2014 NFL Mock Draft: Smart Selections for Every 1st-Round Team

Picking a dud in the first round of the NFL draft sets teams back significantly, which is why so much time and effort goes into evaluating top college prospects. This mock draft will attempt to match teams with the best player available who also fits a need.

There are plenty of exciting players who will join new teams in April of 2014—some will turn out to be studs, and others will inevitably end up becoming duds. The maddening aspect of the draft process is that it's impossible to predict which players will succeed and which ones will fail.

At this time, though, it's still possible to see every top college player as a potential superstar at the next level. With that in mind, here's a look at smart picks for every team picking in the first round in 2014. 

1. Houston Texans: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville 

Case Keenum has been pretty good for the Texans this year, passing for eight touchdowns and two interceptions, but he's clearly not the franchise quarterback this team needs to get back to championship form.

Teddy Bridgewater is a rock-solid quarterback prospect in the mold of Andrew Luck who will give this team a chance to get back to the postseason next year, and Houston would be foolish to let him slide to Jacksonville. 

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

Jadeveon Clowney would have been the sure-fire pick here based on preseason hype, but he's had a down year. Furthermore, as good as he's likely to be in the pros, the Jaguars are in desperate need of a dynamic quarterback to lead the offense. 

Marcus Mariota fits that bill. The dual-threat quarterback has seen his Heisman stock tumble the past month, but he's still one of the most exciting players to come out of the college ranks in a long time. 

3. Atlanta Falcons: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

Ah, the consolation prize.

Atlanta was a play or two from the Super Bowl a year ago, but injuries have laid waste to the 2013 campaign. But as a result of the team's poor record, the Falcons have a chance to land one of the most impressive defensive prospects to come out of college in years. 

4. Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Barr, OLB/DE, UCLA

Minnesota's defense has taken a step (or three) back this season, and the team's defensive line needs to be revamped in a major way. It's no guarantee Jared Allen will be back next season, as he's in the final year of his contract.

The Vikings could cheaply replace him by drafting Barr, who projects as a terror of the edge at the next level. 

5. St. Louis Rams (via Washington): Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

Another year, another draft in which St. Louis needs to build its offensive line. The Rams are going to stick with Sam Bradford next year, and the team must find a way to keep him upright. Adding this year's top tackle makes too much sense not to happen.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State

Rookie quarterback Mike Glennon appears to be the answer at quarterback, and now the Buccaneers must build around him. Adding Erving to be his blindside protector in the years to come would be a wise investment to protect the young signal-caller.

7. Oakland Raiders: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

If Matt McGloin continues playing as well as he has the past couple of weeks, then the Oakland Raiders won't need to draft a top quarterback in Round 1. Instead, Oakland could add one of the nation's most exciting offensive playmakers in Sammy Watkins, who will be an explosive weapon as a rookie.

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

Given the lack of success David Carr had after being selected No. 1 overall by Houston, teams might be tempted to pass his younger brother by in the first round. But that would be a mistake. Carr is an accurate passer who has plenty of arm strength, and he'd be the perfect prospect for Norv Turner to mold into a star in the NFL.  

9. New York Giants: Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

The Giants used to feature one of the league's most terrifying defensive lines, but this team doesn't pressure the passer like it did during its Super Bowl runs. Heading into Week 13, New York ranks No. 31 in the league with just 18 sacks, but adding a defensive nightmare like Khalil Mack would quickly improve those numbers.

10. Buffalo Bills: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

The Bills are going to give EJ Manuel every chance to succeed. His rookie season was marred by injury, but when healthy he's shown himself to be well worth the investment. Adding a big-play receiver like Mike Evans would be a smart way to help the young quarterback grow quickly. 

11. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama

Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked 36 times this year, and he was sacked 30 times in 2012. The Steelers have attempted to bring in offensive linemen to improve things for the star quarterback, but he's still lacking an elite left tackle to guard his blind side. 

Adding Cyrus Kouandjio would not only help the Steelers protect Big Ben, but it would greatly assist the team's 30th-ranked rushing attack, too. 

12. Baltimore Ravens: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

Dennis Pitta should be back to his old tricks again in 2014 after missing most of this season with a hip injury, but the Ravens would be smart to bring in another big-play tight end to give Joe Flacco more options in the middle of the field. 

Eric Ebron is an exciting athlete who has the potential to become one of the NFL's best tight ends in short order, and he'd be a big addition to Baltimore's dismal offense. 

13. San Diego Chargers: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

The Chargers have been atrocious defending against the pass this season, ranking No. 27 in the NFL. Darqueze Dennard has proved himself to be one of the best cover corners in college football this year. He typically locks down the opposing team's best receiver, and his one-on-one skills are perfect for San Diego's attacking defense.  

14. New York Jets: Marqise Lee, WR, USC

Watch the New York Jets for just five minutes and you'll quickly see the team is in desperate need of offensive playmakers. Geno Smith has been trying to do way too much this year, as a result, and has become a walking turnover.

Marqise Lee's stock has taken a hit this year, much like what we saw from Keenan Allen last year, thanks to injuries and poor quarterback play. But he's still one of the finest receiver prospects coming into the draft, and he'll greatly assist the Jets in the years to come. 

