Draftreport.com Mock Draft
Updated 2/16/14
* = denotes projected trade
1. Houston Texans – Blake Bortles, QB, UCF – Houston has to take a swing on a franchise quarterback with this pick, even if none of them look like a sure thing. Bortles is raw, but might have the highest ceiling of any QB in this class, and has connections to new head coach Bill O’Brien.
2. Atlanta Falcons (from WAS via STL)* – Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina – The Falcons have proved that they’re willing to make a blockbuster move to go up and get their man. They need an elite pass-rusher, and Clowney is enough of a rare talent to be worthy of giving up premium picks.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville – This should be the dream scenario for the Jags. Bridgewater is my top-rated QB in this draft, and could lead Gus Bradley & Company to a quick turnaround.
4. Cleveland Browns – Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M – After firing head coach Rob Chudzinski after just one season, the Browns continued to shake things up by firing GM Michael Lombardi and team president Joe Banner last week. I’m not high on Manziel as a long-term franchise QB, but the Cleveland needs to energize the fan base, and Manziel would definitely make an immediate splash.
5. Oakland Raiders – Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson – Oakland needs a franchise quarterback more than anything, but I’m not sure they’d be sold on Derek Carr at this point over the draft’s top receiver. After grabbing Watkins here, the Raiders could possibly trade back into the latter half of the first round to grab their new field general.
6. St. Louis Rams (from ATL)* – Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn – With Jake Long coming off ACL surgery and Rodger Saffold becoming a free agent, the Rams have serious questions at the tackle spot. Trading down to this pick and still getting their pick of the litter would be a sweet scenario for GM Les Snead. Robinson is a punishing run blocker who has upside to burn.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M – The Bucs’ offensive line was a huge disappointment in 2013. In this scenario, they luck out and end up with the most polished, NFL-ready left tackle in this year’s class, making the aging and overpaid Donald Penn expendable. If both Robinson and Matthews are off the board, look for the Bucs to trade back and try to recoup some of the picks they gave up in trades last offseason.
8. Tennessee Titans (from MIN)* – Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo – The Titans will be looking for a stud edge-rusher as they transition to the 3-4 defense. Mack is a physical freak and the Bills could be targeting the local product at No. 9, which might prompt the Titans to move up ahead of them.
9. Buffalo Bills – Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M – The Bills lack a true No. 1 receiving threat, which is something E.J. Manuel desperately needs. Evans has a massive frame and the ability to separate that is vital at the next level.
10. Detroit Lions – Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State – Receiver is the bigger need in the Motor City, but with both Watkins and Evans off the board in this scenario, the value just isn’t there. If they can’t move down, look for them to add Gilbert, who has solid size, is a gifted cover man and is dangerous in the return game, as well.
11. Minnesota Vikings (from TEN)* – Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State – The Vikes are still searching for their franchise quarterback, and in this scenario, can afford to move back a few spots and still land the best option on the board. Carr impressed at the Senior Bowl and looks as NFL-ready as any QB in this class.
12. New York Giants – Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri – If Justin Tuck leaves via free agency, the G-Men will need a pass-rusher to line up opposite Jason Pierre-Paul next year. Offensive tackle is also a possibility here, but Ealy represents a better value than the available tackles in this scenario.
13. St. Louis Rams – Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama – Safety is the biggest hole the Rams need to fill this offseason, and in this scenario, they’re able to fill it with the top prospect in the class. Clinton-Dix has incredible range in coverage and is a sure tackler in the open field.
14. New York Jets (from CHI)* – Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State – The Jets desperately need a No. 1 target to help Geno Smith. Benjamin’s size and dominant presence in the red zone could entice them to move up ahead of other receiver-needy teams like Pittsburgh and Baltimore to grab him
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State – If Benjamin is off the board, the Steelers would likely look to their other glaring need at cornerback, where Ike Taylor struggled mightily last year. Dennard is the most physical corner in this class and would fit Pittsburgh’s defensive personality.
16. Baltimore Ravens – Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama – The Ravens have question marks at both tackle spots, as neither Eugene Monroe or Michael Oher are under contract for next season. Kouandjio has experience at on both sides, making him an attractive option in this scenario.
17. Dallas Cowboys – C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama – Jerry’s ‘Boys need help at defensive tackle, but they also need more overall talent at LB. Mosley is extremely versatile and can impact the game all over the field and in the locker room, as well. His value at this point in the draft might be too much to pass up.
18. Chicago Bears (from NYJ)* – Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota – Re-signing Tim Jennings helps the situation at corner, which should allow the Bears to turn their attention to the need for a dominant force on the interior of the defensive line. Hageman has a massive frame and limitless potential if he can improve his technique.
