2014 NFL Mock Draft: Top Talents Sliding Down the 1st Round

So much of the NFL's predraft process is focused on the top talents available and names moving up after all these workouts that it's easy to overlook the players who aren't going to have a good time when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell steps up to the podium. 

There are a variety of reasons that players fall on draft day. Sometimes it's easy to predict because teams didn't like something in the medicals or there just isn't the value based on where teams are picking. 

Whatever the reasons, it happens every year. Don't expect 2014 to be any different, especially with so much depth at key positions like cornerback and wide receiver. There's enough value to be found in the later rounds that teams may pull off surprises early. 

Here is our latest mock draft, with a special look at names sliding down in the first round.  

*All free-agent signing info according to NFL.com. 

*All prospect height, weight and combine numbers per NFL.com

*Italicized names are sliding down the draft boards. 

1. Houston Texans (2-14): Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

Clowney started the draft process as a one-dimensional pass-rusher and is ending it as one of the most dynamic defensive ends to come out in recent memory. NFL.com draft analyst Mike Mayock has said the South Carolina star reminds him of Hall of Famer Bruce Smith: 

"

As good or better an athlete than Mario Williams. Reminds me of Bruce Smith back in his heyday. As good a natural athlete that has ever played this position.

From a god-given, natural physical ability (standpoint), he's got more than anybody that's ever played defensive end.

"

If that's not enough for the Texans to take Clowney with the No. 1 overall pick, I don't know what is. 

2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington, 3-13): Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

The Rams are in an ideal spot where they can find the player who will protect Sam Bradford's blind side with their first pick and upgrade another area in the middle of the first round. 

Robinson's stock continues to soar following one impressive workout after another. He can be the new Orlando Pace for this franchise. 

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12): Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida 

A lot will be made of Blake Bortles' pro day in which the star quarterback showed tremendous accuracy and touch on his 65 passes. Combine that workout with ideal height (6'4") and a team in desperate need of a quarterback, and it's a perfect fit. 

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville 

It's hard to say that a player taken fourth overall is sliding, but the bloom appears to be off the rose for Teddy Bridgewater, following what NFL Network's (via Pro Football Talk) Mike Mayock called "an average at best" pro day. 

But Bridgewater certainly didn't do himself any favors by having a lackluster performance in shorts and a T-shirt. He shouldn't fall too far, simply because teams needing quarterbacks are always going to reach for a player (see: Christian Ponder, Blaine Gabbert). 

Also working in Bridgewater's favor is years of game tape at Louisville showing the 21-year-old making plays with his arm, creating plays with his feet and a completion percentage of 71 last season. 

5. Oakland Raiders (4-12): Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

The Raiders don't need to reach for a quarterback at this spot, especially with similar talents being available in the second round. Instead, they can opt to upgrade their offensive line with a franchise tackle who will protect the future quarterback whenever they decide to draft him. 

6. Atlanta Falcons (4-12): Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

This is a dream scenario for the Falcons, who desperately need an impact edge-rusher. Khalil Mack offers so much more than just the ability to get after the quarterback. He's a playmaker extraordinaire, showing skills in pass coverage and attacking the run. 

Whether or not the Falcons shift to more 3-4 defensive sets, Mack will be a perfect fit in head coach Mike Smith's scheme. 

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

If the Buccaneers are going to bet on Josh McCown as their quarterback, they can learn a thing or two from his success with Chicago last year. The Bears had two weapons on the outside, in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, who allowed McCown to throw it up so they could go get it. 

Lovie Smith's team already has Vincent Jackson on the outside, so pairing him with Sammy Watkins could lead to big things for an offense that does have the talent to be much better than it showed last year. 

8. Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1): Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

There isn't a more polarizing player in this draft than Johnny Manziel. Those who love him, like former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, think the former Heisman winner should stay in Texas when Houston makes its first pick. 

Those who have questions talk about Johnny Football, like Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, talk about his lack of size, volume of hits he takes, inconsistent mechanics and high-maintenance personality. 

Manziel remains in the No. 8 spot to Minnesota, despite Zimmer's reservations, because the team is desperate for a quarterback, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Vikings go in a different direction and set up the Texas A&M quarterback for a free fall. 

9. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

Despite being just an average athlete, Taylor Lewan's raw strength and fundamentals make him a top-10 pick in this draft. He's going to serve a very important purpose for the Bills—protecting E.J. Manuel to see if he can be the franchise's quarterback of the future. 

10. Detroit Lions (7-9): Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

Even with the addition of Golden Tate, the Lions need to add another weapon on the outside to take pressure off Calvin Johnson. Tate is best used in the slot, so adding a big-body pass-catcher who can separate and get the ball at its highest point is vital. 

