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2014 NFL Mock Draft: T-Minus Three Weeks Until Draft Day

Posted by Brad On April – 18 – 2014

17. Baltimore Ravens – Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

The Ravens will look hard at one of the safeties here but I don’t like passing on the value Taylor Lewan offers down here. With Monroe/Lewan locking down the tackle spots, Yanda/Osemele inside at guard, and Jeremy Zuttah at center the Ravens have one of, if not the best OL’s in football.

"Odell Beckham"

USA TODAY Sports

18. New York Jets – Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU

The Jets still need playmakers on the outside to take the pressure off Eric Decker. Beckham could be long gone by the time this pick rolls around but if he’s not then I can’t see how the Jets would pass.

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

This is the biggest no-brainer pick of the draft. If Martin is on the board (and he shouldn’t be) at No. 19 the Dolphins should do cart wheels down the aisle to turn this pick in.

20. Arizona Cardinals – Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville

The Cards team Pryor with Tyrann Mathieu to give them a formidable duo in the backend. Pryor’s ability to play near the line and in the deep half should free the Cards up to do a ton of things with the versatile Mathieu.

21. Green Bay Packers – C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama

I really can’t see how Mosley could make it down this far but if he does there shouldn’t be much thought put into this selection.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers (trade w/PHI) – Brad Roby, CB, Ohio St.

Darqueze Dennard is most likely the fan preference but I believe the noise that has him dropping down the draft. With that in mind, Roby has all the skills to be a very good one but will have to work on refining his technique. This one won’t excite Steeler fans but could be a great pick in the not so distant future.

23. Kansas City Chiefs – Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois

The Chiefs really need to find a starting safety in this draft and I think they land one that will be the best of the bunch down the road. Ward’s versatility to play about anywhere, including the nickel corner should have Chief fans jumping for joy over this pick.

24. Cincinnati Bengals – Cyrus Kouandijo, OT, Alabama

Consensus seems to be a corner for the Bengals but I would be surprised if they didn’t target a tackle early in this draft. Kouandijo’s draft stock has plummeted with a so-so season and injury concerns. That said, at worst you have a solid guard, at best maybe a starting LT.

25. San Diego Chargers – Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame

The Chargers have need a better than serviceable nose for a long time. Finally, they get one with Nix still on the board at pick 25. Nix’s ability to clog running lanes and push the pocket should really free up Corey Liuget and Kendall Reyes on the outside. Now they just need a standup edge rusher that can wreak havoc.

26. Cleveland Browns – Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

Browns fans shouldn’t be able to complain this week with a draft of Watkins and Verrett. For anyone that talks about Verrett’s size, please head over to draftbreakdown.com to check out his film. He plays big and isn’t afraid of contact. Perfect fit opposite Haden.

27. New Orleans Saints – Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.

The Saints probably should take an offensive lineman here but Brandin Cooks may be too good to pass on at this juncture in the draft. Cooks gives Drew Brees a quartet of receivers that would make most anyone QB in the league jealous.

28. Carolina Panthers – Joel Bitonio, OT/OG, Nevada

The Panthers need a WR but they really need an OL. Bitonio’s versatility to play tackle, guard, and even center will have teams in the 20’s seriously considering calling his name. The Panthers desperately need help at tackle and guard, so this one makes a ton of sense.

29. Cleveland Browns (trade w/NE) – Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois

The Browns pull a Minnesota and trade back into the first to acquire three first round picks. With Houston lurking at No. 33 and in need of a QB, the Browns get a guy that should fit well in Kyle Shanahan’s system and with Brian Hoyer on the roster he won’t be forced into a starting role early.

30. San Francisco 49ers – Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St.

The Niners pull the emergency brake on Dennard’s fall down the board. The Niners badly need a CB and Dennard could be an excellent option that could their starters for early playing time.

31. Denver Broncos – Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio St.

I’m really not sold on Shazier making anywhere near the 31st pick in this draft but if he does John Elway should take a pay cut for not having to mull over this selection.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA

I think Xavier Su’a-Filo is worth a look in the mid-teens so getting him this far down the board officially constitutes a steal.

