So by now, most of the experts are on their third or fourth mock draft. I like to wait until the Pro Days begin, so I can be more informed on my picks. Let me share some thoughts before we run through my first official mock draft for 2014:
Scenario Numero Uno
Like I said, this is my first set of predictions. Picking the NFL Draft is like picking NCAA Basketball's March Madness, it's virtually unpredictable. There's no uniform method in evaluating talent, and different coaches and personnel see completely different things. What I owe you, the reader, in this post is this: an informed thought about each team's first round draft pick. My goal is to obviously predict things EXACTLY, but it's simply not going to happen with any of these mock drafts. If I predict a similar idea to what the team's ACTUALLY do with their first pick, I will be a happy writer.
The Houston Texans' "Poker Face"
The Texans are in an interesting spot in this draft because they aren't in a desperate situation this offseason. Sure, they face the obvious question about who is going to start at quarterback in 2014, but there's plenty of possible answers. What do the Texans do with this first pick? It's not certain at all because they aren't going to tip anything, especially to the media.
Houston has deployed a "poker face" strategy to see how the other teams will react. Will the Texans get an offer for the number one pick? It could happen. Could they draft someone other than a quarterback? Quite certainly. People fail to realize that there are quarterbacks the Texans can draft in the second round (Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger are two names that pop up in my head immediately) that can run an offense efficiently. The Texans are simply testing the waters of this draft, and who can blame them?
Wide Receivers Rule the First Round
My first mock draft for this season was absolutely flooded with an abundance of wide receiver talent. The league is evolving to more pass-first offenses that need targets. These targets not only need to be talented pass-catchers, but they also need to create physical mismatches. There are plenty of extremely talented receivers in this class, and a good many will be selected in the first round this year.
So with the first pick of the 2014 NFL Mock Draft #1, Griffin's Starting Lineup selects:
Pick #1: Houston Texans
Jadaveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Too good to pass up, if none of the offers the Texans will surely receive are up to par. This guy on the other side of J.J. Watt would be a heavy burden to protect your quarterback against. Clowney's an absolute insane physical specimen. What makes him the most scary though, is his instincts around the ball. Clowney was the up-back in a "Wing T" system in high school. If he can stay healthy, he will have an amazing career. This is a safe pick if the Texans can't find the right QB or offer.
Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
The Rams have an opportunity to take probably the best value at offensive tackle in this year's draft. They will do this because there are a few teams in the market for QB protection early in this draft. With the Rams having two picks in the first round, they can address the defense with their second pick.
Pick #3: Jacksonville Jaguars
Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
Bortles is from Florida, and a lot of scouts think he will provide the best value among the three "early first round" caliber QBs. Blaine Gabbert is in San Francisco, and Chad Henne isn't the answer. The Jags have decent receivers, they just need someone to get them the ball.
Pick #4: Cleveland Browns
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
The Browns didn't attend Johnny Football's Pro Day production. Assuming Bortles isn't available, Bridgewater appears to be where the Browns would venture to next. The new regime has all but said they are taking a QB, and they might even take two in this draft.
Pick #5: Oakland Raiders
Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
If this pick happens, I'm not sure whether Manziel will get sucked into the black hole of Oakland or lead them to wins. In my opinion, Manziel will be the best quarterback taken among these top three. He brings an intensity to the field that could make whatever offense he's leading absolutely electric. I know NFL defenses aren't the same defenses as the collegiate defenses he faced, but you have to remember that the talent-level raises around him too.
Pick #6: Atlanta Falcons
Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
The Falcons have certainly expressed interest in Jadaveon Clowney, but in this scenario, the Texans have already taken him off the board. The Falcons desperately need somebody that will be able to get penetration from the defense front. Donald is probably the best interior defensive talent in the draft and makes a lot of sense here.
Pick #7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
Even before the Mike Williams situation, the Bucs are going to have to grab a receiver for Mike Glennon. Watkins is the best all-purpose receiver in this draft. He can make plays in space, along with going up and making catches over defender. Perhaps the biggest upside for Watkins is the impact he can make immediately once the season starts. A couple years from now, this might be the best pick in this first round.
Pick #8: Minnesota Vikings
Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
If one of the three top-tier QBs slips this far, expect the Vikings to be sprinting to the podium. If that's not the case, the Vikings will go for the best value to upgrade their offensive line. Matthews is a solid pick to protect whatever solution the Vikings will find to their QB issue.
Pick #9: Buffalo Bills
Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
The Bills need to find somebody to help relieve some of the pressure off the Bills' rushing attack. Ebron is an incredible pass-catching TE and would provide E.J. Manuel with a great target. I can see Ebron developing into a TE similar, and possibly better than, 49er TE Vernon Davis.
Pick #10: Detroit Lions
Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
When's the last time the Aggies had three players go in the top ten? I really don't know, but this pick will need to help the Lions find somebody for Matt Stafford to throw to that isn't nicknamed, "Megatron." Evans is a big, physical receiver that's quick and has great hands. If the Lions make this happen, opposing defenses will certainly have to relax coverage on somebody.
Pick #11: Tennessee Titans
Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
Barr will help improve the Titans' defensive front that could use some upgrades. A lot of scouts consider Barr to be the best "true" OLB in the draft. Barr would be a great fit in the Titans' 4-3 look.
Pick #12: New York Giants
Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
The Giants need to find Eli Manning a security blanket. Amaro is one of two (Ebron) TEs that are justifiable first round picks. If Ebron is on the board, he will be the certain selection here. TEs have seen an obvious increase in their offensive roles over the past couple seasons.
Pick #13: St. Louis Rams
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
The Rams should attempt to upgrade their secondary with their second pick. Clinton-Dix is a proven talent that has already matched-up with some of the great receivers in the SEC. He's a great tackler and is a great fit for the mold of a NFL safety.
