5.05.2014

Jace's 2014 NFL Mock Draft

Hope everyone is doing well. We're just a couple days away from the 2014 NFL Draft, so it's time for my annual mock draft! Feel free to critique and/or give your thoughts as well on how YOU think the draft will go. Happy MOCK DRAFT season!!!

Jace's 2014 NFL Mock Draft
1. Houston Texans - QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida
I don't see how they don't go quarterback here. I really don't. I think with Bortles build and accuracy, the Texans should take him and build their team around him. You don't win if you don't have a QB, and they obviously aren't going with Case Keenum. I think it's a dumb pick to go with CLOWNey.

2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) - WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
Their offense needs help yet. Some people think they should go with an offensive lineman but I think they should go with the best player in this draft. Sammy Watkins, in my eyes, in the next elite wide out in the league. He'll have an immediate impact like Julio Jones, A.J. Green, etc. - they need a guy like this for Sam Bradford. Tavon Austin is a slot man, so Watkins easily will take the outside.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina *POTENTIAL BUST*

I have not hidden my feelings on this guys. I think he's self-centered, lazy, and extremely selfish. With that said, he's obviously going to be a top five pick because the media raves about him. Jacksonville could go quarterback here, but I think they take the over hyped CLOWNey, and snatch a QB by either trading back up into the 1st round, or using their 2nd round pick.

4. Cleveland Browns - QB Johhny Manziel, Texas A&M
I'm a fan of the Browns giving Brian Hoyer a shot at QB since he was hot before his injury, but I don't think that will happen. If anyone has seen the movie 'Draft Day' yet, I think the Browns will try to land a player to be the face of the franchise. What better than drafting the most popular man in the draft? I think Bortles and Manziel will be star QB's in the NFL. Even though Manziel is also a a spoiled brat, I think he'll get his head straight and give the Browns a legit answer.

5. Oakland Raiders - OT Greg Robinson, Auburn

With the addition of Matt Schaub and still having Matt McGloin, who I think they will try and groom this season again, I think they try and address that offensive line so the offense can get going. Possibly the could take WR Mike Evans, but looking at the depth chart, their biggest weakness is on the line.

6. Atlanta Falcons - OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
Matt Ryan got killed last year. It didn't help the team was plagued by injuries, but they need to protect their franchise quarterback. They were a powerhouse a year before, getting a tackle to shore up and help hopefully could get them back on track.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - OLB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
A lot of mocks have Mike Evans going here, seeing as they just gave away Mike Williams to Buffalo. There's always a pick where everyone was SURE the team was going to go this way, then they go another route. I think the Buccaneers will do this and with Lovie Smith at the helm, I think they go with Mack. He is in the mix for the #1 overall pick as well, so to land him here would be a steal for Tampa.

8. Minnesota Vikings - OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA
I think the Vikings learned their lesson by taking a QB not worthy of being picked this high (see Christian Ponder). With that said, if they don't trade down, I see them going defense. I think Audie Cole can be a legit MLB and with Chad Greenway on the outside, to get Barr here, they could have a GREAT starting linebacking core.

9. Buffalo Bills - OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan
Their line is not good. Popular pick is tight end Eric Ebron but the Bills have stuck with Scott Chandler when I thought they'd try to get a TE before. Lewan is a strong B1G product and could develop into an elite tackle.

10. Detroit Lions - CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
What kills the Lions every year? The defensive backfield CAN NOT stop the pass. I think they'll finally address that and take the hot Dennard out of Michigan State (fan favorite).

11. Tennessee Titans - CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State

The Titans should take Dennard or Gilbert here. I think they'll give QB Jake Locker one more year to show his worth, so they'll pass on a QB I'm thinking. Gilbert would be a huge asset.

12. New York Giants - WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M
*POTENTIAL BUST*
I'm not as high on Evans, which is why I have him out of the top ten picks. I think with the loss of Hakeem Nicks and not much for offensive play makers outside of Victor Cruz, they'll try their luck with Evans here and pair him with Cruz. Eli Manning's window is closing in a couple of years so to get another weapon from him I'm sure he'll greatly appreciate it.

13. St. Louis Rams - OG Zack Martin, Notre Dame
I had them taking Watkins with their first pick. Getting the best player in the draft and at a position of need is big. Now it's time to help protect and try and keep their QB healthy and draft a guy who can help do that.

