Final 2014 NFL Mock Draft Update: 4th Round
By Erik Lambert
Jan 1, 2014; Tampa, Fl, USA; LSU Tigers safety Craig Loston (6) lines up against Iowa Hawkeyes defense during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-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 – Craig Loston – SS – LSU
Not very athletic but strong safety Craig Loston is a sterling leader on the back end who overcomes his faults with will and smarts.
#102 – Washington Redskins – Carl Bradford – LB – Arizona State
Physicality and versatility are the hallmarks of Carl Bradford who could fill in some roster holes for the Redskins.
#103 – Atlanta Falcons – Marqueston Huff – FS – Wyoming
A hybrid defensive back who played free safety but Marqueston Huff is fast and athletic enough to also play corner.
#104 – New York Jets (f/TB) – Bruce Ellington – WR – South Carolina
The Jets now have size in their receiving corps but still need that dynamic weapon. Bruce Ellington flashed those game-breaking type traits for the Gamecocks.
#105 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Jared Abbrederis – WR – Wisconsin
While not the athlete Justin Blackmon is, Wisconsin receiver Jared Abbrederis is a route running wizard who gets open and makes the play consistently.
#106 – Cleveland Browns – Preston Brown – ILB – Louisville
Preston Brown showed his ability as a tackler and thumping hitter for Louisville and fits an area of need for Cleveland.
#107 – Oakland Raiders – Aaron Murray – QB – Georgia
The all-time SEC passing leader is recovering nicely after a torn ACL and Aaron Murray would love to become the Oakland Raiders latest reclamation project.
#108 – Minnesota Vikings – Ego Ferguson – DT – LSU
Linval Joseph and Sharrif Floyd are the starters for Minnesota but Ego Ferguson has way too much raw talent for them to pass up here.
#109 – Buffalo Bills – Jaylen Watkins – CB – Florida
Jaylen Watkins flashed plenty of athletic quality at corner but his hard-nosed approach might make him an even better safety for Buffalo.
#110 – St. Louis Rams – Logan Thomas – QB – Virginia Tech
The Rams are committed to Sam Bradford for 2014, so they decide to make the uber-talented but very raw Logan Thomas a stash-away pick to develop.
#111 – Detroit Lions – Will Clarke – DE – West Virginia
Willie Young was a tough loss at defensive end for Detroit. Will Clarke has the size, long arms and burst to become his eventual replacement.
#112 – Tennessee Titans – Walt Aikens – CB – Liberty
Long corners who can play press are needed to run the type of defense Tennessee is implementing. Walt Aikens has all the required ability, provided he stays out of trouble.
#113 – Oakland Raiders (f/NYG) – Colt Lyerla – TE – Oregon
Too much talent. That is the reason Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla will go in the middle rounds despite his red flag-covered time in college. Oakland could hit the lottery.
#114 – Jacksonville Jaguars (f/BAL) – Andre Williams – RB – Boston College
Toby Gerhart is getting the first crack as starter but that doesn’t mean Jacksonville should not keep loading up at running back, especially with a productive workhorse like Andre Williams.
#115 – New York Jets – Ronald Powell – OLB – Florida
Ronald Powell has all the physical ability of a 3-4 outside linebacker but really lacks the polish. The Jets have the system in place to fix that.
#116 – Philadelphia Eagles (f/MIA) – Trevor Reilly – OLB – Utah
Athleticism and strength are not in short supply for Trevor Reilly who can become a nice addition to an older Philadelphia front seven.
#117 – Chicago Bears – Telvin Smith – OLB – Florida State
When light weight is the only complaint about a player, teams should take notice. Telvin Smith is a fast, athletic, lengthy and instinctive linebacker with immense potential in a system like the Bears’.
#118 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Jeff Janis – WR – Saginaw Valley St.
A terrific combine showcased his size-speed possibilities and Jeff Janis could offer both to a Steelers team still in the middle of reloading their offense.
#119 – Dallas Cowboys – Will Sutton – DT – Arizona State
This is all value pick here in the 2014 NFL mock draft. Will Sutton is a low-to-the-ground disruptor who shoots gaps and gets after the quarterback.
#120 – Arizona Cardinals – Brandon Dixon – CB – Northwest Missouri St.
