Below is an updated 2014 NFL Mock draft. The draft order was pulled from an article put together by edraft’s Blake Meek. In this article, Meek looks at the developments throughout the preseason and predicts the potential draft order.
1. Oakland Raiders- Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback, Louisville
The Oakland Raiders’ quarterback situation is the absolute worst in the entire league. Terrelle Pryor doesn’t have the basic quarterback skills needed to be effective over the long term. This is why Teddy Bridgewater should be one of Oakland’s top targets.
Bridgewater has already shown improvement from last year and looks poised for a big season. He has the physical tools to excel at the next level and has shown leadership ability which will be needed to navigate Oakland out of this rebuilding phase.
2. New York Jets- Marqise Lee, Wide Receiver, USC
The New York Jets should consider working a trade if they find themselves in the position to draft Jadeveon Clowney. They don’t necessarily have to trade this pick, but could look to move someone like Quinton Coples.
If they pass on Clowney, landing a top-flight and reliable receiver like Marqise Lee should be the course of action. Clemson’s Sammy Watkins might be more explosive, but Lee is more reliable.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End, South Carolina
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been looking to improve their pass rush for a long while. Landing the draft’s top prospect in Jadeveon Clowney would be a dream scenario. Head coach Gus Bradley would do wonders with a player with Clowney’s skill level.
4. Arizona Cardinals- Taylor Lewan, Offensive Tackle, Michigan
Levi Brown is an adequate NFL left tackle, but the Arizona Cardinals would be wise to find a long-term replacement. Taylor Lewan is not only a good athlete but also features a nasty streak. With Lewan at left tackle, Arizona could move Brown to the right side and improve two positions.
5. San Diego Chargers- Jake Matthews, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M
The San Diego Chargers made a solid pick when they added DJ Fluker, but he doesn’t solve the team’s biggest problem. San Diego’s left tackle situation is a complete mess and needs to be fixed if they have any hopes of Philip Rivers regaining his form.
Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews is a good athlete who plays with sound technique and awareness. He’ll provide an immediate upgrade and man the left side of the line for years to come.
6. Cleveland Browns- Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver, Clemson
Josh Gordon gives the Cleveland Browns a big-play threat, but he has yet to prove himself. Clemson’s Sammy Watkins has similar athleticism and has been extremely productive at the college level.
The combination of Gordon and Watkins would be really tough for any defense to handle. If the Browns can’t replace Brandon Weeden they should surround him with elite weapons.
7. Buffalo Bills- Anthony Barr, Outside Linebacker, UCLA
I’m not sure how much longer Mario Williams can last in Buffalo and with Mike Pettine now at defensive coordinator we could see a change. UCLA’s Anthony Barr would give the Bills a young linebacker who fits Pettine’s 3-4 defense.
Barr is more of a complete player than people realize, but possesses unlimited upside as a pass rusher. Pettine absolutely has the defensive mind to make sure he gets the most out of Barr’s skill set.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Aaron Lynch, Defensive End, South Florida
Da’Quan Bowers and Adrian Clayborn just haven’t created enough pressure on the quarterback to hold onto their starting jobs. South Florida’s Aaron Lynch is a local kid whose explosiveness allows him to get after the quarterback.
Lynch’s draft stock is a little bit of flux right now because he missed all of last year due to transfer rules. However, he’s an elite athlete with just as much upside as anyone in this draft.
9. Miami Dolphins- Jason Verrett, Cornerback, TCU
TCU’s Jason Verrett is quickly distancing himself from the other cornerback prospects in this draft. He has such a great feel for the position that it’s tough for an offense to attack his side of the field.
The Miami Dolphins need help a lot of help at the cornerback position. Verrett’s instincts and ball skills will help him take advantage of the poor throws Miami’s pass rush creates.
10. Tennessee Titans- Daniel McCullers, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee
The Tennessee Titans’ defense is missing a signature player who can dominate a game. Daniel McCullers has the potential to control the line of scrimmage from his defensive tackle position. His size allows him to stuff the run, while his quickness makes it difficult for offenses to keep him out of the backfield.
11. Carolina Panthers- Ja’Wuan James, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee
This is a major projection on my part, but once everyone gets a good look at Tennessee’s Ja’Wuan James he’ll become one of the hotter names in the draft. James features excellent size, fluid movements, balance and a nasty streak.
