2014 NFL Mock Draft First Round Version 3
25. San Diego Chargers
Darqueze Dennard
CB, Michigan State
There are a number of good cornerbacks in this year’s draft class, and Darqueze Dennard is certainly one of the most talented ones as well. My third-ranked CB behind Verrett and Gilbert respectively, there are some who still believe that Dennard is the best in the class. I don’t see enough speed and upside for him to be No. 1, but speed at corner can get overrated. Dennard plays the game with sound technique, and he’s as good as they come at getting physical with receivers in press coverage. The San Diego Chargers could use a defensive lineman, but they need a cornerback even more and shouldn’t pass up on Dennard if he’s available.
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis)
Brandin Cooks
WR, Oregon State
Going for a wide receiver after selecting a quarterback with the fourth overall pick would be a wise move for the Browns, and it would be downright nasty for them to field a pass-catching group of Josh Gordon, Jordan Cameron, and Brandin Cooks. Blessed with excellent speed and agility, Cooks is one of the top wide receivers in the draft class and makes up for concerns about his ability to handle physical DBs by displaying solid leaping ability and excellent YAC/playmaking ability. I hate the comparisons to Steve Smith, because Smitty is simply on another level. However, Cooks does mold his game after the Carolina Panthers star, and he should have a successful NFL career.
27. New Orleans Saints
Jeremiah Attaochu
DE/OLB, Georgia Tech
Attaochu is an underrated prospect with excellent physical tools. He and Ford are tough to gauge as far as run defense goes, but they have the upside to make an impact in that regard. Attaochu is also athletic enough to drop off into coverage, and that seals the deal for me.
28. Carolina Panthers
Cyrus Kouandjio
OT, Alabama
The Carolina Panthers are in a huge predicament at the offensive tackle position following Jordan Gross’s decision to retire, and now their biggest need is undoubtedly at offensive tackle. They simply can’t go into 2o14 with Byron Bell as their only returning starter at the position, especially since he would have to start at left tackle. Bell is a terrible starter, and replacing him was a need on its own. But now, the Panthers have to worry about replacing Gross and then potentially replacing Bell. Cyrus Kouandjio had such a poor showing at the combine that I’m overdrafting him here, but I can’t bank on him or even Cameron Fleming or Antonio Richardson being available for the Panthers in the late second. Kouandjio turned in solid film, but I’m not sold on picking him here over a CB like Bradley Roby. It’s a tough call, but I’d rather play it safe and overdraft at a massive position of need.
29. New England Patriots
Calvin Pryor
SS, Louisville
The New England Patriots decided to cut ties with Steve Gregory yesterday, and that’s caused strong safety to be this team’s biggest position of need. Even though this year’s safety class is weak as far as depth goes, there are three fringe first-round talents in this draft class who will be overdrafted due to the league-wide need at the position. And since free agency hasn’t started yet, those safeties will continue to be drafted high in mock drafts. Pryor is probably the better player than Ward, but he falls to the Patriots due to Ward’s better fit for the Packers. If the Patriots can pull a guy with Pryor’s excellent tools next to elite FS Devin McCourty, then their secondary should be in business with Aqib Talib expected to stay. Pryor misses too many tackles for my liking and is a raw prospect, but he has elite physical tools and would be a great pick for the Patriots.
30. San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Fuller
CB, Virginia Tech
The San Francisco 49ers have so little positions of need that it’s a bit ridiculous how deep their roster is, and drafting Kyle Fuller would take care of their lone need, which is the need to snag a talented slot corner. Carlos Rogers is still a quality player, but he’s too expensive for the 49ers to keep. If they can draft Fuller (he will almost certainly be available here), then they can cut Rogers with ease. Fuller is a very talented prospect who defends the run like a safety, and he is one of the more instinctive CBs in the class. His game has some similarities to Verrett’s game, and Fuller could be an elite slot defender in the NFL if all goes well.
31. Denver Broncos
Kony Ealy
DE, Missouri
Kony Ealy simply wasn’t going to slide more, and he would be a perfect selection for the Denver Broncos here. They could use a versatile pass rusher of Ealy’s quality, and his poor combine performance won’t cause his stock to tumble outside of a first-round grade any time soon.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Jace Amaro
TE, Texas Tech
With the New England Patriots needing a safety now and getting their man in Pryor, that leaves Texas Tech product Jace Amaro ripe for the taking (it also causes Washington product Austin Seferian-Jenkins to have a great chance of slipping into the second round). Veteran Zach Miller is simply too expensive to be kept, and a significant paycut would be the only thing keeping him in Seattle. Even if the Seahawks keep him, I could still see them selecting a tight end. ASJ might fit the Seahawks better because he is more of an in-line player and the ‘Hawks have an athletic No. 2 in Luke Willson, but Amaro is the more talented pass-catcher and higher rated prospect. I sometimes have a very difficult time choosing between them, but I don’t think the Seahawks want to pass up on Amaro’s upside, strength, and versatility as a pass-catcher. It’s a tough call, but I see the Seahawks going with Amaro.