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

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Last update: Wednesday, Jan. 8, 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 ***

  1. Baltimore Ravens: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
    It should be quite apparent that the Ravens desperately need help at receiver. Neither Jacoby Jones nor Marlon Brown should be a No. 2 wideout in the NFL. Think Joe Flacco misses Anquan Boldin?

    Kelvin Benjamin, who caught the game-winning touchdown in the national championship, stands at 6-5 and change. Flacco would love to just lob passes up to him.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates.

  2. New York Jets: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
    The Jets need to add more play-makers to the roster because Geno Smith is surrounding by the worst supporting cast in the NFL. The top weapon who can be added to the roster is Jace Amaro, a stud tight end out of Texas Tech. Kellen Winslow proved to be an insufficient replacement for Dustin Keller, so this is a position New York will look to upgrade this offseason.

  3. Miami Dolphins: Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State
    Cameron Erving is a perfect fit for this blocking scheme, and he would still be a big upgrade for the Dolphins at left tackle. Considering everything that has happened this season with Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito, Miami has to address the offensive line early and often.

    Pick change; previously Louis Nix, NT

  4. Arizona Cardinals: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
    It's no secret the Cardinals need to bolster their offensive line. Bruce Arians has done a great job of masking this weakness, but Arizona's offense would be so much more explosive with better play up front. Jonathan Cooper will be back next year, and that will help, but the Cardinals need to upgrade Bradley Sowell at left tackle. Taylor Lewan has disappointed this year, but he's still worthy of this selection.



  5. Green Bay Packers: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
    The Packers released Desmond Bishop during the previous offseason. On top of that, the rapidly aging A.J. Hawk will have an expiring contract soon. Ted Thompson will have to address the inside linebacker position in the near future. It could be argued that C.J. Mosley is the top player available.

  6. Philadelphia Eagles: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
    The Eagles need a safety more than they need a corner, but how could they resist the top cornerback in this draft class? Besides, Philadelphia could stand to upgrade the position. Cary Williams hasn't been very good and will probably be released next offseason (he's due $6.5 million in 2015), while Bradley Fletcher always seems to be dealing with some sort of injury.

    Pick change; previously Justin Gilbert, CB

  7. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
    Alex Smith struggles with downfield passes, so the Chiefs may want to bring in a reliable intermediate target for him. They need to upgrade the tight end position anyway, and they can do so with one of the top players available.

  8. Cincinnati Bengals: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
    The Bengals will want to look at the left tackle position this offseason depending on what happens. Anthony Collins, currently manning that spot now, will be a free agent (go here to check out my 2014 NFL Free Agent Rankings). Cincinnati moved Andrew Whitworth inside to compensate for injuries, but the team may want to keep him there as he enters his mid-30s. A long-term blind-side protector is needed.

    Pick change; previously Darqueze Dennard, CB



  9. San Diego Chargers: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
    The Chargers' defense made every single quarterback look like a Pro Bowler earlier in the year. They have a dreadful cornerback situation, which could be remedied with the use of an early-round pick in May's draft.

    Pick change; previously Darqueze Dennard, CB

  10. Cleveland Browns: Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State
    Teams that spend early picks on quarterbacks usually take an offensive player to complement that signal-caller with their next selection. Think Matthew Stafford-Brandon Pettigrew, Sam Bradford-Rodger Saffold, Andrew Luck-Coby Fleener, etc. The Browns need a No. 2 receiver to upgrade Greg "Mr. Dependable" Little.

    Pick change; previously Kelvin Benjamin, WR

  11. New Orleans Saints: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
    The Saints had several holes to fill in the 2013 NFL Draft, so they weren't able to obtain a pass-rusher until the sixth round with Rufus Johnson. They'll probably need to do so earlier in May. They couldn't get to Russell Wilson at all in a big Monday night loss. Junior Galette has been awesome, but New Orleans needs a potent pass-rusher across from him.

    Pick change; previously Kyle Van Noy, DE/OLB

  12. San Francisco 49ers: Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
    The 49ers need to fix their secondary. Their group of cornerbacks isn't very strong, as Carlos Rogers has understandably declined at 32. He's due $6.25 million next year, so San Francisco could cut ties with him. The 49ers extended Tramaine Brock - click the link for that grade - but they'll still need corner help.

    Pick change; previously Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB



  13. New England Patriots: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
    With Aaron Hernandez gone forever and Rob Gronkowski coming off a serious knee injury, the Patriots may want to bring in another talented tight end. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is currently the No. 3 tight end in this class, but he's still well worth a late first-round pick.

  14. Carolina Panthers: Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
    Jordan Gross is a free agent this season (go here to check out my 2014 NFL Free Agent Rankings). He has said he'll only play for Carolina, but he also discussed retirement. Even if he comes back, the Panthers will need to think about bringing in a long-term solution at left tackle, as well as an immediate upgrade over right tackle Byron Bell, who couldn't block Junior Galette.

  15. Denver Broncos: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
    Wesley Woodyard has 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 currently putrid run defense.

  16. Seattle Seahawks: Zack Martin, G/OT, Notre Dame
    The Seahawks, who can afford to go with the best player available, have multiple areas of concern on their offensive line, including both guard spots. Imagine how potent Russell Wilson would be with upgraded protection.

    Pick change; previously Timmy Jernigan, DT



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