2014 NFL Mock Draft – Post-Combine First Round

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Barkevious Mingo (LSU) is introduced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as the number six overall pick to the Cleveland Browns during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 24, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks Jadeveon Clowney puts shoes on during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

1 -Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE South Carolina

• Sure, the Texans need a quarterback, but they aren’t willing to pass on a once in a generation potential talent like Clowney.  They’ll likely draft him and pick up a quarterback like Matt Cassel in free agency.

2- St. Louis Rams: Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M

• The Rams need serious help on their offensive line, and Matthews is the safest pick for them.  They got this pick as a part of the RG3 trade with the Redskins.

3- Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M

• Recent reports are that the Jaguars aren’t interested in Manziel, but I’m not buying it.  He would bring in endorsements, new fans, and quite a bit of revenue.  Oh, and he’s a pretty darn good quarterback too.

Feb 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Sammy Watkins participates in a pass catching drill during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

4- Cleveland Browns: Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson

• In a bit of a surprise, the Browns pass on an early quarterback to grab the best wide receiver in the draft.  When they pair him up with Josh Gordon, they have a scary group of pass catchers.

5 -Oakland Raiders: Blake Bortles, QB UCF

• Oakland needs to find their quarterback.  They also need a lot of other things.  But with Bortles on the board, they choose him over Bridgewater because of his better combine performance.

6 -Atlanta Falcons: Greg Robinson, OT Auburn

• The Falcons need a pass rusher, but consider Dee Ford or Kony Ealy a reach at this point. They have to be surprised that Robinson slipped this far and will gladly get his limitless potential.

Feb 22, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack speaks at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

7 -Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Khalil Mack, OLB Buffalo

• Tampa doesn’t want to use a high pick on a quarterback after Glennon showed some promise last year. Instead, they get a pass rushing outside linebacker that can cover and do it all.

8- Minnesota Vikings: Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisvile

• This is almost a dream scenario for the Vikings.  Bridgewater is an excellent fit for the Vikings offense and shows a ton of potential.  Although they have to consider corners and linebackers here, Teddy should be the pick.

9 -Buffalo Bills: Anthony Barr, OLB UCLA

• The Bills need help alongside stud linebacker Kiko Alonso.  Barr is one of the best pass rushing linebackers I’ve ever seen play the game and could help this Buffalo defense from day one.

Dec 7, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darqueze Dennard (31) breaks up a pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Devin Smith (9) during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

10- Detroit Lions: Darqueze Dennard, CB Michigan State

• Dennard is a great cover corner and should be more than pleased when he is selected to stay in the state where he played his college ball.  The Lions secondary has struggled for years and Dennard is a step in the right direction.

11 -Tennessee Titans: Kony Ealy, DE Missouri

• The Titans seem to be planning on another year with Jake Locker as their quarterback.  So, they look to the defensive side of the ball and pick up one of the best pass rushers available.

12- New York Giants: C.J. Mosley, MLB Alabama

• Mosley was the leader of the defense at Alabama and should be able to do the same for the Giants.  They have been struggling to find some defensive continuity and Mosely is a good cornerstone to build with.

Dec 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a pass between Duke Blue Devils cornerback Ross Cockrell (6) and Kyler Brown (56) during the second quarter in the 2013 Chick-fil-a Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

13 -St. Louis Rams: Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M

• The Rams already have selected the best offensive tackle in the draft, now they are grabbing one of the biggest wide receiving threats. Evans is a deep ball master and red zone terror.

14 -Chicago Bears: Aaron Donald, DT Pittsburgh

• Donald’s lack of size won’t scare about the Bears.  His aggressiveness and ability to disrupt as a defensive tackle is unmatched in this year’s draft and although he is small, he can plug holes in the run game.

15 -Pittsburgh Steelers: Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix, S Alabama

• Troy ain’t quite a boy anymore.  Clinton-Dix can play beside Polamalu and learn from one of the best in the league while helping the Steelers regain defensive dominance that they once had.

Feb 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Marqise Lee participates in a pass catching drill during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

16- Baltimore Ravens: Marqise Lee, WR USC

• Last year, Lee would have been one of the top players selected in the draft.  This year, he disappointed a bit at USC and finds himself falling a bit. The Ravens won’t complain.  He’ll complement Torrey Smith well in the passing game.

