1.
Houston
Texans - Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina, DE, 6-5
266 lbs, Junior
The Texans definitely need
to select a quarterback at some point in the Draft, but Clowney is the best
player on the board, and he has the most potential of any prospect in the
Draft. Clowney is big, fast, and he oozes with the potential to be one of the
top defensive ends in the NFL. Look for Houston to convert Clowney to an
Outside Linebacker if the team continues to employ a 3-4 defensive front.
Clowney comes from a 4-3 defensive scheme at South Carolina, but, regardless,
he should be able to adjust and become a playmaker.
2.
St.
Louis Rams - Greg Robinson, Auburn, OT, 6-5 332 lbs, Sophomore
Quarterback Sam Bradford is
coming off an injury-riddled season and he will be looking to cement himself as
the Rams’ long-term solution at Quarterback. St. Louis needs to find out if
Bradford is “the guy” for their franchise, and there is not a better way to
help that evaluation process than by drafting an impactful Offensive Tackle to
protect Bradford. Robinson is very athletic for his size, he played against top
competition in the SEC week-in and week-out, and he is a monstrous player – 6’5”
332 lbs is intimidating.
3.
Jacksonville
Jaguars - Blake Bortles, UCF, QB, 6-5 232 lbs, Junior
The Jaguars need a lot of
help if they want to become relevant again. The Blaine Gabbert experiment over
the past few seasons was a failure, and Chad Henne projects to be more of a
back-up Quarterback, rather than the long-term starter. Of the three big-name
quarterbacks in this draft, Bortles has the most potential. He makes some
questionable decisions when he senses pressure, and he doesn’t have the quick
release that most General Managers look for, but he works hard and strives to
get better. During his career at UCF, he improved every season in comparison to
the prior season, and if he and the Jaguars can be patient during the grooming
process, Bortles could be a quality solution at Quarterback for years to come.
4.
Cleveland
Browns - Sammy Watkins, Clemson, WR, 6-1 211 lbs, Junior
What a gift this would be!
Pair standout Wide Receiver, Josh Gordon, with the electrifying Sammy Watkins…yes,
please. The Browns haven’t been to the playoffs in nearly a decade, and they
still have a huge question mark at the quarterback position, but you cannot
pass-up Watkins if he’s available right here. Watkins is my #2 overall prospect
in the Draft because he’s fast, agile, he makes big plays, he can play in the
slot or out wide, and he is a smooth route-runner. In 3-4 years, Watkins will
be one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, count on it.
5.
Oakland
Raiders - Khalil Mack, Buffalo, OLB, 6-3 251 lbs, Senior
The Silver & Black
could go a number of directions with this pick: (1) pick the best player on the
board, (2) pick a player at a needed position, or (3) trade down). The Raiders
will probably field several offers in the trading circus that ensues in Round 1
of the Draft, but, if they decide to make a selection, they should pick Anthony
Barr (UCLA) or Khalil Mack. I have Barr rated higher than Mack on my Draft Board,
but most teams have indicated that they like Mack, so look for the Raiders to
sure-up the need for some outside pass rushing help and select Mack, who’s a
bull of a defensive player with a consistent motor.
6.
Atlanta
Falcons - Jake Matthews, Texas A&M, OT, 6-6 308
lbs, Senior
Watch for the Falcons to
improve their offensive line with this pick and select the NFL-ready Jake
Matthews. Many scouts felt that Matthews would have been selected higher than
former teammate, Luke Joeckel, if Matthews chose to enter the Draft last year.
When reviewing the tape of Matthews, one thing that is hard not to notice is
his consistency. He plays hard on every down, he rarely makes mistakes, and he
has great pass-blocking and running-blocking mechanics.
7.
Tampa
Bay Buccaneers - Mike Evans, Texas A&M, WR, 6-5 231 lbs,
Sophomore
Welcome to Tampa Bay, Mike
Evans! This would be an excellent selection by the Buccaneers and it would give
a dynamic offensive threat to whoever Tampa Bay decides to play at Quarterback.
Evans is a huge wide receiver, he has great hands, and plays with a mean streak
that NFL teams covet. Evans projects to be an instant contributor and he has
the potential to be a Pro Bowler.
8.
Minnesota
Vikings - Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville, QB, 6-2 214
lbs, Junior
The Vikings need a Quarterback.
Bridgewater is a less risky option than Johnny Manziel at the #8 spot in the
Draft, and Vikings Head Coach, Mike Zimmer, has already disclosed that he isn’t
a fan of Manziel. Bridgewater probably won’t be an impactful, game-changing
Quarterback for 2-3 years, but he projects to be a better solution at the
position than what the Vikings are currently working with on their roster.
Bridgewater is tough, he’s accurate in the short-medium range passing game, and
he makes good decisions with the football.
9.
Buffalo
Bills - Eric Ebron, North Carolina, TE, 6-4 250
lbs, Junior
The Chicago Cubs of the NFL…the
Buffalo Bills. In the 2013 Draft, Buffalo selected E.J. Manuel (Quarterback)
with their first round pick, and he seems to be the short-term solution at
Quarterback that Buffalo hopes to convert to the long-term solution. Manuel was
selected 1-2 rounds higher than most analysts projected, and the Bills have a
habit of selecting players higher than most analysts and scouts expect, so
nothing is out-of-the-question with this pick. Should the Bills elect to be
conservative and pick a quality player who will help Manuel and the Buffalo
offense, they will pick Ebron here. Ebron is athletic, he plays with tenacity,
and he possesses great techniques when running routes and catching the ball.
