2014 NFL Mock Draft: Post Week 12 Breakdown

With Week 12 wrapping up, the NFL season has officially reached the point where teams are either fighting to make a playoff push or settling down and preparing for the NFL draft in May.

For those teams that are already out of the playoff race, things could be worse.  This year's draft class is filled with plenty of incredibly talented players, including a number of quarterbacks for teams that need a new face of their respective franchises. 

Below is a complete NFL mock draft for the first round. Picks are based off current standings after Sunday Night Football. In the event of a tie in terms of win percentage, the teams are ordered by point differential. The last two teams are the top teams in the NFC and AFC to make things as accurate as possible.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

There are a few players who are more talented at positions where the Jacksonville Jaguars need help. However, with how bad the quarterback play has been, they have no choice but to draft one.

As the top QB in this draft class, Teddy Bridgewater is the best pick for Jacksonville. He may not have the flashiest stats in college, but everything he does in the pocket shows he's ready to play quarterback in the NFL.

2. Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

Having J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney on the same team would give the Houston Texans the most intimidating defense in the league.  

Sure, they could use a quarterback here, but with Clowney on the board, the Texans can take the stud defensive end here and then look at a quarterback early in the second round. There are a number of talented QBs in this draft, so they could possibly look at someone like Tajh Boyd or Zach Mettenberger.

That is, of course, unless they trust Case Keenum or Matt Schaub.

3. Atlanta Falcons: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

Injuries have hurt the Atlanta Falcons this season, and now they're sitting at the bottom of the league after posting a 13-3 record in 2012.

However, this gives the Falcons an opportunity to add some talent on defense. They really need some help rushing the passer, as they rank near the bottom of the league in sacks.

By drafting Anthony Barr, not only would the Falcons be getting someone to put pressure on the quarterback but also someone who can stop the run. With him on defense, their inexperienced secondary can have the opportunity to make more plays next season.

4. Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

Much like the Jaguars, the Minnesota Vikings need a quarterback. Christian Ponder isn't getting the job done, and I highly doubt fans want to see Matt Cassel or Josh Freeman take over the offense.

While there have been some questions recently about Marcus Mariota and his struggles against Stanford, he's still an exciting prospect who's just 20 years old. He's still developing, and his upside makes him well worth a top pick.

Now, imagine Adrian Peterson and Mariota in that offense.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

The big question with this pick is whether or not the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take a quarterback. I strongly believe Mike Glennon has proven himself as the starting quarterback for this team and that they will focus on protecting him instead.

Jake Matthews would be the ideal fit here. He's the top offensive tackle in this draft, and he's played both right and left tackle. His impressive strength combined with his athleticism makes him an ideal offensive lineman for any NFL team.

6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington): C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama

The secondary certainly could use some help for the St. Louis Rams, but with this pick from the Washington Redskins, the Rams can't afford to pass up another great player to add to their front seven.

There are few linebackers as versatile as C.J. Mosley. He's shown during his time at Alabama that he can play inside and out, making big plays almost anywhere on the field. He has the ideal body type and mentality for a linebacker, making him worth a first-round pick.

7. New York Giants: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

It's been a rough year for the New York Giants trying to protect their franchise quarterback, and they will need to find someone to protect their most expensive player.

While Matthews is the best offensive tackle in the draft class, Taylor Lewan is a close second. He has tremendous upside and could do a great job protecting Eli Manning's blind side.

8. Cleveland Browns: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State

The Cleveland Browns need a starting quarterback. Brandon Weeden's window to prove himself was small, and it's officially time to move on.

With one of the strongest arms in the draft class, Derek Carr's draft stock just keeps moving up. He's shown this season that he's developing as a quarterback and is making the right reads on opposing defenses. He's showing poise in the pocket, and his arm strength combined with solid accuracy makes him the perfect fit in the offensive scheme for the Browns.

9. Buffalo Bills: Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo

There are a ton of young players on this team, but most of them are on offense with the exception of Kiko Alonso. The Buffalo Bills would be smart to add some talent to that defense.

There aren't a ton of top-tier prospects from small programs, but Khalil Mack is the best of them all. He's a terrific pass-rusher who can also drop into coverage or stop the run. His upside as an outside linebacker makes him one of the more intriguing prospects to watch for up until the draft.

10. Oakland Raiders: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

Terrelle Pryor is not the answer at quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, and while they need help in a few areas, they can't pass up on drafting a quarterback here.

While I wasn't high on Johnny Manziel as a quarterback in the NFL to start this season, I've noticed that he's quickly developed into a more pro-ready prospect. He's doing things you want to see from a developing quarterback, and if this is a sign of things to come, Manziel will certainly be worth a first-round pick based off upside alone.

