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2014 NFL Mock Draft: Johnny Manziel to the Bucs?

Posted by Brad On March – 27 – 2014
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17. Baltimore Ravens – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

Last year the Ravens scooped up Matt Elam but they still have a gaping hole opposite Elam. Pairing Dix and Elam could give the Ravens a formidable and intimidating backend.  

"Eric Ebron"

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18. New York Jets – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

Brandin Cooks would give them some speed on the outside but it would be tough to pass on Ebron at this point in the draft. He’s a spectacular athlete that can stretch the middle of the field and should free things up for the newly acquired Eric Decker on the outside.

19. Miami Dolphins – Zack Martin, OG, Notre Dame

The Dolphins rebuild of the post-Martin/Incognito OL is underway. Adding a versatile piece like Martin should about complete the rebuild. Martin can play tackle but I think he’s a Pro Bowl guard for a long time. He would be a great addition to this OL and locker room.

20. Arizona Cardinals – Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville

The Cards may have struck gold with Tyrann Mathieu last year and should be looking for a partner in crime (Freudian slip) with him early in the draft. Pryor is a guy that many love but I’m not so in love with him. I won’t let my personal feelings get in the way on this one. He makes a ton of sense at this point.

21. Green Bay Packers – Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois

The Packers have nothing in the backend. Barring, and probably even with, a signing coming they need to look at a safety early. Ward is my top ranked safety and I’ll stand firm this is not too early for him to come off the board.

22. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

I’m not buying the Jackson staying in Philly banter. He’s as good as gone and both parties know it. That leaves the Eagles with Jeremy Maclin (returning from injury) and Riley Cooper. That’s not going to cut it for Nick Foles and the Eagles offense. Cooks could be Desean Jackson without all the baggage and Chip would welcome that with open arms.

23. Kansas City Chiefs – Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA

Kansas City lost two guards in free agency and they could stand to add some depth along the OL. FS is a major need but with HCD, Pryor, and Ward off the board, this pick should be a fairly easy one. Su’a-Filo is a guy that I think has Pro Bowl potential on the inside and could kick outside to tackle in a pinch.

24. Cincinnati Bengals – Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

"Darqueze Dennard"

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The Bengals would have to be feeling pretty good if Dennard slid down to 24 for the taking. CB is one of their biggest needs but it will be interesting to see if a tackle or a slider like C.J. Mosley will tempt them. In this case, Dennard is a great value – too good to pass on.

25. San Diego Chargers – Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

The Chargers could take a shot on Louis Nix at this point but Verrett should get the call. If Verrett were a couple of inches taller, the Chargers wouldn’t touch him so they find a great value with the 25th pick.

26. Cleveland Browns – Kyle Fuller

I had the Browns going QB here last week but something tells me they gamble and fill a need at CB. Joe Haden needs a partner and Buster Skrine (who played admirably last season) is best suited to slide inside at the nickel spot.

27. New Orleans Saints – Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

Imagine trying to match up with Benjamin, Marcus Colston, and Jimmy Graham. That’s a nightmare for DC’s. Kenny Stills was solid in year one but it will be tough to pass on a talent like Benjamin this late in round one.

28. Carolina Panthers – Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia

Wow is all I can say. The Panthers are struggling. They’ve lost all their adequate receivers, their OL is in shambles, and the defensive backfield isn’t much better. They could go in a bunch of directions but they need to find a protector for Cam Newton early. Moses should be able to plug in immediately (he’ll have to).

29. New England Patriots – Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame

Nix is officially off the board. The Patriots will be looking for a replacement for Vince Wilfork, who makes a ton of money and spent much of 2013 out due to injuries. Even with Wilfork they need to add talent along the defensive line.

30. San Francisco 49ers – Brad Roby, CB, Ohio State

The 49ers CB’s leave a bit to be desired. Brad Roby had a miserable year in 2013 but was spectacular in 2011 and 2012. His combination of speed, physicality, and man coverage skills should make an immediate contributor for the Niners.

