2014 NFL Mock Draft

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Walter of WalterFootball has been WalterFootball'ing since 1999'. Older Content is being kept around here. Thanks for reading.

Last update: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013. 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.

NFL Draft Recent Links:

2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 2/11): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (2/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25)

ARCHIVED 2014 NFL MOCK DRAFT

@walterfootball

Jacksonville Jaguars: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
Many might say that the Jaguars have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL. They would all be wrong. Jacksonville has a franchise signal-caller. His name is Teddy Bridgewater.

Given how important the quarterback position is, Bridgewater will the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, barring injury or late-season collapse. There's really no discussion. Jadeveon Clowney wouldn't change the Jaguars' franchise. Bridgewater would.

By the way, I'm doing this live because I thought it'd be fun to get instant feedback. I'm going to post my mock anyway, so why not do it this way? Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
Nope, not Jadeveon Clowney. Again, a quarterback makes much more of an impact in today's NFL than a more-talented pass-rusher. Jadeveon Clowney might be the top defensive end to come along in years, but a potential franchise signal-caller will trump him in the 2014 NFL Draft.

The Buccaneers will be searching for a quarterback if Mike Glennon doesn't pan out. Josh Freeman is done, so if Glennon stinks it up - he looked dreadful in his debut against Arizona - then the team will consider spending its first-round choice on a signal-caller.

Tajh Boyd is not just a runner; he completed 67.2 percent of his passes last year while maintaining a 9.1 YPA and a 36-to-13 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He was very impressive in the season opener versus Georgia, and has yet to throw a pick in four games.
Oakland Raiders: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Terrelle Pryor amazingly looked pretty competent against the Broncos. If he keeps this up, the Raiders will stick with him. That makes this selection obvious.

Some call Jadeveon Clowney the top defensive prospect to come along in years. Clowney has motivational problems, as Charlie Campbell reported before anyone else about a month ago. Still though, his presence along with Lamarr Houston would give Oakland an incredible pass-rushing duo.
St. Louis Rams: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The Rams signed Jake Long this offseason, but they still need tackle help because Rodger Saffold will be a free agent next spring. Besides, who knows how long their current left tackle will be able to hold up? Long looked helpless trying to block DeMarcus Ware two weeks ago.
New York Giants: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
The Giants have some glaring issues in their back seven, but they'll also have to address their defensive line this season, as it can't put any pressure on the quarterback. Defensive tackle Linval Joseph is a free agent, so Louis Nix, a monstrous lineman who can stuff the run and pressure the quarterback, would be a great replacement.

Pick change; previously Bradley Roby, CB
Pittsburgh Steelers: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
The Steelers desperately need offensive line help, but how can they resist with someone as talented as Sammy Watkins still on the board? Besides, it's not like receiver isn't a huge need. With Mike Wallace gone, Ben Roethlisberger doesn't have a legitimate deep threat at his disposal. Emmanuel Sanders is not a legitimate starter.

Pick change; previously Taylor Lewan, OT
St. Louis Rams: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Two consecutive drafts in which the Rams spend a first-round pick on a receiver? I think it's possible. Tavon Austin will eventually be great in the slot, but St. Louis needs a boost outside; its only competent wideout there is Chris Givens.

I had Mike Evans listed high in my 2015 NFL Mock Draft. I have to put him in here now after what he did to Alabama. Resembling Vincent Jackson, he dominated the Tide.
Philadelphia Eagles: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Jeremy Maclin, who is entering his contract year, tore his ACL prior to the season. Maclin hasn't been able to stay healthy throughout his career, so the Eagles may want to search for a No. 1 receiver next offseason.

Pick change; previously Marcus Roberson, CB
New York Jets: Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
New York will go with the top player on their board, and that could easily be Anthony Barr. The Jets have a nice interior pass rush with Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson. Drafting Barr would give them a great bookend on the exterior with Quinton Coples. New York would suddenly go from being somewhat mediocre in terms of getting to the quarterback to being one of the best teams in the NFL in that regard.

Anthony Barr should really help New York's efforts to get to the quarterback. A former running back, Barr played defense for the first time this past season and made an instant impact, recording 13 sacks. The sky's the limit for him, as he'll only get better at his new position.

Pick change; previously Marqise Lee, WR
Buffalo Bills: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
The Bills were expected to address the cornerback position in the 2013 NFL Draft, but never got around to it. They probably won't avoid that area two years in a row. Justin Rogers can't be allowed on the field anymore.

Bradley Roby has tons of talent, but was torched against Wisconsin. He could just be rusty after serving a suspension. The Bills have taken shots on shaky-character guys recently, so they might give Roby a shot to fill a big need.

Pick change; previously Anthony Barr, DE/OLB
Minnesota Vikings: Ra'shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
The Vikings drafted Sharrif Floyd, but they'll need another defensive tackle with Kevin Williams being an impending free agent.

Local product Ra'shede Hageman makes a big jump in my 2014 NFL Mock Draft, but it's well deserved, as he has been a terror this season.

Pick change; previously Louis Nix, NT
Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Boom. The Browns once again send shock waves through the NFL with an unexpected move. It's a solid draft choice, however, given that Cleveland needs a franchise quarterback. Brian Hoyer has played well thus far, but he has limited talent. If he leads the Browns to a divisional title, I'll reconsider, but I need a bigger sample size.

Johnny Manziel is a giant douche. Scouts told us that he looked like a first-rounder prior to his off-the-field antics. I dropped him into Day 2, but there's once again first-round buzz building for him in the wake of his performance against Alabama. Ultimately, he has too much talent not to go on Thursday.

Michael Lombardi won't care too much about Manziel's personality flaws. Remember, Lombardi was head over heels for Ryan Mallett despite his off-the-field issues.
Tennessee Titans: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
The Titans are fine at offensive tackle right now, but Michael Roos and David Stewart will be free agents in 2015 and 2014, respectively (the latter has a voidable year after this upcoming season). They'll need to retool at the position if they don't re-sign either of the two.

Pick change; previously Cyrus Kouandjio, OT
Arizona Cardinals: Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo
Khalil Mack made the biggest jump in a recent mock draft. Mack completely dominated the Ohio State offensive line. The Buckeyes simply couldn't do anything about him. Mack is now in the conversation to be a top-15 pick. He'd fill a need across from Sam Acho in Arizona.
Carolina Panthers: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
For the present, the Panthers need an upgrade over Byron Bell at right tackle. For the future, the team needs a long-term left tackle to fill in for Jordan Gross, who will be 34 in the summer. Gross, an impending free agent, has already discussed the possibility of retirement.

Pick change; previously Antonio Richardson, OT
San Diego Chargers: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
Antonio Gates looks healthy for the first time in years, but how long is that going to last? Gates will be 34 this offseason, so San Diego will have to find a successor sometime soon.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins is an absolute stud. He'll be a matchup nightmare, much like Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham.

Pick change; previously Jason Verrett, CB

Go to 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I've received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwith.

Go to 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2

Go to 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3

2015 NFL Mock Draft