2014 NFL Mock Draft

It's that time of year again for all Detroit Lions fans in the great State of Michigan - some turn on the Red Wings, some hop on the Tom Brady Express, and most resume their binge drinking ways and weep into the new Matthew Stafford Jersey they bought around Week 10.

Me on the other hand, I like to look ahead into the future and make countless predictions that would alter an NFL franchise's future for better or worse.  I'm hoping to have at least one "I-told-you-so" that is strong enough to mask the scent of the Honolulu Blue Kool-Aid I had been drinking all season long.

Even though a lot is bound to change when the playoffs end and the NFL combine occurs, I believe this to be a pretty well rounded prediction for what is bound to happen.

So without any further adieu, here is the First Round of the Sports Mitten's Mock NFL Draft.


1. Houston Texans

Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

Going from Super Bowl likely to blowing up the headsets, the Texans are probably the most talented team to ever earn the First Overall selection.  Bringing in new Head Coach Bill O'Brien from Penn State could be what this team needs to reach the next level and I think Houston should either trade down and receive multiple first round picks (Rams, Browns) or take OT Jake Matthews from Texas A&M.  Matthews is a huge, Pro Bowl caliber player that will start from the first snap of Week 1. He will provide a huge weak side presence giving whoever may quarterback the Texans next year (Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kirk Cousins, Mike Vick, Christian Ponder, Josh Freeman) a lot of time to find down-field threats Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins for six.

Even though Matt Schaub has been chased out of town (literally) and former hometown Houston Cougar NCAA National record setter Case Keenum turned out to be a flat tire, I do not think taking a quarterback first overall is smart.  Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel may be extremely talented but I think it would be smarter to shop free agency or trade for their Quarterback needs.

2. St. Louis Rams

Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

I think the Rams will give Sam Bradford one more shot as a starting Quarterback and continue to build their defense by picking this long, quick, and strong Outside Linebacker from UCLA.  He is the Lott IMPACT Award winner with 10 total sacks for 66 total yards and ended Matt Barkley's college career with a shoulder splitting sack in November 2012.  Opposite Alec Ogletree and behind the dynamic pass rushing duo of Robert Quinn and Chris Long, this Rams defense could be a sack-frenzy this upcoming season.  Although I doubt this pick will propel St. Louis to the top of the NFC West, it is the smartest and creates an entertaining combo to watch.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

I am in no way, shape, or form a Johnny Football fan boy but Jaguar's Owner Shad Khan is a fan of money and that is exactly what Manziel emulates.  He may not be the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or even 4th best quarterback in this years draft, but he will sell tickets, jerseys, and (irony intended) autographs.  I believe Johnny Football to have a Doug-Flutie-esque career at most but will be a temporary answer to Jacksonville's continuous Quarterback woes and get the fans excited again.

4. Cleveland Browns

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

Clowney was a sure First Overall pick ever since he was on the front cover of ESPN The Magezine as a Senior in high school.  Yet this past season had shown a lack of drive, effort, and numbers which has caused many to question whether this Freak of Nature has what it takes to become the Hall of Fame defensive end he was one perceived.  But even with these questions he is still athletically dominant and a Week 1 starter.

5. Oakland Raiders

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Even though many experts believe Bridgewater to be the runaway First Overall pick, I feel like his padded stats against a weak American Athletic Conference have masked many of his flaws.  Although Louisville won 12 games this year and 27 with Teddy under center, including last year's Orange Bowl, many of his incompletions were over thrown passes that any NFL defensive backfield would feed off of (i.e. Geno Smith).  But he is accustomed to the pro-style offense and very elusive to pressure which makes him a unique combo with enough potential for a team dying for a QB to take.

6. Atlanta Falcons

Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

Robinson is big, strong, and due to their security at QB, LB, WR, and CB, the safest pick for Atlanta.  He is a future Pro-Bowler and a leader of Auburn's dominant run game.  If I was Atlanta GM Thomas Dimitroff I would try to trade down and acquire more picks for depth, but it is hard to pass up on a big body like Robinson.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

Evans is my favorite wide receiver in this year's Draft. With him opposite of Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay would have two of the biggest wide receivers in the NFL and a dangerous combo for young Mike Glennon to work with on his Sophomore stint.

