2014 NFL First-Round Mock Re-Draft

Every decade or so, it seems a particular NFL draft is widely regarded for its dominance at a particular position. The 1983 draft is still talked about for its six first-round quarterbacks, which included future Hall of Fame passers Dan Marino, John Elway and Jim Kelly. The 2012 draft class has a chance to equal the famous '83 draft in quarterback play, as Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill and Nick Foles have all experienced varying periods of success. 

After just 16 games, it's obvious the 2014 class has a chance to be the greatest ever at the wide receiver position. I don't think it's a stretch to say multiple receivers will one day make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Just look at the talent among these rookies. Odell Beckham was the single most dominant receiver in the league over the season's final three months. Mike Evans reached 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns despite poor quarterback play. Kelvin Benjamin effectively replaced Steve Smith as the Panthers' go-to receiving weapon. There's Sammy Watkins, Jordan Matthews, Jarvis Landry and Martavis Bryant. The list goes on and on. 

It's not just the receivers, however. The depth in the 2014 draft class was expected to be tremendous and it looks like draft analysts knew exactly what they were talking about. 

But what if teams had the opportunity to watch how each player performed during his rookie season and then go back and re-draft from their original draft position? So, for example, Houston clearly wouldn't take consensus top prospect Jadeveon Clowney again. As a rookie, Clowney recorded zero sacks and struggled with multiple injuries, including microfracture knee surgery.

Instead, the Texans would likely take a quarterback especially after a) Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr both looked the part of a franchise quarterback and b) the Texans won nine games despite using four ineffective signal-callers. 

This re-draft goes by the original projected 2014 order, so for example, Buffalo picks ninth even though during the draft it traded with Cleveland to move up to the fourth pick.

Don't forget that no player from the team's actual 2014 draft class will be on the roster yet. So, for example, the Jaguars, picking third, will miss out on one of the draft's top two quarterbacks, according to my re-draft. So they could pass on a quarterback and choose to start veteran Chad Henne for the 2014 season.

They could select Blake Bortles, since he's available, knowing he's still a question mark as a long-term starter. Or they could grab one of the top remaining players from the rookie class, such as rush linebacker Khalil Mack or wide receiver Odell Beckham.

The most interesting decision was what to do when a top prospect was clearly outplayed by a mid first-round player. The best example would be on the offensive line, where No. 2 and No. 6 picks, Greg Robinson and Jake Matthews, respectively, both played poorly as rookies. But they're also considered to have the highest ceilings. Should they be picked over mid first-round players at the same position, like Taylor Lewan and Zack Martin, who played much better but might not have as high of a ceiling? That was ultimately my dilemma. 

It's a little complicated, but you've likely seen these before so here's my take on re-drafting the first round of the 2014 draft. These picks are based on what I would do, NOT what I think the team would do. I eliminated all draft-day trades, using the original 32-team draft order we all became so familiar with in our mock drafts. So, here they are, picks 1 through 32.  

1) Houston Texans: Teddy Bridgewater, QB

Actual pick: Jadeveon Clowney, DE

The disastrous pick of top prospect Jadeveon Clowney likely cost the Houston Texans a playoff berth in Bill O'Brien's first season. You can't fault the Texans for grabbing the biggest impact defensive player in years, but after his recent microfracture knee surgery it's safe to wonder if he'll ever be an elite player.

Instead, the Texans get to pick quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who every single team passed on at least once before he was picked 32nd overall by the Vikings. Bridgewater played particularly well in the season's final month, finishing with rookie numbers that match up extremely well with Joe Flacco's rookie year. With a quarterback guru like O'Brien, he'd have had the Texans competing with Andrew Luck's Colts for the AFC South division title.

2) St. Louis Rams: Derek Carr, QB

Actual pick: Greg Robinson, OT

The Rams had to have been a little disappointed by Greg Robinson's rookie season, as he didn't earn a starting job until the season's fifth game. With the emergence of rookie Derek Carr, it makes sense for the Rams to use their first of two first-round picks on a future franchise quarterback.

