Revisiting the First Round from the 2014 NFL Draft
Nov 30, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) gets introduced prior to the game against the San Diego Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Picks 17-20
17. Baltimore Ravens – C.J. Mosley, ILB
Another year, another home run pick for general manager Ozzie Newsome. Searching for Ray Lewis’ replacement in the middle of their defense, Newsome struck gold with Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley. Mosley was solid in both pass coverage and run support, making the Pro Bowl after his rookie season.
He posted 133 tackles in his rookie season, good for seventh in the league. The Ravens found a key cog for their defense for the foreseeable future.
18. New York Jets – Calvin Pryor, S
Calvin Pryor had a pretty good rookie campaign, that looks even better once you realize he was the only half decent player in an abysmal Jets secondary. He offered decent pass coverage, and was pretty good against the run. He posted 60 tackles, but didn’t grab an interception all season.
Pryor, and the rest of the Jets defense, are really going to need their cornerbacks to develop if they want to regain the dominant form they had early in the Rex Ryan era.
19. Miami Dolphins – Ju’Wuan James, OT
The Ju’Wuan James selection was met with a lot of criticism, and maybe rightfully so. Some teams had James rated as mid-round prospect, and he certainly played like one in his first season in the league.
He struggled in the passing and run game, not living up at all to his high draft status. It was only one year, but James doesn’t look like a first round player at this point in his career. He needs to show major strides in his game if he wants to justify the Dolphins take him in the middle of the first round.
20. New Orleans Saints – Brandin Cooks, WR
Brandin Cooks was leading all rookie receivers with 53 catches when he broke his thumb in Week Eleven versus the Bengals. Unfortunately that injury ended his season.
Cooks should be able to step back in an play well in 2015, providing a spark plug to a New Orleans offense that sputtered late in the season.