Pick #14: Chicago Bears
Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
The Bears struggled in defending the pass late in the 2013 season. Dennard would be a great fit into the Bears organization, having played for a tenacious defense at Michigan State. Dennard has nice size and plays with the CB position with a lot of physicality.
Pick #15: Pittsburgh Steelers
Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
I had to have Mack drop this far in this first round for this pick. He's just a perfect fit here for a Steelers' defense that could use an edge rusher for their 3-4 scheme. Mack is a sledgehammer off the edge and can finesse his way to QB. He will be a great value to whatever team lands him in this draft.
Pick #16: Dallas Cowboys
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are rebuilding a defense that could use Gilbert's services. Jerry Jones has a habit of picking regional players, (Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana) and Gilbert will be the best defensive back on the board, if he slips down this far.
Pick #17: Baltimore Ravens
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
Beckham Jr. fits the bill, as the Ravens could look to improve their receiving corps even more with this first pick. It appears as though the Ravens will be throwing the ball more this season, acquiring Steve Smith from the Panthers in free agency. Beckham Jr., along with Steven Smith and Torrey Smith could create a vertical passing game that could be exceptionally dangerous.
Pick #18: New York Jets
Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Every receiver that I've picked before Cooks could be substituted with Cooks. Cooks was very productive while at Oregon State, causing matchup problems against almost every team the Beavers faced. He was very impressive at the combine and is almost a lock as a first round pick. Another almost-lock is that the Jets will take a WR with their first pick, so this just seems to work.
Pick #19: Miami Dolphins
Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
The Dolphins made a great move in free agency signing former Kansas City offensive tackle Branden Albert. The Dolphins will have to use this first round pick to grab another offensive lineman. In this scenario, Lewan's one of the top talents left on the board.
Pick #20: Arizona Cardinals
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
A lot of experts have Benjamin going a lot earlier in this draft, but I honestly don't think he'll go that high. His size and athleticism earn him a spot in the first round, and he would compliment Larry Fitzgerald very well. If the Cardinals could find someone that pleases them at TE, that could be another good first-round option.
Pick #21: Green Bay Packers
C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
The Packers need to take somebody that can strengthen their defensive front against the running backs of NFC North. Mosley has faced some of the best power-run schemes in the country while leading the Crimson Tide's defense. This would be a solid first pick for Green Bay.
Pick #22: Philadelphia Eagles
Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
The Eagles should take the best safety that's on the board with the first pick. With the release of DeSean Jackson, they could possibly take a receiver here. The Eagles could justify doing this, especially if they've scouted somebody to fill the void. This is a problem that the Eagles will have to address before the season starts.
Pick #23: Kansas City Chiefs
Marqise Lee, WR, Southern California
The Chiefs would love to add a vertical threat to relieve some of the pressure off of Dwayne Bowe. This pick could be much different, as this situation has Lee being the sixth receiver coming off the board. The Chiefs have a lot of flexibility with this pick, so they might just grab the most talented player left on the board.
Pick #24: Cincinnati Bengals
Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State
The Bengals need to pick up whoever is left on the board here to help their linebacking corps. Their defense showed improvement last year and definitely need to build a defense that is worthy in the AFC North.
Pick #25: San Diego Chargers
Trent Murphy, OLB, Stanford
Murphy is a magnificent edge player in a 3-4 scheme. This looks like a good fit, and the Chargers could definitely use an impact player on defense. A good defense would certainly compliment an offense that wasn't bad in 2013.
Pick #26: Cleveland Browns
Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
Adams is a very talented playmaker, and Cleveland would like to add a weapon to its passing arsenal after taking a QB. If Cleveland can make two solid picks in this first round to strengthen their offense, they could be a really tough team to face in 2014. Adams could be a great relief to the attention defenses will be giving Josh Gordon season.
Pick #27: New Orleans Saints
Zach Martin, OT, Notre Dame
The Saints need to make an investment to protect Drew Brees here because let's face it, Brees isn't getting any younger. Martin is a solid, top-tier lineman that would be wise investment. One could argue that the Saints invest in their defense but protecting Brees should be a top priority.
Pick #28: Carolina Panthers
Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
Matthews hasn't been on a lot of people's radar, and I find that very odd. He's a big, physical receiver that gave defensive backs fits in the SEC pretty much his entire career. The Panthers desperately need to provide Cam Newton with a target following the departure of Steve Smith.
Pick #29: New England Patriots
Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
Nix could possibly the disruptive interior lineman that the Patriots will be looking for to suppress opposing rushing attacks. Vince Wilfork is a "maybe" for the Pats this offseason. If Jace Amaro slips this far, he would be the perfect fit for the Patriots offense. This pick depends a lot on how the Vince Wilfork discussion ends, but the Patriots would be wise to upgrade their interior defense.
Pick #30: San Francisco 49ers
Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
Roby is the next best defensive back on the board, here. The 49ers will certainly be looking to upgrade their secondary to continue their recent tradition of producing stingy defenses. This pick is very flexible, and the 49ers could try to test the waters with the rest of the league.
Pick #31: Denver Broncos
Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin
Borland would be a great addition to a defense that's seen a recent in-flux of talent with the signing of DeMarcus Ware from the Cowboys. The Broncos would be my bet to most likely be the first team to select a running back but are comfortable with their situation with Monte Ball.
Pick #32: Seattle Seahawks
Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
In this WR-heavy first round, I figured it fitting for the Seahawks to conclude the round by taking a WR. Landry proved to be a playmaker at LSU and can be a great NFL receiver. This might be the one average spot on the Seahawks roster, that proved to be an incredibly deserving Super Bowl Champion.
Disagree with me? Be sure to let me know on twitter @griffaldo.
No comments:
Post a Comment