Carr threw for 21 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions, joining Russell Wilson as the only rookies in league history to start every game and throw at least nine more touchdowns than picks. With as bad as the Raiders' supporting cast was in 2014, it's safe to say Carr would have enjoyed similar success with the Rams. He would also allow the team to finally move on from oft-injured former No. 1 overall draft pick Sam Bradford and his ridiculous contract. 

3) Jacksonville Jaguars: Khalil Mack, OLB

Actual pick: Blake Bortles, QB

The Jaguars could select quarterback Blake Bortles, their original selection. But Bortles didn't have a particularly impressive rookie season, throwing for just 11 touchdowns against 17 interceptions. More importantly, the eye test says Bortles's status as a franchise signal-caller is still in doubt.

But Khalil Mack, a player head coach Gus Bradley had to have been drooling over last May, is the Jags' pick in the re-draft. Mack was the most impressive rookie in the league this season, as he rated as the second-best player in the entire NFL, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). His impact on the run game and as a pass-rusher would make him the cornerstone of the Jags' franchise for the next decade. Of course, they'd still need a quarterback. 

4) Cleveland Browns: Odell Beckham, WR

Actual pick: Sammy Watkins (Buffalo)

What actually happened here was Buffalo trading up from the ninth to the fourth spot to acquire Sammy Watkins. In this mock re-draft, I didn't do any trades, and it's probably a good thing because you have to wonder if there's any team in the top 15 that wouldn't try to trade up for the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year, Odell Beckham.

As it stands, Beckham is selected by the Browns. If Josh Gordon ever gets his head on straight, the combination of Beckham and Josh Gordon has a chance to rank with the best receiving duos in the history of the NFL. 

5) Oakland Raiders: Mike Evans, WR

Actual pick: Khalil Mack, LB

Give credit to the Oakland Raiders who finally nailed it—NAILED it—with one of their first-round picks. Khalil Mack is the likely Defensive Rookie of the Year, the kind of player to build a franchise around. Unfortunately, he was selected third overall by the Jaguars in the re-draft.

Since the Raiders basically need help at every position, I went with the best remaining player available, and that was receiver Mike Evans. Odell Beckham stole the show with his otherworldly rookie year but it was Evans who quietly recorded 68 catches for 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns. Now get the Raiders a quarterback and you'll have the makings of a decent offense. 

6) Atlanta Falcons: Aaron Donald, DT

Actual pick: Jake Matthews, OT

The Atlanta Falcons' original pick, Jake Matthews, had a really disappointing season. Forced to move to left tackle because of a season-ending injury to Sam Baker, Matthews rated as the worst player in the entire NFL, per Pro Football Focus. He did play through a sprained ankle and he still has a bright future, but in a re-draft, the Falcons need a "win now" type of player.

They're weak in the trenches, and defensive tackle Aaron Donald, a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year, will immediately become the Falcons' best defensive player. It's not out of the question to hypothesize whether the selection of Donald instead of Matthews could have vaulted the Falcons into the playoffs. 

7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zack Martin, OL

Actual pick: Mike Evans, WR

With their original 2014 pick, Mike Evans, already off the board, the Buccaneers need to focus on rebuilding one of the game's worst offensive lines. They have a number of candidates and no selection would be incorrect, whether they take Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews, Taylor Lewan or Zack Martin. Robinson and Matthews were considered top-five prospects but both played poorly as rookies. Lewan and Martin both played well, but it was Martin who was easily the best.

An under-the-radar Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate, Martin graded as the seventh-best guard in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus, surrendering no sacks and just eight quarterback hurries. He can also play any position on the offensive line. I'll take the dominant rookie over a potentially dominant player, like Robinson or Matthews, who hasn't come close to showing his full potential yet. 

8) Minnesota Vikings: Blake Bortles, QB

Actual pick: Justin Gilbert (Cleveland)

This is a tough call for the Minnesota Vikings, who on draft day traded this pick to the Cleveland Browns. With the only two legitimate starting quarterbacks already selected, do they trust offensive coordinator Norv Turner to develop Central Florida's Blake Bortles into a reliable NFL starter? I think they do. 

