IT'S HERE! After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I have finally finished my 2014 Mock Draft. It will be 5 rounds long, because even I, a total draft nerd, is clueless once we get to the 6th round. This will probably be completely wrong, but this is what I would do if I was GM of every team. It may not mean I take players I like the most, but it will mean that I mock the players I think will fit in with their team the most. So, without any further stalling and explanation, here is Round 1! The Houston Texans are now on the clock.
1. Houston Texans- Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Yep, him. Johnny Football. I know that Clowney is a freak. I know that Mack is a sure thing. But the Texans need a QB more than anything else. This is a QB league, and this is a Texas QB. I hate to admit it, but the guy has impressed me. He stayed out of trouble, had an awesome pro day (in pads!), and can come in and start Day 1 or sit behind Keenum/Fitzpatrick for a bit. Plus, this guarantees that Reliant Stadium will be sold out every week, and a ton of Texas residents will buy Manziel jerseys. Its win-win, and (again, can't believe I am saying it) it is the right pick.
2. St. Louis Rams- Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
I am not completely sold on taking a receiver this high ever, and I would love it if they took a tackle instead to protect their oft-injured QB, but this draft is deep on receivers and offensive lineman. I'll play it risky and hope I can get a quality OT later in this round or in Round 2.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
I could say that the Jags should take a QB here. Chad Henne is fine, and the Jags might not be sold on a QB in this draft yet. However, Clowney is the premier physical talent in this draft. If he falls to 3, I imagine Jax's phone ringing off the hook. Since I don't predict trades, I'll have them taking the freak with their first pick.
4. Cleveland Browns- Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
Cleveland want Johnny Manziel. Their owner loves him. But he is gone, so Cleveland could either take the best player available on the offense or defensive lines, or panic and take a QB. Its Cleveland. They will panic. Luckily for them, Bortles might have the highest ceiling of any QB in the draft. If he gets the right coaching (which I am worried about since it is Kyle Shanahan at OC for them now), then he cold be something special for a team that needs a franchise passer.
5. Oakland Raiders- Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
Its hard to believe someone this talented can fall to #5, but this draft will be a crazy one. Some folks are saying Robinson is the next Larry Allen. If that isn't reason enough to take this man with a Top 5 pick, I don't know what is. He fits a need, and can anchor your line for the next decade.
6. Atlanta Falcons- Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
Falcons fans may want Clowney, but it is Mack that is widely considered the most complete player in the draft. He will come in right away to help a defense that has to deal with Brees and Newton twice and year. Another OT could be a possibility here, but not if Mack falls this far.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Ok, honesty time: I am in no way sold on Mike Evans. I think he is overrated. He got away with a ton of offensive pass interference, and was the benefit of Manziel's escapability. He is a gifted athlete, but I think he will fail to live up to his ability. That being said, Tampa lost Mike Williams, so they need another WR opposite Vincent Jackson.
8. Minnesota Vikings- Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
I do not accept that the guy who was the #1 QB going into the year, and only lost 1 game, is somehow going to slip into Round 2. I think this is a massive smokescreen by half the teams in the league that all want the guy. Bridgewater is ready to play in the NFL now, and is an upgrade over Ponder and Cassell. Put him with Adrian Peterson, and you FINALLY have an offense that can compete in the NFC North.
9. Buffalo Bills- Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
It seems like every year I mock the Bills taking a tackle in the first or second round. It also seems like every year they don't listen to me, and tackle remains one of their biggest needs. Well, here you go, Buffalo. Matthews can play both tackle positions extremely well. He can pass and run block. He is the right pick. Take him. Please.
10. Detroit Lions- Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
Again, secondary seems to be one of the Lions' biggest needs each year. The only reason they aren't able to win their division is that their defense cannot stop anyone from throwing on them. Gilbert is the best corner in the draft, though passing on local boy Darqueze Dennard might be tough. Speaking of...
11. Tennessee Titans- Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
If Gilbert is the #1 corner, Dennard is 1A. Fits a major need,and might be the best player available.
12. New York Giants- Eric Ebron, TE, UNC
Difficult pick, but the Giants lost so many weapons on offense. Eli needs help.
13. St. Louis Rams- Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
A bit of a swerve. Arguably the top safety, filling another major need. Tackle will come eventually.
14. Chicago Bears- Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
The best defensive tackle in the draft goes to a team who used to run on defense. He can help the Monsters of the Midway get back to the way they were.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers- Marquis Lee, WR, USC
Mike Wallace left before last season. Emmanuel Sanders left this season. They need weapons.
16. Dallas Cowboys- Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
The Cowboys defense was awful. They need a proven winner who can clog the middle of a line.
17. Baltimore Ravens- Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Any time you can get a top 10 talent at 17, its awesome. The Ravens get possibly the tought OT in the entire draft. He can slide in at left tackle to protect Flacco, and move Eugene Monroe over to the right side, thus improving the entire line.
18. New York Jets- Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU
Can you name a WR on the Jets besides Eric Decker? Neither can I.
19. Miami Dolphins- Zach Martin, OT, Notre Dame
Due to Johnathan Martin and Richie Incognito leaving Miami, the Fins need a ton of OLine help.
20. Arizona Cardinals- Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
Super-talented buy raw rusher. Needs seasoning, but could be fantastic.
21. Green Bay Packers- Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
The best safety in the draft to a good team that needs him. Win-win.
22. Philadelphia Eagles- Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Losing DeSean Jackson hurts, even if they kept Cooper and Maclin.
23. Kansas City Chiefs- Davonte Adams, WR, Fresno State
I am of the opinion that Adams might be the best WR in the draft. I think 23 is a steal for him. Plug him in opposite Dwayne Bowe, and you have two tall playmakers that can catch anything.
24. Cincinnati Bengals- LeMarcus Joyner, CB, Florida State
I am expecting a mini run on corners in the late 1st/early 2nd. Joyner is solid, and fits a need.
25. San Diego Chargers- Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
The big nose tackle can anchor a defense that has to deal with Peyton and Jamaal Charles.
26. Cleveland Browns- Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
The Trent Richardson pick turns into the corner that can start opposite Joe Haden.
27. New Orleans Saints- Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn
Ford thinks he is better than Clowney. He can prove it in Rob Ryan's blitzing system.
28. Carolina Panthers- Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Can you name a Panthers' WR? Exactly.
29. New England Patriots- Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
Gronk gets hurt, and he who shall not be named is in jail forever. Pass-catching TE is needed.
30. San Francisco 49ers- Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
They lost Carlos Rogers, and need to be able to cover receivers.
31. Denver Broncos- CJ Mosley, ILB, Alabama
A major need filled with the best player available at the position. Win for the Broncos.
32. Seattle Seahawks- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
They have some wideout depth (not a ton), but they need better tight end receivers.
That's it for Round 1. Keep an eye out for Round 2!
