ABDIW’s Final 2014 NFL Mock Draft

With the NFL draft under two weeks away, players are preparing themselves for their future. Some have a solid idea of where they will go in the draft, others are hoping they make it into the first round. At the end of the day, only 32 players will land in the first round, and the following is my final mock draft for the 2014 NFL Draft.

1. Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Clowney has the most talent in this draft, and the Texans would love to pair him with JJ Watt,

2. St. Louis Rams: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

The Rams get Sam Bradford a legit number one WR after drafting Tavon Austin last year. Austin is a solid weapon, but not a number one target.

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

There is a big need at QB for the Jags, and Manziel is one of the best in the class. On top of that, he’ll instantly put butts in seats, which is big for Jacksonville.

4. Cleveland Browns: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

Josh Gordon was the best WR in the NFL in 2013, but the Browns have to secure a number two receiver. They can get good WRs later on, but they go ahead and take an elite WR here. They can pickup a good QB later in the draft.

5. Oakland Raiders: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

While Oakland could select a QB here, they don’t want to miss on Donald. The Pittsburgh Defensive Tackle is a disruptive force, and will instantly help the Raider defense.

6. Atlanta Falcons: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

Robinson is the top OT in the class, and the Falcons are in need of a Tackle to protect Matt Ryan so he can get the ball to his play makers.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo

The Buccs would have loved Manziel or Evans from A&M, but because they’re both gone they get Mack to bolster an already stout defense.

8. Minnesota Vikings: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF

The Vikings supposedly have their eyes on Bortles, and he fits in Norv Tuner’s offense. He falls to them at 8 and they celebrate in hopes that they’ve finally found their franchise QB to pair with Adrian Peterson.

9. Buffalo Bills: CJ Mosley, LB, Alabama

The Bills have a ferocious front, and Kiko Alonso is a star at LB. They’ve added a thumper in Brandon Spikes, now they get another LB in CJ Mosley. Spikes is only on a one year deal, so if he doesn’t stick, Mosley could slide inside later on.

10. Detroit Lions: Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

The Lions need help on the back end of their defense, and this draft is deeper at Corner than it is at Safety. They don’t wanna pass on the top Safety in the class.

11. Tennessee Titans: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State

The Jake Locker experiment may or may not be over, but the Titans need a QB. Carr has the ability to start in the NFL. If he can’t beat out Jake  Locker, he can sit for a year and polish his game a little bit.

12. New York Giants: Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA

This one is easy. Barr is the BPA who makes sense.

13. St. Louis Rams: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

St. Louis would have loved to snag Clinton-Dix out of Alabama, but he’s gone, so they take the best Corner.

14. Chicago Bears: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville

Pryor isn’t the same Safety in coverage that HaHa is, but he’s good, and even better physically.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

Big Ben gets another weapon. Heath Miller is alright, but Ebron can be a lot better.

16. Dallas Cowboys: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

Matthews has too much talent to continue to fall any lower than this. Dallas can plug him in by moving Free to Guard.

17. Baltimore Ravens: Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU

Joe Flacco needs a new weapon, and Beckham can be a deep threat to help and try to take the Ravens back to the Super Bowl.

18. New York Jets: Kelvin Benjamin, WR/TE, Florida State

Despite signing Eric Decker, the Jets are barren on the offensive side of the ball, and Benjamin can move to TE if he gets too big to play receiver. They need something.

19. Miami Dolphins: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

Lewan is a top ten talent, but he falls all the way to Miami here at 19.

20. Arizona Cardinals: Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn

The Cardinals pass rush could be better, and Dee Ford is probably the best pass rusher available.

21. Green Bay Packers: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech

The Packers would rather pick a Safety or Inside Backer, but none are really available here that would be worth the 21st pick. Chris Borland went to Wisconsin and could be picked in the second for Green Bay if they play their cards right. Amaro gives Rodgers another weapon to throw to.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

Philly will have an explosive offense, so they need to handle some problems on defense.  Gilbert is a talented Corner who has had a good pre-draft process.

23. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

The Chiefs need to add weapons on offense, and Cooks didn’t lead the country in catches and yardage in 2013 for nothing. He’s a slot receiver in the league, but can be electric for KC.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

The Bengals have a strong front, but you can never be too strong or deep up front on defense. Hageman is a powerful talent with length and size. He’s a boom or bust player, Cincy will be hoping he booms.

25. San Diego Chargers: Louis Nix III, NT, Notre Dame

The Chargers need someone to play at the Nose, and Louis Nix is the best man for the job in this draft.

26. Cleveland Browns: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Bridgewater has been falling recently, and that works out well for Cleveland. They waited, and now they’ve got a QB who has plenty of weapons to throw to.

27. New Orleans Saints: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

The Saints really don’t have many holes on the squad, but they need another corner. The only knock I have on Verrett is his size, but he can still play.

28. Carolina Panthers: Marqise Lee, WR, USC

Self explanatory. Lee is a talented WR, and the Panthers HAVE to get Cam Newton someone to throw to.

29. New England Patriots: Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, TE, Washington

Gronk is the best Tight End in the game when healthy, but he’s hurt all the time. ASJ gives New England and Brady someone to fill in when Gronk gets hurt, and someone to pair with him when he’s healthy.

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

The Niners don’t have many holes on defense, but they need a Corner.  Fuller is a talented Corner who was coached well at VT.

31. Denver Broncos: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State

Shazier pairs up nicely with Von Miller and what should be a strong Denver defense. He’s an exceptional athlete at the position.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Zack Martin, OT/OG, Notre Dame

Martin is a better Guard than Tackle in the NFL, but if he were to play Tackle, it’d be on the right side. The defending Super Bowl Champions just so happen to have a hole at Right Tackle.