8. Minnesota Vikings

Blake Bortles, QB, UCF

Bortles proved to be ready for the Big Stage after he lead UCF to a Fiesta Bowl victory over the heavily favored Balyor Bears.  Blake is big and elusive but questions concerning his lack of competition in college may be why he isn't regarded as the top overall QB.  The Vikes have busted and ready to move on from Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel, and Josh Freeman, so Bortles would be the easy choice as the next available QB on many's Big Boards.

9. Buffalo Bills

Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

Mack may be relatively unknown coming from a Non-BCS school, but when you look at his numbers it is obvious he played well out of his league.  With a FBS record 75 tackles for loss and 16 forced fumbles, Mack caused havoc for his MAC competition.  Look for him to move around from OLB and DE and continue to put up big tackle numbers in the AFC East.

10. Detroit Lions

Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

The Lions need someone ANYONE on the outside of their secondary.  The leader of the "No Fly Zone" Michigan State defensive backfield is a good place to start but Lions GM Martin Mayhew will need to do serious moves in free agency to make the Lions able to win and defend the passing attacks of NFC North rival Packers and Bears.

11. Tennessee Titans

Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

This is a huge steal for the Titans if Watkins does fall down this far.  He is an incredible combination of hands and speed that would create a huge play tandem between him and franchise RB Chris Johnson.  Kendal Wright and Nate Washington proved to be adequate out wide last season but I think it is impossible to pass up of a talent like Watkins if he does drop as far as I predict.

12. New York Giants

Zack Martin, OG, Notre Dame

Martin is low on many expert's Big Boards because he is a left tackle being forced to play guard because of his lack of size.  But the Fighting Irish captain is smart, talented, and regarded as the best interior offensive lineman in the Draft and that is what the G-Men need most to keep Eli Manning on his feet.

13. St. Louis Rams

Cyrus Kouandijo, OT, Alabama

Kouandijo has a dream OT body - 6'5, 310 lbs, and only 16% body fat.  He utilizes his lack of flab with quick feet - something imperative to stop the pass rush in the NFC West.

14. Chicago Bears

Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

Although he is regarded as a tackle because of his length, Ogbuehi played his first two seasons as a guard next to 2012 3rd Overall Pick Luke Joeckel and 2013 Top Pick Jake Mathews.  Da Bears need some help on the interior offensive line and should play Ogbuehi there - but his versatility and experience at different positions should be a great asset to any team in filling gaps on their line.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

At this time last season Lewan was a projected Top 5 pick but he passed up an opportunity in the NFL for his Senior season at Michigan.  The Steelers' offensive line was extremely beat up this season and need an upgrade - Lewan's experience and leadership would be vital  for this aging Pittsburgh team.

16. Baltimore Ravens

Marqise Lee, WR, USC

Lee put up huge numbers his Junior year and was awarded Biletnikoff Award as the top reciever in the nation.  The Ravens need another weapon to compliment Torrey Smith and Dennis Pitta.  Joe Flacco is a very good quarterback but the Ravens need to fill the gap left by Anquan Bolden's departure to bring this team back to a Super Bowl caliber level.

17. Dallas Cowboys

Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame

The Cowboys had the worst defense in the league and they need to fill a lot of gaps on their defensive line and secondary.  Tuitt is big and will make an immediate impact on the pass rush and run stop.  Dallas may have an atrocious defensive backfield but with all of the rules favoring receivers and other gaps on their defense, it would be smart to use a later pick or test free agency for a cornerback.

18. New York Jets

Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

The Jets really need more weapons out wide for Geno Smith but with Evans, Watkins, and Lee most likely gone by now and the drop off in talent to the next WR, Ebron is the next best choice.  He set records for receiving as a TE at North Carolina and could be utilized as a Jimmy Graham, Kellen Winslow, etc.

19. Miami Dolphins

Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State

Miami lost two very good offensive lineman in Richie Incognito and Jonathon Martin due to the bullying scandal earlier this year and the most sensible choice would be to fill that huge hole.  Erving is physically a prototype left tackle and the easy pick for the Dolphins.

20. Arizona Cardinals

Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State

The Cards' defense was quite the surprise this season with the 7th best scoring defense and 6th fewest yards allowed in the league.  Shazier would provide a huge boost to the edge opposite of John Abraham and/or replace the aging Vet when the time comes.  Shazier is high on the single season and career marks for solo tackles and tackles for loss at Ohio State and has the potential to be a surplus tackler for a long time.

