2014 NFL Final Mock Draft

The Draft finally is here. After an extra two weeks the fatigue levels for NFL enthusiasts, scouts and execs are at critical levels. All of that will be go when the commissioner walks onto the stage and announces the first overall pick.
Here is my final mock draft. It contains a lot of trade scenarios to make it semi realistic to give an idea of how the draft could turn out. This mock draft is me trying to think how each individual team will deal with the draft as it unfolds. As a result there is a lot of movement as I think there will be tonight.

1. Houston Texans- Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

The Texans really have done a good job hiding who they have on top of their board. It does seem likely though they go with the safe pick in Clowney unless they get a trade deal they can't refuse. Their need at QB is glaring but perhaps they get lucky and see Teddy Bridgewater drop to them at No.33. I personally think they should be looking to grab Mike Glennon off the Bucs for their 3rd round pick. He had a solid rookie season and fits the QB traits that Bill O'Brien likes.

2. St Louis Rams- Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

The Rams have been making some of the biggest smokescreens in terms of interest in Johnny Manziel, Khalil Mack, Sammy Watkins. I don't believe teams will fall for it and so the Rams will have to take the player they wanted need in Robinson. He can slide into guard in the beginning and help protect Sam Bradford as well as become a mauler in the run game. It's him or Jake Matthews for the Rams, if not I don't think Les Snead is going to last much longer in his job. They simply must protect their QB to have any chance of competing in the NFC West.

3. Atlanta Falcons (trade with Jacksonville)- Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

The Falcons give up the No.6, No. 68 and 2015 2nd round pick to move up three spots to grab Mack. I really hope for Falcons fans that they just stay put and grab a tackle but I just don't think GM Dimitroff can help himself. Mack is a great prospect who won't get out of the Top 5 but is the value here for the Falcons? Players like Dee Ford, Demarcus Lawrence and Jeremiah Attaochu could be around at their next pick at No.37 while the tackles available will be thin by that stage.

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

I still think the Browns have an interest in Bridgewater but they may use their second pick to grab him. Evans is a red zone threat who complements Josh Gordon better than Sammy Watkins in those terms. The reports of Johnny Manziel going here have never made any sense to me.

5. Buffalo Bills (trade with Oakland)- Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

The Bills give up the No.9, 73 and 2015 2nd rd pick to move up and grab Matthews who will help protect E.J Manuel. The talk of them moving up to No.1 for Clowney is smokescreen. Their O Line didn't receive enough criticism last year in pass protection and opening up holes in the running game.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars- Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Jaguars grab the WR they need to replace Justin Blackmon who won't return from his suspension in a hurry.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

The first QB off the board goes and the crowd will go crazy at Radio City. The Bucs have been linked with Manziel for the last month despite Mike Glennon having a good rookie season last year. They really should be focusing on the O Line which was underwhelming last year. Lovie Smith doesn't seem to pay much attention to that if his Bears teams are any indication though.

8. New York Giants (trade with Minnesota)- Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

The Giants give up the No.12 and 74 picks to get Lewan. It sounds like the Giants aren't interested in TE Eric Ebron. Aaron Donald is another option here but I think the Giants focus on fixing a porous O line. LT Will Beatty was ineffective last year and is injury prone.

9. Oakland Raiders- Aaron Donald, DT, Penn State

The Raiders go best player available with the Donald who did everything in his power in the draft process to show he is worth a Top 10 selection. Provides a interior pass rush in a division with Peyton Manning and Andy Reid's pass heavy offence.

10. Miami Dolphins (trade with Detroit)- Zack Martin, OT/G, Notre Dame

The Dolphins give up the No.19, and 50 pick to move up and grab Martin. The early selections of the three top OT's means teams with O Line help like the Dolphins may have to trade up. If the Dolphins don't address their O Line in the first that would be one of the bigger shocks of the draft. Zack Martin can play either guard or tackle and is a high character player which is more important for Miami for obvious reasons.

11. San Francisco 49ers (trade with Tennessee Titans)- Odell Beckham Junior, WR, LSU

The 49ers trade up big, giving up No. 30, 56, 94 and 129 to the Titans to grab Beckham. This trade makes sense for both teams. The Titans are short of picks in this deep draft and the 49ers have too many picks to use. The 49ers may look to select a CB here instead like Kyle Fuller but Odell Beckham is a great prospect considering Michael Crabtree is reaching the end of his contract and Anquan Boldin can't last forever.

