2014 NFL mock draft time. Team needs were taken into account sometimes, but not all the time. We did go “best player available” like the cliche says, or value-based pick sometimes. The 2014 NFL mock draft order is based on projections on how we believe the NFL teams will perform this season, it’s hard to project the whole thing given how nearly half the teams are in that 4-6 to 6-4 range right now. Gotta low parity!
We also have feature stories on the picks themselves. Click the names where highlighted to read those.
1. Jacksonville Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
JAX can’t “keep throwing good money after bad” as they say in corporate America. And if it were Gabbert throwing the money, it would almost always miss its mark. This team needs a lot- an icon, a franchise player, a real quarterback. Hopefully, they can get all three in Bridgewater.
2. Vikings, Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
It was reported that Hundley’s representatives met with Jay-Z’s agency. His father denied this, but he has to. Of course, he’s going to play it down in the media. If it’s true that Brett Hundley met with agents, then the redshirt sophomore is coming out. Hundley be a top-10 pick in the 2014 NFL mock draft. Even though he’s not playing up to a level that’s even close to his potential. Still you see what a train wreck Christine Ponder is at QB. Or you can call him Christian Steele. He’s not the answer. Freeman is more questions, bad questions than answer as well.
3. Tampa Bay Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The Bucs have problems galore, starting with the QB position. It’s a great signal caller class, and the perfect time to shore that up. At least they finally expunged Josh Freeman, who’s suffering from the curse of the #5 jersey. No one believes that he’s the answer.
ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. said on conference call that he believes Mariota would really benefit from staying another year in school. That may be true, but I believe if you can leave and take the money, you got to leave and take the money. The question now is, is he healthy enough? The big thing for him to get healthy again.
4. Atlanta Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
We know the supposed controversy about Jadeveon Clowney has “no there there” as Gertrude Stein would say.
Yet it does bring up one very important potential future issue that we should look at.
“We made something out of nothing, it’s a non-story,” we heard on ESPN College Gameday this morning. Exactly, Jadeveon Clowney has bone spurs and rib muscle injuries, it’s difficult to play under those conditions. At least ESPN owned up to it today.
“I think it got blown out of proportion” – Spurrier. Well, yes but the visored one is the person who got this whole party started by throwing Jadeveon Clowney under the bus in the first place.
So both Spurrier and the media are at fault in this. But as College Gameday did a mea culpa, one of the show’s talking heads, Kirk Herbstreit brought up a salient point that we should takeaway from this.
Whenever a college football player has a star freshman or sophomore season, and he’s clearly ready to leap to the NFL, should be just bail on his team and prepare for the NFL Draft? Instead of risking injury that will derail his draft stock and cost him life-changing amounts of money should he just go leave the game? And work out with a trainer and focus on conditioning for the combine instead?
Clowney’s name sounds like one that would be used as a punchline by Key and Peele in the East/West College Bowl sketch.
Take the Ha Ha Clinton-Dix or Key and Peele QUIZ HERE!
5. Houston, Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Matthews comes from the blue blood of NFL families. Bruce Matthews, Clay Matthews, Casey Matthews etc. Dave Matthews….oh wait, not that last one. Matthews is a right tackle turned left tackle and shows the ability to be a franchise building guy. He can play both Tackles positions but projects as a big money Left Tackle protecting the blind side.
6. New York Giants, Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
This guy seems to be high on almost everyone’s 2014 NFL mock draft boards. This college football season he has shown the potential to be a star next-level edge-rusher. He’s only building on his huge 2012 season and increasing his stock each week. Kiper has him as one of the the top three picks in the 2014 NFL mock draft. Your draft priorities are always quarterbacks first, then pass protecters, pass rushers, and then pass-catchers and shutdown pass defenders. Those are the main priorities, every thing else is ancillary. He has 13 TFL and six sacks through nine games this season.
7. St. Louis from Washington, Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
With Danny Amendola now gone. It’s likely the Rams will draft a WR either here or with the Redskins pick. Pretty much every 2014 NFL mock draft will see the Rams taking a wideout early. The Rams also need to find a way to keep Sam Bradford upright.
