This is the moment we have all been waiting for. The 2014 NFL Draft is just days away. Teams are readying the war rooms, finishing the big boards which means reporters are finishing their mock drafts.
Our final mock draft might surprise some fans, might not surprise others; but after scouring all the scouting reports, all the charts, all measurements, all the free agency moves, and navigating all the rumors we have our final mock draft.
The NFL Draft is always one giant uncertainty due to trades and teams reaching on prospects. So before we get to the the mock draft, here are three bold trade predictions for the 2014 NFL Draft.
- The Detroit Lions will trade up from Pick 10 to Pick 2, owned by the St. Louis Rams, to take Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins
- Dallas could be a very active in the first-round. Possibly due to a certain Heisman winning quarterback?
- Atlanta will trade to first overall for a certain defensive end out of South Carolina.
Here is PPI’s final mock draft:
1.) Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
This pick has largely stayed the same. It’s this simple: trade down for Johnny Manziel or take Clowney. However, the Texans could surprise a good chunk of people and select Manziel. (Second Round: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville)
2.) St. Louis Rams: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
General Manager Les Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher are in a great place to trade down and collect a nice loot. Robinson is their man if they stay put, however. The selection is more about the guard position as both starters were lost in the offseason. (Second Round: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.)
3.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
Another pick stays the same. Mack is the man for Jacksonville. They added plenty of pass rushers along the line in free agency and now they add another from a stand up position. (Second Round: AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama)
4.) Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Both GM Ray Farmer and coach Mike Pettine have said they are planning on going quarterback with the fourth selection but a late visit and private workout in addition to a bountiful crop of receivers says otherwise. (Second Round: Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio St.)
5.) Oakland Raiders: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
What Cleveland passes on is Oakland’s prize. They have their quarterback in Matt Schaub (via trade with Houston) and now they give their quarterback a true top target. (Second Round: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno St.)
6.) Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The only way this pick doesn’t happen, is if Jeff Fisher takes Matthews second overall. Fisher and Matthew’s Hall-of-Fame father, Bruce, worked together in Tennessee. (Second Round: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech)
7.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
After Tampa traded receiver Mike Williams to Buffalo, the wide receiver position became a glaring area of need. Evans and veteran Vincent Jackson give whoever quarterbacks the Bucs a premier tandem. (Second Round: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama)
8.) Minnesota Vikings: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
Bortles’ road to the draft has been all over the map. Once he was the first overall pick, then he was a top ten pick, then he was on the verge of slipping, then his pro day landed him back in the top ten and in this mock draft finally with Minnesota. (Second Round: Deone Bucannon, S, Washington St.)
9.) Buffalo Bills: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Buffalo has a dynamic two-tight end set with this selection. Ebron is the future reliable target that last year’s first-round choice, quarterback EJ Manuel, needs to develop. (Second Round: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri)
10.) Detroit Lions: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Lewan has been rising throughout the draft process and may even go higher than this. If the Lions don’t trade up for Watkins, then they will most likely follow their usual game plan: draft the best player. (Second Round: Allen Robinson, WR, Penn St.)
11.) Tennessee Titans: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
With the Titans switching to a 3-4 defense they need a pass rusher off the edge. Barr has only played two seasons at linebacker, but racked up 23.5 sacks in that time. (Second Round: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU)
12.) New York Giants: C.J. Mosely, ILB, Alabama
An offensive lineman could be selected here but the name of the draft game is value and in this mock draft, Mosely is the best value here. He addresses a need for the G-Men, is versatile, and comes from a pro style defense. (Second Round: Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada)
13.) St. Louis Rams: Haha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
Clinton-Dix is another prospect who has been rising. He should be gone anywhere from Pick 10 – 14. The Rams nab him here and address a major need. A cornerback could also be in play here but regardless, they address the secondary. (Third Round: Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida)
14.) Chicago Bears: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Fuller, has been another prospect whose stock has risen considerably. The former-Hokie is a big defender who isn’t afraid to mix it up in run support. He will be groomed as Charles Tillman’s replacement. (Second Round: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame)
15.) Pittsburgh Steelers: Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
The first major shakeup to the mock draft. Hageman compares to Dontari Poe, when the former-Memphis Tiger was coming out. Undeniable talent but inconsistent play which leads to questions of how his play will pan out at the next level. (Second Round: Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson)
16.) Dallas Cowboys: Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
The Cowboys defense is now under Rod Marinelli’s control. Having coached up Warren Sapp in a similar 4-3 style defense, Marinelli could develop Donald into the next premier talent. (Second Round: Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois)
17.) Baltimore Ravens: Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
The Ravens would be ecstatic to land Martin but he might not there at no. 17. Martin has been rising and his versatility to play either tackle or guard at an elite level could seem go as early as 12th overall. (Second Round: Kyle Van Noy, OLB, Utah)
18.) New York Jets: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St.