Just imagine how much better Matthew Stafford can get with Megatron on one side of the field and the 6'5" Evans on the other.

11. Tennessee Titans (7-9): Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA

Alex Gallardo

There are some raw talents who have so much upside that even though there are safer bets on the board, teams fall in love with the ceiling and believe they can harness the talent. 

Anthony Barr falls into that category as an unpolished outside edge-rusher who doesn't fare well dropping into coverage and struggles to wrap up bigger running backs. Fortunately, the NFL is desperate for pass-rushers, so the UCLA product will be taken higher than his present talent warrants. 

12. New York Giants (7-9): Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

Eric Ebron has the hands and route-running ability of Jimmy Graham with the speed of a wide receiver (4.6 40-yard dash at the combine). The Giants need to find that weapon/safety net over the middle to save Eli Manning from himself. 

13. St. Louis Rams (7-9): Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State 

Justin Gilbert is the ideal cornerback for today's NFL. He has size (6'0"), strength (202 lbs.), speed (4.37 40-yard dash at the combine), and an excellent eye to stop receivers in their tracks and reading quarterback's eyes. 

It would be a steal for the Rams to land the Oklahoma State product with the No. 13 pick in this draft. 

14. Chicago Bears (8-8): Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

Aaron Donald is one player who validates the entire predraft process. Before working out for teams, B/R NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller had the Pittsburgh defensive tackle as a fourth-round pick in December. 

Now, less than one month from the draft, Miller has Donald going No. 12 to the Giants. I'm not quite ready to go that high with him, though it wouldn't be a surprise. Despite being undersized (6'1", 285 lbs), he makes up for it with tremendous speed off the line and surprising power against bigger linemen. 

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8): Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

While not as tall as Richard Sherman (6'3"), Darqueze Dennard's (5'11") ability to play at the line and outmuscle receivers makes him a similar type of player. He's outstanding at frustrating receivers before they can get into their route then proceeding to make a play on the ball by reading the quarterback. 

16. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State

Timmy Jernigan is one of those players whose tape is all over the place. There are moments of brilliance that make him look like a sure-fire top-15 pick, as B/R's Matt Miller noted: 

"

Watching @TimmyJernigan run down Jordan Lynch on this FSU/NIU film is a thing of beauty.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 11, 2014"

Then there are moments and games where the Florida State defensive tackle seems to get lost in the shuffle, as pointed out by Sports Illustrated's Doug Farrar: 

"

I don't know what to think of Timmy Jernigan, except to say that I feel I should like his tape more than I actually do.

— SI_DougFarrar (@SI_DougFarrar) April 10, 2014"

What better place for a player with such an extreme scouting report to go than Dallas, where inconsistency is Jerry Jones' specialty. Jernigan does have the ceiling to be a quality defensive tackle, an area the Cowboys desperately need to shore up. 

17. Baltimore Ravens (8-8): C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama

C.J. Mosley would be a top-15 pick if he didn't miss so much time in college due to injuries. His loss will be Baltimore's gain, as the Ravens need to get younger and more physical at the linebacker position following the great purge they went through after winning the Super Bowl. 

18. New York Jets (8-8): Marqise Lee, WR, USC

Alex Gallardo

Having added Eric Decker, a quality No. 3/slot receiver, in free agency, the Jets may opt to go a different direction with their first pick and address wide receiver later since there is good value in Rounds 2 and 3.

The allure of Lee, who entered the season as a potential top-10 pick, should be too great for Rex Ryan to ignore. The USC product isn't a burner on the outside but gets such easy separation because of his ability to run routes and jump over defensive backs. 

19. Miami Dolphins (8-8): Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame

This is the perfect spot for Martin to go, and it's the right pick for the Dolphins to make. Ryan Tannehill has gotten destroyed in his first two years because of a porous offensive line, yet he managed to increase his completion percentage, yards and touchdowns from 2012 to 2013. 

Imagine what Tannehill can do with Branden Albert and Martin blocking on either side of him. 

20. Arizona Cardinals (10-6): Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

The Cardinals will boast one of the most dangerous safety duos in football by pairing Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, an outstanding player in pass coverage and run defense, with last year's star rookie Tyrann Mathieu. 

21. Green Bay Packers (8-7-1): Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame

Michael Conroy

Louis Nix has 3-4 defensive tackle written all over him, which makes him a strong fit for Dom Capers' defense. The Packers need to add more depth up front, especially with B.J. Raji getting long in the tooth.

Unfortunately a player like Nix doesn't provide much versatility on the defensive line, which led Mel Kiper of ESPN (Insider subscription required) to suggest the Notre Dame stalwart could end up sliding toward the end of the second round. 

22. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville

There are a number of directions the Eagles can go with this pick, most of them on defense, but the best fit is a hard-hitting safety who can get after the ball. 

