2014 NFL Mock Draft: Breaking Down How Each Team Can Maximize 1st-Round Pick

Every mock draft is an adventure, but especially those of the 2014 variety, thanks to the stunning overall depth of a class headlined by the likes of Johnny Manziel and Jadeveon Clowney.

The possibilities are endless, but at the end of the day, teams are going to get an absolute maximum out of each first-round selection.

Now for the swerve—each team defines "maximum" in a different way. Here is how each team should act—not how it will—based on its overall outlook.

1. Houston Texans: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

It's fun to think the Houston Texans will go all out on the defensive side of things and pair Clowney with J.J. Watt. As great as that would be, though, it's just not ideal for a team with no real answer under center.

Houston has a much better roster than most give it credit for, and a quarterback who can play right away could make the difference.

Teddy Bridgewater is that is that difference. He's pro-ready and still has room to grow, especially when surrounded by weapons like Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins.

2. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins): Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Look, Sam Bradford is undeniably the future in St. Louis, and there are two ways to make sure he stays effective and on the field. 

St. Louis could nab a tackle this high, but with another pick soon and the talent disparity so minute between top tackles, it's a moot point. 

The same can't be said for wideout. Sammy Watkins is a franchise-changing player, and some scouts even consider him a better prospect than Cincinnati's A.J. Green, according to ESPN's Mel Kiper on the First Draft podcast, via Rotoworld.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

Pro day hype or not, Clowney doesn't seem like the right choice at either of the first two picks.

He makes perfect sense in Jacksonville.

Clowney is a rare prospect who changes the complexion of a defense rather quickly, which is something the unit in Jacksonville seriously needs.

Quarterback is also an option, but the impressive depth makes it easy for the Jaguars to get a David Fales or Derek Carr in Round 2.

4. Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

Many experts don't think Manziel will make it to No. 5.

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler is one such analyst:

Manziel is a total package who can start right away. Yes, he's got the uncanny ability to extend plays with his feet, but he also has a great arm and awareness of the game that makes him an ideal fit with the likes of Josh Gordon, Jordan Cameron and what may be a talented rookie taken later in the round.

5. Oakland Raiders: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

Oakland will be content to roll with Matt Schaub for at least one season as it instead upgrades other positions on what is easily the NFL's worst overall roster.

With the departure of Jared Veldheer, it only makes sense for Oakland to take the best tackle on the board. That's Greg Robinson, a promising prospect who can excel thanks to elite athleticism while he continues to develop.

6. Atlanta Falcons: Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

Clowney's pro day assured he won't take a dive to Atlanta, but the Falcons get an outstanding consolation prize with Khalil Mack.

While it is likely just due diligence, the coaching staff has put Mack through the paces, according to NFL Network's Gil Brandt:

Mack is the perfect fit with the Falcons, a team that continues to morph into one without a base defense.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

With Lovie Smith in town and Josh McCown the man under center, Tampa Bay needs to grab a running mate for Vincent Jackson. 

Mike Evans is a quality solution. He's a massive target in the Calvin Johnson mold and does a good job of simply bullying smaller defensive backs en route to a reception. 

That's a major plus in Tampa Bay. As an added bonus, he'll show well as a run-blocker for Doug Martin. 

8. Minnesota Vikings: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF

Many have jumped on Blake Bortles hype train, but the fact remains that he is a prospect at this stage, not a player who is a surefire quality rookie if he starts. That said, Bortles' upside is very, very high.

In Minnesota, it's a win-win situation. Bortles can sit and learn for a season or start and get help from the likes of Adrian Peterson and Cordarrelle Patterson.

Either way, the Vikings know the time is now to grab a new potential franchise quarterback.

9. Buffalo Bills: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina 

There are a number of ways Buffalo could go here, but to get top value, the front office has to look for the top player available at a position of need.

Eric Ebron is still on the board, and like Watkins, he's far and away the best at his position. The gap simply isn't worth the wait, whereas the team can still grab a quality offensive lineman in the second round.

Ebron makes life easier on EJ Manuel. He's a massive red-zone target and has the speed to break any short gain for a score.

10. Detroit Lions: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

Detroit is actually in a pretty bad spot at No. 10 overall, as needs simply don't align well with value on the board.

