2014 NFL Mock Draft: Easy Solutions for Every 1st-Round Team's Draft Needs

The NFL draft is supposed to be simple. Teams identify their biggest weaknesses and scout college players until they know the players better than their parents do. Then, they send a card to the podium, where Roger Goodell announces the pick. 

Of course, when you are talking about college athletes playing against better competition, it is the furthest thing from simple. Some players won't have skills that translate to the NFL. Others won't have the right attitude to succeed. The rest were probably overrated to begin with. 

Putting together a mock draft isn't an easy task, as you have to identify what teams want to do and where players fit in. After exhausting all of our knowledge, here are the easiest solutions we have come up with to fill the biggest needs for all 32 teams. 

1. Houston Texans: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF

Despite what you might have heard, there is no true franchise-changing quarterback in this year's draft. The top three candidates—Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater—all have significant question marks. 

However, based on Bortles' ideal size (6'5", 232 pounds), solid accuracy and decision-making skills, he's the perfect player for the Texans to take with the No. 1 pick. They don't need another pass-rusher and can't afford to take a receiver this high without a quarterback to throw the ball. 

2. St. Louis Rams (via Washington): Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated raised a fair point about Robinson playing in a run-oriented scheme at Auburn, which makes it hard to evaluate his ability as a pass-blocker. 

Despite those questions, Robinson's stellar combine workout and St. Louis' need to get protection for Sam Bradford make this the most logical pick of the first round. 

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

On quarterbacking ability alone, Johnny Manziel isn't a first-round pick. As an athlete and a playmaker, he belongs in the first-round discussion. The Jaguars need to generate some excitement and buzz, even if they are reaching to find a quarterback. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Somewhere along the way, probably because he's been on the radar for so long, Teddy Bridgewater went from a possible No. 1 overall pick to the third quarterback taken in an OK quarterback draft. 

That's good news for the Browns, who have gone through 20 quarterbacks since re-entering the NFL in 1999. They desperately need to find someone who can take advantage of Josh Gordon's big-play ability and the new offense under first-year head coach Mike Pettine. 

5. Oakland Raiders: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

When the Raiders get enamored with a workout warrior, it usually ends in disaster. Clowney certainly has high boom-or-bust potential because of his perceived lack of effort, which wasn't helped when he skipped most of the workouts at the combine. 

Considering the ceiling Clowney possesses as an edge-rusher in a pass-happy NFL, it's hard to envision him still being here on draft day. If he is, the Raiders will pounce on him like they're Clowney and the pick is Vincent Smith. 

6. Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

Even though the Falcons would be an ideal fit for Clowney, Jake Matthews makes a nice consolation prize, as Matt Ryan got sacked 44 times in 2013. 

Matthews doesn't have the ceiling or athleticism of Greg Robinson, but he's not far behind. He's a monster at 6'5" and 308 pounds, and he's durable, with 45 consecutive starts in college. He also has excellent hands to keep pass-rushers and run-stoppers at bay. 

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

Two things we know about Lovie Smith: He loves defense, and he knows how to coach it up. Khalil Mack doesn't fill a pressing need for the Buccaneers, but he offers tremendous upside and versatility as an outside linebacker who can get after the quarterback or drop into coverage. 

Looking at the best defensive units in the NFL right now (Seattle, San Francisco, Carolina), the one common thread among them is great linebackers in the middle and on the outside. 

8. Minnesota Vikings: Derek Carr, QB, Minnesota Vikings

He may have made a mistake not throwing at the combine, but Derek Carr is too valuable to make it out of the first round. He doesn't have great accuracy down the field, but he has a strong arm and has worked to become more precise with underneath throws. 

The Vikings should look to move down from this spot to get Carr, but without an ideal trade partner, there is only so much they can do. 

9. Buffalo Bills: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama

Finding a weapon on the outside for E.J. Manuel could make this pick a wide receiver, but with a deep crop of players at the position this year, the Bills should look to build around stud linebacker Kiko Alonso. 

C.J. Mosley is the latest in a long line of Alabama linebackers to enter the NFL with a ton of hype. It's justified, as he moves around the field as well as any linebacker in this year's class and wraps up really well. 

10. Detroit Lions: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

The Lions have tried everything they can think of to upgrade their defense through the draft in recent years except going after a cornerback early. There have been a few third-round selections but nothing of real substance. 

That should change this year when Justin Gilbert, the best corner in this class, falls into Detroit's lap. He's bigger than a typical corner at just over 6'0" and 202 pounds, and he has good speed and balls skills. 

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com listed the Lions and the Giants as Gilbert's best fits. Since the Lions get the honor of picking before the Giants, there's no reason he should wait any longer to hear his name called. 

