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

Last update: Wednesday, April 9, 2014. Major changes in all 5 rounds.
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: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
    The Ravens spent last year's first-round pick on a safety, but they'll strongly consider doubling up if they can get Calvin Pryor. Darian Stewart is currently favored to start next to Matt Elam, and he was a Rams' cast-off. That should tell you how dire the situation is.
    
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18. New York Jets: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
    The Jets need to add more play-makers to the roster because Geno Smith was surrounded by the worst supporting cast in the NFL last year. Eric Decker was signed, but New York needs more receivers. The top weapon who can be added to the roster is Brandin Cooks, who blew up the Combine. For more on the Jets potentially choosing Cooks, check out the 2014 NFL Draft Team Rumors page.
    
    
19. Miami Dolphins: Zack Martin, OT/G, Notre Dame
    Zack Martin had an outstanding Senior Bowl, and there's talk that despite his short arms, he could be used at left tackle. Worst-case scenario, he's a stud guard or a right tackle. Miami needs help at both positions in the wake of the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin incident.
    
    Also, here's something to keep in mind: As Charlie Campbell noted on our NFL Draft Rumors page, "Dennis Hickey has a huge inclination to go for high-character players. If a player is perceived to be a thug, gang-banger or have a drug issue, that could knock them off Miami's board. I could see Zack Martin being a fit."
    
    
20. Arizona Cardinals: Kony Ealy, DE/OLB, Missouri
    Arizona needs a better pass-rusher across from Sam Acho. Its front line is pretty fierce, but the outside linebackers have been lackluster. That would certainly change with Kony Ealy, who might fit Arizona's "BPA" style of drafting.
    
    Pick change; previously Ra'Shede Hageman, DE/DT
    
    
    
    
    
21. Green Bay Packers: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
    The Packers could address the defensive end, linebacker or safety position at No. 21. Of those positions, C.J. Mosley is the best player available despite Charlie Campbell's report in the draft rumor mill that says Mosley is expected to go much later than most think. Green Bay just needs more speed in the middle of its defense to combat the scrambling quarterbacks it hasn't been able to stop.
    
    
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Odell Beckham, WR, LSU
    The Eagles will definitely be looking hard at the wide receiver position at this juncture now that DeSean Jackson has signed with the Redskins (click the link for that signing grade). Philadelphia will have to find a new starting wideout for 2015 and beyond, as Jeremy Maclin is signed on for just one more year.
    
    It's a close call between Marqise Lee and Odell Beckham, but even though Chip Kelly has shown a penchant for collecting Pac-12 players, the latter might be more of what Kelly is looking for in a wideout.
    
    Pick change; previously Ra'Shede Hageman, DE/DT
    
    
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Su'a-Filo, G, UCLA
    The Chiefs would like to select a guard, but they can probably do so after trading down. They just signed Jeff Linkenbach, but I'm told that they view the former Colt as a backup. Right guard is a huge hole.
    
    Pick change; previously David Yankey, G/OT
    
    
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio 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. Bradley Roby has some off-the-field concerns, but that's not going to stop Marvin Lewis from selecting him at No. 24.
    
    
    
    
    
25. San Diego Chargers: Louis Nix, NT, Notre Dame
    The Chargers currently lack a starting-caliber nose tackle, so they'll be thrilled if Louis Nix falls to them. This has a good chance of happening, as many teams won't be interested in Nix because he's not very good at rushing the passer. San Diego won't care though, as it needed an upgrade over Cam Thomas, who signed with the Steelers.
    
    
26. Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
    BOOM. Johnny Manziel has been in the top 5-8 of almost every single mock draft published on the Internet, but it wouldn't surprise me if he fell on Draft Day. It's happened to other quarterbacks before, and it could certainly happen to Manziel, as there are concerns about many things, including his party lifestyle, the manner in which he plays, his mechanics and his durability (size).
    
    If we had heard this from one team, I might just consider it smoke, but multiple teams selecting early have issues with Manziel. Vikings' head coach Mike Zimmer also expressed his concerns with Manziel, so that's another team in the top 10 that won't pick him.
    
    This is why I could see Manziel take a tumble into the 20s (it's no coincidence that the Patriots brought him in for a visit). If that occurs, perhaps the Browns will scoop him up at No. 26, or maybe one of the teams in the early portion of Round 2 will trade up for him.
    
    
27. New Orleans Saints: Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn
    Considering that New Orleans has to deal with Matt Ryan and Cam Newton twice per year, the team could stand to bolster its pass rush. The Saints can't count on Victor Butler, who is coming off a torn ACL. Butler will be a free agent following the 2014 season anyway.
    
    Pick change; previously Kony Ealy, DE/OLB
    
    
28. Carolina Panthers: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
    The Panthers' receiving corps is a joke right now. They're so desperate for a wideout that they may have to as Nate from the Play 60 commercials to catch passes from Cam Newton (as posted in my April Fools Mock Draft). They almost have to go with a wideout, so perhaps they'll move up for someone like Odell Beckham or Marqise Lee.
    
    Pick change; previously Odell Beckham, WR
    
    
    
    
    
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.
    
    Pick change; previously Kyle Fuller, CB
    
    
30. San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
    Anquan Boldin was re-signed - go here for my Free Agent Grades - but he won't be around much longer. Also, Mario Manningham just signed with the Giants. San Francisco needs to add a deep threat at wideout, and Kelvin Benjamin certainly fits that. The 49ers like Benjamin, so they may trade up for him if they feel like they need to. I also wouldn't rule out a major move for someone like Mike Evans or Justin Gilbert.
    
    
31. Denver Broncos: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
    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. Ryan Shazier ran a 4.36 at his Pro Day, and I know that one team in the 20s is very high on him, so the Broncos should be happy to land him at No. 31.
    
    
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 prospect. 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.
    
    Pick change; previously Dee Ford, DE/OLB
    
    
    
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