The Cardinals don’t fear taking chances if the risks are worth it. Brandon Dixon has the tools to play man coverage all day at the pro level but he needs to show against better competition.
#121 – Green Bay Packers – Dri Archer – RB/WR – Kent State
Posting the fastest time at the combine overshadows how dangerous Dri Archer is with the ball in his hands. Why wouldn’t the Packers give him to Aaron Rodgers?
#122 – Philadelphia Eagles – Daniel McCullers – DT – Tennessee
A massive nose tackle with surprising quickness that allows him to shutdown running lanes almost at will. The Eagles will see that value easily here.
#123 – Cincinnati Bengals – Caraun Reid – DT – Princeton
Interior pass rush drives the defense for the Bengals. Caraun Reid made that his specialty at Princeton and then the Senior Bowl.
#124 – Kansas City Chiefs – Howard Jones – OLB – Shepherd
Small school or not, there is no questioning the upside of what Howard Jones can bring to a football team at outside linebacker. Long, strong, quick and explosive.
#125 – San Diego Chargers – Justin Ellis – DT – Louisiana Tech
Another huge 3-4 nose tackle who has steadily climbed ever 2014 NFL mock draft. He’s a little more in need of work but Justin Ellis shouldn’t take long to groom.
#126 – New Orleans Saints – Marcus Roberson – CB – Florida
Considered by many as a third or even a second round pick, the Saints decide to make the athletic but underdeveloped Marcus Roberson part of their defense.
#127 – Cleveland Browns (f/IND) – Devonta Freeman – RB – Florida State
Devonta Freeman proved he can carry a team at FloridaState and has great versatility as a receiver and blocker. He’ll make good insurance for Ben Tate.
#128 – Carolina Panthers – James Gayle – DE – Virginia Tech
Suspensions and salary cap might threaten the Panthers at defensive end soon. Adding a big, strong and explosive rusher like James Gayle can ease the concern.
#129 – Dallas Cowboys (f/DAL) – Jordan Tripp – LB – Montana
Overlooked linebacker who can play multiple positions and flashed great leadership and determination at Montana. Fits the Cowboys defense very well.
#130 – New England Patriots – Chris Smith – DE/OLB – Arkansas
Pass rush comes and goes for the Patriots, and that doesn’t win championships. Chris Smith can help with that problem as an ideal situational rusher.
#131 – Denver Broncos – Kevin Norwood – WR – Alabama
Quarterbacks adore those receivers they can look to when they have to have a completion. Kevin Norwood was that guy his entire stay at Alabama.
#132 – Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Thomas – OT – Clemson
Before an unfortunate knee injury there was no hotter lineman on the pre-draft circuit than Brandon Thomas. Seattle decides to gamble that he returns healthy.
#133 – Detroit Lions (comp) – Travis Swanson – C – Arkansas
Dominic Raiola is 35-years old and the Lions need depth at center. Travis Swanson was among the best in the nation out of Arkansas.
#134 – Baltimore Ravens (comp) – Russell Bodine – G/C – North Carolina
Russell Bodine logged time at both guard and center for the Tarheels and such versatility is something the Ravens covet.
#135 – Houston Texans (comp) – DeAndre Coleman – DT – Cal
A big, tall and powerful defensive tackle who is almost impossible to move out of the way in the run game, something the Texans could use help with.
#136 – Detroit Lions (comp) – Christian Kirksey – OLB – Iowa
Agility and athleticism allow linebacker Christian Kirksey to not only track down runners but create plays in coverage.
#137 – New York Jets (comp) – Brock Coyle – ILB – Montana
Leadership, tackling and physicality mark ideal inside linebackers and Brock Coyle embodies all of that.
#138 – Baltimore Ravens (comp) – Loucheiz Purifoy – CB – Florida
A pure raw talent at corner with size and special teams value but in need of help to hone his discipline and work ethic.
#139 – Atlanta Falcons (comp) – Nevin Lawson – CB – Utah State
Size will likely relegate him to the slot but Nevin Lawson has coverage and blitzing ability the Falcons can put to great use in their defense.
#140 – New England Patriots (comp) – Storm Johnson – RB – UCF
LeGarrette Blount has left New England without much power in their running game. UCF back Storm Johnson can fill that void from day one.