His effectiveness as a blocker will be a work-in-progress.
10.
Detroit
Lions - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama, FS, 6-1 208
lbs, Junior
One of the best names in
NFL Draft history will be a much-needed addition to the Detroit secondary.
Clinton-Dix is a talented Free Safety with the “centerfielder’s ability” that
defensive coordinators crave. At Alabama, he was coached by one of the best
defensive minds in the college game, Nick Saban, and Saban’s tutelage will be
invaluable to Clinton-Dix’s ability to be an instant contributor for the Lions.
Blessed with speed, great instincts, and playmaking ability, Clinton-Dix should
be a starter from Day 1.
11.
Tennessee
Titans - Anthony Barr, UCLA, OLB, 6-5 255 lbs,
Senior
If Barr falls down this
far, he could be the steal of the Draft! One of the most athletic, physical
specimens that has played at the college level in recent memory, Barr will be a
force on the defensive side of the ball for Tennessee for years to come. Barr
converted from Fullback to Outside Linebacker before the 2012 College Football
season and he did not disappoint, constantly harassing opposing quarterbacks
and making plays behind the line of scrimmage. Barr works hard, plays with
tenacity, and he can be a ring-leader of a defense. NFL Comparison: Jevon
Kearse (minus the injuries).
12.
New
York Giants - Taylor Lewan, Michigan, OT, 6-7 309 lbs,
Senior
This pick is one of the “no
brainers” in this Draft. If Lewan is available at #12, the Giants will select
him. Lewan is battle-tested after starting on Michigan’s offensive line over
the past four years, and he’s a consistent pass-blocker (although a developing
run-blocker). Lewan will give Eli Manning a much-needed anchor on the offensive
line. If Lewan had entered the 2013 NFL Draft, he would have been selected in
the Top 3.
13.
St.
Louis Rams - Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State, CB, 5-11
199 lbs, Senior
With their second pick in
Round 1, look for St. Louis to add some depth to their secondary and select
either Darqueze Dennard or Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State). Both players would
have likely been selected in the Top 12 in the 2013 Draft, but because the 2014
Draft has so much depth, both players will likely fall to the mid-late teens.
Dennard won the Jim Thorpe Award last season at Michigan State and he was a true
“Shutdown Corner” for the Spartans. The Rams could also look at adding another
offensive threat for Sam Bradford to use in the passing game with this pick, such
as Marqise Lee (USC) or Odell Beckham Jr. (LSU).
14.
Chicago
Bears - C.J. Mosley, Alabama, MLB, 6-2 234 lbs,
Senior
The next Brian Urlacher in
Chicago? Mosley has the talent and the leadership traits necessary for that
type of productive tenure, but will the Bears grab Mosley here or elect to pick
a Defensive Tackle like Aaron Donald (Pittsburgh) or Timmy Jernigan (Florida
State)? Lots of questions for the Bears to answer. If they go with Mosley
though, the Bears won’t be disappointed. Mosley started four years at the most
dominant college football program in America: Alabama. He learns quickly, he is
a tackling machine, he makes very few mistakes, and he’s a “team-first” guy.
15.
Pittsburgh
Steelers - Marqise Lee, USC, WR, 6-0 192 lbs, Junior
Ben Roethlisberger could
use some help in the passing game. Enter…Marqise Lee. If Lee entered the 2013
Draft, he would have been a Top 3 pick, but he was too young, and, therefore,
ineligible to do so. Lee dominated the Pac-12 over the past three seasons (when
healthy), and scourged defensive secondaries week-in and week-out. In 36 games
at USC, Lee caught 248 passes for 2,655 yards and 29 TDs. He possesses elite
speed and agility, and he should be a definite playmaker for a Steelers offense
that has been lackluster since the departure/injuries of Mike Wallace.
16.
Dallas
Cowboys - Calvin Pryor, Louisville, FS, 5-11 207 lbs,
Junior
17.
Baltimore
Ravens - Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State, CB, 6-0
202, Senior
18.
New
York Jets - Odell Bekcham Jr., LSU, WR, 5-11 198 lbs,
Junior
19.
Miami
Dolphins - Louis Nix III, Notre Dame, DT, 6-3 331 lbs,
Junior
20.
Arizona
Cardinals - Ryan Shazier, Ohio State, OLB, 6-1 237 lbs,
Junior
21.
Green
Bay Packers - Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame, DE, 6-6 304 lbs,
Junior
22.
Philadelphia
Eagles - Brandin Cooks, Oregon State, WR, 5-10 189
lbs, Junior
23.
Kansas
City Chiefs - Jace Amaro, Texas Tech, TE, 6-5 265 lbs,
Junior
24.
Cincinnati
Bengals - Bradley Roby, Ohio State, CB, 5-11 194 lbs,
Junior
25.
San
Diego Chargers - Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State, WR, 6-5 240
lbs, Sophomore
26.
Cleveland
Browns - Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, QB, 6-0 207
lbs, Sophomore
27.
New
Orleans Saints - Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh, DT, 6-1 285 lbs,
Senior
28.
Carolina
Panthers - Zack Martin, Notre Dame, OT, 6-4 308 lbs,
Senior
29.
New
England Patriots - Jason Verrett, TCU, CB, 5-10 189 lbs,
Senior
30.
San
Francisco 49ers - Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State, CB, 5-8 184
lbs, Senior
31.
Denver
Broncos - Timmy Jernigan, Florida State, DT, 6-2 299
lbs, Junior
32.
Seattle
Seahawks - Xavier Su’a-Filo, UCLA, OG, 6-4 307, Junior
