2014 NFL Mock Draft: Common Sense Selections for Every Team
Ever watch your favorite NFL team drive the ball inside the other team's 5-yard line, then, on first down, instead of running a simple halfback dive, the offensive play-caller over-complicates things and runs something that results in a loss of yards or even a turnover?
It happens a lot. Often times, the simplest answer is the best one. Football coaches are, for the most part, very intelligent guys. But sometimes, they out-smart themselves.
The same thing can happen with general managers. When a team has a clear need at one position, the wisest thing to do is to address it via the draft or free agency.
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Often times, you see teams reaching for someone who is supposedly the best player available. In the process, the franchise is neglecting to address its biggest needs.
This mock draft reflects the most sensible pick for every team in the first round.
1. Houston Texans: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
The Texans need a leader, a playmaker and a face of their franchise.
There are knocks on Manziel's height (6'1") and arm strength, but no one can dispute his ability to extend the play and make big plays with his arm and legs.
The NFL is a copycat league; we've all heard that term 1,000 times. Part of the reason the saying is still around is because it's predominantly true. When Russell Wilson helped lead the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl XLVIII victory, he scored a major win for shorter, mobile quarterbacks.
In light of that, Manziel couldn't be coming along at a better time.
2. St. Louis Rams (via Washington): Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
Finding Sam Bradford a major weapon in the passing game should be the Rams' top priority. No Rams wide receiver had more than 38 receptions in 2013. The team doesn't have enough weapons in the passing game to allow Bradford to reach his potential.
Watkins is the most dynamic playmaker at wide receiver in this draft class. Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports lists Watkins as his top prospect for the upcoming draft. Edholm writes: "No major holes in his game. Projected as a future No. 1 'X' receiver."
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
The Blaine Gabbert thing never worked out. Jacksonville needs a franchise quarterback as much as any franchise in the NFL. This is a team searching for legitimacy on the field, and they need a strong presence under center.
Fresno State's Carr can be that guy. He put up silly numbers for Fresno State in 2013 (5,082 passing yards, 50 touchdowns), but perhaps more importantly, he really seemed to impress Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley at the 2014 Senior Bowl.
Per The Fresno Bee, Bradley, who was coaching the South team, said this about Carr during Senior Bowl practices: "He sits in the front of the meeting room, takes meticulous notes, really into it. He's done a great job."
4. Cleveland Browns: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
Much like the Texans' predicament, the Browns need a quarterback pretty badly. Luckily for them, this draft has a good number of solid signal-callers.
Bridgewater was once thought to be the top prospect in the class, but his stock has fallen a bit. The Browns can't go wrong by taking him here. There's no such thing as an automatic success, but when a team addresses a need, it's hard to criticize them.
5. Oakland Raiders: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
Terrelle Pryor deserves another chance to start next season. The team was 3-6 in games he started and 1-6 without him. His mobility gave Oakland's offense another dimension. Because of Pryor's presence, selecting a quarterback here isn't in the Raiders' best interest.
Finding someone to protect him is.
Robinson's size (6'3", 325 lbs.) and athleticism are reminiscent of the Philadelphia Eagles Jason Peters. Though he's still a little raw, it's hard to ignore a talent like Robinson when there's a need on the offensive line.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
The Falcons' offense will come back around in 2014; there's too much talent at quarterback and wide receiver for it not to. The team does need to address its offensive line, but even more urgent is its need to find a legitimate pass-rusher.
Atlanta was 30th in the NFL in sacks in 2013.
Clowney is the most physically gifted prospect in the draft, but he did have a down year in 2013. His sack totals as a junior dipped from 13 in 2012 to just three in 2013.
As pre-draft activities begin to heat up, Clowney seems determined to show and prove that he is still one of the top players available. He told Josh Kendall of GoGamecocks.com that he wants to be the No. 1 pick and that he will participate in every drill at the combine:
"I want to be No. 1. I am ready. I am upfront. I am not going to hold anything back. I am going to do everything. The numbers I am going to put up are going to be amazing.
"
Count on some impressive numbers in workouts—numbers that might even cause a team ahead of Atlanta to jump on Clowney.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Mike Glennon performed well enough as a rookie to come into camp as the starting quarterback in 2014. The Bucs could still pursue Michael Vick in free agency, however, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter:
"Two teams likely to have some level of interest in Eagles free-agent-to-be QB Michael Vick: Buccaneers and Jets.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 2, 2014"
In the draft, the team needs to improve its offensive line. Buccaneers quarterbacks were sacked 47 times in 2013. That's a lot.
Jake Matthews could offer the Bucs a potential long-term starter at left or right tackle.
8. Minnesota Vikings: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
Of all the teams in dire need of a quarterback, the Vikings will likely have to settle for what's left of the top prospects. Aside from the quarterback spot, the Vikings roster is fit to contend in the NFC North. As a result, the team has to address that need in this draft.
Bortles looks like a smaller version of Ben Roethlisberger, as he has some of the same talents. He can extend plays, is strong and is a good leader.
