2014 NFL Draft: Five BOLD Predictions To Watch
By Joe Wedra
Jan 3, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) celebrates after winning the 2014 Orange Bowl college football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Sun Life Stadium. Tigers won 40-35. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Five bold predictions for the 2014 NFL Draft…
The St. Louis Rams will trade pick #2 or #13
First of all, the talent in this class is absolutely incredible. The Rams can only benefit from moving down. Secondly, there will be teams wanting to move ahead of Jacksonville who currently sits at #3. Whether it’s Khalil Mack or a quarterback like Johnny Manziel, there is a team out there that will want that #2 spot.
As for the 13th pick, there will be a decent amount of teams looking to move ahead of the Steelers and Ravens to grab an offensive weapon. Look for the New York Jets to be a contender here.
Anthony Barr will slip into the late first round, maybe further.
Many look at Barr as a potential top-15 pick, but I don’t see things shaking out that way. Every mock draft that I’ve constructed has the former UCLA linebacker falling into the 20’s and further. He doesn’t have “it”, and because of that, I think he’ll be sitting around waiting for a phone call longer than many anticipate.
A pick 13-17 WILL BE TRADED
Starting with the Rams at 13, I think a team is going to move back in order to allow a team like the Jets to move up and get the playmaker they want. With the depth of this draft, there is absolutely no problem with moving back. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if teams feel they’ll have a better draft if they do indeed move back.
Tajh Boyd will be gone by the end of the 4th round
Many projections have Boyd going late, sometimes undrafted – but why? This guy showed after the 2012 season that he could have been a first round selection. He had some poor tape in 2013, but why wouldn’t a team use a 4th round compensatory pick on a guy that could turn around and show the skills that he did early in his career at Clemson? To me, letting Boyd fall into the 5th if you need a quarterback would be silly. Check out this article from FanSided.
After no running backs being selected in the first round, there will be at-least TEN selected in rounds 2-3
Carlos Hyde
Bishop Sankey
Jeremy Hill
Tre Mason
Terrence West
Andre Williams
Lache Seastrunk
Charles Sims
DeVonta Freeman
James White