Tennessee has him lining up at right tackle, but he’s absolutely athletic enough to shift to the left side. The Carolina Panthers would be a great landing spot for James because they have Jordan Gross still lining up at left tackle.
James could start his career on the right side and then switch positions once Gross retires.
12. Minnesota Vikings- CJ Mosley, Linebacker, Alabama
The Minnesota Vikings are running with fill-in starters at both middle linebacker and on the weak-side. Alabama’s CJ Mosley features the athleticism and versatility needed to potentially play either position at the next level.
Mosley combines his explosiveness with good instincts and a ton of tenacity. He’s someone who’ll consistently make plays from sideline to sideline. There’s no reason to think he won’t quickly become the leader of Minnesota’s defense.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers- Louis Nix, Defensive Line, Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s Louis Nix is one player everyone should keep an eye on as the draft process progresses. His combination of size and explosiveness isn’t matched by anyone in this draft. He has the potential to climb into the top-5.
Nix fits with the Pittsburgh Steelers because he can instantly be inserted into the nose tackle spot. His thick lower half and strength allows him to hold at the point of attack. He also does a great job playing two-gap football and dealing with double teams.
Actually, Pittsburgh would have a new wrinkle with Nix in the mix. His quick first step helps work his way into the back field and disrupt the time of the offense. Pittsburgh didn’t have this type of player when Casey Hampton manned the nose tackle spot.
14. Philadelphia Eagles- Khalil Mack, Linebacker, Buffalo
The jury is still out on whether or not the Philadelphia Eagles have their future quarterback on the roster, but at this point I don’t see a prospect other than Teddy Bridgewater worthy of a first-round pick.
However, the Eagles can address a major need by targeting Buffalo’s Khalil Mack. This is a player who can fill multiple roles. The Eagles could get the most use out of him by setting him loose to rush the passer.
Because of his long arms and explosives, Mack has a ton of upside as a pass rusher.
15. Detroit Lions- Bradley Roby, Cornerback, Ohio State
When the Detroit Lions decided to go with Ziggy Ansah this past April they passed on the chance to upgrade the cornerback position. It’s tough to imagine a scenario where the Lions won’t put a focus on that position in the upcoming offseason.
Ohio State’s Bradley Roby is a long and athletic cornerback. He’s not afraid to play physical and shows the ability to generate turnovers.
16. New York Giants- Colt Lyerla, Tight End, Oregon
Eli Manning has always made great use of his tight ends. However, in recent years the New York Giants have made him make something out of nothing with players like Jake Ballard and Martellus Bennett.
I’m sure Eli would love an explosive playmaker like Oregon’s Colt Lyerla. He’s the type of tight end who can attack the seam and work the underneath routes. Oregon also uses Lyerla as an H-back and even running back.
17. St. Louis Rams- Calvin Barnett, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma State
The combination of Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford is a nice defensive tackle tandem. However, neither possesses the type of explosiveness Oklahoma State’s Calvin Barnett brings to the table.
Barnett’s quick first step allows him to penetrate the pocket and disrupt the timing of the offense. His ability to make plays in the backfield would be a great compliment to Brockers’ ability to occupy blockers.
18. Kansas City Chiefs- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tight End, Washington
Washington’s Austin Seferian-Jenkins is an intriguing prospect because of his amazing size. He combines that size with good quickness and soft hands. Seferian-Jenkins is the type of player who’ll consistently create matchup problems for the defense.
19. Chicago Bears- Tre Jackson, Guard, Florida State
Even after adding Kyle Long in the 2013 draft, the Chicago Bears still have a few issues along the offensive line. Florida State’s Tre Jackson is a powerful guard prospect who uses his long arms to gain position.
His quick feet help him mirror defenders and his think lower half helps him anchor after initial contact. The Bears would have a potentially dominate interior offensive line with Long and Jackson in the mix.
20. St. Louis Rams (via Wash)- Ka’Deem Carey, Running Back, Arizona
Daryl Richardson is just a fill-in at the running back position for the St. Louis Rams. He lacks the complete package needed to be an every-down back. Arizona’s Ka’Deem Carey possesses the speed and power needed to fill that role.
Carey has some off-field problems that need to be cleared up, but when on the field he continuously provides game-changing plays. It’s important to note that Jeff Fisher isn’t afraid to take a chance on someone with character red flags—just look at recent additions Janoris Jenkins and Alec Ogletree.