14. Chicago Bears - DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh

Their offense is already good. Their defense held them back last year. If they don't go safety I think they go interior line and Donald is a beast. A guy that the Bears could REALLY use.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - ILB C.J. Mosley, Alabama

Options here for the Steelers. I could see them stealing Ebron since Heath Miller is getting up there, and I could see them going wide out as well since they've lost multiple the last couple of years (Wallace/Sanders). They need a middle linebacker...a young guy on defense for that matter. Mosley could be the next Pro Bowl Steeler linebacker.

16. Dallas Cowboys - S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
I wouldn't mind seeing them do what the rumors are saying and trading up for Manziel. At the same time, I like Tony Romo so I'd be split on that if it happened. Their defense has not been able to cover the pass for a decade. Getting a actual legit safety is huge. Jerry Jones loves his SEC guys.

17. Baltimore Ravens - DT Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota
I know Ngata is one of the BEST interior lineman in the league. He's also having contract issues with Baltimore. I think Hageman would be a great choice to get younger at the position and let him take over for when Ngata leaves.

18. New York Jets - TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina
The offense struggles. It has for years. They signed Eric Decker and REEAAALLLYYY could use Ebron to give Vick/Smith/WhoeverTheyHaveAtQBThatWeek another weapon. Ebron is the top tight end in the draft, and could obviously go earlier than 18th. I just think the other teams don't NEED him as bad.

19. Miami Dolphins - OT Morgan Moses, Virginia
SOOOOOO much has happened with that offensive line the last couple of seasons. Jake Long is gone...and we all know what happened last year. No explanation needed here.

20. Arizona Cardinals - OLB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State

I'm thinking they stick with Carson Palmer yet, but then again...maybe they'll reach on a young gun. I wouldn't though. I think they should add the linebacker from another B1G team.

21. Green Bay Packers - FS Calvin Pryor, Louisville
With Ebron gone, our biggest need is safety (in my eyes). Pryor is a steal here. Hopefully Thompson doesn't waste a pick on ANOTHER offensive lineman. WOULD LOVE if they blew us all away and reached on Chris Borland here. Homer love? Yes indeed.

22. Philadelphia Eagles - DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida State
The offense is hot. Chip Kelly knows what he's doing. With the gangster DeSean Jackson gone, I guess they could go receiver here but their probably better off going defense. Jernigan fits a whole in their depth chart.

23. Kansas City Chiefs - WR Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
*POTENTIAL BUST*
Dexter McCluster left. A.J. Jenkins is a bust. Donnie Avery is average. Odell Beckham, here's your chance.

24. Cincinnati Bengals - CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State
I don't have much to say about the Bengals. If Dalton doesn't produce exceptionally this year, look for them to move on from him. They'll give the defense help by drafting the kid who played down the road.

25. San Diego Chargers - CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech

Name a corner back on their roster. That's what I thought.

26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis Colts) - WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
Their defense is pretty good. I have them addressing their QB issue earlier (Manziel), now I have them trying to get another stud to put opposite of Josh Gordon. I think drafting Carlos Hyde here is too much of a reach. Now good running backs really in this class (elite running backs I should say).

27. New Orleans Saints - WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State
Could go defense here but their receivers are aging and not as fast. A new major weapon for Brees could make this offense elite once again.

28. Carolina Panthers - WR Allen Robinson, Penn State
They need receivers. More than just one. I think Robinson is the next to go. He's climbing up some mocks and he has the size I think the Panthers need.

29. New England Patriots - DT Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
Always looking to improve that defense. I don't think they'll draft another WR...at least in the 1st round here...

30. San Francisco 49ers - DT Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
Not much they need to improve on really. Adding depth on that defensive line seems logically though after looking over their depth chart and roster.

31. Denver Broncos - OG Xavier Su'a-filo, UCLA
I thought about going wide receiver here, and possibly even MLB Chris Borland, but this is probably going to be too high for Borland to go. Could use some interior offensive line help. Protect Manning at all costs.

32. Seattle Seahawks - WR Marqise Lee, USC
*POTENTIAL BUST*
With the n00b Golden Tate leaving I think they snag the falling Marqise Lee. Lee is one of the top wide outs in the draft and produced well at USC, but also has been nagged with injuries. I'm sure Pete Carroll is all for giving the former Trojan a chance.


- I obviously didn't include trades. Just went straight up mock. Obviously there will be trades that throw the order off...WHICH MEANS IT WILL BE ENTERTAINING!!! "CAN'T WAIT" - Bart Scott