NFL Mock Draft 2014: Safe Routes for Every First-Round Team

Should NFL teams always go the safe route in the draft process? It's hard to say. No matter if the pick that is made is considered safe or risky, if the player doesn't pan out, the general manager will still be vilified for the selection.

Because of that, it's probably a little more understandable when teams elect to pick the player it feels most comfortable with.

If he does turn out to be a bust, the team can at least take some solace in the fact that most teams would have made the same selection.

In this mock draft, we concentrate on the safest pick for each team's selection in the first round.

1. Houston Texans - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

RAINIER EHRHARDT

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller may have helped to remove the suspense out of the beginning of the draft.

Per Miller, the Texans may have already decided that Clowney will indeed be the first pick in the draft.

Putting Clowney on the same defensive line with J.J. Watt is a scary thought for opposing quarterbacks.

2. St. Louis Rams - Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

Solidifying the left side of the offensive line is obviously important. Robinson has the most upside of any offensive lineman in the draft because of his athleticism. The Rams shouldn't pass on this guy.

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

The Jaguars need a quarterback and a reason for non-hardcore fans to watch the team on Sundays.

Manziel has tremendous natural talent, and he'd immediately make the Jags must-see TV.

4. Cleveland Browns - Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida

At some point, the Browns need to target a quarterback of the future who isn't already 25 years old or older.

Many believe Bortles is good enough to go as high as No. 1.

He could very well be the best signal caller in the draft. The Browns already have a No. 1 receiver in Josh Gordon, and a good young tight end in Jordan Cameron. This is a fairly good situation for a young quarterback to step into.

5. Oakland Raiders - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

The Raiders don't have a top-notch receiving option on the roster. Watkins is without question the best wideout in the draft.

He'd give Matt Schaub an Andre Johnson-like weapon in 2014. Watkins is close to realizing his dream of playing in the NFL.

His hunger should be attractive to NFL teams. Watch and listen to him talk about his journey:

6. Atlanta Falcons - Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo

The Falcons desperately need a pass rusher. If Clowney wasn't in this draft, Mack would stand head and shoulders above the rest of the class in that category.

His motor and athleticism will make him a force off the edge.

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

Newly-signed Josh McCown needs weapons.

The bigger the receivers, the better. He already has Vincent Jackson to throw to. Adding Evans would give McCown two huge targets, just like he had in 2013 with the Chicago Bears.

8. Minnesota Vikings - Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA

Alex Gallardo

With Jared Allen gone, the Vikes need another defensive playmaker. Barr's speed and agility are exceptional for an edge rusher.

He should be the pick here in this scenario.

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

The Bills need to get their young quarterback a safety blanket.

Ebron is a big target at 6'4" 250 pounds. But he runs well and has excellent hands. His presence could play a big role in EJ Manuel's maturation process

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

Hands down, Gilbert is the most explosive cover corner in the draft. Of every player at his position, he has the best opportunity to become a star.

The Lions need a presence in the secondary to help take pressure off its hyped defensive line.

11. Tennessee Titans - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

There are three reasons the Titans should make this pick:

Matthews' father Bruce played 18 years for the franchise and is currently the team's offensive line coach. Current left tackle Michael Roos is a free agent after this season, and Jake is one heck of a prospect.

That just about covers all bases.

12. New York Giants - C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama

Butch Dill

Getting younger has to be the Giants top priority. Mosley's experience leading a top-notch defense in college should be too much to pass up.

Look for him to be a front runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

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

Back-to-back Bama picks here. The Rams have a void at the safety position, and Clinton-Dix is the best player at the position in the draft.

The Rams could possibly draft the two best players at two positions of need. If the team finds a quality wideout in a later round, this could be the draft we look back to as the most important in the team's drive to a Super Bowl.

14. Chicago Bears - Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

Donald's motor is one of his best assets.

His skill set is ideal for the Bears' Tampa-2 scheme, and he could have an excellent rookie season with Jared Allen, Lamar Houston and Willie Young flanking him.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

The Steelers also need to get younger on defense. Dennard's toughness and physicality is a perfect fit for the Steelers way.

He could be a great replacement for Ike Taylor.

16. Dallas Cowboys - Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State

Simply put, Shazier is a missile. The Cowboys defense is so bad, it just needs the best and most explosive player it can find on that side of the ball.

At No. 16, Shazier is that guy.

Here he talks to the media after his impressive pro day.

