2014 NFL Mock Draft: First Round Post-Free Agency Frenzy

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina) is introduced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as the number seven overall pick to the Arizona Cardinals during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

With the initial frenzy of free agency wearing off and the draft getting ever so much closer, it was time to bust out another mock draft.  This time, it accounts for the moves made in free agency up to March 28th of 2014.  There should be many surprises and trades that will shake things up, but for now, here’s a quick look at how I think things would pan out without anticipating for trades.

2014 NFL Draft: Post Free Agency Frenzy

#1: Houston Texans select Khalil Mack, OLB Buffalo

• The Texans wait on a QB and work on solving their pass rush problem instead.

#2: St. Louis Rams select Greg Robinson, OT Auburn

• While Matthews is probably a safer OT, Robinson has loads of upside and talent.

#3: Jacksonville Jaguars select Blake Bortles, QB UCF

• The Jaguars defense doesn’t stink, but their current options at quarterback do.

#4: Cleveland Browns select Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M

• An excellent pro day and a need to fill seats makes Manziel perfect for the Browns.

#5: Oakland Raiders select Darqueze Dennard, CB Michigan State

• The Raiders got themselves a temporary QB, but need a permanent secondary.

#6: Atlanta Falcons select Jadeveon Clowney, DE South Carolina

• The Falcons can’t believe he fell to #6 and run to the podium. He’s their man.

#7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers select C.J. Mosley, MLB Alabama

• While they had to consider a QB, they need more help at linebacker.

#8: Minnesota Vikings select Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville

• I know, they just signed Cassel back. But you can’t pass on an elite talent.

#9:  Buffalo Bills select Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson

• Manuel needs some help from a WR, and they don’t get much better than Watkins.

#10: Detroit Lions select Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan

• The Lions seem to forget about their OL in free agency and draft. Not this year.

#11: Tennessee Titans select Anthony Barr, OLB UCLA

• The Titans need a pass rusher from the outside can get that and more in Barr.

#12: New York Giants select Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M

•  The best pass blocking OT falls to the Giants to HUGE need at left tackle.

#13: St. Louis Rams select Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix, S Alabama

•  They don’t have a starting safety worth a hill of beans.  They’ll look to change that.

#14: Chicago Bears select Aaron Donald, DT Pittsburgh

•  Donald is a freak of nature that will help that d-line get a solid push this year.

#15: Pittsburgh Steelers select Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State

•  While they need more than just a cornerback, Gilbert fits their needs and style.

#16: Dallas Cowboys select Dee Ford, DE Auburn

•  Ford will be the replacement for Ware.

#17: Baltimore Ravens select Zack Martin, OT Notre Dame

• Ravens need help all over their OL, and Martin has the versatility to do just that.

#18: New York Jets select Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M

•  Either Smith or Vick need a good target, and Evans is a huge, reliable one.

#19: Miami Dolphins select Xavier Su’a-Filo, G UCLA

•  Guards don’t typically go this early, but the talent fits the need.

#20: Arizona Cardinals select Calvin Pryor, S Louisville

•  The Cardinals secondary gets scarier with the addition of the hard hitting Pryor.

#21: Green Bay Packers select Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina

•  While TE isn’t their biggest need, he is a unique talent that can help right away.

#22: Philadelphia Eagles select Odell Beckham Jr., WR LSU

•  Beckham could make it look as though DeSean never even left.

#23: Kansas City Chiefs select Marqise Lee, WR USC

•  Someone has to help out the QB and Bowe in KC.  Lee is solid and reliable.

#24: Cincinnati Bengals select Kony Ealy, DE Missouri

•  They lost one of their best pass rushers this offseason.

#25: San Diego Chargers select Louis Nix, DT Notre Dame

•  A big body to help plug up the middle is exactly what the doctor ordered.

#26: Cleveland Browns select Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State

•  Offense continues to be the focus for Cleveland, locking up a tool for Manziel.

#27: New Orleans Saints select Ryan Shazier, OLB Ohio State

•  Shazier can rush the passer and play coverage.  Something the Saints need.

#28: Carolina Panthers select Jason Verrett, CB TCU

•  The lost the Captain, but pick up another excellent corner to take his role.

#29: New England Patriots select Ra’Shede Hageman, DT Minnesota

•  The Patriots can play him at the nose and watch him demolish OLs.

#30: San Francisco 49ers select Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech

•  Desperate for talent in the secondary, they look to the skilled Fuller for answers.

#31: Denver Broncos select David Yankey, G Stanford

•  Protecting Peyton Manning should be the #1 priority in Denver.  Always.

#32: Seattle Seahawks select Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State

•  Seattle may have lost Golden Tate to Detroit, but they will find a good WR early.