11. New York Jets: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Easily the biggest need for the New York Jets is at wide receiver, and while Geno Smith hasn't lived up to expectations, the team will need to give him a chance to make plays with a legitimate offensive weapon.

Other wide receivers are climbing up draft boards, but Sammy Watkins is still the No. 1 prospect at the position. He has terrific speed and is capable of gaining yards after contact with his size and elusiveness.

Basically, Watkins has everything you want in an outside receiver.

12. Miami Dolphins: Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee

No one should be surprised with this pick. The Miami Dolphins are going to need a lot of help on the offensive line.

Known for being one of the only offensive tackles to shut down Clowney in the 2012 season, Antonio Richardson is a terrific option for any team trying to protect their quarterback. He has some work to do from a technical standpoint, but his speed and athleticism makes him worth a first-round pick.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State

While there are a number of holes offensively, the Pittsburgh Steelers need to find a way to protect Ben Roethlisberger.

Blocking for both EJ Manuel and Jameis Winston, Cameron Erving knows a thing or two about protecting the blind side of great quarterbacks. His great footwork and quickness will help him keep up with these athletic pass-rushers who are emerging around the NFL.

14. Tennessee Titans: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama

There are a few ways the Tennessee Titans could go here, but I think they should draft one of these very talented offensive tackles.

Although he hasn't lived up to expectations, Cyrus Kouandjio is still one of the best offensive linemen in the upcoming draft class. His overall strength and upside could make him one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL one day, and that would make any team very happy.

15. San Diego Chargers: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

I've been impressed with a number of cornerbacks this season, and a lot of them deserve to be the first one taken, but I really haven't liked any defensive back more than Justin Gilbert this season.

Perhaps the fastest-rising prospect in the draft, Justin Gilbert is producing plenty of noise at the cornerback position. He's done a great job finding the ball while in school, and his 6'0'', 200-pound frame makes him a great corner to guard against bigger wide receivers.

16. St. Louis Rams: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

This is where the Rams can get some help in the secondary.

At 5'10'' and 176 pounds, Jason Verrett doesn't have ideal size as an outside cornerback. What he does have, however, is a great set of skills and an aggressive mindset that makes him perfect to play in man coverage.

17. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

Without Anquan Boldin, the Baltimore Ravens just don't seem the same on offense. They need another receiver, because Torrey Smith and Marlon Brown can't do it all.

Mike Evans brings a different set of skills than Watkins, although both are great outside receivers. What makes Evans so special is the fact he's 6'5'' and is capable of jumping up to snatch passes out of the air.

He doesn't have the speed that Watkins has, but Evans is an ideal prospect to make plays in the red zone, and that makes him the perfect fit for the Ravens to replace Boldin.

18. Green Bay Packers: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

The Green Bay Packers decided to not draft any help at safety in last year's draft. That turned out to be a bad idea, as the team is struggling in that area right now.

While he's not the best player on the board here, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is the best pick for the Packers to make. He does a great job reading opposing quarterbacks and playing in coverage, not to mention the fact that he can bring the hammer down when needed.

19. Chicago Bears: Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU

Henry Melton is a free agent after this season, and while the Chicago Bears could very well sign him, it never hurts to have additional help in the middle of the defense.

Anthony Johnson's ability to stuff holes at the line of scrimmage and eliminate possible running lanes gives him the potential to be a top-tier defensive tackle one day. To make things even more appealing, he's shown that he can get pressure on the passer from the inside of the line, and that can sometimes be more disruptive than anything else.

20. Detroit Lions: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

Pass coverage has been a need for quite some time with the Detroit Lions, and while they've drafted to help this area before, they have a chance to get a very impressive corner with this pick.

While his draft stock has taken a hit, Bradley Roby is still worthy of a first-round selection. He has ideal size for a cornerback and can hang with even the best wide receivers.

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

The Philadelphia Eagles need help on defense while Chip Kelly is going to want to draft one of his old college players, which makes this pick an ideal choice.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu has one of the harder names to pronounce, but that doesn't keep him from being one of the fastest defensive players in the draft. He's a great fit against slot receivers, but even with his smaller size, he can run with more physical receivers, thanks to his fundamentals. 

22. Dallas Cowboys: Cyril Richardson, OG, Baylor

The secondary needs a lot of help here, but the Cowboys have other needs as well, and depending on the way the picks before them work out, they may work on addressing the inside of the offensive line.

There are a number of reasons Baylor's offense is so effective in 2013, and one of the biggest reasons has been Cyril Richardson.