Starting down the path to the draft, Dennard was considered the top cornerback prospect. He has the physicality coach Rex Ryan loves and would pair nicely with last year’s first-round selection Dee Millinier. (Second Round: Jarvis Landary, WR, LSU)
19.) Miami Dolphins: Odell Beckham, WR, LSU
A surprise pick. Beckham’s arrow is pointing up and could even go earlier than this. Miami, now under the management of Dennis Hickey, could not value Mike Wallace the way former-GM Jeff Ireland did. (Second Round: David Yankey, OG, Stanford)
20.) Arizona Cardinals: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Pryor slips a little in this mock draft, but where he lands couldn’t be any better. With veteran Yeremiah Bell still unsigned and age having caught up with him, the strong safety position is near empty. Pryor, is a playmaker and can set the tone for the defense with his crushing hits. (Second Round: Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn)
21.) Green Bay Packers: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St.
The Packers have been trying to address the position for years now, but still need help. Ryan Pickett, C.J. Wilson, and Johnny Jolly are gone. BJ Raji, is only on a one year contract. The rest (Mike Daniels, Jerel Worthy, and Datone Jones) have all been drafted in the last two years and have under-performed. (Second Round: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington)
22.) Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Gilbert, CB, Virginia Tech
The big-play making Gilbert lands with the Eagles. There is little depth behind starters Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams. Gilbert gives depth and an eventual upgrade over Fletcher. (Second Round: Marcus Smith, OLB, Louisville)
23.) Kansas City Chiefs: Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame
A possible reach but a perfect fit. Tuitt under-performed in his junior season. At the next-level, coach Andy Reid will get the most out of him. As a sophomore Tuitt tallied 12 sacks. (Third Round: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt)
24.) Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio St.
Cincy could go a couple different ways either cornerback (if one falls) or center (if one impresses them enough). Shazier has the ability to cover space and provide strong run support. (Second Round: Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU)
25.) San Diego Chargers: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio St.
Roby’s stock has been up and down due to inconsistent play in his final season at OSU and some off-field issues. However, if he can prove to teams that the issues are a thing of the past and his play will get back to his All-American sophomore year, than the Chargers will be adding a Day One starter. (Second Round: Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech)
26.) Cleveland Browns: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Lee gives the Browns exactly what they need. With veterans Josh Gordon and Greg Little on the outside, Lee could terrorize defenses from the slot. With a very talented receiving pool, Cleveland’s gamble to draft a receiver later pays off. (Third Round: Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin)
27.) New Orleans Saints: Demarcus Lawrence, OLB, Boise St.
The Saints add a needed pass rushing threat. Lawrence racked up 20 sacks in two seasons in addition to 33.5 tackles for loss, after transferring from Butler Community College. Teams will hope he can make the adjustment from college defensive end to pro outside linebacker. (Second Round: Marcus Martin, C, USC)
28.) Carolina Panthers: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
When veteran Jordan Gross retired the Panthers began searching for their new franchise left tackle. At this point Moses is the best option. (Second Round: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno St.)
29.) New England Patriots: Weston Richburg, C, Colorado St.
If the Pats stay in the first-round Richburg is their man, who can anchor the offensive line. However, expect them to trade out of the first-round and make maneuver around in the second-round to select multiple players. (Second Round: C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa)
30.) San Francisco 49ers: Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
Latimer, is the hottest prospect in this draft class. His invitation to Radio City Music Hall says as much. He’ll go in the first two rounds. He was third on the Hoosiers in receptions last season and led the team with 1,096 yards. (Second Round: Baushad Breeland, CB, Clemson; Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois)
31.) Denver Broncos: Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon St.
Another surprise in the final mock draft. Crichton had 7.5 sacks despite being the target in most teams blocking schemes when facing the Beavers. A non-stop motor, Crichton adds much needed depth. (Second Round: D. Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss)
32.) Seattle Seahawks: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
With an elite defense, the Seahawks now must build their offense. Cooks is the reigning Biletnikoff winner after posting 1,670 yards. Height may be a concern but that hasn’t stopped the ‘Hawks before. (Second Round: Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame)
34.) Washington Redskins: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Last season the Redskins added a corner with their first pick, second in the second round. The position still needs to be addressed. Verrett falls just out of the first but gives the Redskins a dynamic nickleback. (Third Round: Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee)
59.) Indianapolis Colts: Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA
The offensive line was hit hard in the offseason and needed to be upgraded anyways. Su’a-Filo started every game in his three years at and has played both tackle and guard. A Day One starter for sure. (Third Round: Dion Bailey, S, USC)