17- Dallas Cowboys: Dee Ford, DE Auburn

• The Cowboys are in an awful spot this year. Their cap issues will make it almost impossible for them to retain a lot of their players.  Even Demarcus Ware isn’t safe!  Ford could be a pass rushing solution for Dallas.

18- New York Jets: Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State

• It has been reported that the Jets aren’t happy with the development of Stephen Hill and may have to make Santonio Holmes a cap casualty.  If they want Geno Smith to succeed, they need to give him some weapons.

Nov 9, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive tackle Zack Martin (70) blocks at the line of scrimmage against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Shakir Soto (52) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

19 -Miami Dolphins: Zack Martin, OT Notre Dame

• Martin may be a guard at the next level, but Miami can take the risk because they have needs all along the offensive line.  Martin is a fiesty blocker and should make things easier on the Dolphins offense.

20- Arizona Cardinals: Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan

• The class of offensive tackles in this year’s draft is amazing.  Even after many being selected earlier, the Cardinals still get a tackle that is well worth a first round selection.  This is a need they have had for several seasons.

21- Green Bay Packers: Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina

• Jermichael Finley is an enigma.  He is inconsistent, drops a lot of passes, and is injured frequently.  At 21, they are in prime position to grab the top tight end in the draft.  Ebron will automatically be a huge target for Aaron Rodgers.

Nov 23, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Shane Wynn (1) runs with the ball after a catch and tries to avoid Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Ryan Shazier (2) in the first quarter of the game at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State Buckeyes beat Indiana Hoosiers 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports

22 -Philadelphia Eagles: Ryan Shazier, OLB Ohio State

• He may be undersized for a linebacker, but he definitely doesn’t underplay.  He’s an excellent blitzer who is also good in pass coverage.  He shows the awareness and ball skills of an NFL veteran.

23 -Kansas City Chiefs: Kyle Van Noy, OLB Brigham Young

• If you haven’t heard of Van Noy, you should plug in some tape on him.  He is one of the least talked about players that should be on a lot of team’s radars. The Chiefs defense could use a guy like him.

24 -Cincinnati Bengals: Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State

• If the Bengals get a chance to make a huge upgrade at cornerback in this year’s draft, they’re going to do it.  They have a lot of young talent, and can put a lot of points on the board, but need help stopping the passing game of opponents.

Nov 30, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Jason Verrett (2) watches the Baylor Bears celebrate their win at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Bears defeated the Horned Frogs 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

25 -San Diego Chargers: Jason Verrett, CB TCU

• Although Verrett is a smaller slot-style corner, his speed and ability more than make up for his lack of height.  When people talk about ball-hawks, they are talking about guys like Verrett.

26 -Cleveland Browns: Derek Carr, QB Fresno State

• The Browns got the best of both worlds in this situation.  They got a potentially elite wide receiver and got an excellent signal caller with their second first round selection.  Could the Browns offense be great next year?

27- New Orleans Saints: Morgan Moses, OT Virginia

• Offensive lineman are a premium in this year’s draft, but the Saints aren’t willing to use their pick on a player with medical question marks.  They pick up an excellent protector with their pick to keep Brees and the run game happy.

Jan 1, 2014; Tampa, Fl, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Odell Beckham (3) runs with the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

28- Carolina Panthers: Odell Beckham, Jr., WR TCU

• The Panthers have aging wide receivers and one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL.  Beckham won’t replace Steve Smith, but he will offer a particular set of skills that can be a nightmare for defenses.

29- New England Patriots: David Yankey, G Stanford

• Yankey is the type of player that the Patriots love.  He’s a gritty, versatile player who is a mauler and can provide solid pass protection.  Whether New England runs the ball or passes, Yankey can be a huge help.

30- San Francisco 49ers: Timmy Jernigan, DT Florida State

• The 49ers look to beef up their defensive line and add depth.  Jernigan is young, anchoring defensive lineman who could take on multiple blocks or push through to disrupt the passing game.

Sep 1, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio (71) on the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Cowboys Stadium. Alabama beat Michigan 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

31- Denver Broncos: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT Alabama

• With reports that his knees aren’t as good as they should be, he slides down to the back end of the first round to the Broncos.  The Broncos take  an offensive tackle with a lot of potential but a medical question mark.

32-Seattle Seahawks: Jace Amero, TE Texas Tech

• Seattle doesn’t have a whole lot of needs.  But they do have an aging, underproducing tight end that they’d most likely love to replace with a younger, better option.  Amero is that guy that could do that for them.