12. Minnesota Vikings- Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St

Mike Zimmer likes playing nickle a lot so he can't have enough cornerbacks. The Vikings aren't entirely impressed with the top QB options by the sound of things. Maybe they are happy with Matt Cassell as a stop gap for one year while they develop a mid round pick like Logan Thomas or Tom Savage.

13. Arizona Cardinals (trade with St Louis)- Blake Bortles, QB, UCF

Cardinals give up the No.20, 84 and a 2015 2nd Rd to the Rams to grab their QB of the future. If the Cardinals are that interested in Bortles I can't seem them sitting at No.20 and hope he falls to them.

14. Chicago Bears- Ha Ha Clinton Dix, S, Alabama.

The best safety prospect is left on the board for the team with the biggest need, too easy.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers- Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

Ike Taylor's days as a shutdown corner are over, time for an heir. Fuller is a physical but sound technician who can learn off the Taylor the nuances of the position. Rashede Hagemann has been linked here a lot but the secondary needs some serious infusion of youth.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (trade with Dallas)- Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

The Eagles give up the No.22 and 86 picks to grab Barr. Chip Kelly has been trying hard to trade for Miami's Dion Jordan without success. He really wants that athletic speed rusher for his defence, Barr is best speed option in this draft. The Cowboys are looking for any type of trade back despite the fact they need pass rush help.

17. Baltimore Ravens- Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

The Ravens just wait for value to drop to them, Ebron is a perfect addition to Kubiak's offence which uses TE's heavily in the passing game. Will be a problem down the seam's of defences if he can focus on catching the ball consistently. Right tackle is another option here with prospects like Morgan Moses and Jawuan James.

18. New York Jets- Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St

The Jets need to give Geno Smith every chance to prove he can succeed in the NFL. Despite the addition of Eric Decker they need someone opposite him. Cooks is a fast and dangerous with the ball in his hands. Can play outside and in the slot. The crowd could lose their minds if they decide to go CB here but it wouldn't be surprising.

19. Detroit Lions- Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville

I just struggle to believe that the Lions will invest in CB this early when they invested in Darius Slay and Bill Bentley in the 2nd and 3rd rounds respectfully last year. Safety is a bigger issue where the addition of James Ideghibo is not a solution, he's a rotation/special teams player at best. Pryor would bring a physical element to the secondary that the Lions have been missing.

20. St Louis Rams- Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State

The Rams need help in the secondary but Fisher may wait till Day 2 to address that area. Shazier will fill the WLB position and help create one of the fastest front sevens in the NFL.

21. Cleveland Browns (trade with Green Bay)- Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Browns give up the No.26 and 71st pick to stop the fall of Bridgewater. Rumours that the Chiefs and the Bengals are interested in Bridgewater push the Browns to move ahead of them.

22. Tennessee Titans (trade with Dallas)- Rashede Hagemann, DT, Minnesota

Titans move back up the first round to give Ray Horton a Calais Campbell like DT to work with. Give up the No.30, 94 and 129 to move ahead of the Chiefs. Hagemann is one of the bigger boom/bust prospects in this years draft.

23. Oakland Raiders (trade with the Chiefs)- Derek Carr, QB, Fresno

The Raiders beat the Jaguars to Carr by giving up their No.36, 73 and the Bills 2015 2nd rd pick to move up. I don't like Carr as a prospect but the Raiders are trying. Oakland fans are going to find out very quickly that Matt Schaub is not the answer. The Chiefs are an ideal trade back team as they only have six picks and are missing a 2nd round pick thanks to the Alex Smith trade.

24. Cincinnati Bengals- Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

Best player available approach for the Bengals, they need an infusion of new CB blood ad Roby has the best physical tools of this class. Has red flags but that hasn't stopped the Bengals in the past.

25. San Diego Chargers- Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

Gilbert falls due to his lack of physicalness and his unwillingness to tackle. Has the speed and change of direction to cover on the outside though which is important against a passing attack like the Broncos. The Chargers need any sort of the infusion in the secondary.