21. Baltimore Ravens- Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M
Everybody is focusing on the Baltimore Ravens loss of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, but losing Anquan Boldin could prove to be a bigger problem. The Ravens’ wide receiving corps features players who excel at taking the top off a defense.
Players like Jacoby Jones and Torrey Smith have yet to prove they can work over the middle of the field or make plays in traffic. Texas A&M’s Mike Evans has the size to fill this void on the Ravens’ roster.
Evans uses his size, leaping ability and strong hands to attack the ball at its highest point. Joe Flacco needs someone capable of bailing him out from time to time.
22. Dallas Cowboys- George Uko, Defensive Tackle, USC
The Dallas Cowboys still have issues along their offensive line, but I have a feeling that Monte Kiffin will push for a disruptive defensive tackle. USC’s George Uko uses his explosive first step and violent hands to keep clean and work his way into the backfield.
He’s exactly the type of defender needed to fill the role of three-technique in Kiffin’s defense.
23. Indianapolis Colts- Tre Mason, Running Back, Auburn
With Ahmad Bradshaw’s extensive injury history the Indianapolis Colts can’t count on him being a long-term answer at the running back position. Auburn’s Tre Mason is a complete player who can both break off long runs and gain yards between the tackles.
Mason reminds me a lot of a more explosive version of Ray Rice. He has that same type thick build, low center of gravity and tough running style.
24. Green Bay Packers- Antonio Richardson, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee
Antonio Richardson is a fluid athlete who excels at protecting the quarterback. His quick feet and change of direction ability helps him both protect the edge react to counter moves. The Green Bay Packers need to find some capable of protecting Aaron Rodgers’ blinde side.
25. Houston Texans- Noel Grigsby, Wide Receiver, San Jose State
With DeAndre Hopkins the Houston Texans got someone capable of making plays in traffic and redzone threat. However, they still need someone to run reliable routes and consistently find openings in the defense.
San Jose State’s Noel Grigsby is the type of receiver who just has a great feel for the position. He uses his savvy and instincts to create separation.
26. Atlanta Falcons- Cyrus Kouandjio, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
I have yet to see anything from Cyrus Kouandjio to suggest that he’ll be able to hold up at left tackle in the NFL. He lacks the fluid movements and overall athleticism needed to deal with the NFL’s top pass rushers.
However, he has enough talent to develop into a solid right tackle. The Atlanta Falcons have seen some major turnover along the offensive line over the last few years. Kouandjio would give them someone capable of coming in and making an immediate impact.
27. New England Patriots- Will Sutton, Defensive Tackle, Arizona State
Addressing the wide receiver position is an option for the New England Patriots, but it’ll be tough to pass up a player like Will Sutton. His ability to penetrate the pocket gives him the potential to make game-changing plays.
Sutton’s quickness would fit in nicely alongside the run-stuffing Vince Wilfork.
28. New Orleans Saints- Adrian Hubbard, Outside Linebacker, Alabama
The New Orleans Saints need to find a pass-rusher to fit their new 3-4 defense. Alabama’s Adrian Hubbard possess the potential to develop into a double-digit sack man, but he needs to show more consistency and a higher motor.
29. Denver Broncos- Carl Bradford, Linebacker, Arizona State
Arizona State’s Carl Bradford is one of the more versatile players in this draft class. He’s shown the ability to rush the passer, drop into coverage and play the run. The most impressive part of his play is that he can impact the game from defensive end, outside linebacker or middle linebacker.
30. San Francisco 49ers- Charles Sawyer, Cornerback, Ole Miss
Charles Sawyer was limited in Ole Miss’s opening matchup against Vanderbilt due to an injury. However, he’s remains as one of the more talented cornerbacks available for the 2014 draft. Sawyer uses a combination of a quick short-area burst and instincts to continuously make plays on the ball.
31. Cincinnati Bengals- Craig Loston, Safety, LSU
LSU’s Craig Loston is a physical player who makes sound tackles from his safety position. However, he also has the quickness and fluidity to hold up in coverage. The Cincinnati Bengals need to find a strong safety as well rounded as Loston.
32. Seattle Seahawks- Stephon Tuitt, Defensive Line, Notre Dame
The Seattle Seahawks added Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril to the mix this offseason, but neither are a great fit as a five-technique in their defense. Notre Dame’s Stephon Tuitt features the size, strength and athleticism to fill that role.
He’d represent a younger and cheaper replacement for Red Bryant.