11. Tennessee Titans: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

I admit this is a little late for the top wide receiver, but Sammy Watkins could be just the weapon Jake Locker needs to take the next step if he's meant to be Tennessee's quarterback of the future. 

Nate Washington is the explosive option down the field. Kendall Wright is more of a possession receiver/slot guy. Watkins can play on the outside, creating plays underneath or extending a defense over the top with his size, speed and ability to go get the ball. 

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

Whatever problems Eli Manning had last season—and they were vast—not all of them can be heaped on his right arm. The Giants didn't have an offensive line good enough to take advantage of what Manning does best. 

Taylor Lewan is still an unrefined pass protector who excels in run-blocking, but he has the kind of size and athleticism to be a dominant force with a little coaching. The Giant have to help Manning in order to return to the postseason. 

13. St. Louis Rams: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

If the Rams can come out of the first round with Greg Robinson and Mike Evans, they should be celebrating until the games start. That's a great way to remake an offense and give your young quarterback what he needs to succeed. 

Evans isn't the fastest receiver, but he makes up for it with size and excellent hands. Plus, with Tavon Austin already on the roster, the Rams don't have a need for another burner on the outside. They need someone who can make plays over the top. 

14. Chicago Bears: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

While he doesn't boast ideal size or weight for an interior lineman, Aaron Donald makes up for it with power and intensity as a pass-rusher and an excellent tackler at the next level. He gets off the line so well that, even with average run-defense grades, he plays up because of it. 

The Bears were soft up the middle last year, allowing a league-worst 161.4 yards per game on the ground. Donald will give them instant credibility. 

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

The Steelers re-signed Troy Polamalu for three years, but given his injury history and decreased production, getting younger in the secondary wouldn't hurt. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a proven commodity, as he comes from the SEC's most dominant defense and shows a great feel for being wherever the ball is going to be. 

16. Dallas Cowboys: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville

For all the problems the Cowboys have—and they have many—one of the biggest is that they lack an identity on defense. They have been an assemblage of talent and names for so long that no one plays together. 

Enter Calvin Pryor. 

The Louisville safety will give the Cowboys an enforcer they haven't had since Darren Woodson retired in 2003. Pryor is a mad man on the field, stepping up to the line to attack the run or dropping back in coverage to make a big play when he isn't busy ball-hawking. 

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

The Ravens need more help on the outside than at tight end, especially with Dennis Pitta re-signing, but the NFL has become so reliant on multiple tight ends and two-tight end sets that having another big body is almost required.

Eric Ebron has excellent speed for a tight end and hands to create plays in the middle of the field. Joe Flacco needs all the pass-catchers he can get after the Ravens basically gave Anquan Boldin away last year. 

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

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Of all the teams to move up in this draft, the New York Jets are ideal candidates because of the talent of the top two wide receivers (Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans) and the Jets' need to help Geno Smith. 

If the Jets can't find a deal, Marqise Lee is their best option. As ESPN.com's Todd McShay (subscription required) put it in his latest mock draft, it is "a no-brainer." Lee doesn't have elite speed, running a 4.52 in the 40 at the combine, but he separates well down the field and can turn short plays into big gains. 

With a tweak or two on the offensive side of the ball, the Jets will be a very interesting team to watch in 2014. 

19. Miami Dolphins: Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame

Ryan Tannehill threw for 3,913 yards and completed 60.4 percent of his passes last year despite getting sacked 58 times—10 more than any other quarterback in the league. 

Some of those sacks can be put on the quarterback, as Pro Football Focus ranked the Dolphins 14th in pass protection last year. But when you combine the high sack total with the turmoil caused by the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin situation, it's clear the Dolphins need help. 

Zack Martin is equally adept at run-blocking and pass-blocking. He's a balanced, fundamentally sound tackle who is versatile enough to play guard if the team needs it. 

20. Arizona Cardinals: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

The Cardinals wouldn't appear to need another speed rusher off the edge after tallying 47 sacks last season, but the majority of them came off the line with John Abraham and Calais Campbell (20.5 combined sacks). 

Anthony Barr is a monster on the outside, showing an innate ability to get after the quarterback and solid wrap-up skills against running backs. He's got a great feel for the ball and isn't afraid to sell out to make a play. He'll fit in nicely with a young defense. 

21. Green Bay Packers: Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame

The Packers need to find a young, long-term solution at defensive tackle. Louis Nix III didn't have a great season at Notre Dame in 2013, but he has the size to fill gaps against the run and is an underrated pass-rusher with a powerful upper body. 

It's time for the Packers to get more physical up front if they want to be serious Super Bowl contenders again. 