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  • Reggie

    Only 1 Round?? Just kidding my friend. Not sure how I feel about the Lions taking Clinton Dix. He would be an upgrade over the safeties we have now and can make big plays but I do not see him as an elite player. I will be crushed if the Lions cannot get Aaron Donald at 10 or trade up for Watkins…or Jake Matthews. Clinton Dix is even someone you have claimed is over rated.

    • bradc11

      What a disappointment. I’m with you on HCD. I badly wanted Aaron Donald at that spot but I can’t see him making it down to 10. I think this could be a year the Lions get aggressive and go up and get a guy they like. Otherwise they could get stuck at 10 taking a guy like HCD. I promise next week will be a 2 or 3 rounder. Heck may go for a 4 rounder.

      • Reggie

        Brrad,

        Just joking my friend. I love Friday mornings and seeing your mock. Not the normal copied version as everyone else. I think in a draft where they is great depth but short on elite talent you move up and it would not be a bad move. Like I said I do not believe HCD is a bad player or will be a bust but he is not someone to get excited about. He and Quinn would be a nice safety duo.

        • bradc11

          We are on the same page Reggie. HCD is solid but doesn’t jump off the charts for me. If they can move up for Watkins/Evans or shock us all and move up for Mack I would be a fan of that start.

  • ottograham14

    If Bortles is @4 Browns will take him. If not it will be Mack or Robinson. Also already have an undersized nickel corner in Skrine on the team and don’t need to add a similiar player even though Verrett has better ball skills. Team is high on Dennard/Fuller however.

    • bradc11

      If you have the pipeline to Ray Farmer you are the only one. No one has any idea who they are high on. I would say at this point the only thing we know about the Browns is that Mike Pettine likes Khalil Mack…don’t think he went to check on his house during Mack’s pro day. After that it’s anyone’s guess. Verrett isn’t an undersized nickel corner. Far from it. He’s physical – can press or play off man. Plays bigger than his size and has ball skills for day. I love him opposite Haden. I’d take Verrett over anyone not named Kyle Fuller in this corner class.

  • trublu25

    The Giants, a team with more needs than draft picks, moves up in the draft? Bull sh!t if you had them trading back with a team like the ravens that has almost as many compensatory picks as the Giants have regular, this would make more sense. (Especially cuz they need interior linemen not a tackle

    • bradc11

      Did you watch Will Beatty last year? I hope Giants fans don’t think Charles Brown is the answer at LT. Neither should be starting. If either is the starting LT when the season starts, Eli won’t last through the year. I’m interested to hear what you think are bigger needs than LT. Jake Matthews is a stud LT…that you may have to give up a 3rd or 4th to move up 4 spots. I see the starters on the interior of their OL being Geoff Schwartz (solid), JD Walton (if healthy very good) and Chris Snee (still more than serviceable). How is interior OL a bigger need?

  • Duncan

    I would love Buffalo to pull this trade off. What do you have them receiving?

    Ebron seems like the biggest boom or bust prospect in this draft. I would have a have a hard time convincing myself to take a player like him, especialy a TE, in the 1st round. On the flip side though, he’s a great value at 17, and if really does develop into a Vernon Davis type player it would totally be worth it. Another guy I think that Buffalo would have to take a long, hard, look at is Mosely. If Brandon Spikes doesn’t work out, then the Bills are going to need another MLB. For this season they could move Mosely over to SAM and let him play their untill they see how Spikes does.

    • bradc11

      Agreed on Ebron. Not a guy that I personally love…have him rated rated about 27. Mosley will be tough to pass on but they really need to surround EJ with some talent, either on the OL or TE/WR

  • Joe Lawrence

    Does anyone think Atlanta would give up their 1-2-3 picks plus something else to move up 4 spots? Or another #1 plus their 3rd this year? Hopefully nobody in Atl. is that stupid.

  • neighborhooddrunkpart2

    Roby in the first? I don’t mind taking him in the 2nd, but not the 1st round. Then again, the Steelers do love Ohio State players. So, I would not be shocked if this do happen.