15. Tennessee Titans: Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson

Tennessee's defense needs pass-rushers. The Titans have sacked opposing quarterbacks just 26 times this year, which ranks No. 21 in the NFL. Adding a dynamic outside pass-rushing threat like Vic Beasley would quickly remedy this situation. 

16. Miami Dolphins: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

No quarterback in the NFL has been sacked more often than Ryan Tannehill. It appears letting Jake Long leave via free agency was a poor decision, and the Dolphins clearly need help at the offensive tackle position. 

17. St. Louis Rams: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech

Adding Jared Cook was a nice first step to helping St. Louis' offense grow. But the two-tight end set is popular in the NFL these days for a good reason, and the Rams would be smart to get on board before this new trend becomes old. 

18. Green Bay Packers: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

Green Bay's pass defense seems to be an ongoing issue that crops up every offseason as a major area of need. The Packers rank in the bottom of the league in total yards allowed, yards per attempt and total touchdowns.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is a tough, physical defender on the perimeter who would be a good complement to Casey Hayward next year. 

19. Detroit Lions: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama

Detroit's front seven has been an area of strength, while the team's secondary has languished. Adding a corner or safety is certainly something the Lions could do here without generating much complaint, but the team would be crazy to leave a player of C.J. Mosley's caliber on the board at this point in the proceedings. 

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Louis Nix III, NT, Notre Dame

Philadelphia's defense is a work in progress, and the team has struggled to plug up running lanes this year without a stud nose tackle clogging the middle. Louis Nix III is the perfect player to throw into the nose tackle spot for this purpose, and he'd be an immediate upgrade.

21. Chicago Bears: Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame

Chicago's defensive line needs to be revamped. Julius Peppers is a shadow of his former self, and the team needs new blood. Stephon Tuitt is an incredibly athletic big man who can play inside and outside on the line, and he's a player the Bears could build around in the years to come. 

22. Dallas Cowboys: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

Dallas' pass defense is a joke, but the team features two excellent cornerbacks in Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr. Adding a starting-caliber safety to the back end of this defense is a move Jerry Jones must make, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is the best safety in the nation.

23. Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State

Imagine how much more dangerous the already-potent Cincinnati Bengals defense would be with a missile like Ryan Shazier roaming from sideline to sideline. Mike Zimmer might not be able to handle the excitement of adding a player with his skill set, but he'll surely figure out a way to use him on the field on Sundays.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU

Carson Palmer and the Cardinals have won four games in a row, and Palmer is playing much better of late, but he's still thrown for just 16 touchdowns this year while throwing 15 interceptions. Arizona needs to find its quarterback of the future, and Zach Mettenberger would be a great fit in Bruce Arians' vertical passing attack. 

25. Cleveland Browns (via Indianapolis): Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State

After drafting the quarterback of the future, the next thing the Browns should do is bring in another talented receiver. Allen Robinson is a technician on the field, and he's adept at getting open all over the field. Adding him to a lineup with Josh Gordon and Greg Little would give Cleveland's offense a chance to grow with Carr. 

26. San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt

The San Francisco 49ers haven't had a ton of success finding receivers in the draft the past 10-plus years. Michael Crabtree is the one huge exception, and 49ers fans have high hopes for Quinton Patton.

Adding a player of Jordan Matthews' caliber would be a huge boost to this team's offense in the years to come. 

Besides, Matthews is the cousin (albeit quite distant) of Jerry Rice, who was the greatest player to put on the red and gold—or any uniform, for that matter. 

27. Carolina Panthers: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

Adding another pit-bull defender to Carolina's defense would be like giving the kid with all the cool toys the latest new thing. It sucks for everybody else, but the rich get richer. 

28. New England Patriots: Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

Losing Tommy Kelly and Vince Wilfork has been a huge red flag for New England this year to improve its defensive line depth. Adding a raw player like Ra'Shede Hageman would be a great move at this time, because it would allow him to learn from Wilfork during the next few seasons while he's still in his prime.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington

Alex Smith loves throwing to tight ends. He and Vernon Davis had an excellent connection when he was with the 49ers, and he's gotten Sean McGrath heavily involved in Kansas City's offense this year.

The unknown player out of Henderson State has responded well with 20 catches for 246 yards and one touchdown.

However, adding an athletic freak like Austin Seferian-Jenkins would put Smith back in his comfort zone, as it would be much like playing with Vernon Davis during his time in San Francisco. 

30. New Orleans Saints: Ego Ferguson, DT, LSU

The Saints have improved dramatically on defense this year with Rob Ryan at the controls, but this team is still susceptible to getting gashed on the ground. New Orleans allows 4.8 yards per carry this year, and adding a run-stuffing defensive tackle to the middle would go a long way toward improving that poor number.

31. Denver Broncos: Trent Murphy, DE, Stanford

Shaun Phillips has done a fantastic job for Denver this year, but the veteran doesn't have much gas left in his tank. The Broncos need another pass-rusher to fire off the edge opposite Von Miller, and the underrated Trent Murphy is a force both against the run and pass. 

32. Seattle Seahawks: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

Nobody's talking about Kony Ealy, who is often overshadowed by teammate Michael Sam, but the 6'4", 275-pound defensive end is a player who has the tools to succeed at the next level. The Seahawks usually make selections nobody saw coming, and this would be one to fit that bill. 

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78.