8. Buffalo, Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
The Bills went to upgrade their offense last season. Now it’s time to upgrade the defense. Which they didn’t do. They need some help
9. Pittsburgh, Kyle Van Noy, DE/OLB, BYU
10. Carolina Louis Nix, NT, Notre Dame
The 2014 NFL mock draft is interesting for the Pack as you don’t know which way they’re going to go, it really should be defense. I could see the Pack going shopping for some “Irish Chocolate” in the 2014 NFL mock draft.
And Nix is an awesome soundbite to boot.
Notre Dame Nose Guard (or Nose Tackle if you will) Louis Nix actually gave me something worth writing about regarding spring college football. Then afterward, Louis Nix provided soundbites that were as golden as his football helmet.
Two years ago when I covered the Notre Dame “Spring Game,” it was actually snowing. So watching the intra-squad scrimmage in the cold was false advertising. It was neither “spring” nor a “game.”
However, the 300+ pound Louis Nix provided a highlight Saturday, rumbling in for a two-point conversion.
The score of the Notre Dame spring game was….no one gives a shizz about the scores in spring games.
11. St. Louis, Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan Wolverines
The Big Ten has been great at producing offensive linemen prospects for he NFL lately. The Wisconsin Badgers are a factory, but there’s also been a bunch in the past few years coming out from the Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines.
Ever wonder what Big Ten school has produced the most 1st round picks these past five years? The answer will surprise you.
Given the “fat boy draft” of 2013, maybe I should put Lewan #1 in my 2014 NFL mock draft. No seriously, this past draft was in fact exceedingly boring, but the next draft will be much more exciting.
Part of what makes these o linemen from the league so tough is who they’re constantly facing off with- great defensive lines, Whether in practice scrimmaging or in game, so many linemen are practicing their craft vs strong defensive lines.
“the Big Ten is great for defensive lines and I think one of the the best defensive lines is the one we have at Michigan,” Lewan said. Of course, he didn’t say anything about the guys who play with him on his own offensive line. Michigan Offensive Coordinator Al Borges will likely get fired. And the worst part of his offense, and his team is the OL. Taylor and the other tackle are fine, it’s the interior that’s horrible at football: the two guards and the center.
12. Oakland, Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
This guy needs to give a huge cut of his salary to Johnny Manziel, who’s made all this money for him. Terrelle Pryor is the answer, now go get him a wideout.
13. Tennessee Stephon Tuitt, DL Notre Dame
14. Arizona, Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
Carson Palmer is doing a fine job this year, but he won’t last too much longer. His NFL career has already been brought back from the dead once. Boyd was really slipped through the cracks. He doesn’t play that well in big games. Still a phenomenal talent that warrants top 15 consideration.
15. San Diego, CJ Mosley, LB, Alabama
And what’s a 2014 NFL mock draft without a few more Alabama players? Go here for the Alabama cheerleader photo gallery
he unquestioned leader of the Alabama defense and semifinalist for the Butkus Award that goes to the nation’s most outstanding linebacker – he was a finalist a year ago … also a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, which goes to the best interior lineman or linebacker, the Bednarik Award that is presented to the nation’s outstanding defensive player of the year, the Walter Camp National Player of the Year and the Lott Impact Trophy … a consensus All-American a year ago and a midseason All-America selection in 2013 … leads the team with 71 tackles or 7.9 per game
16. Baltimore, Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo
Most under the radar player in the 2014 NFL mock draft. Kiper Jr. “I’ve liked him from the start and he grades out as #7 on the big board.” Only true draftniks know this guy because he’s from a small mid-major school.
17. Philadelphia, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
So much for the “dream team.” Building a fantasy football team just doesn’t work in the real world. The Eagles are still rebuilding from those mistakes, The genius offensive mind of Chip Kelly will take someone who can shut down the opponent’s pass. This is someone Chip Kelly is obviously familiar with. Ekpre-Olomu is a phenomenal talent, but not exactly a lock-down corner. Of course, so few cornerbacks really are a true lockdown corners. Mel Kper Jr. projects him as a top 15-20 prospect.
To see the definitive collection of Oregon cheerleaders go here
18. Green Bay Packers, His given name his Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix, , Alabama
His name is worth being a number one pick alone. Don’t worry too much about the suspension. All he did was seek money for doing his job. A situation that magically changes 180 degrees in a few months.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was the number one rated DB in his recruiting class. And he’s second on the Crimson Tide in tackles right now. He was on track to be a first round NFL Draft pick. Of course, this suspension won’t exactly help his draft stock. Still despite all his potential as a star player, none of that will overshadow his given name.
