2014 NFL Mock Draft 3.0
Number 17: Baltimore Ravens – Zack Martin OT – Notre Dame
After their Super Bowl victory the Baltimore Ravens gutted their team. While they have done a nice job rebuilding the team so far, there are still a few spots on this team that can be upgraded. One of the biggest spots that this team has to replace is the offensive line. They just gave Joe Flacco one of the biggest contracts in the history of the league. You would think that the Ravens would do a little something to go out and protect him. Martin is a versatile lineman who can play multiple spots on the line.
Number 18: New York Jets – Marquise Lee WR – Southern California
The Jets desperately need another receiver for Geno Smith. Santonio Holmes recently said he is willing to take a pay cut to stay with the team. While that is good news for the Jets, they still lack a real offensive threat. Marquise Lee is one of the best receivers in this year’s draft and could provide Smith with a nice outside weapon.
Number 19: Miami Dolphins – Cyrus Kouandjio OT – Alabama
The Miami Dolphins have been one of the most talked about teams in the National Football League as of late and unfortunately it hasn’t been for the right reasons. With the Wells Report finally coming out, the already big need for an offensive lineman became even bigger. Cyrus Kouandjio is a very experienced lineman on a very experienced team. Although he is a rookie, Kouandjio could come into Miami and be the best player and leader of the offensive line. He has the leadership trait and that is something Miami needs more than anything.
Number 20: Arizona Cardinals – Jace Amaro TE – Texas Tech
This is an interesting pick for the Arizona Cardinals. Most of their tight ends are set to hit the open market this offseason. While they do have other needs that they might want to address in the first round, Amaro would really complete their offense.
Number 21: Green Bay Packers – Ra’Shede Hageman DT – Minnesota
The Green Bay Packers defense really struggled for the better part of last season. One of their biggest problems was the play that they have received up front. Hageman is one of the more physical front seven players in this year’s draft. The Packers would definitely love to have a player with the traits that Hageman possesses on their roster.
Number 22: Philadelphia Eagles – Kony Ealy DE – Missouri
The Philadelphia Eagles will be looking to upgrade their pass rush this offseason. Last season, Trent Cole was the only player on the Eagles who generated a consistent pass rush. The problem with Cole is he will be due 10 million dollars in 2015. The Eagles should have a pass rusher from the University of Missouri as their top pick on their big board. No, I’m not talking about Michael Sam – I am talking about Kony Ealy. Ealy shot up everyone’s draft boards as last season progressed. Ealy would tremendously help the Eagles instable pass rush.
Number 23: Kansas City Chiefs – Kelvin Benjamin WR – Florida State
The Kansas City Chiefs had one of the best offenses in the league last season. That still shouldn’t stop them from snagging Kelvin Benjamin at the 23rd spot. Benjamin is a receiver that possesses traits that most teams look for in a receiver. He has the size, speed and athleticism to really contribute to this offense. Plus, the Dwayne Bowe era in Kansas City looks as if it might be coming to an abrupt end in the near future.
Number 24: Cincinnati Bengals – Antonio Richardson OT – Tennessee
The Cincinnati Bengals don’t really have too many holes. However, one position that they can upgrade a bit is their offensive line. Antonio Richardson is the best remaining tackle in the draft.
Number 25: San Diego Chargers – Marcus Roberson CB – Florida
Despite making the playoffs, the Chargers still have some work to do in their secondary. Marcus Roberson out of the University of Florida is one of the more NFL ready cornerbacks. While Roberson didn’t have such a big statistically year, he has extraordinary coverage skills. Those coverage skills will dramatically increase the chances of him getting drafted in the first round. It seems like a match made in heaven for both sides.
Number 26: Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis) – Jordan Matthews WR – Vanderbilt
Now that the Browns have a quarterback, they need to go get him some more toys. The combination of Manziel, Gordon, Cameron and Matthews could be quite the unit. They still need a running back to complete their offense, but Matthews would be a very reliable option for a young Manziel.
Number 27: New Orléans Saints – Dee Ford DE – Auburn
Dee Ford was by far the best pass rusher on Auburn last season. If you look back to the National Title game you would see that he completely dominated Florida State’s right tackle. He is very quick and has a great edge moves. New Orléans had a pretty good pass rush last season. Adding Dee Ford can potentially take their pass rush to the next level.
Number 28: Carolina Panthers – Justin Gilbert CB – Oklahoma State
With Captain Munnerlyn’s contract expired, the Carolina Panthers could have a potential hole to fill. Justin Gilbert is one of the best cornerbacks in the draft and could instantly play a huge role on this team.
Number 29: New England Patriots – Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE – Washington
Well, Tom Brady was able to get through an entire season with a college quarterback as his best receiver. Although Edelman came up huge for New England, the AFC Championship game proved to everyone that the Patriots need some extra receiving help. With Hernandez gone forever and Gronkowski constantly finding himself on the injury report, the Patriots need to sure up the tight end position. Brady loves his tight ends and he will quickly fall in love with Jenkins.
Number 30: San Francisco 49’ers – Jason Verrett CB – Texas Christian
The 49’ers could really benefit from adding a young cornerback to the roster. Carlos Rogers isn’t getting any younger and has even had some injury issues throughout the playoffs. They need help at the corner position and Verrett is a very good coverage corner.
Number 31: Denver Broncos – Ryan Shazier LB – Ohio State
Ryan Shazier was one of the best players on Ohio State’s football team last season. He has very good closing speed and can cover a lot of ground. His great instincts proved to help him tremendously last season as he was often found in the back field making a play. That is exactly the type of player that this Broncos defense needs.
Number 32: Seattle Seahawks – Stephon Tuitt DE – Notre Dame
This would be a match made in heaven for the Seattle Seahawks. Fresh off their Super Bowl victory, the front office in Seattle has some work to do. Michael Bennett’s contract is set to expire. Bennett recently said that the NFL is a business and while he would love to stay in Seattle, he will ultimately do what is best for Michael Bennett. Letting Bennett walk and replacing him through the draft is something that the Seahawks will definitely consider as they don’t want to overpay for a player. They will have to pay Sherman and Wilson soon. They need as much cap space as possible.