2014 NFL Mock Draft First Round Version 4
17. Baltimore Ravens
Zack Martin
OT, Notre Dame
The Baltimore Ravens need to add a new starting right tackle to bookend with franchise LT Eugene Monroe, and Martin would be the perfect fit for them. He is a technician and a fine pass blocker or run blocker who can also start at guard. I’m sure many teams are high on Martin, and I’m sure the Miami Dolphins would be cursing under their breaths if all the top four tackles were taken before the 19th pick.
18. New York Jets
Odell Beckham Jr.
WR, LSU
Wide receiver is the New York Jets biggest need at this point in time, and Odell Beckham Jr. would be a dream pick for the Jets. The third-best wide receiver in the class, OBJ isn’t far off from Mike Evans and would be a massive upgrade for the Jets. He and Eric Decker would form a formidable wide receiver duo for Geno Smith to work with, and you can view my detailed scouting report on Beckham Jr. here.
19. Miami Dolphins
Xavier Su’a-Filo
G, UCLA
I had to juggle need vs. fit here, and it’s difficult to make a pick for the Dolphins with the top tackles off of the board. There’s no need to reach for someone like Morgan Moses or Cyrus Kouandjio here, especially since they reportedly like mid-round right tackle prospect Ja’Wuan James more than those two. Su’a-Filo is a day one starter at guard, and he would be an upgrade over second-year utility man Dallas Thomas, who is currently starting at guard. The UCLA product has plenty of upside, but C.J. Mosley would have also been a strong pick here due to the Dolphins issues with their new linebackers last year.
20. Arizona Cardinals
C.J. Mosley
ILB, Alabama
The Arizona Cardinals defensive line is fine, and they don’t need to draft Ra’Shede Hageman even if he would be the heir apparent to Darnell Dockett. I see their biggest needs at the linebacker position, and the Cardinals would get an excellent starting ILB duo in Daryl Washington and Mosley with this pick. Washington could start the season on a suspension again, but the larger reasoning behind this pick is Mosley’s talent and the loss of Karlos Dansby, who was excellent last year. Mosley brings the full package as an inside linebacker with his coverage ability, run defense, and intangibles. I like Kevin Minter as a downhill run-stuffer, but Mosley is too good to pass up on here. The Cardinals need an edge rusher more than an inside linebacker, but I’ll go with the best guy.
21. Green Bay Packers
Jimmie Ward
FS, Northern Illinois
I’ve been high on Jimmie Ward for quite some time, and he isn’t far off from Ha Ha Clinton-Dix as a prospect. Ward has elite ball skills, plays physical, and he excels in both man and zone coverage. Nobody in this class covers better than Ward, and he’s easily the best of the top three safeties in deep coverage. The Green Bay Packers need much better free safety play, and Ward would be a massive upgrade who is worth the first-round selection.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Brandin Cooks
WR, Oregon State
Chip Kelly loves playmakers in space, and he would get one in a former “Civil War” rival by drafting Brandin Cooks. Last year’s Fred Biletnikoff winner, Cooks stated that he can perform DeSean Jackson‘s role as a higher level, and he is an absolute monster after the catch. Cooks struggles against press coverage, but he has enough long speed to make plays downfield. The Eagles are big fans of Cody Latimer, but I think he would be a reach at 22. Cooks isn’t as good as Beckham Jr., but he would be an excellent weapon after the catch and in space in an offense that values playmakers like Cooks.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Marqise Lee
WR, USC
Guard is the Chiefs biggest position of need right now and FS is definitely in need of upgrade, but wide receiver is also a big need for this team. Marqise Lee has major drop issues due to awful technique (he attacks the ball in the air and presses it against his body too often), but he’s a dynamic weapon who can run a variety of routes, win at any level, and make plays after the catch. He was playing at a near Sammy Watkins level back in 2012, but worse quarterback play, drops, and injuries all hurt him last season. Lee isn’t worth a top 20 pick, but he is well-worth the pick here for the WR-needy Chiefs. In fact, Lee would most likely be the Chiefs most productive wide receiver next season.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Jason Verrett
CB, TCU
Jason Verrett has always been my dream pick for the Cincinnati Bengals, and I think he could have similar success to Brent Grimes in the NFL. A ballhawk, Verrett can shut down anybody one-on-one, and he isn’t a liability in run defense either. This is a guy who plays much bigger than his height, and his technique and football IQ make him an ideal starter on the inside or outside.