9. Buffalo Bills: Khalil Mack, OLB/DE, Buffalo
Kiko Alonso is a stud inside linebacker, but strengthening the linebacking corp still isn't a bad idea. Putting Mack opposite Mario Williams would give the Bills two potentially dominant pass-rushers.
Mack had 10 sacks in 2013, including 2.5 against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
10. Detroit Lions: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
With such a dominant defensive line, one has to wonder why the Lions were still ranked 23rd in the NFL in passing yards allowed. One primary reason was weak cornerback play.
The Lions had just two interceptions from their cornerbacks in 2013.
Justin Gilbert had seven interceptions for Oklahoma State in 2013. He's a ball-hawking presence in pass coverage that opposing quarterbacks will have to respect.
11. Tennessee Titans: Anthony Barr, OLB/DE, UCLA
The Titans defense had just 36 sacks in 2013. Adding an edge rusher would be a smart move to make the unit more dangerous in 2014.
UCLA's Anthony Barr looks like one of the most effective pass-rushers from the OLB/DE position in this year's draft. Over the last two seasons, he had 23.5 sacks. His speed and relentlessness could be an asset in Tennessee.
12. New York Giants: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
Youth and leadership are the biggest areas of need on the Giants defense. It is usually difficult to find both qualities in the same player, let alone in a draft selection.
Alabama's C.J. Mosley is the rare exception. He's a tackling machine with experience leading one of the nation's best defenses for the past two seasons. Mosley has the look of a player who could step right in and be an All-Pro from Day 1 in the NFL.
Check out this awesome and accurate comparison from Bleacher Report's resident NFL draft guru Matt Miller:
"C.J. Mosley's range, speed to the flats is NaVorro Bowman-like.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 3, 2014"
13. St. Louis Rams: Taylor Lewan, OL, Michigan
This draft could wind up being the one that leads the Rams to the Super Bowl in a few years. The team is in position to grab players to fill each of its biggest needs.
Taylor Lewan is a bit of a mauler who could be best suited as a right tackle. Either way, a team has to find a place on its offensive line for him. He's a battler with a positive mean streak. His temperament is perfect for head coach Jeff Fisher's style.
14. Chicago Bears: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
Bears fans are calling for free safety Chris Conte to be replaced, as they should be, but the team can address that need in the second round. The Bears defense needs to get better up front first. The team was the worst team in the NFL against the run in 2013, and that simply can't continue.
Henry Melton is a free agent, and he's coming off a torn ACL. The Bears have to draft a defensive tackle who can be a presence inside.
Aaron Donald is only 6'1", so some sticklers for the measurables will scoff at this selection. But Donald's motor and athleticism will make up for what he doesn't have in height.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
Much like the Giants, the Steelers defense needs a youth injection. This is mostly an issue in the secondary. If there is a cornerback in the draft that could be regarded as a potential shutdown guy, it is Dennard.
His cover skills are on par with Gilbert's, but he's not quite as big at 5'10". Still, Dennard could wind up being just as solid of a pro as Gilbert.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Baltimore missed Anquan Boldin's presence in a major way in 2013. Torrey Smith is a deep threat, but he wasn't as effective without a possession receiver on the other side of the field.
Evans has elite size at 6'5", great hands and awesome competitiveness. He's the best thing that could happen to Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense in 2014.
17. Dallas Cowboys: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
Dallas' defense was really bad in 2013. It ranked 30th against the pass and 27th against the run. It's impossible to fix everything with one pick, but the best place to start would be by finding a pass-rusher to pressure the quarterback.
Ealy is a big, impressive athlete with mounds of potential. With him on the opposite side of DeMarcus Ware, the cowboys could finally establish a consistent pass rush.
18. New York Jets: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Geno Smith had a rocky rookie season, but it's not time to give up on him as the franchise quarterback in New York. He needs more weapons at his disposal before an official decision can be made regarding his future.
USC's Marqise Lee has the kind of game-breaking ability that stretches a defense and opens up the field for a quarterback to make easier intermediate passes. Lee could also be a huge boon for the Jets as a deep threat and/or in the return game.
19. Miami Dolphins: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
After allowing 58 sacks in 2013, it's no question what the Dolphins need to do to improve next season; addressing the offensive line is a must.
Cyrus "Mount" Kouandjio is 6'5" and 310 pounds, and he's just 20 years old. His upside is phenomenal.
When it's all said and done, he could be the best tackle from this draft—you heard it here first...or second.
20. Arizona Cardinals: Zach Martin, OT, Notre Dame
Pass protection improved for Arizona in 2013, but the team still gave up 41 sacks. That's far too many. Arizona needs to add a presence on the offensive line that will help to allow the offense to extend drives.
Zach Martin might ultimately be moved inside, but either way, he's a player that can help Arizona establish better protection for the quarterback.
21. Green Bay Packers: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
With Jermichael Finley's future a little shaky after a serious neck injury, the Packers have a need for a pass-catching tight end. Amaro is a gifted athlete with great hands and good speed.
He's 6'5" and 260 pounds, so he has adequate size to be somewhat of a factor in the run game as well. Aaron Rodgers would love to have a playmaker he can depend on up the seams again.