One of the veteran leaders of the Crimson Tide defense … in his second season as Alabama’s free safety and the play caller in the back of the Tide defense … started six games … returned against Arkansas as a reserve and then returned to the starting against Tennessee … has 31 tackles, ranking third on the team, an interception and three pass breakups … Alabama Defensive Player of the Week following the Ole Miss, Arkansas and LSU games. Virginia Tech: Made six tackles, including two solo stops, as the Tide limited the Hokies to 59 yards passing in a 35-10 victory at the Georgia Dome. Texas A&M
Namewise Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is right up there with college football players Hingle McCringleberry, Fudge, and LeCarpetron Dookmarriot. Of course, those three players don’t actually exist. They’re characters in a Key & Peele sketch.
Take the Ha Ha Clinton-Dix or Key and Peele QUIZ HERE!
19. Browns, Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Really under-the-radar prospect. Not much is known about this guy. Doesn’t get much publicity. We’ve barely even heard of him
20. New York Jets, Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
anchors an offensive line that ranks ninth nationally at .89 sacks per game … the Tide offensive line has allowed just one sack in the last five-plus games, covering 21 quarters … surrendered just 1.5 sacks all season and none in six games … has blocked 208.8 yards per game on the ground that ranks 27th nationally and fifth in the SEC while accounting for 243.9 yards through the air for 452.7 yards of total offense that ranks as the second most in a single season in Alabama history and 39th nationally. Virginia Tech: Anchored a young and inexperienced line that started three new players. Texas A&M: Helped the offensive line establish an identity as the Tide rushed for 234 yards and passed for 334 yards … recorded two knockdown blocks … did not allow a sack and graded out at 90 percent.
21. Miami Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
22. Dallas, Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
23. Chicago Bears, Ra’shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
Ra’Shede Hageman is a hometown product getting it done for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The Minneapolis native is leading the Gophers in tackles for losses and looks like a top ten pick in the NFL Draft in May. It’s a toss-up between Ra’Shede Hageman or Michigan OT Taylor Lewan to be the first Big Ten player taken in the draft. They are also the only guys who could be top ten picks.
Scouts like Hageman’s length and girth, abt 6-6, 311. He’s a nose guard, who makes an interesting 3-technique prospect in the NFL.
“I’m glad he’s a senior,” Northwestern Head Coach Pat Fitzergald said of Ra’Shede Hageman, who had a big interception and critical pass break-up today as the Gophers upset Northwestern.
“He had a great off week, and we worked out on his fundamentals,” said Gophers Interim Head Coach Tracy Claeys.
“He’s a big part of what we do, because others prepare for him.”
Hageman said he did a lot of drills working on technique and hand-work. And he needs works on his technique. Very much so as it looks like Hageman plays off every now and the, The Gophers are pretty deep at DL, and Rashede disappears or awhile. He needs more consistency.
24. Cincinnati Bengals, Marqise Lee, WR, USC
25. Detroit Lions, Eric Ebron, TE, UNC
26. San Francisco, Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
Ohio State Linebacker Ryan Shazier is a 6-2, 230-pound junior from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida who is rocketing up NFL Draft boards right now. He looks like a second round pick for sure, and may sneak into the first round .
Shazier had three tackles for loss, including two sacks, and seven total tackles as the Buckeyes rolled over Purdue, 56-0 last Saturday. Then again, playing Purdue ameliorates everyone’s NFL Draft stock; usually. Ryan Shazier is one of 20 quarter-finalists for some stupid award that no one cares about other than players and coaches. And then he got a Big Ten defensive player of the week award versus Illinois. Because everyone gets POW when they play the Illini.
27. Browns from Colts, De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
Thomas was a five-star recruit, and could have gone almost anywhere. In Eugene, Oregon his speed stands out. And that really says something, because Oregon team speed is among the nation’s elite. He helped the Oregon Ducks get their first Rose Bowl win in 95 years. His 91-yard TD run was the longest in Rose Bowl history.
Every De’Anthony Thomas tweet is in ALL CAPS! EVERY SINGLE ONE!
THAT CONVEYS THAT HE”S SHOUTING! Looking through his Twitter timeline I see he’s setting a trend with this too. There’s a hashtag #ALLCAPSMOVEMENT
So tweet in ALL CAPS IF YOU WANT TO JOIN HIS MOVEMENT!