26. Green Bay Packers- C.J Mosley, LB, Alabama

The Packers drop back and still get one of the best linebacker prospects this year. Mosley could very well drop to the backend of the first round due to injury concerns. Will be an instant impact starter for the Packers and can move around the line.

27. New Orleans Saints- Marcus Martin, C, USC

With the lack of center prospects I can see Martin or Colorado States Weston Richburg slipping into the back of the first. The Saints have a big hole there currently. They could also go CB or WR here depending on the way the draft unfolds.

28. Carolina Panthers- Joel Bitonio, OT/G, Nevada

Carolina have the biggest holes in the most spots in the NFL with LT, CB and No 1 & 2 WR positions. Joel Bitonio has been linked with them along with Morgan Moses and Jawuan James. The Panthers have to protect Cam Newton to have any chance of repeating last years success.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (trade with New England)- Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech

Jags give up the No.39, 105 and 114 to the Patriots. Every year there seems to be a surprise selection when it comes to pass rushers. Attaochu fits the 'Leo' linebacker role Dan Bradley wants in his defence, he coached him during the Senior Bowl so he got a upfront view of what he can do.

30. Dallas Cowboys- Xavier Su'a-Filo, G, UCLA

Despite the obvious needs on the defence the Cowboys do need an upgrade at guard, why not get the best prospect in the draft. DE and DT can wait till the second day.

31. Denver Broncos- Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois

Jimmie Ward offers the best coverage skills of any of the safeties this year, would complement T.J Ward well.

32. New York Jets (trade with Seattle)- Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech

The Jets give up the No.49, 104, 154 and 233 picks to move back into the first round. The Jets double down on offensive weapons for Geno Smith. Amaro could be a very good safety option for him.

A few surprises I know but the first round always, does so why not make a mock draft with some? Love to hear people's comments and views.

Also here is a link to my other article on the 2014 NFL draft, full of lists of players to look out for over the weekend.

Enjoy the draft!

NFL 2014 Draft Preview- List-tastic

After what seems a lifetime the 2014 NFL Draft is finally here. This years draft at Radio City, New York should be the most watched draft yet with intriguing storylines and players such as Johnny Manziel, Jadeveon Clowney and Teddy Bridgewater.

The deepest draft in recent history means that there is no consensus on who the picks will be after Jadeveon Clowney is most likely picked No.1 overall. With a record amount of underclassmen declaring early for this draft, 98 to be exact,  there are going to be a lot of future NFL starters going undrafted this year. Smart teams are going to trade back and accrue picks in the mid rounds. Unwise teams will mortgage future picks under pressure to perform this season or have their jobs terminated. The Draft as an event is compelling, captivating and full of drama, a perfect television event.

 Therefore I have produced a list of lists to give people the key players in the draft-underrated,overrated, trade scenarios, late round contributors. I don't watch a lot of film on players but I'm a information gatherer. If you figure out what sources and reports to trust you can get a very good idea of where players will be selected and what teams are looking for. Last year I won the First Round Exchange Draft Week Challenge by choosing the best risers in terms of stock before the draft occurred.

I was high on Kyle Long as well who ended up surprising a lot of people by landing with the Bears in the first round.

I don't show this to gloat. Only to say that is possible to get a very good gauge of where players will get drafted by sifting through articles, reports and interviews of NFL personnel, scouts, reporters and draftniks. So worth without further ado enjoy:

Locks for Top 10

Jadeveon Clowney
Khalil Mack
Sammy Watkins
Mike Evans
Greg Robinson

95% certain

Jake Matthews
Aaron Donald

50/50

Odell Beckham Jr
Taylor Lewan
Ha Ha Clinton Dix
Teddy Bridgewater
Blake Bortles

Dark Horses

Rashede Hagemann

Calvin Pryor
Justin Gilbert

Overrated Prospects

1.Tom Savage, WR, Pittsburgh- Has come out of nowhere the last two months to be invited to the green room at Radio City. Big armed QB who transferred twice and didn't start a game of football for more than a 1000 days between  Rutgers and Pittsburgh. Comparisons of Tom Brady sum it up.  Slow decision maker, got sacked the most in all of college football last year. Has shown flashes but there is no way he should be considered a Day 2 pick let alone the first round.