21. Green Bay Packers

Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

Jermichael Finley was downed twice this season due to concussions and spine issues, which ended his season and possibly his career.  Despite Finley's will to return, picking up TE Eric Ebron would be ideal if he dropped this far.  Yet that is highly unlikely and the next best choice would be CB Justin Gilbert from Oklahoma State to help with Green Bay's horrendous secondary that forces Aaron Rodgers to continuously out-duel opposing offenses.

22. Philadelphia Eagles

Hasean Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama

Philly was last in the league for passing defense and Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix is the best Safety available.  The Eagles are set on the offensive side of the ball, even if it is debatable whether due to talent or Chip Kelly's scheme, and that defense is so spotty that it is necessary to pass up on a few more talented players to fill the huge gaps.

23. Kansas City Chiefs

C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama

Kansas City really could use another weapon out wide for Alex Smith but if C.J. Mosley is there, they need to take him.  ILB's are not in high demand for many teams but KC needs someone explosive next to Derrick Johnson in the middle of their 3-4.  Working along side an experienced Veteran like Johnson really would help Mosley grow and be a very productive player for the Chiefs.

24. Cincinatti Bengals

Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville

The Bengals had serious injury problems with their secondary this year and it was obvious they were not deep enough.  Although I would love for them to take a cornerback because I believe Dre Kirpatrick to be a bust, I think Cinci will ride that draft pick a little while longer and fill the hole at safety.  On paper, the Bengals are very talented with few gaps and this will be the smartest pick for the organization.

25. San Diego Chargers

Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

Chargers are 22nd in the league for total defense and have been fortunate that Philip Rivers has reemerged as an effective weapon to out-duel other offenses.  Their biggest hole is at the cornerback position so they should get one early and if Verrett is there they should take him.  TCU used to regularly put Verrett on an island in coverage against the opposing team's best WR, something he wouldn't be afraid to do in the NFL.

26. Cleveland Browns

Derek Carr, QB, Fresno St.

Cleveland is lucky enough to have two first round picks this year after trading RB Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts. If the Browns pass on a Quarterback on their earlier pick like I believe, they will have to land one with their second.  Carr could go in the Top 10 but if he is passed up for Bridgewater, Manziel, and Bortles, Cleveland needs to get him.  He is built to be a starting NFL Quarterback and has the arm to back it up. (Yet so did his brother, David.)

27. New Orleans Saints

Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

The Saints had one of the top defenses in the NFL but lack talent and were extremely shallow at outside linebacker.  Beasley would fill a hole and provide a dominant pass rusher that would further excel New Orleans' already dominant defense.

28. New England Patriots

Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame

The Pats have two fairly unknown big men at the center of their D-line when Vince Wilfork went down for the season and Nix would perfectly fill that gap.  The ND tackle is 6'2, 350+ lbs and bizarrely quick on his feet - something unheard of in the NFL.  I somewhat doubt Nix will be available by the 28th pick, but I believe he would be a perfect match in New England and hope it does come true.

29. San Francisco 49ers

Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

San Francisco is pretty well rounded on both sides of the ball but many of their star players are aging.  Justin Smith is still a dominant player but will be 35 years old a couple weeks into the season and Aldon Smith has had his off the field problems that has kept him from playing.  Having an explosive DE like Ealy would add depth and compliment players like Brooks, Bowman, and Willis to continue the 49ers dominance in the NFC.

30. Carolina Panthers

Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

This 6'5 wide receiver would give Cam Newton a huge target opposite of Steve Smith.  His size compliments the speed of Smith and Ginn perfectly and will further develop Newton as an Elite QB in the NFL.  Benjamin makes big plays, as evident in the BCS National Championship, and would be an immediate impact.

31. Denver Broncos

Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas

Denver's #1 priority is making sure the bionic Peyton Manning is healthy and upright in the pocket.  The Broncos are old and weak at the interior line and picking up a consistent player like Swanson would be an immediate impact.  He started all 50 games of his four year career at Arkansas and would be a ready, Week 1 starter as he has faced elite, NFL-esque competition in the SEC.

32. Seattle Seahawks

Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech

Amaro broke the single season recieving yards record for a TE in the NCAA and would be a prime weapon for Russel Wilson.  The Texas Tech record setter would be an immediate weapon catching the ball but may need to develop his blocking to be an elite player.  Yet his potential is too high for Seattle not to pick him up.