2014 NFL Mock Draft 2.0, First Round
25. San Diego Chargers
Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
1.0 pick: Kyle Van Noy, OLB, Brigham Young
Some people have Evans right up there with Sammy Watkins as the best receiver in the draft. He might be up there, but I don’t think there will be an abundance of receivers taken high in the first round outside of Watkins due to the great receiver depth of this class. The Chargers don’t really need another receiver, but Malcolm Floyd has health issues. Evans is a big receiver who will draw constant double teams, freeing up Keenan Allen and even Danny Woodhead out of the backfield. Evans, Allen, and a healthy Floyd with a revived Philip Rivers slinging it would be a nightmare for defenses.
26. Cleveland Browns
Marqise Lee, WR, Southern California
1.0 pick: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Cleveland grabbed its potential franchise quarterback in Derek Carr with its first pick this round. Behind Josh Gordon, there’s not much receiver depth. Adding Lee just gives Carr another fast target to get the ball to. Injuries could possibly be a concern, as Lee got hurt in 2013 (which is why he falls to 26th in this scenario). But adding a potential premier pass-catcher is key in the development of a potential franchise quarterback.
27. New Orleans Saints
Jason Verrett, CB, Texas Christian
1.0 pick: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
New Orleans lacks depth at cornerback. Verrett is actually regarded as the best corner in the draft by some. He is a very good run defender and has good speed – he’s a ball hawk – that ability makes it easy for him to jump routes. That’s what Rob Ryan would want. Behind Keenan Lewis, there’s nobody there. Think about how good that secondary would be: Verrett, Lewis, Kenny Vaccaro, and Jairus Byrd. I’m running the ball against that team.
28. Carolina Panthers
Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
1.0 pick: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
The receivers on the Panthers’ roster have four combined receptions in the NFL. Yes, you read that right. With Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, and Ted Ginn, Jr. all gone, there shouldn’t be a doubt that the Panthers take a receiver here. I think Cooks is the best available receiver at this point. His adjustability at Oregon State was one aspect of his game that made him such a good receiver. Carolina has absolutely no depth at this position and adding really any receiver would probably help.
29. New England Patriots
Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
1.0 pick: same
I thought the Patriots would take a defensive tackle even before Vince Wilfork was cut. Now that he’s not coming back, the Patriots will absolutely take a DT. There are subtle needs on both sides of the ball for the Patriots. Tom Brady can cover a lot of those up, one of which is receiver, but the class is deep enough to take a starting-caliber prospect in the second round.
Nix at 29th is right on par, as he’s around the 29th best player in the draft. He’s pretty much another Vince Wilfork and his big presence on the interior of that line would help greatly in run defense and also taking on double teams when blitzing. The Patriots’ defense has lost a few players to free agency but have gained some others (Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner), so defensive tackle makes a lot more sense
30. San Francisco 49ers
Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
1.0 pick: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
After cutting Carlos Rodgers, a starting corner, and having Tarell Brown leave due to free agency, cornerback suddenly becomes a big need for the ‘Niners. Chris Culliver is coming off a torn ACL as well. Roberson is a reach here, but the 49ers can afford that. He’s not that good of a run defender, but I don’t believe the ‘Niners are looking for that in a cover corner. Although he isn’t as fast as I (or the 49ers) might like him to be, he’s still very good in press man and will fare well under Jim Harbaugh and Vic Fangio.
31. Denver Broncos
Xavier Sua-Filo, G, UCLA
1.0 pick: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
After all the upgrades defensively, I doubt that Denver goes with a cornerback or outside linebacker. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware (if healthy) is insane, and Aqib Talib can be a good corner. Protecting Peyton Manning is a priority, and a guard makes sense here. Ryan Clady will be coming back, so tackle shouldn’t be prioritized over guard. Denver’s interior offensive line was exposed by Seattle in the Super Bowl, and Denver is looking to fix any possible flaws (obviously – look what they did in free agency) for possibly Peyton Manning’s last season.
32. Seattle Seahawks
David Yankey, G, Stanford
1.0 pick: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
After watching the Seahawks in the playoffs this past January, there’s an obvious hole at guard. Tight end is an issue also, but I don’t think it’s as important as the guard issue. Seattle just won the Super Bowl, so there shouldn’t be much worry about any position, really – this team is not the 2012 Ravens (sorry Baltimore fans). Yankey is the second-best guard in the draft behind Sua-Filo and he should be able to come in and start right away for the Seahawks.