31. Denver Broncos – C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama

I’m not blown away by the trio of backers for the Broncos. C.J. Mosley falling this far down the draft is a godsend for John Elway as he continues to add talent to this already talented roster. Mosley could play any one of the three LB spots with his combination of size, athleticism, and coverage ability.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Thomas, OG, Clemson

The Seahawks lost quite a bit in free agency – luckily they were stacked beforehand. Thomas gives the Seahawks a versatile lineman that could play guard or tackle from day one. I just can’t see the Seahawks going into next season with the line as it currently sits – although it wasn’t much better this year and they won the Super Bowl.
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  • Reggie

    As a Lions fan this was a repeat for the Lions not that I am upset about the outcome. Barr, Adams, and Roberson would really improve our talent and depth. Barr, Suh, and Ansah would be the heart of our defense. For the Lions the only person I hope we get and it might be tough for us is Weston Richburg. I do not think we would take him in the 2nd and I do not believe he would last till the third. Also wondering about the Lions and their apparent desire to acquire Sammy Watkins. I go along with your thinking that in a draft like this it would be wise to not give up picks.

    • bradc11

      Reggie,

      I agree on Richburg. If he lasts until the 3rd, someone is getting a very good player at a great value. Also, don’t know that I would give up assets in this draft to get Watkins. Love Watkins but the talent is so rich on the 2nd day that I wouldn’t part with those picks.

      • Reggie

        Time shall tell. I think Free Agency will allow us to go for talent more than need….though we will probably target: Backup QB, WR, Developmental Center, another DE, upgrade at OLB, and maybe a CB or safety

  • Robert Bass

    As a Ravens follower I Will be madd if we took annything other than wr in The 1st

    • bradc11

      WR depth is just too deep to ignore the need at safety in my mind, especially if you have a chance to pair Elam with Ha Ha.

      • Robert Bass

        So two young inexperienced safties would be better ? Also ha ha isnt even that good would rather trade back and Take the top wr left and jimmie ward

        • bradc11

          Not going to argue with you on Ha Ha. I don’t have him rated very highly but there are teams that value him very highly.

          • Robert Bass

            Nobody is arguing with you lol who says we Have Ha Ha rated highly on our board ? Thats The Funny thing so The Ravens must be one of The Teams that have him ranked highly lol ok only time will tell

      • Robert Bass

        Also I don’t think we will draft a qb before rb if we take one at all

        • bradc11

          You don’t have a QB behind Flacco. Taylor isn’t a guy you want to rely on if Flacco goes down. I’d bet Ozzie looks at a QB earlier than expected to groom as Flacco’s backup.

  • Football_Fan

    Tampa Bay Bucs kept their 3rd round and lost the 4th round instead to New York Jets

    • bradc11

      Thanks, I said I’d make that change this week and I forgot. Much appreciated…I’ll fix it.

  • Duncan

    Not a bad mock for the Bills. I like the mean streak that Lewan has to him, and the fact that he has potential to be a top 5 OT in this league. The only problem that I see is his off the field issues, which may cause him to fall on draft day.

    Getting Marquise Lee in the second would be an absolute steal! He would be the second best WR in the draft this year if it wasn’t for his injuries and bad QB play at USC. Great pick up for Buffalo.
    Kirkskey is a bit of an unknown to me. I only heard his name last week, and from the scouting reports I’ve read he seems to be a decent talent, that may be on the small side, but does have the speed to succeed in the NFL.

    • bradc11

      Kirksey is a guy that has risen lately. I think he winds up fairly high in the draft – probably that early to mid 3rd round. I think this is a monster take for the Bills – despite not being high on Lewan, personally.

  • Micheal Profetta

    The Manziel pick actually makes a ton of sense. New GM…new HC…new OC who prefers mobile QBs…new uniforms, even…Glennon just seems like a dead man walking in Tampa. Like you said, McCown is a stopgap/mentor – the kind of signing that usually portends the arrival of a developmental QB. The most intriguing aspect of the Tampa QB situation is this: If the Bucs do target Manziel (or Bridgewater), that makes Glennon available. Given the circumstances, Glennon wasn’t bad during his rookie season. He still offers some upside. He obviously isn’t a fit in Tedford’s offense, but his skill set would play well in Minnesota or Houston. If Glennon is available for a 3rd rounder, maybe the Vikings or Texans will go in another direction in the 1st round. Crazy as it sounds, Glennon’s availability could potentially shake up the top ten. Same goes for Ryan Mallett. There’s no doubt that Mallett will be traded, it’s just a matter of Belichick coming down from his 2nd round asking price, or finding a team desperate enough to bite. Like Glennon, Mallett is tall, sells the play-action, and has a rifle – a perfect fit in the power run/vertical pass schemes that Minnesota and Houston will employ. The availability of Glennon and Mallett is why I’m not quite ready to etch Houston/Bortles in stone. Rick Smith could still have an ace up his sleeve.

