2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3

Last update: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. Major changes in all 3 rounds.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2014 NFL Mock Draft is based on my NFL Power Rankings.

*** THIS IS A LIVE 2014 NFL MOCK DRAFT. PICKS ARE BEING POSTED NOW. TO SEE PREVIOUS VERSIONS, CHECK OUT THE ARCHIVED 2014 NFL MOCK DRAFT SECTION. FOLLOW @walterfootball FOR UPDATES ***


65. Houston Texans: James Hurst, OT, North Carolina
    As mentioned earlier, teams that spend early picks on quarterbacks often double up on offense. If the Texans decide to do that, they could certainly upgrade the right tackle position, which is a big problem area for them.
    
    I recently had James Hurst atop Day 2, but I've dropped him a full round because he broke his leg during the team's winter practice game against Cincinnati.
    
    Follow @walterfootball for updates.
    
    Pick change; previously Yawin Smallwood, ILB
    
    
66. Washington Redskins: Yawin Smallwood, ILB, Connecticut
    ESPN loves talking up London Fletcher by saying he's still great, but he could barely move. He was one of the reasons the Redskins were so inept on defense. He has announced his retirement anyway.
    
    Pick change; previously Shayne Skov, ILB
    
    
67. Oakland Raiders: George Uko, DT, USC
    The Raiders strangely passed on Star Lotulelei and Sharrif Floyd when they had a huge need at defensive tackle. That is still the case, as Vance Walker and Pat Sims are a pretty underwhelming duo.
    
    Pick change; previously Aaron Donald, DT
    
    
68. Atlanta Falcons: Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina
    Here's more front seven help, as the Falcons need to concentrate on bolstering their pass rush this offseason.
    
    
    
    
    
69. New York Jets: Odell Beckham, WR, LSU
    Given how anemic their receiving corps is, it would not surprise me at all if the Jets double dipped at wideout.
    
    Pick change; previously Paul Richardson, WR
    
    
70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Demarcus Lawrence, DE/OLB, Boise State
    Outside of finding a franchise quarterback, Jacksonville's No. 1 priority has to be upgrading the pass rush. The Jaguars finished with the fewest sacks in 2013.
    
    Pick change; previously Carlos Hyde, RB
    
    
71. Cleveland Browns: Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
    The Browns apparently plan on courting Ben Tate in free agency, but what if he never hits the market or chooses to sign elsewhere?
    
    Pick change; previously Charles Sims, RB
    
    
72. Minnesota Vikings: Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida
    Here's more secondary help for the Vikings. A corner needs to be added with Chris Cook about to hit free agency.
    
    Pick change; previously Kyle Fuller, CB
    
    
73. Buffalo Bills: Taylor Hart, DE/DT, Oregon
    Marcell Dareus will be hitting free agency after this upcoming season, so Buffalo may add another lineman for depth purposes.
    
    
74. New York Giants: Telvin Smith, OLB, Florida State
    The Giants upgrade yet another level of their defense, as their stop unit needs to be completely bolstered.
    
    
75. St. Louis Rams: Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
    The Rams should think about drafting a quarterback on Day 2 just in case Sam Bradford continues to be mediocre (and injury-prone).
    
    Pick change; previously Zach Mettenberger, QB
    
    
76. Detroit Lions: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
    The Lions have to consider a cornerback early in the 2014 NFL Draft if they don't sign one in free agency. They've looked helpless against several of the better quarterbacks they faced this past year.
    
    Bradley Roby is slotted pretty low in this mock because he played poorly this previous season. He's also had some off-the-field issues. I think the Lions would take a chance on him though.
    
    
    
    
    
77. San Francisco 49ers: Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee
    The 49ers don't need a legitimate nose tackle to run their defense, but having one definitely wouldn't hurt.
    
    
78. Dallas Cowboys: Joe Bitonio, OT/G, Nevada
    The Cowboys are so desperate at guard that they lured Brian Waters out of semi-retirement. Waters was then knocked out for the year. So much for that.
    
    Pick change; previously Ty Zimmerman, S
    
    
79. Baltimore Ravens: Russell Bodine, C, North Carolina
    Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and others are gone, but perhaps the player the Ravens miss most is Matt Birk. His replacements at center have been horrible. Almost anyone would be an upgrade.
    