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

Bleacher Report lead NFL writer Matt Miller has Darqueze Dennard as the 24th-best player in this class, which says more about the depth of the class than it does about any weaknesses on Dennard's part. 

The Eagles got picked apart in the secondary last year, allowing over 4,000 passing yards and an NFL-high 8.7 yards per attempt. Dennard is physical enough to play on the line with the kinds of instincts to play off the ball and read quarterbacks. 

23. Kansas City Chiefs: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State

The Chiefs got decimated with injuries down the stretch in 2013, which showed how little depth they have on the defensive line.

Timmy Jernigan has some of the characteristics that make Justin Smith such a unique weapon on San Francisco's line, including excellent hands. He can overpower offensive linemen in pass-rushing situations with raw power. 

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Despite allowing the fifth-fewest pass yards in the NFL last year, the Bengals gave up 7.4 yards per attempt because teams can attack the secondary when the front seven doesn't get after the quarterback. 

"

Not as good of a day in drills here for Bradley Roby as the combine was. Dropped a few passes off his hands.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 7, 2014"

Adding depth in the secondary should be Cincinnati's goal. Bradley Roby is a project who doesn't show a lot of discipline in coverage, as he tries to make the spectacular play instead of staying in coverage. But he's got size, speed and solid instincts to be developed in time. 

25. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State

Ryan Shazier is not necessarily what the Chargers need, which is a 3-4 edge-rusher, but he's got great value as an outside linebacker who can play the left side, and he shows excellent tackling skills. 

26. Cleveland Browns (via Indianapolis): Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

Since it's assumed the Browns will get a quarterback with their first pick, it might be in their best interest to go after an offensive lineman to protect him or a run-stopping defensive lineman. 

But the value at this point is at wide receiver. Brandin Cooks is a freak on the outside. He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine, though he's small at just under 5'10" and 189 pounds. Pairing him with Josh Gordon on the outside, with Bridgewater under center, makes the Browns immediately more interesting than they have been in the last five years. 

27. New Orleans Saints: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

For all the good things Rob Ryan was able to do with the New Orleans defense in 2013, he couldn't fix the problems the team had in coverage. 

Jason Verrett would be a nice addition to a soft secondary, even with his less-than-ideal size, because of his speed, athleticism and excellent hands. 

28. Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

Steve Smith made headlines when he told ESPN's Josina Anderson, via ESPN.com's David Newton, that he didn't know what the future held for him: "Here’s all I have to say about it. I am working out and doing all the things as I am a Carolina Panther. That’s where I am. And I’ll continue to move forward until I am told otherwise."

That has led to a lot of speculation about the Panthers' future direction at wide receiver, but with or without Smith, they need help on the outside. Cam Newton evolved into a better passer last year. Now, it is time to see how high he can climb. 

Kelvin Benjamin made the biggest catch of the year for Florida State to beat Auburn in the BCS Championship Game. He's a matchup nightmare at 6'5" and 240 pounds. He also has terrific hands and solid speed, which plays up thanks to a long stride. 

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

The Patriots lost their defensive identity when Vince Wilfork got hurt in Week 4. They had no one ready to step in and replace his ability to stuff the run and create double-teams on the line. 

One thing Bill Belichick excels at is finding depth. Ra'Shede Hageman has the makings of an impact defensive tackle in the future, though he will need time to develop. He can get that in New England. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

The 49ers have needed to add depth in the secondary for two years. It's becoming a bigger point of emphasis with Tarell Brown hitting free agency and Carlos Rogers carrying an $8 million cap figure for 2014. 

With the top-tier cornerbacks off the board, Kyle Fuller will be San Francisco's pick. He's an ideal nickel player with discipline and instincts, though lacking pure coverage skills and a 4.49 40-yard dash do hurt his ceiling. 

31. Denver Broncos: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

Tim Sharp/Associated Press

The Broncos don't have a lot of explosion on the defensive line, which showed when Von Miller went down with an ACL injury last season. They need to find someone who can play on the line and disrupt the quarterback. 

Kony Ealy has excellent footwork, athleticism and power, giving him all the ingredients necessary to be a three-down lineman. 

32. Seattle Seahawks: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia

The Seahawks are built around a power running game and tenacious defense. It's surprising the latter works as well as it does considering how inconsistent the offensive line was last season. It ranked 26th overall, according to Pro Football Focus, putting more pressure on Marshawn Lynch's huge shoulders. 

Moses has the versatility to play either tackle position, though the left side is where he looks more comfortable. The Seahawks can slowly work him into the rotation with Russell Okung before making him a starter in 2015. 

Note: All combine results courtesy of NFL.com's results tracker.

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