19. Miami Dolphins – Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan – Left tackle is the Dolphins’ biggest need, by far. Lewan’s stock has fallen a little since the beginning of the season, but he’s still a first-round talent and would be an instant upgrade as Ryan Tannehill’s blind-side protector.
20. Arizona Cardinals – Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame – Much like the Dolphins just before them, Arizona needs a left tackle in a bad way. Martin turned plenty of heads with a dominant week at the Senior Bowl, proving he can stay at tackle and be successful.
21. Green Bay Packers – Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville – The Packers need help at every level on defense, but an upgrade at safety is the most needed. Pryor is a physical presence who would be an immediate improvement.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA – With the top two safeties off the board, the Eagles would likely look to add a pass-rusher instead of reaching for need. Barr was once in the Top-5 conversation, but his stock has cooled a bit. Even so, he would represent great value here.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina – Alex Smith could use some more weapons in the passing game, and Ebron would be an absolute steal this late. Don’t think the presence of Travis Kelce (last year’s 3rd-rounder), who missed most of the season due to injury, would keep them from pulling the trigger on this pick.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State – The Bengals are a frustrating case because they don’t have many glaring holes, but they just can’t seem to get to that next level in the playoffs. Depth at corner should be addressed here, and Roby’s natural athletic ability and cover skills are as good as any in this class.
25. San Diego Chargers – Jason Verrett, CB, TCU – The Chargers’ situation at corner is much like the Jets’ at WR: they need better corners, and lots of ‘em. Verrett is a bit undersized, but he makes up for it with great technique and toughness.
26. Cleveland Browns (from IND) – Marqise Lee, WR, USC – After grabbing Manziel at the top of the draft, the Browns would likely turn their attention to finding a receiving threat to take some attention away from Josh Gordon. Lee’s explosiveness is second to none in this class, and a shaky QB situation contributed to a disappointing 2013 campaign.
27. New Orleans Saints – Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn – As the Saints continue to transition personnel from the 4-3 to the 3-4, adding dynamic edge-rushers will be a high priority. Ford followed up a stellar senior season with a dominant performance at the Senior Bowl.
28. Carolina Panthers – Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, LSU – Steve Smith can’t play forever, so why not go grab a guy who looks a lot like him on film? Beckham may not have the prototypical size you want in a #1 WR, but he makes up for it with elite ball skills, fluid routes, and would make an immediate impact in the return game.
29. New England Patriots – Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech – The tight end position is vital in the Pats’ offense, and between losing Aaron Hernandez for good and dealing with Rob Gronkowski’s injury issues, another playmaker is needed at the position. Amaro can line up all over the field and is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller
Va. Tech CB Kyle Fuller
30. San Francisco 49ers – Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt – Even if the ‘Niners re-sign Anquan Boldin, he can’t play forever. San Fran needs to add a young target, and Matthews brings great size and a stellar work ethic to the table.
31. Denver Broncos – Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech – Champ Bailey is in the twilight of his career, and there’s not much depth behind him. Fuller started off the season with a stellar performance against Alabama, and built on that success to put himself in the first-round conversation.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State – Both Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate are headed for free agency, making receiver easily the biggest need for Seattle. Robinson is one of the best in this class with the ball in space, boasting great size and after-the-catch ability.
SECOND ROUND
33. Houston Texans – Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU
34. Washington Redskins – Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame
35. Cleveland Browns – David Yankey, G, Stanford
36. Oakland Raiders – Jimmy Garappolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
37. St. Louis Rams (from ATL)* – Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
38. San Francisco 49ers (from TB)* – Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood
39. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech
40. Minnesota Vikings – Trent Murphy, DE, Stanford
41. Buffalo Bills – Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State
42. Tennessee Titans – Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor
43. New York Giants – Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
44. St. Louis Rams – Gabe Jackson, G, Mississippi State
45. Detroit Lions – Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
46. Pittsburgh Steelers – Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
47. Dallas Cowboys – Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
48. Baltimore Ravens – Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado
49. New York Jets – Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois
50. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Su’a-Filo, G, UCLA
51. Chicago Bears – LaMarcus Joyner, CB/S, Florida State
52. New England Patriots (from ARI)* – Louis Nix, NT, Notre Dame
53. Green Bay Packers – Dominique Easley, DE, Florida
54. Philadelphia Eagles – E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri
55. Cincinnati Bengals – Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
56. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from KC via SF)* – Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
57. San Diego Chargers – Cyril Richardson, G, Baylor
58. New Orleans Saints – Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State
59. Indianapolis Colts – Keith McGill, CB, Utah
60. Carolina Panthers – Andre Hal, CB, Vanderbilt
61. San Francisco 49ers – Telvin Smith, S, Florida State
62. Arizona Cardinals (from NE)* – Carl Bradford, OLB, Arizona State
63. Denver Broncos – Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State
64. Seattle Seahawks – Tim Jernigan, DT, Florida State