    
80. New York Jets: Ty Zimmerman, S, Kansas State
    The Jets have major problems at safety, as neither Antonio Allen nor Dawan Landry should be starting. The Ed Reed signing predictably didn't help at all, as the former Raven could barely move. Upgrading this area is a major priority.
    
    Pick change; previously Jason Verrett, CB
    
    
81. Miami Dolphins: Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia
    The Dolphins don't trust Lamar Miller at all, while Daniel Thomas isn't very good. They'll likely be searching for a new starting running back this spring.
    
    Pick change; previously George Uko, DT
    
    
82. Chicago Bears: Quandre Diggs, CB, Texas
    The Bears will have to address their two cornerback positions this offseason, as Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings both have expiring contracts.
    
    Pick change; previously Loucheiz Purifoy, CB
    
    
83. Cleveland Browns: Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State
    Here's some secondary help for the Browns, who could use someone to challenge Tashaun Gipson at safety.
    
    
84. Arizona Cardinals: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
    Carson Palmer played better late in the season, but he's obviously not the long-term solution. Arizona can develop Zach Mettenberger for a couple of seasons.
    
    Pick change; previously Stephen Morris, QB
    
    
    
    
    
85. Green Bay Packers: Richard Rodgers, TE, California
    With Jermichael Finley heading for free agency, Green Bay could grab a replacement at the tight end position.
    
    Pick change; previously Morgan Breslin, DE/OLB
    
    
86. San Diego Chargers: Ed Stinson, DE/DT, Alabama
    The Chargers have a solid starting front line on defense, but they don't have much depth.
    
    Pick change; previously Jeoffrey Pagan, DE/DT
    
    
87. Philadelphia Eagles: Morgan Breslin, DE/OLB, USC
    Outside of their secondary, the one area the Eagles need to fix is their pass rush. Connor Barwin has played well in other areas, but he hasn't been able to get to the quarterback.
    
    Pick change; previously Jeoffrey Pagan, DE/DT
    
    
88. Kansas City Chiefs: Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado
    The Chiefs need another outside receiver to start across from Dwayne Bowe. This team had so many drops against the Broncos.
    
    Pick change; previously Jared Abbrederis, WR
    
    
    
    
    
89. New Orleans Saints: Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
    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.
    
    
90. Cincinnati Bengals: Victor Hampton, CB, South Carolina
    Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has done a great job of getting the most out of Terence Newman and Pacman Jones, but the Bengals will have to get younger at cornerback sooner or later. Leon Hall's second torn Achilles makes this an even more pressing need.
    
    Pick change; previously Donte Moncrief, WR
    
    
91. Indianapolis Colts: Jeoffrey Pagan, DE/DT, Alabama
    I mocked Datone Jones to the Colts for a while in the 2013 NFL Draft because they need a pass-rushing presence up front. That's still a hole they have to fill, as we learned by watching Indianapolis fail to pressure Carson Palmer in November.
    
    Pick change; previously Donte Moncrief, WR
    
    
92. San Francisco 49ers: Trevor Reilly, DE/OLB, Utah
    The 49ers may consider spending an early pick on a pass-rusher. Aldon Smith, who spent some time in rehab, has a pretty cloudy future with numerous off-the-field issues. San Francisco needs to protect itself in case Smith can't stay out of trouble.
    
    
93. New England Patriots: DaQuan Jones, NT, Penn State
    Perhaps this is an overreaction pick, but Vince Wilfork will find it difficult to come back from a torn Achilles at his size and age.
    
    
94. Carolina Panthers: Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers
    Steve Smith is slowing down, while Brandon LaFell hasn't proven that he can be a consistent starter. The Panthers need to bolster their receiving corps.
    
    Pick change; previously Rob Herron, WR
    
    
95. Denver Broncos: Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss
    Eric Decker, coming off a great season, is set to hit free agency. He could be too rich for Denver's blood considering all of the money the front office will have dedicated to Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas.
    
    Pick change; previously Anthony Steen, G
    
    
96. Minnesota Vikings: Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas
    The Vikings will likely be losing Jared Allen after this season, so they'll need some help at defensive end.
    
    
    
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