17. Baltimore Ravens - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

Getting back to a power running game, and protecting Joe Flacco is paramount for the Ravens.

Flacco needs another weapon in the passing game, but he could also benefit greatly from a football nasty tackle like Lewan.

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

Lee is the perfect fit for an offense that needs a deep threat in the passing game.

His speed and ability to get behind the defense is just what Geno Smith and Michael Vick need. 

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

Martin's versatility is a major plus. He can probably play every position on the line. That's especially attractive for Miami considering the offensive line needs help at multiple spots. 

Ryan Tannehill was sacked 48 times in 2013. The 'Fins' have to send him some help, and soon.

20. Arizona Cardinals - Xavier Su'a-Filo, G, UCLA

Michael Conroy

Behind a stout defense, the Cardinals made themselves a legit playoff threat until the very end of the 2013 regular season. This is a team that will find the most success if it improves its ground game to complement the defense.

Arizona had the 23rd-rated run offense in the NFL last season. Tabbing an imposing interior lineman like Su'a-Filo could instantly help boost the team in that area.

21. Green Bay Packers - Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville

Filling the need at safety would be wise for the Packers. Pryor is a big hitter and there might be some concern as to whether he can curtail his aggression to fit the NFL's tighter collision rules.

If he can, he will be a force for the team.

22. Philadelphia Eagles - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

With DeSean Jackson gone, the Eagles could still benefit from a home-run threat at receiver, and a player who can wreak havoc in the return game.

Cooks can do both.

He'd make an excellent selection for Philly at No. 22.

23. Kansas City Chiefs - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU

The West Coast offense, and Alex Smith's moderate arm strength necessitates playmakers at wideout who can turn short passes into big gains.

Beckham can be an even bigger addition to the offense than Dexter McCluster was.

24. Cincinnati Bengals - Dee Ford, DE, Auburn

With Michael Johnson gone via free agency, the Bengals need to restore depth to the defensive end position. Ford has impressed with his ability to get into the backfield.

He could be a future contributor in Cincinnati.

25. San Diego Chargers - Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

Though he's only 5'9", Verrett's speed and competitiveness makes him stand out. The 'Bolts' secondary was atrocious in 2013. The team needs an upgrade at corner and Verrett is the best available at this point in the draft.

26. Cleveland Browns - Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama

Now that the Browns have a franchise quarterback in place, targeting offensive lineman to protect him is a smart move.

Kouandjio is a bit raw. But at just 20 years old, standing 6'7" and weighing 322 pounds, his upside is enormous. 

27. New Orleans Saints - Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia

The Saints missed Jermon Bushrod's presence last season. It's time the team start looking for another young offensive tackle who can be groomed to provide the time and peace of mind Bushrod once did.

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

Cam Newton can't feel good about what his wide receiver corps looks like right now. Benjamin is 6'5" 240 pounds with ability to high point the ball in traffic.

He could be an instant red zone threat for Newton.

29. New England Patriots - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Are you looking for the shocker pick of this mock draft? You just found it. Here's the thought process behind this pick. There's three or four highly regarded quarterbacks in this draft.

Many of the teams picking early have a need for a signal caller, but some may not elect to use their first-round selection on one, i.e. the Texans at No. 1.

Once we get to the middle of the first round, teams like the Giants, Bears, Dolphins, Eagles, Cardinals and others aren't likely to spring for a first-round QB to be a long-term backup.

The Patriots however, have to start thinking about Tom Brady's successor. The player who would ideally step into this role would be a smart, humble player willing to learn from a legend for a year or two before getting his opportunity.

Bridgewater has the skill set, intelligence and temperament to handle this role. All parties would be better off with this move.

30. San Francisco 49ers - Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State

Robinson proved his mettle as a physical specimen at his pro day. He wowed scouts with a reported 4.42 40-yard dash time.

The Niners need to get younger at receiver. Robinson could learn from Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin before ultimately taking over for the latter.

31. Denver Broncos - Ra'Shede Hagemen, DT, Minnesota

Physically, Hagemen reminds me of former Pro Bowler Marcus Stroud. Hagemen has the size and athletic ability to collapse the pocket and plug up running lanes.

His work ethic has been questioned, but a winning environment in Denver could be just what the doctor ordered.

32. Seattle Seahawks - Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, TE, Washington

After starring for the Washington Huskies, ASJ would be a great fit for Seattle. The tight end position is about the only spot the Seahawks don't have an absolute stud.