2. Eric Ebron, TE, NC- To be a consistent receiving threat you need to have great hands. That's it. Ebron has the size and speed to be a receiving threat down the seam but his hands and concentration are suspect. He makes tough catches but drops easy ones as well. He's not a inline blocker either so it all depends on whether he can be consistent catcher. I just don't buy it. Compared to Vernon Davis early on, looks more like Jermaine Gresham.

3. Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State- Has great measurables but shows no willingness as a tackler. Now that teams run their nickle package a lot to negate prolific passing attacks CB's have to be able to play the run and tackle in the open field.  The days of Asante Samuel like CB's are over. 

4. Marqise Lee, WR, USC- Same case with Ebron, has poor catching technique. He runs good routes but if he can't consistently catch he's not going to be any good to a team. He also gets injured very easily and will spend his time on the injury list a lot.

5. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno- Classic case of the 'prototypical'  QB who wows scouts/execs with his big arm despite struggling with accuracy and handles pressure badly. The way the NFL has worked lately he isn't going to have the luxury of sitting for a couple of years behind a vet. Blaine Gabbert like train crash waiting to happen

6. Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida- Ditto for Bortles except he has poor mechanics and is rated higher then Carr which means he will be drafted as a starter which means he is almost guaranteed to be thrown in the fire. Both these guys should be Round 2 picks.

7. Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA- Speed rusher who's only played the position for two years. Gets bullied at the point of attack in the rushing game, looks lost sometimes. I'm just not sure whether he has the instincts to pick up the positional nuance needed to justify a first round grade selection.

Underrated Prospects

1. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville- Too thin, hand size too small, no cannon arm, introvert, poor pro day, THE case study for the NFL not wanting to move from there antiquated ways of what a successful QB should look like. Just forget the fact that Bridgewater is the most accurate, has worked in a complicated prostyle, understands and dismantle defences. Just like Russell Wilson he is going to redefine the position and make many people in the NFL look foolish.

2. Jason Verrett, CB, TCU- I've lost count the amount of people saying 'if only he was a couple of inches taller' argument for Verrett. Pound for Pound he is the best CB prospect this year. Extremely quick and physical he could become the next Antoine Winfield. Will most likely fall out of the first round discussion but a team in the early 2nd will get a steal.

3. Ryan Shazier, LB, OSU- Another smaller athlete for his position, the emergence of Lavonte David at WLB means we can project Shazier with a little more certainty. Relentless motor and tackling machine. Can play inside or out in a 3-4 or 4-3.

4. Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU- This year's Keenan Allen, poor 40 times will drop him well into Day 2 but he makes some of the most difficult catches in the entire class and is an excellent blocker. Cannot afford to get injured with his lack of speed but will help a team immediately where ever he lands.

6. Telvin Smith, LB, FSU

7. Lamarcus Joyner, CB/S, FSU Both these guys are undersized but play with great instincts for the game. Joyner could become the next Mathieu type S/WR tweener who can cover in the slot but is a good tackler and playmaker. Telvin Smith needs to add some pounds on his lean body but with an NFL diet he should be fill out in time.

Prospects who may drop further then people imagined

1. Timmy Jernigan, DT, FSU- Diluted urine sample for drug test plus average tape means he most likely will slip into the 2nd day.

2. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington- Injuries have limited him in the draft process, a DUI will be a red flag to some teams but the big reason he may fall is simply is tape. Seferian-Jenkins just doesn't look like special athlete they should be picked in the top two rounds.

3. Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee- Unlike his fellow Tennessee tackle Jawuan James, Richardson is not being seen as a viable LT. Lack of athleticism and power will mean he could fall into late Day 2 even Day 3.

4. Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford- Hasn't worked out during the draft process due to injury but some think he has been hiding away because of a really slow 40 time. Regardless he is going to fall into the late Day 3, maybe undrafted.

Mid Range Instant Impact

1. Jordan Tripp, LB, Montana- Versatile, quick and physical, will do in Day 2.

2. Jordan Zumwalt, ILB, UCLA- Big hitter. Will be a instant starter at MLB in Day 2.

3.Justin Ellis, DT, Louisiana Tech- Impressed at the Shrine game and Senior Bowl, big man who can play as a NT in 3-4.

4. Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU- Solid hands, good route runner, blocks in run game.

5. Dakota Dozier, OG, Furman- Larry Warford like value with Dozier in Day 2, starter for a lucky team.

Worst pick selection scenarios

1. Atlanta picks Taylor Lewan over Jake Matthews- Dimitroff is in danger of getting himself fired with his questionable moves over the last couple of seasons. Matthews is rock solid and there is no way Lewan should get picked before him. Has major red flags.

2.Detroit trades up to grab Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans- In the deepest WR draft class in years after signing Golden Tate to a $31 mllion deal? They have more serious issues in the secondary.

3.Browns pick Manziel at No.4- So they fire Lombardi/Banner who coveted Manziel and then go onto select Manziel regardless? Smells fishy to me but it is the Browns so you have to assume they will select the wrong QB.

4.The Bengals pass on Bridgewater if he is there at No.24- Andy Dalton is not the answer, Bridgewater would be an instant upgrade and a cheaper one, too easy not to do.

5.The Jags move back into the first round to grab Jimmy Garoppolo.

Jimmy is a Round 3 onwards developmental QB not a Day 1 starter. 

Dumbest 'legitimate' draft scenarios which won't happen

1. Cleveland wait till the No.26 to pick Teddy Bridgewater/Manziel- This could happen though because the Browns have shown to be that stupid. They NEED a franchise QB. They will have the pick of QB's at No.4 If they do pass there they have the picks to trade back into the mid first

2. The Bills trading up to No.1 for Clowney- They don't have a need at DE, they have more pressing need on the O Line, would cost them too much to move up from nine.

3. The 49ers trading into the Top 5 to grab Mike Evans. Same here for the 49ers, they would have to give up most of their picks to get into the Top 5, the value is not there.

4. Cowboys select Johnny Manziel at No.16- Even Jerry Jones is smart enough to figure out his defence needs an infusion of weapons over a replacement for Tony Romo.

Consensus picks in mock draft community which probably won't happen.

1. Zack Martin OT/G, Notre Dame to the Miami Dolphins at 19.

2. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State to the Tennessee Titans at 42.
3. Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State to the Detroit Lions at 10.
4. Rashede Hagemann/Louis Nix III to the New England Patriots at 29
5. Anthony Barr OLB, UCLA to Tennessee Titans at 11.

Hot Names 

1. Trai Turner, OG, LSU- Came out earlier then expected, raw but has the tolls to become a Pro Bowl guard. Could go as high as the middle of Round 2.

2. Kevin Pierre-Louis, OLB, Boston College- Short and light but extremely explosive, somebody is going to put him to good use. 

3. Jawuan James,OT, Tennessee- There is talk of him going as high as No.19 to Miami .

4. Laurant Duvernay-Tardif, OT, Canada- A French-Candian tackle who has wowed scouts with his measurables and intangibles. Won't make it passed Round 5 despite his lack of competition in college.

5. Stanley Jean Baptiste, CB, Nebraska- The big, long armed CB is in vogue, Baptiste has been compared to Brandon Browner and Nnamdi Asomugha. Reports are going out he may sneak into backend of Round 1.

Biggest Risers during draft process

1. Tom Savage, QB

2. Joel Bitonio, OT/G- Nevada

3. Aaron Donald, DT, Penn St

4. Cody Latimer, Wr, Indiana

5. Stanley Jean Baptiste, CB.

Biggest losers during the draft process

1. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama

2. Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State

3. AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama

4. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

5. Colt Lyerla, TE

6. Seantrel Henderson, OT, Miami (FL)

Mid to Late round players I like

1.Terrance West, RB, Towson

2. Storm Johnson, RB, UCF

3. Trai Turner, OG, LSU

4. Bashaud Breeland, CB, Clemson

5. Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia 

6. Joe Don Duncan, TE, Dixie State

7. Keith Wenning, QB, Ball State

8. Caraun Reid, DT, Princeton

9. Jaylen Watkins, CB, Florida

10. Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin

11. C.J Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa

12. Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice
13. Jordan Tripp, LB, Montana

Please feel free to give feedback, comments appreciated. Enjoy the draft.