Wednesday, May 7, 2014

NFL Mock Draft 2014 Part 3 (Picks 22-32)

22: Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Kelvin Benjamin/ WR/ Florida State

Analysis: The Eagles have a need at WR after releasing DeSean Jackson, however, the trade for Darren Sproles gives them a similar type of player allowing them to take a bigger possession receiver. Kelvin Benjamin gives them a large, almost TE sized receiver who will be a monster in the red zone, and make Philly that much more difficult to stop.

23. Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Marquis Lee/ WR/ USC

Analysis: Lee gives Andy Reid a true number one receiver who can play opposite of Dwayne Bowe. With two solid receivers and an elite RB in the backfield the Chiefs will be the biggest thorn in the side of Denver next season.

24. Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Bradley Robey/ CB/ Ohio State

Analysis: Robey is an intriguing physical specimen, who despite some injuries, has a high ceiling as an NFL CB. He can start out as a Nickel Corner and eventually should be able to ascend to a no.2 CB for the Bengals.

25. San Diego Chargers

Pick: Louis Nix/ NG/ Notre Dame

Analysis: Chargers add a true NG in the middle, who also has the upside of having been in charge of keeping Manti Te'o clean from being blocked at Notre Dame. The fit here is perfect, and improves the Chargers defense, especially against the run.

26. Cleveland Browns

Pick: Derek Carr/ QB/ Fresno State

Analysis: After missing out on Manziel the Browns take a QB who can come in and compete with Brian Hoyer for the starting job. Carr is a near perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan's offense, at least on paper. The only real weakness Carr has is on deep passes and his size. I look at Carr as a poor man's Andrew Luck or Drew Brees, especially with his gunslinger mentality.

27. New Orleans Saints

Pick: Keith McGull/ CB/ Utah

Analysis: The Saints have a penchant for having first round picks that are completely out of left field. After flirting with Brandon Browner and signing Jairus Byrd the Saints have all but announced they are trying to copy Seattle's blueprint for defense. McGull has raw first round talent but is unrefined. At 6'3'' he is a huge man with long arms and solid enough speed to play press man. Letting him cover the number 2 receiver while learning from Champ Bailey will allow him to develop fast.

28. Carolina Panthers

Pick: Brandin Cooks/ WR/ Oregon State

Analysis: Might as well call him Steve Smith without the crazy. Fast tenacious burner, gives Carolina someone to throw the ball to other than Greg Olsen.

29. New England Patriots

Pick: Austin Seferian-Jenkins/ TE/ Washington

Analysis: The Patriots need help on offense and they know it. Despite needs at WR the Pats should wait for the second round to address that need and take a TE who can complement (or replace) Rob Gronkowski. Hopefully this kid turns out better than Aaron Hernandez.

30. San Francisco 49ers

Pick: Timmy Jernigan/ DT/NG/ Florida State

Analysis: While I doubt they pick here (probably trading up for a Odell Beckham Jr. or some other speed receiver) Jernigan makes the most sense here as a talented lineman who could play either Nose or End for the 49ers, and is one of the most talented players available.

31. Denver Broncos

Pick: Joel Bitonio/ OT/OG / Nevada

Analysis: A versatile lineman who projects best as a LG. Plays with awareness and intensity and helps jumpstart Denver's run game.

32. Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Stanley Jean-Baptiste/ CB/ Nebraska

Analysis: Could be the love child of Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman. Has all of the size and raw ability the Seahawks looks for in a corner and could compete for the no.2 corner spot against Byron Maxwell immediately.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

NFL Mock Draft 2014 Part 2 (Picks 11-21)

11. Tennessee Titans

Pick: Darqueze Dennard/ CB/ Michigan State

Analysis: This Tennessee's biggest need outside of QB and RB. I'd look for them to go with Dennard or Kyle Fuller in this spot, all comes down to whether they go with the bigger risk in Dennard or the safer pick in Fuller. Look for them to go after Jimmy Garropollo or Tre Mason in the second round to address their other needs.

12. New York Giants

Pick: Aaron Donald/ DT/ Pittsburgh

Analysis: This Donald kid is the perfect fit for the Giants. He is like Warren Sapp reincarnated, and is one of the best pass rushing 3-Techniques I've ever seen.

13. St. Louis Rams

Pick: Ha Ha Clinton Dix/ FS/ Alabama

Analysis: Having solidified their offensive line by taking Greg Robinson at no.2 the Rams can now turn to the defense and improve their struggling secondary by taking this SEC FS. Dix should be able to pick of many passes next year in this defense from the sheer amount of hurried throws Robert Quinn and Chris Long will force.

14. Chicago Bears

Pick: Ryan Shazier/ OLB/ Ohio State

Analysis: Despite the Bears secondary woes, I think the Bears address their issue at linebacker here. With the two best Cornerbacks off the board already they take a very underrated athletic linebacker with huge potential.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: Kyle Fuller/ CB/ Virginia Tech

Analysis: Fuller just seems to be a perfect scheme fit for Pittsburgh. Could also be an OT or WR but they really need help in the secondary.

16. Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Anthony Barr/ DE/OLB / UCLA

Analysis: The Cowboys really like this kid, and Jerry will hope he is the next Demarcus Ware. Only time will tell if he can become a dominant DE as he is small and would be a better fit in a 34 or  Seattle and Jacksonville's "Leo" 43.

17. Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Calvin Pryor/ FS/ Louisville

Analysis: Baltimore needs help at safety, with this pick they can a really great pair of safeties with Pryor and Matt Elam. Pryor and Dix could be swapped depending on who the Rams take at 13.

