TC’s 2014 NFL Mock Draft v4.0

The time has FINALLY arrived, and the 2014 NFL Draft is now less than one week away. This draft, unlike any in recent memory, is still a complete mystery. I think everyone has finally come to accept that Clowney is the clear #1 pick, but now the question is who will be picking him there? After that, forget it; it’s wide open. I expect to see A LOT of trading in this draft simply because there seems to be a tremendous amount of difference of opinion on just bout every player, but for the sake of the mock draft I will keep the draft order as is.

1. Jadeveon Clowney
DE | South CarolinaTexans
It’s seems to have become clear that no team likes a QB enough to take at #1 and Clowney is easily the best player available. He will go 1st overall.
2. Sammy Watkins
WR | Clemson

Rams

(from Washington)

I’ve said Watkins to the Rams since the first mock draft, and I’m sticking with it. Get Bradford a weapon, and then follow it up with some protection.
3. Khalil Mack
OLB | Buffalo
Jags
With the off-season moves made by the Jaguars it’s clear that Gus Bradley is trying to assemble a similar defense to the one he had in Seattle. Mack will get them one step closer to that.
4. Johnny Manziel
QB | Texas A&M
Browns
The Browns have weapons on offense, and their defense is pretty good. They do need that spark and a face for the city, Manziel will be a roll of the dice but fits those needs.
5. Mike Evans
WR | Texas A&M
Raiders
Let me preface this by saying I have a bet with my roommate that if the Raiders take Derek Carr at #5 overall I have to sit in the chair in our living room for 24 hours straight and mope. That being said, Evans is still the pick here for the Raiders as they need playmakers.
6. Greg Robinson
T | Auburn
Falcons
No doubt the Falcons will be trying to move up to get either Clowney or Mack, but there’s no chance either makes it to #6. They’ll be happy to take Robinson who can start on the right side and be the anchor for their rush game.
7. Aaron Donald
DT | Pittsburgh
Bucs
Donald is noticeably moving up every week. With Lovie Smith in his first year in TB, look for him to pick an impact defensive lineman so that he can implement his Cover 2 defense with ease.
8. Anthony Barr
OLB | UCLA
Vikes
The more I think about this, the more I think the Vikings are going to go with defense here so Mike Zimmer can build around the run game with Adrian Peterson and defense.
9. Jake Matthews
T | Texas A&MBills
I’ve had Ebron here all along, but his immaturity seems to be a big concern. They need to help EJ Manuel develop with a weapon or protection, so they go with the sure thing in Matthews who just so happens to be versatile as well.
10. Darqueze Dennard
CB | Michigan StateLions
If Aaron Donald were to fall here, I think the Lions pounce on him because it’s clear they don’t trust Nick Fairley. Without him there, they fill a huge hole in their defensive secondary.
11. Blake Bortles
QB | UCF
Titans
I don’t buy that the Titans are sold on Jake Locker, and with new (offensive minded) head coach Ken Whisenhunt don’t be surprised if they go QB here with the depth at CB in the draft (another need).
12. Taylor Lewan
T | Michigan
Giants
Almost certain that non of the top 3 tackles will make it this far on May 8th, but without trades in my mock, I still see this as the pick for the Giants.
13. Zack Martin
T | Notre Dame
Rams
The Rams have to make a decision on Sam Bradford so you better believe they are going to do everything they can to bolster that offense. And oh yea, they have four games against the 49ers and Seahawks.
14. HaHa Clinton-Dix
S | Alabama
Bears
The Bears really can’t go wrong with CJ Mosley or a top safety here. That said, I would give Bostic another year to prove himself at LB. I would NOT give Chris Conte another year.
15. CJ Mosley
MLB | Alabama
Steelers
Sticking with Mosley here for the Steelers. Mosley is a top 10 talent, and he’s a prototypical LB for the Steelers smash mouth defense.
16. Calvin Pryor
S | Louisville
Cowboys
Outside of Clowney and Donald, there’s no “locks” on the defensive line. The cowboys whiffed on getting a S last year so they get one this year.
17. Brandin Cooks
WR | Oregon State
Ravens
Re-signing Monroe was HUGE for the Ravens as they won’t have to reach on a T here. Instead they can get another weapon for an offense that looked stagnant most of 2013.
18. Odell Beckham
WR | LSU
Jets
The Jets have been able to add Decker and CJ2K this off-season, but they still need more to help that offense. Beckham will be a good compliment to the other two new additions.
19. Kyle Fuller
CB | Virginia Tech
Dolphins
Earlier in the process I had the Dolphins taking a CB, and I’m back with that philosophy. They could really use a solid #2 corner, and some see Fuller as the best CB in this class.
20. Teddy Bridgewater
QB | Louisville
Cards
I really don’t want to fall into the camp that the Cardinals take a QB here, but Bridgewater is WAY too good to fall here. Remember that time he was consensus #1 QB three months ago?
21. Eric Ebron
TE | UNC
Pack
As mentioned earlier, there are some serious question marks regarding Ebron’s maturity and blocking abilities. One team that doesn’t rely on their TEs to block? The Packers. Plus, they’re used to having a TE with some off the field issues.
22. Marqise Lee
WR | USC
Eagles
The release of DeSean Jackson opens up WR as an option in the draft. Knowing Chip Kelly’s style of just trying to outscore the other team and taking guys he’s familiar with, I go with Lee.
23. Morgan Moses
T | Virginia
Chiefs
I still think that KC is a heavy favorite to trade out of this position, especially if Bridgewater and/or Carr are still available. The Chiefs need to rebuild their offensive line and would prefer to gain more picks rather than reach on Moses, Kouandjio, or Su’a-Filo.
24. Timmy Jernigan
DT | Florida State
Bengals
There’s a trend of Jernigan falling out of most first round mocks right now, but I’m still high on him. If he were to fall to the Bengals, I don’t think they hesitate to pair him up with Atkins, especially coming off injury.
25. Bradley Roby
CB | Ohio State
Chargers
When you play Peyton Manning twice a year, you can’t have enough help at CB. In San Diego’s case, they need all the help they can get.
26. Kelvin Benjamin
WR | Florida State

Browns

(from Indianapolis)

With a new young QB in Maziel, the Browns will pair Josh Gordon up with Benjamin to make the transition as easy as possible for Johnny Football.
27. Kony Ealy
DE | Missouri
Saints
The Saints need pass rushers. Ealy was once considered a top 15 talent and has slipped through the process, and the Saints would be happy to land him this late.
28. Jordan Matthews
WR | Vanderbilt
Panthers
The Panthers lost their top 4 receivers from last year and they absolutely need to get some wideouts for Newton. Getting the SECs all-time receiving leader is a good start.
29. Louis Nix
DT | Notre Dame
Pats
I’ve had Hageman going here a couple of times, but Nix seems to be falling and he’s almost a Vince Wilfork 2.0. With Wilfork getting up there in age and coming off an achilles injury I could definitely see this being a match.
30. Jason Verrett
CB | TCU
49ers
Having lost both Brown and Rogers from their secondary in the off-season, the 49ers need help there. With all the draft picks that they have in this draft, expect them to move up and get the CB they want rather than hope one falls here.
31. Ryan Shazier
OLB | Ohio State
Broncos
The Broncos just picked up their 5th year option with Von Miller, and the Super Bowl proved that the Broncos need to revamp that defense. Shazier will be a good backside LB option for them to help that process.
32. Stephon Tuitt
DE | Notre Dame
Seahawks
I had Tuitt here earlier in the process, and I have him back. The Seahawks had a pretty rough off-season in terms of keeping their defensive line together, and it could use some depth.

 

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