2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 - Picks 17-32

Last update: Thursday, May 8, 2014. Final update posted, 6:05 p.m.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


*** This mock draft will be updated at least once per week (Tuesday afternoons and other times for important events.). Check out old versions of this 2014 NFL Mock Draft in the archived mock draft section. Follow @walterfootball for updates. ***

17. Baltimore Ravens: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
    There was a recent report on our NFL Draft Rumors page linking Eric Ebron to the Ravens. I also heard from another source that Baltimore has interest in the North Carolina tight end.
    
    It makes a lot of sense. Gary Kubiak loves his tight ends, and he only has one reliable tight end on the roster right now. Owen Daniels was signed, but he's been very injury-prone recently. Besides, he was brought on for only a 1-year contract.
    
    Like the Steelers, Baltimore usually tends to catch a falling prospect. Tight ends often are chosen later than most anticipate, so Ebron could be the 17th pick.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Calvin Pryor, S - The Ravens like Calvin Pryor, so they will strongly consider him if Ebron is off the board.
    
    2. Trade Down - Ozzie Newsome loves moving down. This could be another target spot for the 49ers to trade up.
    
    Follow @walterfootball for updates.
    
    
18. New York Jets: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
    The Jets desperately need offensive weapons because all they really have is Eric Decker, but they're also in bad shape when it comes to the secondary. Cornerback is the position everyone looks at, but the safeties might even be worse. This was evident last year when the Jets brought in a decrepit Ed Reed. That plan failed, so New York might be willing to draft a solution if either one of the top options are available. Both actually happen to be, and Calvin Pryor seems like the better fit for Rex Ryan's defense.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Brandin Cooks, WRs - The Jets need offensive weapons, both at receiver and tight end. Cooks is a strong option if he is available.
    
    2. Darqueze Dennard or Kyle Fuller, CBs - If New York doesn't go offense, corner is the other option. Rex Ryan is desperate for one after what transpired in free agency.
    
    3. Eric Ebron, TE - Ebron is the other option, but it'll be tough for him to get by both Pittsburgh and Baltimore - assuming the Bills, Lions or Rams don't take him.
    
    
19. Miami Dolphins: JaWuan James, OT, Tennessee
    The poor Dolphins are desperate to land Zack Martin - or really, any first-round offensive line talent - but they're all off the board. Martin's long gone, and Miami would have to move up to No. 11 to obtain him. That's unlikely to happen.
    
    The offensive line is still a strong option, however. The team has a first-round grade on JaWuan James, as the Tennessee blocker is viewed as a "plug and play" prospect who could improve Ryan Tannehill's protection.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Zack Martin, OT/G (trade up) - Perhaps the Dolphins will be bold and will move up for the player they love.
    
    2. Eric Ebron, TE - Tight ends tend to go later than most anticipate, so Ebron is a possibility.
    
    
    
    
    
20. Arizona Cardinals: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
    For those who don't think the Cardinals will use the No. 20 selection on a quarterback, Carson Palmer actually told the media that he expects his team to go with a signal-caller early in the draft. There were also some reports published in the NFL Draft Rumors page linking Arizona with a quarterback at this juncture.
    
    If Arizona decides to pick a signal-caller at No. 20, Blake Bortles makes the most sense. He and Derek Carr are the best fits for Bruce Arians' offense. Bortles would be a major steal.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Ryan Shazier, ILB - The Cardinals lost Karlos Dansby in free agency, so here's a potential replacement.
    
    2. Darqueze Dennard, CB - Dennard could be the best player on Arizona's board. Antonio Cromartie is signed on for only one year.
    
    
21. Green Bay Packers: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
    The Packers could address the defensive end, linebacker or safety position at No. 21. Of those positions, Ryan Shazier is the best player available. I've had C.J. Mosley here for a while, but Shazier fits what the Packers want to do, which is to add more speed to combat the scrambling quarterbacks they've had issues with over the past couple of years.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Kyle Fuller, CB - Fuller has the athleticism and size the Packers look for in their defensive backs.
    
    2. Kony Ealy, DE/DT - The Packers want to get faster on defense. Kony Ealy would help put more pressure on Colin Kaepernick.
    
    
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
    Some may consider this a reach, but others believe Cody Latimer can sneak into the first round. He just makes the most sense here for the Eagles. There aren't any defensive players remaining who fit the range and what Chip Kelly is looking for. The best player on the board who happens to be a good match for Philadelphia happens to be Latimer, a big, fast receiver Kelly would love to have in his offense.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Kyle Fuller or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, CB/S - The Eagles need both a corner or a safety. Kyle Fuller can play either position. He has the size Chip Kelly likes. Unfortunately, he's not expected to be available. I had Clinton-Dix here in my previous update. I'd say it's 50-50 whether he's here or not. If he is, he would be the pick.
    
    2. Marqise Lee, WR - Another receiver option, since Chip Kelly is very familiar with him.
    
    
23. Minnesota Vikings: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
    TRADE! In my second predicted deal, the Vikings give up their initial third-round pick to move up from No. 40 to 23. The Chiefs, as we've been saying for months, are desperate to move down. Minnesota, meanwhile, wants its quarterback. The team is high on Derek Carr (and Blake Bortles), but will have to jump in front of Cleveland to land either.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Xavier Su'a-Filo, G - The Chiefs want Xavier Su'a-Filo via a trade, but they may take him at No. 23.
    