9) Buffalo Bills: Sammy Watkins, WR

Actual pick: Anthony Barr, LB (Minnesota)

In this mock re-draft, the Bills don't make the brutal decision to move up and select Sammy Watkins, thus forfeiting a 2015 first-round pick and any potential franchise quarterback. But since there's no quarterback worth taking this high, they'll ironically opt for the player they actually took, Sammy Watkins. And this time, they'll keep that 2015 first-round pick. 

10) Detroit Lions: Jake Matthews, OT

Actual pick: Eric Ebron, TE

The selection of Eric Ebron didn't make a lot of sense when it happened, as the Lions have Brandon Pettigrew and last year's red-zone weapon, Joseph Fauria. Even with his rookie year struggles, Jake Matthews is a future Pro Bowler who will solidify the left side of the Lions' offensive line. It was tempting to grab a top-notch defensive player but the Lions really need more help on the offensive side of the ball. 

11) Tennessee Titans: C.J. Mosley, LB

Actual pick: Taylor Lewan, OT

Anthony Barr was a popular mock to the Titans last May. He's still on the board but I went with former Alabama star C.J. Mosley, who quietly turned in a legitimate Pro Bowl season. The Titans have perhaps the worst roster in the league, so they could stick with their original pick, Taylor Lewan, and attempt to solidify their offensive line. But Mosley is the right guy for their newly established 3-4 defense. 

12) New York Giants: Chris Borland, LB

Actual pick: Odell Beckham, WR

The Giants had one of the steals of the draft in Odell Beckham, who turned in perhaps the best season by a rookie receiver since Randy Moss in 1998. Oh, and he accomplished his ridiculous year despite missing the first four games of the season.

But Beckham is long gone by this point, which is a shame for a team that installed a new offensive system under veteran quarterback Eli Manning. On defense, the Giants allowed 400 points, with particularly subpar play by their linebackers. Chris Borland, a second-round pick who emerged as a force in the middle of the field for the 49ers, instantly becomes the best player on their defense, even as a rookie.

13) St. Louis Rams: Taylor Lewan, OT

Actual pick: Aaron Donald, DT

With their re-draft No. 2 overall pick, the Rams took a quarterback, Derek Carr, who looks to be the real deal. Unwritten rules say to also get either a dominant receiver or a dominant tackle. It's a close call between Kelvin Benjamin and a number of the top offensive linemen, but in the end, it's Taylor Lewan who makes the most sense for the Rams. Lewan graded as the 30th-best offensive tackle in the league, per Pro Football Focus, and can replace former No. 1 overall pick Jake Long in 2015, if needed. 

14) Chicago Bears: Kyle Fuller, CB

Actual pick: Kyle Fuller, CB

The first team to select their original first-round pick at the same spot is the Chicago Bears. Cornerback Kyle Fuller stole headlines in the month of September when he collected three interceptions in the season's first three games. He faded as the season went on but still played well enough to be the first cornerback off the board in a re-draft. 

15) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jadeveon Clowney, DE

Actual pick: Ryan Shazier, LB

With the 15th pick, the Steelers will select what could easily go down as the steal of the draft...or the worst pick of the draft. After a brutal rookie season in which he played in just four games and collected no sacks, Clowney had microfracture surgery on his knee that will sideline him until the start of the 2015 season. Some say he will never again be the same player he once was.

But in this generation, we've seen so many elite athletes quickly recover from potentially career-ending injuries. It's a gamble the Steelers simply can't pass up, even though they know they're basically sacrificing all of 2014 and possibly some of 2015 too. 

16) Dallas Cowboys: Anthony Barr, LB

Actual pick: Zack Martin, OL

For the second straight season, the Cowboys picked a Pro Bowl-caliber offensive lineman in the first round. With Martin already off the board, they could opt for Joel Bitonio, the guard for the Browns who rated as fifth-best offensive guard in the 2014 season, per Pro Football Focus. But their offense is already dominant and they need help on defense.

After yet another serious injury by linebacker Sean Lee, it's time for Dallas to draft some more help for the middle of the field. Anthony Barr collected 55 tackles, four sacks and a walkoff touchdown in overtime as a rookie. He'll be the player the Cowboys build around on the defensive side of the ball for the next several seasons. 