    • bradc11

      Manziel is a great fit in TB. If the Bucs can flip Glennon for a 3rd, and I think they could that, they would be set up for a great offseason. Whether or not they gel will be a question but Lovie could do wonders with this team. Taking Johnny, an offensive weapon or two (TE/WR), a guard in this deep draft could have them on the upswing quickly and set up for the long-term

  • Micheal Profetta

    #21 isn’t too high for Ward, and he’s a great fit in Green Bay. I’m with you about Pryor. To me, he’s a box safety, nothing more, and box safeties just aren’t very valuable these days. Ward offers better versatility. He could play the Troy Polamalu/Charles Woodson role in Capers’ defense – the maneuverable piece that can play centerfield, cover the slot, step up against the run, and bring it on blitzes – all with equal effectiveness. That’s a ton of value.

  • metalhead65

    I hope for his sake Johnny football does not land in Tampa where his career will be over before it starts. Lovie Smith knows nothing about offense and will try and force him into being a player he is not. he took Cutler who was one of the best young QB’s in the league and almost ruined his career. it is like he looked at what he did well in Denver and said sorry we do not do that here. he hired oc’s who refused to tailor the offense to the players they had and what they did best. the same will happen to manziel if he lands there. who else would would give up on the young QB they have before giving him a chance? he did pretty good for a rookie playing on a bad team but he signs a veteran as soon as he gets the job and makes him the starter. never mind this vet had washed out everywhere he played before the 5 games he started last year.

    • bradc11

      Lovie will be turning the offense over to Jeff Tedford. Tedford could do wonders for Manziel as he’ll take the guessing game out early for Johnny. I wouldn’t be worried about Lovie ruining JF…this will be Tedford’s offense.

      • metalhead65

        just like the bears offenses were those of the multiple oc’s he had in Chicago right? tedford may have run a good offense in college but that is because he had final say which I guarantee you he does not have in Tampa. the minute the bucs are up 3-0 and he calls a pass it will be the last one until they get behind and time is running out and the defense knows it is coming. he stepped in and made martz run more even though his whole offense was based on throwing the ball.I will give him credit for doing it or Cutler would have been the first QB to be killed on the football field but it shows who really is in charge.

  • Reggie

    Initial thoughts of this mock are
    Texans would be big time winners getting Hagemand and Smith in Round 2 and 3
    Cyrus Kouindijo seems a bit high. Are his injury rumors over done?
    Browns would be taking major risk in this scenario to a point…Fuller over Carr they could regret but then again they might prove wise by not over valuing
    Falcons would pull a nice haul with LT, pass rusher, and RB.
    How comfortable would you be taking any of these three QB’s in the top 10? Manziel and Brigewater and Bortles can atleast in this scenario say they went to decent teams.
    Where do you see Aaron Donald’s highest spot being? Giants seem like a nice fit
    Kony Ealy at 16? Big jump from last mock what made you do it?
    Eagles taking Brooks looks smart now..and Jetting SJB would be a cuo
    What would be long term plans for Bengals taking Mewhort? Do you not like Smith or do you believe he is a LT prospect?

    • bradc11

      I don’t think Kouandijo injury rumors are done but the reality is that many will look at what D.J. Fluker did last year and see the potential in Cyrus…I don’t think he’ll make it to the mid-2nd round area. Carr making it to the 2nd is a real longshot. I could see Oakland or Minnesota trading back into the first to pull the trigger on him. I would be comfortable taking Manziel and Bridgewater in the top 10, not Bortles…ironically he probably will be the first to come off the board. I could see Aaron Donald going as high as 5 to Oakland and I can’t see him making it past Dallas. I really don’t know about Ealy. He’s a guy that I can’t place – I don’t value him nearly that high but need for Dallas could force their hand a bit. The Bengals need depth at tackle and really need a starting LT. Losing Collins was a huge loss IMO. I think Mewhort could play LT, although not an ideal fit. Either way they need a swing tackle to spell Whitworth/Smith in case of injury.