2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3

Last update: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014. Major changes in all 4 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 2014 NFL Mock Draft (4 rounds) was updated Feb. 12. 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. ***


65. Houston Texans: Carl Bradford, DE/OLB, Arizona State
    The Texans would kill two stones with one bird with this pick, as Emmitt would say. They need to upgrade their pass rush and find some help at inside linebacker. Carl Bradford would satisfy the former, which would allow Brooks Reed to move inside.
    
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    Pick change; previously Jeremiah Attaochu, DE/OLB
    
    
66. Washington Redskins: Taylor Hart, DE/DT, Oregon
    The Redskins need help all over their defense, including up front. They had no push from their defensive line this past season.
    
    Pick change; previously Christian Jones, ILB
    
    
67. Oakland Raiders: Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
    The Raiders finally get their man. As mentioned earlier, Tajh Boyd said Oakland has shown more interest in him than any other team. Boyd can compete with Matt McGloin in 2014, and if neither of them works out, the Raiders can just take one of the stud quarterbacks the following spring (go here for our 2015 NFL Mock Draft).
    
    
68. Atlanta Falcons: Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame
    I'm not sure if the Falcons actually believe that Tony Gonzalez is going to retire, but if he does walk away from the NFL, they'll need a new intermediate target for Matt Ryan.
    
    
    
    
    
69. New York Jets: Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson
    Geno Smith has looked like the worst quarterback in the NFL on many occasions this season - even worse than Brandon Weeden and Jeff Tuel - but it's not like he has much of a chance with his horrific receiving corps. Santonio Holmes can't stay healthy, while Stephen Hill is a bust.
    
    Pick change; previously Brandon Coleman, WR
    
    
70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville
    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 Carl Bradford, DE/OLB
    
    
71. Cleveland Browns: Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State
    Alex Mack said he's going to test free agency. He's unlikely to be franchised, so it's possible Cleveland could be in the market for a new center.
    
    Pick change; previously Lache Seastrunk, RB
    
    
72. Minnesota Vikings: Ty Zimmerman, S, Kansas State
    The Vikings have an awful secondary that they'll need to address. A new safety is needed next to Harrison Smith.
    
    
73. Buffalo Bills: Christian Jones, LB, Florida State
    Kiko Alonso is a stud, but the Bills need someone else to play next to him, especially given that Arthur Moats is heading into free agency.
    
    Pick change; previously Shayne Skov, ILB
    
    
74. New York Giants: Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
    The Giants are another team that will be hunting for a new running back. Andre Brown is a free agent, while David Wilson may not be ready for the 2014 season.
    
    Pick change; previously Jackson Jeffcoat, DE
    
    
75. St. Louis Rams: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
    The Rams should think about drafting a quarterback on Day 2 just in case Sam Bradford continues to be mediocre (and injury-prone).
    
    
76. Detroit Lions: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas
    Willie Young is a free agent. If he's not retained, Detroit will have to find someone to compete with Devin Taylor to rush the passer across from Ziggy Ansah.
    
    Pick change; previously Pierre Desir, CB
    
    
    
    
    
77. San Francisco 49ers: Yawin Smallwood, ILB, Connecticut
    NaVorro Bowman tore his ACL and MCL in the NFC Championship. He may not be ready for the season opener, so the 49ers may want to add some depth here.
    
    
78. Dallas Cowboys: Telvin Smith, OLB, Florida State
    When defenders like Ernie Sims and DeVonte Holloman are playing major snaps for the defense, something absolutely needs to be done.
    
    
79. Baltimore Ravens: Marcus Martin, C, USC
    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: Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois
    The Jets have to address the issues in their secondary. They signed Ed Reed during the season, but that didn't work out so well.
    
    
81. Miami Dolphins: Dakota Dozier, G, Furman
    As noted earlier, the Dolphins must make multiple upgrades on their offensive line. They already took their new left tackle; now they need to bolster the guard position.
    
    
82. Chicago Bears: Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU
    Henry Melton, an impending free agent, tore his ACL earlier in the season and was recently arrested for misdemeanor assault. This could make it easier for the Bears to keep him, but they'll need a replacement if he walks.
    
    
83. Cleveland Browns: Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss
    The Browns desperately need a No. 2 receiver to upgrade Greg "Mr. Dependable" Little. There will be tons of options for them in Round 2.
    
    
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.
    
    
    
    
    
85. Green Bay Packers: Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford
    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.
    
    Pick change; previously Tre Boston, S
    
    
86. Philadelphia Eagles: Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State
    The Eagles will need to address the safety position twice if Nate Allen isn't re-signed. That's how terrible the back end of their defense was.
    
    
87. Kansas City Chiefs: JuWuan James, OT, Tennessee
    I've been told that the Chiefs will allow Branden Albert to walk. They'll want to address the tackle position at some point during the middle rounds if they can't do anything about it in free agency.
    
    Pick change; previously Taylor Hart, DE/DT
    
    
88. Cincinnati Bengals: Bashaud Breeland, CB, Clemson
    Teams often double dip when it comes to addressing their most glaring need. That would be the cornerback position for the Bengals.
    
    Pick change; previously Logan Thomas, QB
    
    
    
    
    
89. San Diego Chargers: Joel Bitonio, OT/G, Nevada
    Jeromey Clary had to play tackle when King Dunlap got hurt. This cannot be allowed to happen again.
    
    Pick change; previously Cyril Richardson, G/OT
    
    
90. Indianapolis Colts: Ed Stinson, 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.
    
    
91. New Orleans Saints: Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers
    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.
    
    
92. Carolina Panthers: Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood
    The Panthers have some cornerbacks hitting free agency, including Captain Munnerlyn, so they'll need help at the position.
    
    Pick change; previously Victor Hampton, CB
    
    
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. San Francisco 49ers: Dominique Easley, DE, Florida
    The 49ers will need a successor for Justin Smith (Tank Carradine, maybe?) and also some depth on the defensive line. With four Day 2 selections, they can take a chance on someone like Dominique Easley, a tremendous talent who is coming off a terrible injury.
    
    
95. Denver Broncos: Christian Kirksey, LB, Iowa
    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 defense, which couldn't get off the field in the Super Bowl.
    
    Pick change; previously Chris Smith, DE
    
    
96. Minnesota Vikings: Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida State
    With Toby Gerhart heading for free agency, the Vikings will need to bring in a new running back to spell Adrian Peterson.
    
    Pick change; previously Charles Sims, RB
    
    
    
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