17) Baltimore Ravens: Jason Verrett, CB

Actual pick: C.J. Mosley, LB

The Ravens nailed it with the pick of C.J. Mosley in May's draft, but with Mosley long off the board, they'll have their pick of the second-best cornerback in the draft. First-round talents like Justin Gilbert, Darqueze Dennard, Jason Verrett and Bradley Roby are still available, and don't forget how well some late-round talents performed, notably Bashaud Breeland and E.J. Gaines. In the end, Verrett's impressive rookie season, before his injury, and high ceiling make him the player to improve Baltimore's secondary. 

18) New York Jets: Kelvin Benjamin, WR

Actual pick: Calvin Pryor, S

It's surprising a hand-picked defensive talent like Calvin Pryor didn't have a better season under a defensive guru like Rex Ryan. It's tempting to grab a corner or safety to fix this dreadful secondary, but no player still available is a can't miss prospect. Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was impressive enough as a rookie, recording more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. Put him in New York and next year's quarterback will have a talented duo at receiver. 

19) Miami Dolphins: Greg Robinson, OT

Actual pick: Ja'Wuan James, OT

Credit head coach Joe Philbin for his fantastic work rebuilding Miami's offensive line in just one season. Unfortunately, first-round tackle Ja'Wuan James wasn't much of a contributor, as he rated as the fifth-worst offensive tackle in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.

Instead of James, the Dolphins grab last year's No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson. Although Robinson had plenty of ups and downs as a rookie, mostly downs, it's hard to believe a player with his ceiling could fall this low in the draft. That really speaks volumes to the rest of the talent in the 2014 draft class. Then again, if I'm in charge of drafting, I would never have drafted a project player second overall, even if he can play both tackle and guard. 

20) Arizona Cardinals: Joel Bitonio, G

Actual pick: Brandin Cooks, WR (New Orleans)

It's hard to not give the Cardinals a quarterback given their current struggles at the position. But veteran Carson Palmer signed a three-year deal and is expected to be back for the 2015 season. One area of weakness for the Cardinals is the offensive line. Unfortunately the selection of guard Jonathan Cooper as the seventh overall pick has turned into a complete disaster. Give them Joel Bitonio, one of the best rookie linemen in the 2014 draft, and they're hopefully set at one of the two guard positions for the next decade. 

21) Green Bay Packers: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S

Actual pick: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S

Count the Green Bay Packers as the second team to pick their original player at the original draft slot. Clinton-Dix played well as a rookie, collecting 94 tackles, an interception and six defensed passes. He should have been picked before Calvin Pryor last May and in this re-draft, he's the first safety off the board. 

22) Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Matthews, WR

Actual pick: Johnny Manziel, QB (Cleveland)

Just like in the real draft, the Eagles miss out on safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix by just one pick. They could opt for secondary help but who's a can't-miss cornerback or safety still available in the draft? Jordan Matthews, however, is a future Pro Bowler, and here the Eagles grab the former Vanderbilt star with their first-round pick instead of waiting until the second round. 

23) Kansas City Chiefs: Brandin Cooks, WR

Actual pick: Dee Ford, LB

When your team goes an entire season without a single touchdown by a wide receiver, you need to do whatever you can to improve at the position. This is a situation where I would support a reach for a second-round talent, if needed. But with the talent at the position in the 2014 draft, the Chiefs can grab a future star in Brandin Cooks. If not for an injury, Cooks likely would have reached 80 catches and close to 1,000 yards. 

24) Cincinnati Bengals: Telvin Smith, LB

Actual pick: Darqueze Dennard, CB

Darqueze Dennard barely saw the field as a rookie, playing in just 61 snaps. It's impossible to determine whether he'll be a legitimate starting cornerback one day. In the Bengals' current win-now mode, they take linebacker Telvin Smith, who fell to the fifth round before he was picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Smith recorded 70 tackles despite averaging just 30 snaps per game. The combination of Smith and Vontaze Burfict gives Cincinnati two tackling machines in the middle of the defense. 