Richardson is easily the best offensive guard in the draft. He's surprisingly quick for a guard and does a good job pushing defenders back off the line of scrimmage. It's safe to say DeMarco Murray would be very happy with this pick.

23. San Francisco 49ers: Marqise Lee, WR, USC

It didn't take long to think about what the San Francisco 49ers need with their first-round pick, because there is a lack of offensive weapons for Colin Kaepernick to throw to.

A knee injury had Marqise Lee sliding down draft boards a bit, but now he's moving back up them as he keeps making big plays. He's an excellent vertical threat can make tough catches, which is just what the 49ers need.

  

24. Cleveland Browns (From Indianapolis): De'Anthony Thomas, OW, Oregon

The Indianapolis Colts certainly wish they still had this pick after trading for Trent Richardson, but the Browns have their second pick in the first round. With this pick, they can add a playmaker to go along with Carr.

There are very few players who can consistently make explosive plays quite like De'Anthony Thomas. His skill set doesn't hold him to one position, letting him play either in the backfield or out in the slot.  

Not only will he make big plays offensively, but Thomas can also make an impact on special teams as a returner, and Browns fans would love to watch this guy play in Cleveland.

25. Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

A number of the offensive tackles are already gone at this point, but with how bad the Arizona Cardinals have been at the position, they're going to have to take a risk by picking up someone like Brandon Scherff.

Scherff is a Big Ten offensive lineman who has that toughness you want to see at the position. He also possesses some surprisingly quick feet and is capable of playing a long time at the next level.

26. Cincinnati Bengals: Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida

The Cincinnati Bengals need to address their needs at either offensive line or corner with this pick, but with so many offensive tackles gone, they will probably add some help at secondary.

While not the most pro-ready of available cornerbacks, Loucheiz Purifoy might have more upside than any of them. He's a crazy athlete and shows off his speed all the time, and with the proper coach to help him develop, he could be an awesome NFL player one day.

27. New England Patriots: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech

With the talent available with this pick, the New England Patriots could grab a wide receiver or a defensive tackle, but their offense is just so much more fun to watch with two playmakers at tight end.

While other tight ends are more ideal in other situations, Jace Amaro is the perfect pass-catching tight end. He's an incredibly athletic target who is capable of being the next star player at the position, thanks to his ability to pick up yards after the catch.

Rob Gronkowski and Amaro would make this one exciting offense to watch.

  

28. Carolina Panthers: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt

Steve Smith isn't going to play forever, and the Carolina Panthers are going to need to give Cam Newton some legitimate weapons to work with.

Jordan Matthews is an all-around solid wide receiver coming out of Vanderbilt. At 6'3'' and 206 pounds, he has great size at the position. Combine that with his improved speed along with his route-running ability and you have a terrific pro-ready wide receiver.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU

Dwayne Bowe is great, but Alex Smith doesn't have anyone else to really throw to unless they're coming out of the backfield. I'm sorry, Donnie Avery doesn't count.

As a vertical threat, Jarvis Landry is one of the best college receivers there is. He's capable of burning defenses deep as well as racking up yards after the catch. His presence could keep teams on their toes in the secondary.

30. New Orleans Saints: Trent Murphy, DE/OLB, Stanford

Rob Ryan has turned the defense around for the New Orleans Saints, but they could still use some help at getting another pass-rusher.

As one of the best defensive players for Stanford, Trent Murphy has a real future in the NFL. He's capable of playing either outside linebacker or defensive end, and we've seen just how deadly he is at getting to the quarterback, as he's already posted double-digit sacks.

Murphy is the perfect fit for Ryan's 3-4 scheme and could give the Saints one of the best defenses in the league.

  

31. Denver Broncos: Michael Sam, DE, Missouri

Defensively, the Denver Broncos need some help. They don't look bad right now, but a number of weaknesses will be highlighted once Peyton Manning is gone if they don't start to address them now.

One way the Broncos could start fixing that is by bringing in another pass-rusher to help out Von Miller.

Based off what we've seen from Michael Sam at Missouri, he's an ideal pass-rushing defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. He had an ideal frame to add weight to and does a great job at using his strength to push back offensive linemen. For the Broncos, Sam would be a great fit at defensive end.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State

The only big need for the Seattle Seahawks right now is on the inside of the offensive line, and since they could likely add a player at the position later in the draft, the Seahawks could add some depth at linebacker with this pick.

One of the most intimidating defenders in the Big Ten this season has got to be Ryan Shazier out of Ohio State. He's capable of stopping the run or getting to the passer and can play either inside or outside linebacker. His versatility is ideal for the next level, as he will find ways to get on the field, thus adding some depth at the position for Seattle.