2014 NFL Mock Draft 2.0, First Round
17. Baltimore Ravens
Jack Mewhort, OT, Ohio State
1.0 pick: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
I had the Ravens taking a receiver here in my previous mock draft, but that changes with the signing of Steve Smith. The Smiths, Steve and Torrey, will start, with Marlon Brown as a solid third target. Receiver isn’t as much of an issue now. However, the offensive line has issues. Run blocking was a major problem – Baltimore averaged about 3.0 yards per carry. That sucks.
Mewhort is a big and powerful offensive lineman who would play right tackle. Michael Oher, who was one of the worst run blockers in the league, is out, and there’s a clear need at tackle. Joe Flacco also needs to be protected better than he was in 2013, and Mewhort would help in run blocking and pass protection.
18. New York Jets
Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
1.0 pick: Odell Beckham, Jr., Louisiana State
After signing Eric Decker, receiver is still a need, but not as much as when the Jets headed into the offseason. The offense was arguably the worst unit in the NFL last season; the defense kept the team in games. While Decker improves the passing game, it’s not that good – the Jets can get a receiver in later rounds, as the draft is deep in that position. Tight end isn’t as deep of a position, however.
The Jets get lucky here as the draft’s best tight end falls to 18th. Ebron will be Geno Smith’s (or maybe Michael Vick’s) security blanket. The team does have Jeff Cumberland, but I think he’s more of a second tight end rather than a sure-fire starter. Ebron should give Smith or Vick a solid target over the middle, and hopefully for the Jets, improve a subpar offense (and that’s an understatement).
19. Miami Dolphins
Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
1.0 pick: Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
The Dolphins absolutely have to address the offensive line here. I know Brandon Albert was signed, but the other tackle spot has to be taken care of. Pass protection is one of the most overlooked aspects of the game. Ryan Tannehill was sacked the most times in the league last year due to bad line play – I can’t wait to see what he’ll be able to do with a good line. When he did have time last year, he made plays.
Martin has the versatility to play either guard or tackle, which is good for Miami, as they might need that flexibility depending on who’s starting on that line after the scandal. He’s a durable and consistent player. He started 50 games at Notre Dame, something that nobody has done in Irish football history.
20. Arizona Cardinals
Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
1.0 pick: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
This is my surprise pick of the draft. Outside of quarterback (I’m not confident in Carson Palmer), there is really no clear need on the team, but I don’t see the Cardinals taking a quarterback at 20th overall. Jonathan Cooper will be back this year, and the former seventh overall pick in 2013 should be able to have a great year if he’s healthy. I know Andre Ellington is the current back right now, but I just don’t know if he’s a true feature back. So running back is the pick.
Sankey was a stellar back at Washington. His great vision and subtle quickness make him a potential franchise running back. It’s incredible that Arizona went 10-6 last year without a franchise running back or quarterback. Here, they get half of the puzzle. A franchise quarterback could be drafted later (maybe in the second round) or even in next offseason’s draft.
21. Green Bay Packers
Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
1.0 pick: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
The Packers have a lot of holes on defense. I don’t think Dom Capers is the issue – it’s more of an execution and personnel problem than a scheme problem. The secondary is a major liability on the team, and I think Green Bay addresses that here. Outside of Sam Shields, I don’t have confidence in anyone else. Tramon Williams hasn’t been productive since the 2010 Super Bowl run.
Dennard falls to the Packers due to the lack of need of cornerbacks in the top 20, but the defensive backs will start to fly off the board now. Dennard is a big and rangy cornerback with great technique, which is why I like him over Justin Gilbert. He and Sam Shields would form a nice cornerback duo, addressing one obvious need.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois
1.0 pick: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
I still believe the Eagles take a safety here. It is the biggest need on the defense and possibly on the team, as the entire offensive unit was one of the best and most balanced units in the NFL last year. Signing Malcolm Jenkins isn’t going to cut it – he wasn’t brought back to New Orleans for a reason, and it wasn’t because of the salary cap (see: Jairus Byrd signing).
Ward has a lot of flexibility. He can line up at his natural position of safety, cover a tight end or receiver in the slot, or even line up in the box. He’s a rangy player who has good closing speed to break up a pass or jump a route and grab an interception, and I think he’ll be a necessary addition to the Eagles’ secondary.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
1.0 pick: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Outside of Brandon Flowers, there is not one solid cornerback on the roster. We saw that in the Wild Card round game against Indianapolis – after Flowers went down, T.Y. Hilton went off. The Chiefs need some speed outside of Flowers, and with Gilbert available here, the team won’t pass on him. Gilbert played with barely any safety help at Oklahoma State and excelled. He and Flowers, along with Eric Berry, would be a nasty secondary. Hopefully they would be able to contain T.Y. Hilton.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
1.0 pick: Derek Carr
Carr is getting taken a lot earlier. And I’m not taking Jonny Manziel here. Although I don’t have confidence in Andy Dalton, the Jury is still out on him and he will be the starter this year. So quarterback is out of the picture with the 24th overall pick. This is a tough pick since Cincinnati is such a good defensive team and has a lot of weapons on offense, but I think cornerback could use an upgrade. Leon Hall is arguably the best slot cornerback in the league, but the Bengals could use someone on the outside; someone who’s a lockdown cover corner. Not that Leon Hall isn’t – Cincinnati could just give Hall some help. Roby is a ridiculously fast player and although he’s not as tall as Richard Sherman (Roby is 5-11), his size is adequate enough.