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. 16, 2013. Major changed 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.

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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.

I should mention that I've seen some project Marcus Mariota to be the No. 1 pick. He'd be in contention, but redshirt sophomore quarterbacks seldom declare. Andrew Luck didn't even come out despite being guaranteed the No. 1 spot.

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.
New York Giants: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
It was unthinkable a month ago that the Giants would be drafting high enough to land Jadeveon Clowney, but here we are. New York is 0-6 for many reasons, one of which happens to be a terrible pass rush. One of the Giants' strengths during their two Super Bowl runs was their ability to get to the quarterback. Jadeveon Clowney would allow that to happen again, as he would form an incredible tandem with Jason Pierre-Paul.

Some call Clowney the top defensive prospect to come along in years. Clowney has motivational problems, as Charlie Campbell reported before anyone else about two months ago. Clowney is having a mediocre season, but teams will overlook that in favor of his talent. There were similar concerns with Julius Peppers coming out of North Carolina in 2002, and he still went No. 2 overall.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
It'll be a quarterback over Jadeveon Clowney if he happens to be available. Again, a quarterback makes much more of an impact in today's NFL than a more-talented pass-rusher. 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 he currently maintains a ridiculous 9.6 YPA through six games.
Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
The Vikings had a truly pathetic performance against the Panthers. They couldn't tackle at all, and there was absolutely no pass rush. Imagine how much worse their inability to get to the quarterback will be once Jared Allen moves on.

Anthony Barr is the best player available - some argue that he should be chosen before Jadeveon Clowney - and he could be used like Von Miller in Minnesota's defense. 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 Louis Nix, NT
St. Louis Rams: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The Rams signed Jake Long this past 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 a few weeks ago.

Pick change; previously Taylor Lewan, OT
Pittsburgh Steelers: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
This is a pretty obvious selection. The Steelers have major issues on the offensive line. One of the problems has been left tackle Mike Adams, who hasn't been able to block anyone. Levi Brown was acquired via trade, but he's garbage as well. Perhaps either be better on the right side once Pittsburgh finds a legitimate blind-side protector.

Pick change; previously Jake Matthews, OT
Atlanta Falcons: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
The Falcons didn't address defensive tackle even though they have a hole there next to Jonathan Babineaux. Peria Jerry will be given one more chance to prove himself. He has done nothing thus far. Louis Nix, capable of stuffing the run and putting pressure on the quarterback, would look great up front next to Babineaux.

Pick change; previously Anthony Barr, DE/OLB
Buffalo Bills: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
It's time to shoot Vic Beasley up in my 2014 NFL Mock Draft. I've been a bit reluctant to do so because of his lacking size, but he has been a terror this season. Besides, he makes a ton of sense for Buffalo's defense.

The Bills spent a ton of energy addressing their offense in the 2013 NFL Draft, but they didn't do anything to help their pass rush. That would explain why they traded for Jerry Hughes a couple of days afterward.

Pick change; previously Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE
Oakland Raiders: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
It feels weird not having the Raiders drafting in the top three. It's all because of Terrelle Pryor, as well as offensive coordinator Greg Olson, who has done another tremendous job of coaching up a quarterback. Pryor is the real deal, so imagine how much better he'll be if he has a legitimate No. 1 receiver to throw to.

Pick change; previously Marqise Lee, WR
Houston Texans: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
The Texans really wanted to add some inside linebackers in the 2013 NFL Draft, but never got around to it (Arthur Brown was snagged off the board right before they picked in Round 2). They remain pretty thin at the position.

I thought about slotting Johnny Manziel here, but the Texans put so much stock into character that they may look elsewhere for a solution at the quarterback position.
Carolina Panthers: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
How much longer are the Panthers going to rely on Brandon LaFell as a starting receiver? They need more explosion on offense; not to mention a No. 1 receiver after Steve Smith retires. Cam Newton has had his ups and downs this season, so Carolina needs to give him more weapons.
Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Boom. The Browns once again send shock waves through the NFL with a bold move. It's a solid draft choice, however, given that Cleveland needs a franchise quarterback. Brian Hoyer played in two starts, but he unfortunately won't get a chance to prove himself because he's out for the year.

Johnny Manziel is seen as 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.
St. Louis Rams: HaHa Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
St. Louis' defense has been atrocious this year for many reasons. One is the play of safety Rodney McLeod. He hasn't been terrible, but it's clear that the Rams need to find an upgrade next to T.J. McDonald. HaHa Clinton-Dix is arguably the top defensive player available.

Pick change; previously Mike Evans, WR
Tennessee Titans: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
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.
Philadelphia Eagles: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Jeremy Maclin, who will be a free agent in March, 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 new No. 2 receiver next offseason.

Pick change; previously Bradley Roby, WR
New York Jets: Kyle Van Noy, DE/OLB, BYU
New York will go with the top player on its board, and that could be Kyle Van Noy. The Jets have a nice interior pass rush with Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson. Drafting Van Noy would give them a great bookend on the exterior with Quinton Coples. New York's pass rush could be the league's best.

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