    2. Marqise Lee, WR - The likely pick if the Chiefs stay put.
    
    Pick change; previously Demarcus Lawrence, DE/OLB (No. 40)
    
    
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
    Mike Zimmer did a great job of getting the most out of Terence Newman and Pacman Jones, but he's moved on to be the head coach in Minnesota. The Bengals will have to compensate with some new corners. Darqueze Dennard is one of the top prospects available.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Kyle Fuller or Darqueze Dennard, CBs - The other corner possibilities for the Bengals.
    
    2. Kony Ealy, DE - Cincinnati has some other options, including Ealy as a potential replacement for Michael Johnson.
    
    
25. San Diego Chargers: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
    The Chargers found a gem in Keenan Allen, who was outstanding last year despite being a third-round rookie. However, San Diego has little else at receiver, so it'll need to give Philip Rivers another weapon to work with. Perhaps the front office will go with a wideout even earlier in this draft.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Darqueze Dennard, CB - The Chargers are desperate for secondary help. If one of the top three corners are available, they may not waste much time handing in their card.
    
    2. Louis Nix, NT - I've had Nix for a while here, but I've soured on that selection. It's still a possibility, but I feel like San Diego goes elsewhere.
    
    
    
    
    
26. Cleveland Browns: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
    The Browns have been linked to all of the quarterbacks. It now appears as though they won't be choosing one at No. 4, but they can probably get Derek Carr or Teddy Bridgewater with this selection. If so, it would be the right move, as either could sit behind Brian Hoyer for a year without much pressure.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Derek Carr, QB - The other quarterback option.
    
    2. Marqise Lee or Brandin Cooks, WRs - The Browns will likely take a receiver here if they go quarterback at No. 4.
    
    Pick change; previously Derek Carr, QB
    
    
27. New Orleans Saints: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
    The Saints could use another receiver. Marques Colston disappointed this season prior to the Carolina victory, yet he's still New Orleans' top option by a wide margin. Lance Moore was cut this offseason.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Ryan Shazier or C.J. Mosley, ILBs - David Hawthorne has been a disappointment thus far. The Saints may want to bring in a new inside linebacker.
    
    2. Marcus Martin, C - The Saints like Martin a lot. I have them taking him in the second round, but it wouldn't surprise me if he went here.
    
    Pick change; previously Jason Verrett, CB
    
    
28. Carolina Panthers: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
    The Panthers have to be disappointed that all of the tier-two receivers are off the board. They could go with Kelvin Benjamin, Cody Latimer or Allen Robinson, but there will be plenty of those types of wideouts available in Round 2. Instead, they could address another huge hole. There's a massive void at left tackle in the wake of Jordan Gross' retirement.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Joel Bitonio, OT/G - It seems as though the Panthers will select Bitonio, Moses or Marqise Lee.
    
    2. Cody Latimer or Brandin Cooks, WRs - Some receiving options. The Panthers would have to move up for Lee or Cooks. Latimer fits this range.
    
    
    
    
    
29. New England Patriots: Ra'Shede Hageman, DE/DT, Minnesota
    There are only a limited amount of players available at this juncture who fit what Bill Belichick has traditionally looked for in prospects. One such individual is Ra'Shede Hageman, who would fill a big need in the interior of the defensive line. The Patriots don't have much of a pass rush in that area, but that would change with the addition of Hageman.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Louis Nix, NT - Hageman isn't the only defensive tackle the Patriots would consider. Nix also makes a ton of success as a future replacement for Vince Wilfork.
    
    2. Weston Richburg, C - The Colorado State center fits the profile of linemen Bill Belichick has drafted over the years. He'd also fill a big need.
    
    
30. Tennessee Titans: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
    The Titans don't really have many pieces for the 3-4, which includes exterior pass-rushers and five-technique defensive linemen. Kony Ealy can probably play both, though he may be a better fit for the latter position. Regardless, he would upgrade Tennessee's defense, giving it a pass-rusher to help combat Andrew Luck.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Justin Gilbert, CB - I mentioned Gilbert earlier in the San Francisco write-up.
    
    2. Anthony Barr, DE/OLB - The other option if the Titans stay at No. 11. Once again, they need players for their new 3-4.
    
    
31. Denver Broncos: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
    Wesley Woodyard signed with the Titans, but he looked out of place trying to play middle linebacker. Paris Lenon is a disaster. This is an area Denver may want to upgrade to help improve its defense, which couldn't get off the field in the Super Bowl. C.J. Mosley is expected to fall during the draft because he's damaged goods, but the Broncos may not care because they want to win now. They won't be as concerned about his long-term health issues as other teams would be.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Ryan Shazier, LB - Linebacker is a huge need for the Broncos, so here's another option.
    
    2. Jason Verrett, CB - A nickel corner the Broncos need in the wake of Chris Harris' injury.
    
    
32. Seattle Seahawks: Joel Bitonio, OT/G/C, Nevada
    This pick may surprise some, but remember that the Seahawks chose Bruce Irvin in the middle of the first round a couple of springs ago even though most had Irvin as a Round 2-3 player. Joel Bitonio simply fits what Seattle looks for in a prospect, and he would fill a major void at right tackle. Bitonio can play any position up front, including center, so Seattle will love his versatility.
    
    *** OTHER 2014 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
    
    1. Ra'Shede Hageman, DT - Hageman has the size and speed that this Seattle regime covets. I'm sure the Seahawks would love to have another interior pass rusher.
    
    2. Cody Latimer, WR - Another big, athletic player. Latimer would fill another need; a receiver has to be added following Golden Tate's departure.
    
    
    
    Go to 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2
    
    
    2015 NFL Mock Draft | Go to 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3
    
    Go to 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4 | Go to 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 5
    
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