2014 NFL Mock Draft No-QBs Version
25. San Diego Chargers
Ra’Shede Hageman
DE/DT, Minnesota
A defensive end in a three-man front and a defensive tackle in the 4-3, Ra’Shede Hageman is a massive defensive lineman who is one of the most physically gifted players in the 2014 NFL Draft class. He dominated week-in and week-out at Minnesota with all the attention focused on him, and he has all the raw tools to be a massive difference-maker at the next level. While the Chargers biggest need is at cornerback, I think Hageman’s upside on the defensive line is just too good to pass up on. This is the first time in a while I’ve had him mocked in the first round, because his rawness makes him a boom-or-bust prospect. I’m worried that I might be picking a bust for the Chargers here and bypassing an impact corner like Kyle Fuller or Bradley Roby, but the Chargers need some help up front. There’s an old cliche about how it all starts up front, and the Chargers front could use a beast like Hageman, who could be a very disruptive, All-Pro anchor. Then, the Chargers can grab some CBs like Marcus Roberson, Bashaud Breeland, or Stanley Jean-Baptiste later on. I would highly recommend them getting two CBs in this class, and I will readily admit that this approach gives me some trepidation.
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis)
Allen Robinson
WR, Penn State
Robinson would be a very good WR2 and chain-mover across from Josh Gordon in the Cleveland Browns offense, and I’d rather take him than the boom-or-bust Kelvin Benjamin. The Browns already have an elite playmaker in Gordon, so drafting a solid wideout like Robinson makes more sense for them. I love how smooth Robinson looks moving in and out of his cuts, and he would be a valuable asset as a No. 2 receiver for any rookie quarterback.
27. New Orleans Saints
Kyle Van Noy
OLB, BYU
The New Orleans Saints could use some more defensive playmakers, and Kyle Van Noy would be a solid pass rusher for Rob Ryan to work with. Junior Galette is very good and Victor Butler is solid, but the Saints could always have room for more playmakers to go after the passer off the edge. Van Noy is also more well-rounded than most 3-4 outside linebacker prospects, and most people view him as a safe prospect.
28. Carolina Panthers
Cyrus Kouandjio
OT, Alabama
The Carolina Panthers need some offensive tackle help big-time with Byron Bell locked in as the starting left tackle, but they could also use a No. 1 wide receiver with Kelvin Benjamin’s talent. Both Cyrus Kouandjio and Benjamin have big question marks, with Kouandjio’s being health-related and Benjamin’s dealing with his rawness and hands that make him a boom-or-bust prospect. Since I don’t feel comfortable with Bell as the only viable option at offensive tackle (if you can even call him a viable option) and feel comfortable with the offensive tackle depth in this year’s draft class, I’m going to take Kouandjio in what is a very difficult choice. If you want to pull Benjamin, then I’d be cool with that.
29. New England Patriots
Jace Amaro
TE, Texas Tech
The New England Patriots could go in so many different directions here, and Louis Nix would have been my pick if he were still on the board. Kony Ealy, Calvin Pryor, Ra’Shede Hageman, and Timmy Jernigan all garnered consideration here, but Jace Amaro was just too good to pass up on. Amaro has plenty of upside as a blocker, and the Patriots have the coaching to mold him into a solid blocker. He won’t be the next Rob Gronkowski as a blocker, but he could become a very good all-around tight end behind Gronk and do a great job of filling in for Gronk if he goes down with another injury. The Patriots simply need playmakers as they gear toward another Super Bowl run, and they certainly added stars at corner by signing Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. Now, it’s time to add impact players to the offense for Tom Brady to throw it to.
30. San Francisco 49ers
Bradley Roby
CB, Ohio State
Bradley Roby vs. Kyle Fuller is a debate for the ages, and I usually had Fuller slotted to the San Francisco 49ers at pick No. 30. However, Tarell Brown is now a member of the Oakland Raiders in addition to Carlos Rogers going to the Raiders, so now the 49ers have to fill their need at CB with Brown’s departure also in mind. This means that they have a big hole on the outside and not just in the slot, making Roby an excellent option for the 49ers. He’s an athletic corner with No. 1 shutdown potential, and I think his talent makes him too good to pass up on. Fuller would also be a great pick, but I think the 49ers need a shutdown corner on the outside more than a shutdown corner on the slot. Both Fuller and Roby can move inside and outside, but they have different strengths and weaknesses based on alignment. This isn’t an easy call at all, and it’s subject to change upon further tape evaluation.
31. Denver Broncos
Kyle Fuller
CB, Virginia Tech
The Denver Broncos don’t have many needs on their roster right now after an incredibly aggressive offseason, so their goal as Super Bowl contenders is also to add more playmakers at key positions. Kyle Fuller is a playmaker in every sense at the cornerback position, because he is an elite run defender and blitzer at the cornerback position. His unique skill-sets were used in unique ways and alignments by the creative Virginia Tech Hokies, and he could be a fun playmaker for the Broncos to toy with at CB. With Fuller, the Broncos would have one of the league’s best CB trios in Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., and Fuller.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Kelvin Benjamin
WR, Florida State
There isn’t an offensive lineman worth taking for the Seattle Seahawks right now, and I’m going to go in a different direction from Austin Seferian-Jenkins. I usually mock him to the Seahawks, but they re-worked Zach Miller‘s deal and seem content with keeping him as a starter. While ASJ would form an excellent duo with Miller and has the advantage of being a local product, I think they could be better off adding Kelvin Benjamin as a pass-catching weapon for Russell Wilson. ASJ is a great TE prospect with his talent as a receiver and top-notch blocking, but they have more use for a top WR with Golden Tate gone.
Benjamin is a boom-or-bust prospect, but he could boom big-time with good coaching that allows him to become a better route-runner. He has ridiculous size, an awesome catch radius, and his great ball skills help make up for his subpar hands. Most of his drops are concentration-related, and I think the Seahawks are the best landing spot for him. Pete Carroll and the staff could easily reign him in, and it’s clear that the Seahawks love going after uber-athletic players. Benjamin could be a big-time playmaker in the Seahawks offense for Wilson, and I really like this pick on paper at the bottom of the first round.