Amaro seems to have all the intangibles a team would want in a first-round selection. Check out this tweet:
"You have to be in Love with the Process of being great. (In process) http://t.co/uvl63FUKjl
— Jace Amaro (@J_ACER22) February 4, 2014"
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Conventional wisdom says the Eagles will re-sign Riley Cooper, Jeremy Maclin or both. With at least one of them back in Philly, the team can wait until a later round to draft a wide receiver. Addressing the 32nd-ranked pass defense in the NFL needs to be the top priority.
Pryor is an athletic and physical safety. At 6'2" and 210 pounds, he has the size to be physical and match up with pass-catching tight ends.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Odell Beckham, WR, LSU
The short, quick passes that Alex Smith loves to throw are fine, but he needs receivers who are great at picking up yards after the catch.
Beckham has the athleticism and strength to make defenders miss, and he can turn a short completion into a large gain. In 2013, Beckham had 18 plays that went for 25-plus yards.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamarcus Joyner, CB, Florida State
The Bengals roster is solid in most areas. To take the next step, the team may ultimately have to make a change at quarterback. Before that drastic measure is taken, though, the Bengals could stand to add depth at cornerback.
Joyner is a bit undersized (5'8"), but he has great intangibles and athleticism. The Official Eagles Blog likes Joyner as well:
"A guy who I really like in the draft: Florida State S/CB Lamarcus Joyner. He's only 5-8, 190lbs, but in this case, size doesn't matter.
— Official Eagles Blog (@OfficialEagles_) February 4, 2014"
25. San Diego Chargers: Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
San Diego's run defense was less than satisfactory in 2013. The Chargers allowed 4.6 yards per carry in 2013, and that was tied for the fourth-highest average in the NFL.
Nix is a load on the inside. He has the potential to become the type of interior presence on the defensive line that Vince Wilfork is for the New England Patriots.
26. Cleveland Browns (via Indianapolis): David Yankey, OG, Stanford
The Browns should have already addressed the need at quarterback, so the team can look to shore up other areas here. The interior offensive line should be a focus. The Browns have failed to establish a dependable running game over the last two seasons.
Improving that area of the team could start with drafting David Yankey. Guards often get overlooked, but they play vital roles in the offense. Yankey is a nasty dude with excellent pulling skills, and he finishes blocks.
27. New Orleans Saints: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
Drew Brees' protection wasn't as air tight as it has been in the past. Part of the reason for that was the departure of stud left tackle Jermon Bushrod. Now, the Saints need to, at the very least, add depth at the offensive tackle position.
Moses will be a quick riser on some draft boards. By the time the draft rolls around, he should have established himself as one of the better tackles in the draft.
28. Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Steve Smith is aging and the Carolina Panthers must add weapons in the passing game for Cam Newton. The team was 29th in the NFL in passing yards in 2013, and tight end Greg Olsen led the team in receptions.
Kelvin Benjamin is huge at 6'5" and 235 pounds, but he's already 23 years old. And as Matt Miller points out, while he's great at jump balls, he sometimes loses concentration on the easy catches:
"Kelvin Benjamin has amazing size/length, does a great job high-pointing and boxing out, but drops the easy pass. Needs work as route runner
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 10, 2014"
Still, Benjamin represents a solid red-zone weapon and deep threat against one-on-one coverage down the sidelines. Both qualities are something the Panthers offense really needs.
29. New England Patriots: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
With the young linebackers the Patriots have assembled, auch as Jamie Collins Dont'a Hightower, the second level of the defense is in good shape.
Adding depth and stoutness on the defensive line is a smart approach for this pick. Putting Jernigan next to Wilfork—or in his place should the big man go down again—would be a huge addition for New England's defense.
Jernigan is a major difference maker against the run, and he's a very good athlete for his size.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Even though both Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree are excellent receivers, the team could still use some explosiveness from their receiving corps.
Cooks has blazing speed, good hands, and he's a legitimate threat in the return game. The Niners are so close to a Super Bowl title; I'm sure they can taste it. Game-breakers like Cooks could be the last push the team needs to make it over the hump.
This is what Edholm had to say about Cooks: "He has a little DeSean Jackson in him, with a touch of Steve Smith."
That's not a bad combination.
31. Denver Broncos: Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
Champ Bailey will be 36 in June, and he's clearly lost a step. The Broncos need to pull his snaps back a bit and perhaps even transition him to a role in nickel packages exclusively.
Drafting his replacement is a smart idea either way. Roberson has significant upside. It will also benefit him to have time to learn under Bailey, who has said he will return next season, per Matt Walks of the Denver Post.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
The Seahawks are really good, in case you hadn't noticed. Now imagine them with a quality pass-catching tight end as a safety blanket for Russell Wilson when he rolls out to buy time and create better passing windows.
Yeah, it's scary.
Although Washington's Austin Sefarian-Jenkins is the sentimental choice here, Eric Ebron is the better prospect. He's fast, slick and has great hands. He may not be the force against the run that ASJ can be if he's plugged in, but Ebron will make a bigger impact in the passing game.
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