Monday, February 24, 2014

NFL Mock Draft Edition 4 (Combine Edition)

1. Houston Texans Blake Bortles, QB Other Possibilitiy: DE Jadeveon Clowney
Blake Bortles
Rumors are swirling the Texans like Bortles here and it does make a lot of sense. Bortles has more potential than Bridgewater but is still more durable than Manziel and is a pro-style quarterback something Bill O'Brien needs.
2. St. Louis Rams Greg Robinson, OT Other Possibility: OT Jake Matthews
The Rams have an interesting situation here with the second pick. They should go offensive line, especially tackle (and Robinson is the best available) but they also need some more playmakers to surround Sam Bradford with like Sammy Watkins.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars Jadeveon Clowney, DE Other Possibility: QB Teddy Bridgewater
Clowney made waves earlier today when he ran an impressive 4.53 40, faster than most quarterbacks. Jacksonville should pick up the best option here and look for Derek Carr to fall to the second round or pick up another solid QB.
4. Cleveland Browns Johnny Manziel, QB Other Possibility: QB Teddy Bridgewater
Manziel didn't throw today at the combine and his statistics were solid enough to keep him here at No.4. Manziel still remains a player that can extend plays in magical ways and could bring fans to the seats in Cleveland, something they haven't had in a long time.
5. Oakland Raiders Sammy Watkins, WR Other Possibility: QB Teddy Bridgewater
The issues remain very much the same at Oakland where they have lacked a proven quarterback or receiver for years. Bridgewater could definitely be an option if he falls here but Watkins would give the offense the explosiveness they desperately need.
6. Atlanta Falcons Jake Matthews, OT Other Possibility: LB Khalil Mack
Injuries were the thing that helped kill the Falcons' season last year but the talent is there if they can stay healthy. Picking up Matthews will be critical as he would help Matt Ryan from getting injured, their recently signed franchise QB.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaners Khalil Mack, LB Other Possibility: LB Anthony Barr
Mike Mayock supported Mack in a big way saying he would select Mack if he were in the Texans' shoes. He does have that top-flight potential, he can impact ways as a pass-rushing linebacker and has the range and instincts of an NFL stud.
8. Minnesota Vikings Teddy Bridgewater, QB Other Possibility: CB Darqueze Dennard
Although he didn't throw or run at the combine Bridgewater is still a for-sure Top 10 pick. He may fall here to Minnesota but the Vikings desperately need a quarterback who can be a leader for a very young offense.
9. Buffalo Bills C.J. Mosley, LB Other Possibility: OT Taylor Lewan
With Mack off the board the Bills could look offensive line here, especially if Matthews or Robinson drops, but they should continue to improve a defense that has taken major steps the last couple of years. Mosley isn't the pass rusher Mack is but it is a leader who is a sure tackler.
10. Detroit Lions Darqueze Dennard, CB Other Possibility: WR Mike Evans
Other than Ndamukong Suh the Lions' defense is pretty average and they need a secondary that can stop Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers, along with the other elite quarterbacks in the NFC. Dennard is by far and away the best cornerback in the draft and a quick fix in the back.
11. Tennessee Titans Anthony Barr, LB Other Possibility: OT Taylor Lewan
When he is on his game Barr can take over games with his pass rushing ability, picking up sacks or just making the quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket. He still has to develop in other ways but Tennessee needs someone imposing like him on their defense.
12. New York Giants Timmy Jernigan, DT Other Possibility: CB Justin Gilbert
Could Jernigan be a stretch here for the Giants? Yes, but the Giants' defense has been lacking for years in run stoppers and Jernigan is just that. He has the strength and smarts to take over games at the next level.
13. St. Louis Rams Justin Gilbert, CB Other Possibility: WR Mike Evans
The Rams defense has some good pieces but their secondary was pretty inconsistent through much of last year and they have to deal with the great quarterbacks of the NFC West. Gilbert has excellent awareness and leaping ability and could make an impact in special teams as well.
14. Chicago Bears Aaron Donald, DL Other Possibility: S HaHa Clinton-Dix
Out of all the pass rushers in this draft it could be Donald with the most upside after the year he had at Pitt in 2013. Donald has the versatility to play a number of roles and could improve greatly if he gets stronger and quicker on the snap he can be dominant.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers Louis Nix, DT Other Possibility: DE Kony Ealy
Nix just fits the mold of a Pittsburgh Steeler defensive linemen. Nix is huge, at 6-2, 330 pounds and has the power to disrupt backfields constantly. He still has to improve in run support but the tools are there.