25) San Diego Chargers: E.J. Gaines, CB

Actual pick: Jason Verrett, CB

The Chargers will still go for secondary help in the draft, but it's sixth-round pick E.J. Gaines who jumps up into the first round. Gaines, drafted by the Rams, allowed just one touchdown and a 79.0 passer rating, per Pro Football Focus, as a full-time starter. Playing for a bad team caused Gaines to fly under the radar but I'll take a proven corner, even a sixth-rounder, over an unproven first-rounder. 

26) Cleveland Browns: Justin Gilbert, CB

Actual pick: Marcus Smith, LB (Philadelphia)

This is one of the more risky picks of the draft. Originally a top-10 pick by the Browns last May, Justin Gilbert is the fourth cornerback off the board in the 2014 re-draft. Gilbert didn't play well as a rookie, as he was eventually benched for undrafted rookie K'Waun Williams. But Gilbert still showed enough promise and has the physical tools to go in the first round. 

27) New Orleans Saints: Preston Brown, LB

Actual pick: Deone Bucannon, S (Arizona)

It's amazing the safety position could actually be one of need for the Saints heading into 2015. Prized free-agent signing Jairus Byrd missed most of the season with an injury and last year's first-round pick Kenny Vaccaro was eventually benched. But I look at linebacker Preston Brown, a third-round pick by the Bills, as a better all-around prospect than the next-best safety, Deone Bucannon. Brown recorded 66 tackles and will be a force in the middle of Rob Ryan's defense. 

28) Carolina Panthers: Martavis Bryant, WR

Actual pick: Kelvin Benjamin, WR

The Carolina Panthers had two glaring needs heading into the 2014 season: wide receiver and offensive line. In the Year of the Rookie Receiver, let's give them what will be the draft's seventh first-round receiver.

Martavis Bryant, a fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, caught just 26 passes but he averaged almost 21 yards per catch and scored eight touchdowns. He would be the perfect deep threat for Cam Newton and a solid replacement for veteran Steve Smith, who departed after the 2013 season. 

29) New England Patriots: Corey Linsley, C

Actual pick: Dominique Easley, DT

The Dominique Easley selection was a classic Bill Belichick pick. It was a high-risk, high-reward selection that certainly didn't pan out during the 2014 season. Where the Patriots could use some work, however, is center. Rookie Bryan Stork had an OK season but Corey Linsley was much better.

With the Green Bay Packers, Linsley graded as the fifth-best center in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. Maybe some of Tom Brady's early season struggles could have been avoided with better play in the middle of the offensive line. 

30) San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Lynch, DE

Actual pick: Jimmie Ward, DB

The 49ers have some major question marks in the future at linebacker. NaVorro Bowman missed the entire season recovering from his knee injury, Aldon Smith can't stay out of trouble and Patrick Willis is declining in ability and struggled with injuries.

Their fifth-round pick, Aaron Lynch, played well enough as a rookie to earn a first-round selection in a re-draft. Lynch recorded six sacks and showed enough potential that the 49ers could look to move on from Willis or veteran Ahmad Brooks during the offseason. 

31) Denver Broncos: Jeremy Hill, RB

Actual pick: Bradley Roby, CB

The Broncos could select Bradley Roby again if they wanted. He had a solid rookie season as their nickel corner. But in their current win-now mode, they need an immediate impact player. The draft's best rookie running back was easily Jeremy Hill, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards at over five yards per clip. The combination of Hill and C.J. Anderson would make the Broncos much more balanced on the offensive side of the ball. 

32) Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Linder, G

Actual pick: Teddy Bridgewater, QB (Minnesota)

Although they'll enter the 2014 postseason as the likely favorite to win the Super Bowl (again), the Seahawks quietly have a lot of work to do on their offense, specifically the offensive line. Both guards, J.R. Sweezy and James Carpenter, are significantly below average.

Brandon Linder, the third-round pick by the Jaguars, played very well as a rookie, rating as the league's 10th-best guard, per Pro Football Focus. Plug Linder in with the Seahawks and he'd immediately cut down on the number of sacks taken by Russell Wilson.