Chip Kelly specializes in building exciting offenses, but he needs to find some attitude on the other side of the ball for this team to take the next step following last year's surprise playoff run. Pryor is the first step to getting where the Eagles need to go. 

23. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5): Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

Alex Smith needs help to be an effective quarterback. He's got the running game and one outside weapon in Dwayne Bowe but needs another speed threat to maximize his limited skill set. 

Brandin Cooks fits more in the Julian Edelman-Wes Welker category of receivers (smaller slot guys who can create in open space), which will be a perfect fit for Andy Reid's West Coast passing style. 

24. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5): Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin

While undersized at 5'11" and 248 lbs., Chris Borland is an outstanding playmaker at inside linebacker. He defends the run well, showing speed and surprising strength given his size, and can drop into coverage against tight ends. 

This may be a little high for a player with Borland's limited measurements, but the Bengals are still trying to find a facilitator on the second level of the defense. Cornerback is a position they could look to fill here, but the Wisconsin linebacker gives head coach Marvin Lewis' D some much-needed swagger. 

25. San Diego Chargers (9-7): Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama

Michael Conroy

Cyrus Kouandjio's misfortune will turn out to be San Diego's gain, as the mammoth Alabama tackle (6'7", 322 lbs.) has the raw talent to be a first-round pick but lacks the consistency to be a sure-fire top-32 pick. 

There are also serious concerns about Kouandjio's ability to stay healthy at the next level. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported at the combine that several teams didn't like what they were seeing in Kouandjio's knees: 

"

Bad news for #Bama OT Cyrus Kouandjio. I’m told several teams have failed him on his physical. Arthritic knee from failed surgery. “Ugly.”

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 22, 2014"

Given Alabama's history of developing offensive linemen, as well as San Diego's need, Kouandjio shouldn't make it past this spot. It's just not where the young man expected to be taken when he declared for the draft. 

26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis, 11-5): Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU 

The addition of Teddy Bridgewater with the fourth pick gives the Browns some flexibility at this spot, though giving the rookie quarterback another weapon to pair with Josh Gordon can really enhance the development process. 

Odell Beckham Jr. has the speed (4.43 40 at the combine) to stretch the field and excellent hands to make plays in traffic. He's a bit small at 5'11", so a role in the slot early in his career might be the best thing. 

27. New Orleans Saints (11-5): Dee Ford, DE, Auburn

Rob Ryan's defense relies so heavily on blitzes that it leaves New Orleans' already weak secondary vulnerable over the top too often, and teams can exploit that. 

Dee Ford will give Ryan a new toy on the defensive line. He's a tweener who can play off the edge in a 3-4 scheme, which Ryan claims to run, or on the line in a 4-3 scheme, which is closer to what Ryan runs. 

28. Carolina Panthers (12-4): Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

We get so caught up in the speed of wide receivers that someone like Kelvin Benjamin, who ran a 4.61 40-yard dash at the combine, doesn't immediately stand out from the pack. At least until you realize that 6'5", 240 lbs. is a different type of advantage. 

In this era of bigger, more physical cornerbacks, Benjamin is the kind of player who can cause opponents all sorts of problems. That's what the Panthers—and Cam Newton—need after losing their entire receiving corps from 2013. 

29. New England Patriots (12-4): Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

The Patriots are in an interesting spot this draft. They are obviously contenders for a Super Bowl, especially after signing Darrelle Revis, but have gotten old at a lot of key positions. Vince Wilfork, 32, is fantastic when he's healthy, though his injury last season showed how soft the defensive line is. 

Ra'Shede Hageman can rotate in and out this season behind Wilfork, easing pressure on the longtime veteran and allowing the rookie to develop before eventually taking over full time in the not-too-distant future. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (12-4): Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State 

The 49ers are just hoping that someone in the group of Bradley Roby, Jason Verrett and Kyle Fuller are still on the board when they pick, because their current cornerback group is a mess.

They lost Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown, and Chris Culliver has off-field issues that include a felony charge and two misdemeanors due to an alleged hit-and-run incident, according to USA Today. 

31. Denver Broncos (13-3): Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State

The Broncos have already gotten more athletic on defense this offseason with the additions of Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward and DeMarcus Ware. Now they can add youthful athleticism to the mix in the form of Ryan Shazier. 

One of the best instinctual linebackers in this class, Shazier moves all over the field and hits with authority. He will be a monster playing behind this defensive line. 

32. Seattle Seahawks (13-3): Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State

The Seahawks need to find a replacement for Golden Tate, who was Russell Wilson's most reliable target. Davante Adams has excellent hands, great acceleration off the line of scrimmage and separates better than his 4.56 40 time at the combine suggests. 

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