16. Dallas Cowboys Calvin Pryor, S Other Possibility: DE Kony Ealy
Although the run defense needs work as well the Cowboys' pass defense was porous throughout much of the 2013 season. Pryor has great size for a safety and has a great ball hawking mentality, he could shoot up boards.
17. Baltimore Ravens Mike Evans, WR Other Possibility: OT Taylor Lewan
Evans could shoot up boards as well and the Ravens need another playmaker for Joe Flacoo to work with, especially with Ray Rice's future now uncertain. Evans notched in with a strong 37" vertical and 4.53 40, impressive numbers.
18. New York Jets Eric Ebron, TE Other Possibility: WR Marqise Lee
Even tight ends can change games and Ebron did constantly while at UNC and should bring a lot of help to a New York offense that really needs it. He has great hands for a tight end and receiver's speed and route running ability.
19. Miami Dolphins Zack Martin, OT Other Possibility: OT Cyrus Kouandjio
It wasn't just the Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito scandal that was terrible for Miami's offensive line, they allowed 58 sacks last year. Martin is a durable tackle who could anchor the line right away.
20. Arizona Cardinals Taylor Lewan, OT Other Possibility: DT Ra'Shede Hagemen
It is no secret why NFL scouts love Lewan; he has eye-popping size. At 6'7" and 310 pounds he could start from the beginning and he could be a steal here for the Cardinals.
21. Green Bay Packers Ra'Shede Hagemen, DT Other Possibility: HaHa Clinton-Dix
The Packers rush defense took a step back last year and passing on Hagemen here would be foolish. Hagemen has great size and athleticism and is from the area, playing at Minnesota.
22. Philadelphia Eagles HaHa Clinton-Dix, S Other Possibility: DE Kony Ealy
Clinton-Dix showed real potential while playing at Alabama and should give the Eagles immediate secondary help. He has great coverage skills and has proven he has great range.
23. Kansas City Chiefs Jace Amaro, TE Other Possibility: WR Odell Beckham
Maybe in a couple of years we might be calling Amaro the next Tony Gonzalez. He is a fantastic intermediate receiver who can be a security blanket for Alex Smith for years to come.
24. Cincinnati Bengals Kony Ealy, DE Other Possibility: CB Marcus Roberson
The Bengals already have a feared pass rusher in Geno Atkins but imagine their defense with Ealy who can help in run support as well and has the potential to be a star.
25. San Diego Chargers Kyle Van Noy, LB Other Possibility: CB Marcus Roberson
Van Noy proved constantly he was a defensive playmaker for BYU and could be the second straight highly-touted Cougar pass rusher (Ezekiel Ansah last year). He also has developed coverage abilities.
26. Cleveland Browns Cyrus Kouandjio, OT Other Possibility: WR Kelvin Benjamin
If the Browns are banking on Manziel being their franchise QB they are going to need him to stay healthy. Kouandjio had the upside to be a great tackle for years to come.
27. New Orleans Saints Dee Ford, DE Other Possibility: WR Kelvin Benjamin
Rob Ryan greatly improve the Saints defense last year but they still lack one obvious thing: an elite young pass rusher, something Auburn product Dee Ford could provide them with. Ford has an excellent motor and has NFL size.
28. Carolina Panthers Marcus Roberson, CB Other Possibility: CB Jason Verrett
The Panthers may need an improvement on their offensive line or another receiving option, but their secondary is a big issue as well and passing on a talent like Roberson will be very tough. Roberson has great athleticism and the potential to grow into a shutdown corner.
29. New England Patriots Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE Other Possibility: DL Stephon Tuitt
If Amaro and Ebron, the top two tight ends, are off the board by this point it will be very difficult for the Pats not to pick up Seferian-Jenkins who would be the top available option. Seferian-Jenkins is a stud from Washington with excellent hands and is developing as a decent blocker.
30. San Francisco Niners Jason Verrett, CB Other Possibility: CB Bradley Roby
The Niners have one of the best front sevens in the NFL but their secondary lacks a star and Verrett could be a late steal. Verrett proved to be a playmaker while at TCU and has the size and strength to develop quite nicely.
31. Denver Broncos Stephon Tuitt, DL Other Possibility: CB Bradley Roby
They didn't look like it much last year but the Broncos really missed Elvis Dumervil and really lacked a pass rush. Tuitt is massive, 6'5" 305 and with the physical tools to be dominant in a couple years.
32. Seattle Seahawks David Yankey, OL Other Possibility: OG Xavier Su'a-Filo
Seattle's offense was solid throughout 2013 and into the playoffs but consistency on the line was sometimes a question. Yankey is a smart Stanford product who can play either guard or tackle and can block the run very well.

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