated for Auburn down the stretch last season and has a highly versatile skill set to utilize in the pros.
#63 – Denver Broncos – Chris Borland – ILB – Wisconsin
Not just talent but leadership and instinct are needs for the Denver Broncos at linebacker. Chris Borland isn’t quite the top athlete but he makes up for it with elite level intangibles and an ability to overcome his minor shortcomings with intelligence.
#64 – Seattle Seahawks – Stephon Tuitt – DE – Notre Dame
This really isn’t a hard pick for the Seattle Seahawks. Stephon Tuitt is one of the best defensive linemen on the board and his fall in the second round is their gain. His size, speed and pass rush ability are something they can take full advantage of.