2014 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
Number 1: Houston Texans – Teddy Bridgewater QB – Louisville
This one was a tough one. Jadeveon Clowney is an absolute beast and the combination of him and J.J. Watt would be a frightful one for the next decade. Even with a great pair of rushers, this is a quarterback driven league and that is something that the Texans are lacking. Teddy Bridgewater is the ideal first pick as he is arguably the most NFL ready quarterback.
Number 2: St. Louis Rams (From Washington) – Jake Matthews OT – Texas A&M
With Sam Bradford falling to a knee injury, it is very important that the St. Louis Rams go out and find him some more protection. With Rodger Saffold set to hit the open market there is going to be a huge hole for the Rams to fill. However, it won’t surprise me one bit if they end up trading this pick.
Number 3: Oakland Raiders – Jadeveon Clowney DE – South Carolina
Finally, Jadeveon Clowney can breathe a sigh of relief. The Oakland Raiders were lucky enough to get good enough play out of both Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin for them to feel confident about the quarterback spot headed into next season.
Number 4: Jacksonville Jaguars – Blake Bortles QB – Central Florida
I think we can all agree that the Blaine Gabbert experiment was an epic fail in Jacksonville. Chad Henne is good, but he isn’t exactly a franchise quarterback. Blake Bortles is coming off an incredible year in which he not only set career highs in pretty much every major category but also a season in which he led the improbable Knights to a BCS Bowl game.
Number 5: Cleveland Browns – Derek Carr QB – Fresno State
Just like the Jaguars this is a team that recently drafted a quarterback in the first round only for him to not pan out. The Browns defense is actually pretty decent. If they can find themselves the right quarterback in this year’s draft this is a team that can sneak into the playoffs next season. Carr is a quarterback that can make any throw and he also possesses some good arm strength.
Number 6: Atlanta Falcons – Anthony Barr DE – UCLA
Obviously, the Falcons are a team that does not need a quarterback or a wide receiver as they have two of the best in the league with Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. What this team does need is some pass rush. Outside of Osi Umenyiora this team does not have someone who can consistently get to the quarterback. Some scouts have labeled Barr as one of the safest picks in this year’s draft.
Number 7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sammy Watkins WR – Clemson
Now that the Buccaneers found themselves a franchise quarterback in Mike Glennon it is time to go out and get him some more toys to play with. They already have a nice group of running backs and a big play receiver on the outside with Vincent Jackson. The addition of Sammy Watkins will provide them with another vertical threat and a pressure reliever for Vincent Jackson.
Number 8: Minnesota Vikings – Johnny Manziel QB – Texas A&M
Christian Ponder? No. Josh Freeman? No. Matt Cassel? Not really. The Vikings have offensive talent, however, they lack someone to deliver them the ball. Johnny Manziel would bring an instant spark to this offense and can hopefully revive this franchise. Some team will take a chance on Manziel and the Vikings seem desperate for a quarterback.
Number 9: Buffalo Bills – Vic Beasley OLB – Clemson
Surprise, surprise! Many people have Vic Beasley more towards the middle to later part of the first round, but not me. Beasley would help fill a hole in the Buffalo linebacker group. Beasley is a young linebacker with above average speed and a knack for getting to the quarterback.
Number 10: Tennessee Titans – C.J. Mosley ILB – Alabama
The Tennessee Titans defense is pretty stout, however, they have a huge need for an inside linebacker. However, it seems to be up to whether or not the Titans will have a new coaching staff that wants to move in a different direction with the quarterback spot. You never know with these Titans.
Number 11: New York Giants – Cyrus Kouandjio OT – Alabama
The New York Giants have a lot of spots on their roster that they need to fill. By far the most important spot is the offensive line. Eli Manning has had very little time in the pocket this season and it has had a direct impact on not only him, but the entire team as well. Kouandjio is an elite prospect that Eli would love to have.
Number 12: Pittsburgh Steelers – Taylor Lewan OT – Michigan
Much like the Giants, the Pittsburgh Steelers need to do some fine tuning on their offensive line. It seems as if every year the Steelers are in the market for a new piece to their rotating offensive line. Maybe this time they can actually find the guy they need.
Number 13: New York Jets – Mike Evans WR – Texas A&M
Santonio Holmes recently said he would like to remain a New York Jet and is willing to take less money in order to do so. Holmes is a nice target for Smith, but other than that they lack offensive weapons. Mike Evans is a big time receiver who can go up and get the ball. Geno Smith would love a receiver like that, especially since he isn’t the most accurate of quarterbacks.
Number 14: St. Louis Rams – Darqueze Dennard CB – Michigan State
Darqueze Dennard has really come on as of late and has been a crucial reason as to why Michigan State has one of the best defenses in the nation. His stock has rose a ton, however, it is still important to see how he plays against Stanford and how he does in his Pro-Day and Combine.
Number 15: Detroit Lions – Justin Gilbert CB – Oklahoma State
The Detroit Lions have not been very good at stopping the opposing team in terms of pass defense this season. Gilbert, who was one of the highest rated corners coming into this season can immediately step in, start and hopefully have an impact on a team that has to face Aaron Rodgers, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery twice every year.
Number 16: Dallas Cowboys – HaHa Clinton Dix S – Alabama
The Cowboys have been historically bad this season on the defensive side of the ball. With the money and high draft pick invested in their corners, it is important for them to continue to build the secondary. HaHa Clinton Dix is the best safety to come out of this year’s draft. He has elite ball hawking skills and is freakishly athletic.