18. New York Jets

Pick: Odell Beckham Jr./ WR/ LSU

Analysis: The Jets need a solid WR to play opposite of Eric Decker. Odell Beckham Jr. gives them a Desean Jackson type of receiver, who will help either Michael Vick or Geno Smith and should help the Jets continue to build in the right direction.

19. Miami Dolphins

Pick: Zack Martin/ OT/ Notre Dame

Analysis: Miami is in desperate need of an OT, Martin's ability as a run blocker makes him a natural RT. Also if he fails as a OT he has the potential to be moved to guard, making him a safer pick.

20. Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Cyrus Kouandjio/ OT/ Alabama

Analysis: An overhyped power RT prospect. His raw physical ability could make him a complete monster on the right side, but his lack of polish could eventually turn him into a bust. Gives Arizona one of the most solid lines in the NFL if he pans out. Look for them to go after a QB in the 2nd round.

21. Green Bay Packers

Pick: Stephon Tuitt/ DE/ Notre Dame

Analysis: I honestly think there is no way the Packers stay here, there is no top tier talent at there biggest positions of need. I'll guess Stephon Tuitt here as one of the best players available and the Packers need for help on the D-Line.

Monday, May 5, 2014

NFL Mock Draft 2014 Part 1 (picks 1-10)

1. Houston Texans

Pick: Jadeveon Clowney/ Defensive End/ South Carolina

Analysis: There seems to be an overall feeling that the Texans are going to go with Clowney here, and personally, I like the move. I would love to see what Bill O'Brien can do with Case Keenum. I also am really intrigued by the idea of Clowney and J.J. Watt on the same team, suddenly they cannot double team either of them. And just an aside here, but I would personally use Watt and Clowney on offense in goal line situations, put them as tight ends, they're both huge, and both have the physical ability to run a short route into the end zone and catch it over everyone else.

2. St. Louis Rams

Pick: Greg Robinson/ Offensive Tackle/ Auburn

Analysis: The Rams need an eventual replacement for Jake Long, who is coming off of ACL surgery and has a history of injuries. Now, with this class, I'd take a tackle to groom behind Jake in the second round and take Sammy Watkins here. But the feeling out there is that if the Rams do not trade back they will spend this pick of Robinson, who is an excellent run blocker with the athletic ability to develop into a true Left Tackle. Robinson could start on the right side of the line given his blocking ability and then be moved to the left once Jake Long is no longer a Ram, or no longer performing at a high level.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Johnny Manziel/ QB/ Texas A&M

Analysis: This is the perfect pick for the Jaguars in my opinion, allowing them to imitate Seattle even more. Manziel does two things for Jacksonville, it gives them a franchise QB in the vein of Russell Wilson and it gives people a reason to care about Jacksonville, the way that RGIII made people want to watch Washington on a national stage. Given Gus Bradley's rebuilt defense and strong offensive weapons, adding a franchise QB here just makes good sense. The only way I could see this changing is if Gus decides to go with a defensive playmaker in Khalil Mack.

4. Cleveland Browns

Pick: Sammy Watkins/ WR/ Clemson

Analysis: The idea of an offense having Sammy Watkins, Josh Gordon, and Jordan Cameron is just downright scary. If Brian Hoyer can pick up where he left off Cleveland could be a surprise playoff contender (a surprise to only people not living in the state of Ohio more than likely).

5. Oakland Raiders

Pick: Khalil Mack/ LB/DE / Buffalo

Analysis: Oakland is available to take the best player here, and is able to add an extremely versatile player to their retooled defense. Rather they want him to play DE or LB he can play anywhere. Mack has shown the ability to be a truly dominating pass rusher. He aslo has the speed and coverage ability to be a Von Miller/Mathias Kiwanuka type of OLB. Adding Mack to Oakland's defense could make the black hole, once again, a scary place to play.

6. Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Jake Matthews/ OL/ Texas A&M

Analysis: The Falcons desperately need help on the offensive line. Jake gives them not only a great O-Lineman but also a versatile one. Matthews has played in different spots along the line, including having extensive knowledge at Center. This combined with his status as being part of the "Mannings of the Line" family and his film junkie tendencies make him precisely the player that Falcons need.

7. Tam Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Mike Evans/ WR/ Texas A&M

Analysis: After trading Mike Williams the Bucs only solid receiver is Vincent Jackson. Adding Mike Evans gives them a guy who is like Hines Ward mixed with Plaxico Burress with a little Antonio Gates thrown in. He has the ability to be an effective blocker, always a plus as a receiver, especially on a team where Doug Martin is likely to be a huge part of the offense. His raw size and instincts on how to get open make him a lethal red zone target and will make him a very effective target on 3rd downs. The only real issue with him is he sometimes loses his temper and makes a boneheaded move, but you have to love the kids heart.

8. Minnesota Vikings

Pick: CJ Mosley/ ILB/ Alabama

Analysis: Despite all the talk of a QB here, the Vikings have two solid game mangers in Christian Ponder and Matt Cassell already on the roster. Mike Zimmer goes with a defender forged in the fires of the SEC over a project QB like Bortles.

9. Buffalo Bills

Pick: Eric Ebron/ TE/ North Carolina

Analysis: This pick gives EJ Manuel a solid security blanket to throw to, and gives them a strong TE tandem with Scott Chandler. Along with the dynamic duo in the backfield, and Stevie Johnson at WR the Bills are looking to have a potent offense this year if Manuel can stay healthy.

10. Detroit Lions

Pick: Justin Gilbert/ CB/ Oklahoma State

Analysis: Detroit desperately needs a number one CB and Gilbert is the best cover corner in the draft. His only real weakness is in run support, but as a coverage guy, no one is better in this draft.