Oregon running back De’Anthony Thomas is a burner, and a bonafide NFL Draft prospect. The South Central Los Angeles product has unreal speed. He looked incredible in the 2012 Rose Bowl in his home city.
Before getting hurt he was one of the top tailbacks on everyone’s draft boards. Of course, NFL teams rarely take running backs in the first round these days. But can that could change. Thomas exited the Ducks’ DESTRUCTION of visiting #12 UCLA with an ankle injury — a decision he says he made himself.
28. New England Patriots, Darqueze Dennard, DB, Michigan State
The Patriots have some issues in the secondary. Their pass defense is bad. They keep drafting DBs all the time. And rotating them, but they keep giving up tons of yards. Then again, they keep signing thugs to play DB. When you have Aqib Talib and Alfonzo Dennard as your starting CBs you’re going to have major legal issues.
Will signing a different CB named Dennard make a difference?
We’ll see. MSU is the #1 defense in the nation, and Dennard is the #1 most NFL ready on that squad.
He’s extremely mature. He understand accountability, at 2013 Big Ten Media Day, he broke down every loss from 2012 as to it being his own fault. He found a way to blame it on himself.
29. Seattle,
30. Kansas City, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
Sefarian-Jenkins is one of the top overall prospects in the 2014 NFL mock draft, and could help fill two Chiefs needs: blocking and pass-catching; they could use some help in both areas.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a first team All-American tight end for the Washington Huskies. He finished third in the Mackey Award voting last year, and was 3rd team All-American. Extremely tall, big and fast, he’s projected as a top 15 NFL Draft pick in 2014. I’ve seen him in the top 10 in a few mocks.
Seferian-Jenkins was also a member of the Huskies basketball team during his freshman year.
On March 9, 2013, Seferian-Jenkins was cited for DUI in Seattle. In July he plead guilty to DUI and served a day in jail. A blue chip football prospect with some character issues- I know shocking. UW Coach Steve Sarkisian suspended him for the Huskies’ season opener against #19 Boise State.
31. New Orleans,
The Saints, statistically speaking, had the worst defense in NFL history last year. That’s not hyperbole. It’s true. And it only makes what the cowardly lion looking guy has done that much more amazing. Rob Ryan has turned them around. Still, gotta go that side of the ball in round one.
32. Denver, Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
If you hate Washington Redskins Safety Brandon Meriweather, and you should, you might not have to worry about him too much longer. The way he plays the game, knocking himself out, knocking others out, showing no remorse for either, he’s not long for the NFL. Brandon Meriweather isn’t that good or that talented. He’s a more sinister Chuck Cecil, a human pinball with disregard for coverage schemes.
But get ready, because Ohio State’s Bradley Roby looks like a lighter version. Not quite Meriweather Jr. but close. So next year, when the NFL has had enough of Brandon Meriweather, Bradley Roby will step right in and fill his slot as a NFL rookie, because Roby is likely to be drafted high. And there are some similarities. Roby was kicked out of a game for trash talk. He’s had legal issues/off-the-field problems.
Both Bradley Roby and Brandon Meriweather are known for their arrogance and trash talk. Meriweather just had another round of shooting his mouth off, this time attacking Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall. You know the New England Patriots have little to no standards when it comes to the character of their players, and even they grew tired of Meriweather.
OSU’s Roby made headlines in 2011 for talking trash to Illini WR and future first round draft pick A.J. Jenkins before the two teams met in midseason. Bradley Roby’s Twitter biography reads “2014 National Champion.” Maybe he’s referring to another sport? Because the Buckeyes won’t even get a sniff of the national title unless Florida State goes down.
Roby had some rough spots this season particularly against Jared Abbrederis. But he’s got talent and if he runs well at the combine, he’ll be fine. He’ll likely get the measurables he needs to go high.
Our 2014 NFL mock draft is over. Hey thanks for coming! It’s listed in the Walter Football database and DC Pro Sports Report mock database
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also an analyst for multiple news talk radio stations across the country; with regular weekly segments on NBC and Fox Sports Radio. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks) and RSS Catch him Tuesdays talking Illini and Northwestern for KOZN 1620 The Zone, Fridays talking Chicago Bears for WAOR 95.7 The Fan
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