Darqueze Dennard is a bit of a reach, but he's the best way for Detroit to squeeze the most out of its pick. He can start right away thanks to his physicality. In a secondary where few young players have stepped up to cement starting gigs, Dennard stands out as the likeliest to do so right away.

11. Tennessee Titans: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

While no Gerald McCoy, Aaron Donald is set to make a major impact on the league as a rookie starter.

ESPN's Anthony Becht put it best:

Tennessee has a need for a player of Donald's talents as the defense undergoes a schematic change. He gives the unit instant production and flexibility.

12. New York Giants: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

A top tackle prospect won't stop Eli Manning from throwing interceptions, but it will give him more time to make better decisions.

Formerly in the conversation for the top overall pick, Jake Matthews remains the most pro-ready tackle in the class. That's saying a lot given the excess of talent available.

Even better, this move gives the Giants an elite prospect and also opens them up to add more offensive weapons in later rounds.

13. St. Louis Rams: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

Let's allow NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah to take it away:

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a superb fit with St. Louis, a team that has a sound defense overall but a glaring need next to T.J. McDonald in the defensive backfield. 

Clinton-Dix is rangy in coverage and has quality awareness in pursuit of the ball-carrier. He'll start and make a notable impact as the missing piece.

14. Chicago Bears: Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

ESPN's Todd McShay said on the aforementioned First Draft podcast that Chicago would "panic" if Donald was not on the board at No. 14.

Uh oh.

While apparently not their first choice, the Bears can take solace in the fact that Ra'Shede Hageman also happens to be an elite physical specimen who can both clog running lanes and apply interior pressure.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

Ike Taylor and Co. simply aren't getting it done, especially as age only continues to become more of a factor. An infusion of talented youth is what the franchise needs, and Justin Gilbert—who has been in the conversation as the top corner in the class for quite some time—is an ideal get at No. 15 overall.

Gilbert is strong in most facets. He'll struggle like any rookie corner, but he'll get other slower veterans off the field right away.

16. Dallas Cowboys: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

Kony Ealy won't blow away fans as a pass-rusher (he's certainly no DeMarcus Ware), but what he will do is immediately act as an every-down end who can rotate inside on third down.

That's simply what is needed in Dallas at this point as the cap-strapped Cowboys look to rebuild what is an overall mediocre unit. A solid all-around player to shore up a starting gig is the perfect step in the right direction.

17. Baltimore Ravens: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

Taylor Lewan is the epitome of a high-risk, high-reward player, as Brugler helps to explain:

Baltimore will be comfortable with the risk thanks to a strong environment led by veterans. It helps that there is a huge need for a tackle too. Joe Flacco could have played better last season and Ray Rice was a mess. Getting an elite prospect like Lewan helps to ease those concerns.

18. New York Jets: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech

The objective in New York is quite simple: get the most out of the quarterback position.

As much as Rex Ryan would love to grab an elite defensive prospect, he won't have a job much longer if the quarterback he drafted turns out to be a dud.

In an attempt to ensure Geno Smith's future success, Ryan will go out and gets Jace Amaro, who can line up anywhere on the field and easily move the chains thanks to his consistent hands.

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

Easy.

Look, Miami is not doing much in two out of the first three rounds outside of grabbing the top talent available in the offensive trenches.

Zack Martin is a special pick, though, as his versatility to play inside or out gives the team options as to how the unit shapes up.

20. Arizona Cardinals: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama

Bruce Arians, as one of the NFL's smartest offensive minds, understands that the play in his offensive trenches has to continue to improve. The addition of Veldheer helps, but Arians can do even better by adding a franchise right tackle to boot.

Like Andre Smith before him, Cyrus Kouandjio is a punishing right tackle who immediately upgrades the line. He'll make Andre Ellington's life much, much easier next season.

21. Green Bay Packers: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama

B.J. Raji is back in the mix, so Green Bay can look to upgrade the defense elsewhere. Linebacker is a swell choice, as the team is seriously in need of a rangy, sideline-to-sideline 'backer who can keep a good read on running backs and drop into coverage if necessary.

C.J. Mosley is the victim of a very deep class, so the Packers get a massive steal here. He'll be in strong contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville

Philadelphia just so happens to be one of the safety-neediest teams around, so the front office is surely happy to see Green Bay pass on a safety at this point.

As Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer points out, coach Chip Kelly personally made the trip to Louisville's pro day:

There was an allure with Bridgewater there, but the more realistic focal point was Calvin Pryor. He's a rangy safety who abuses running backs and can hold his own in coverage. He slides right in next to Malcolm Jenkins.

23. Kansas City Chiefs: Marqise Lee, WR, USC

Like Philadelphia, one can guess that Kansas City has showed its hand as of late, per Herbie Teope of the Associated Press:

Alex Smith needs more targets, so the acquisition of a talent like Marqise Lee makes a lot of sense. While not a massive target, Lee can move the chains and has the speed to break a small play open.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

Cincinnati is long in the tooth at cornerback, so it makes sense that a team with no immediate need looks toward the future.

Funnily enough, Kyle Fuller is a prospect who can still have an immediate impact thanks to his sound overall game. He'll start on special teams and possibly see looks in certain packages.

Fuller is a great value overall, and experts like Brugler think very highly of him:

25. San Diego Chargers: Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame

San Diego surely waited with bated breath as the board developed, but the Chargers get their guy at No. 25 with Louis Nix, the top 3-4 nose tackle available this year.

Nix's ability to clog lanes changes the complexion of a defense that was quietly very good in spurts last season. The Notre Dame product gives his linebackers even more space to operate, which in turn will help to keep the secondary out of coverage for long stretches.

26. Cleveland Browns (via Indianapolis): Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU

Cleveland has a franchise quarterback and a host of weapons, but it still needs another option across from Gordon.

Odell Beckham Jr. is as good as it gets. Were it not for his stature (5'11"), he would have been off the board long ago. Bleacher Report's Ian Kenyon illustrates this notion best:

Beckham will run wild in Cleveland's offense, as the team simply has too many weapons for defenses to adequately defend.

27. New Orleans Saints: Anthony Barr, OLB/DE, UCLA

The defense in New Orleans will only continue to improve under the guidance of Rob Ryan, but an infusion of talent via the draft certainly won't hurt things.

Anything Barr's stock is all over the place, but a deep class and his one-dimensional skill set make it realistic that he is one of the unfortunate few who takes a nose dive on draft day.

Barr will get a shot at redemption in New Orleans, where he'll be put in the best position to succeed. Conversely, the Saints will add another talented rusher to a scary unit.

28. Carolina Panthers: Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State 

Allen Robinson is a scrappy receiver who will surprise many when he comes off the board in the first round. Jeremiah lists one of Robinson's most admirable traits:

Robinson will put those skills to great use in Carolina. The Panthers are far from done with the wideout position given the severity of the depth chart, but Robinson certainly has the upside to develop into a No. 1 receiver.

29. New England Patriots: Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame

With multiple injuries to Rob Gronkowski fresh on the mind, the New England Patriots sit in a good spot to grab a top tight end prospect.

Like Kyle Rudolph before him, Troy Niklas is a strong Notre Dame product who touts a pro-ready game that will allow him to produce right away. He can act as the No. 1 should Gronkowski get hurt or simply be a nice complement in a scary passing attack.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

San Francisco finds itself in a great position, as a wealth of talent at wideout has taken a nosedive down the board, but the 49ers really luck out with Brandin Cooks.

Cooks is an ideal player in San Francisco to complement Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree, as his speed and versatility to line up at any spot on the field will help to put the passing portion of the offense over the top.

31. Denver Broncos: Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State

Ryan Shazier is just what Denver needs as a great value pick near the end of the first round. The Ohio State product can play inside or out thanks his supreme athleticism, which does much to give the Broncos options.

Not only can Shazier snuff out the run with consistency, he can drop into coverage with the best in the class and also provide a decent pass rush if asked.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

By definition, the Super Bowl champs get a luxury pick, as the roster is considered the best and any additional talent is a surplus. But Seattle does have areas of need, and depth at corner isn't a horrible way to go—especially when a prospect like Jason Verrett is on the board.

Verrett plays with extreme prejudice and excels against the run when he's not physically throwing down with bigger receivers in coverage. He's an ideal fit in Seattle in more ways than one.

Note: All free-agency signing info courtesy of ESPN.