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. 30, 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.

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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

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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 (or Marcus Mariota declaring). There's really no discussion. Jadeveon Clowney wouldn't change the Jaguars' franchise. Bridgewater would.

I should mention that I've seen some project 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. Besides, Mariota is only 19. I'm not saying he won't come out, but I think it's more than likely that he'll stay at Oregon. Mariota is the No. 1 pick in my 2015 NFL Mock Draft.

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: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
I mocked Tajh Boyd to the Buccaneers for a while, but I've dropped him in my mock for two reasons. First, he struggled mightily against the Seminoles, as you can read about here in the Clemson-Florida State recap. Second, Charlie Campbell reported that Boyd will measure in at 5-11 or 6-0 at the Combine.

The Buccaneers will still be searching for a quarterback. They'll grab one of the redshirt sophomores if they declare (again, Marcus Mariota is only a 19-year-old redshirt sophomore). If Mariota and Brett Hundley stay in school, Tampa could take someone in the second round. If they go with the latter strategy, Jadeveon Clowney would be a no-brainer, as he would bolster a pass rush that didn't log a single sack against Matt Ryan and his patchwork offensive line.

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.
Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
The Vikings had a truly pathetic performance against the Panthers three weeks ago. They couldn't tackle at all, and there was absolutely no pass rush. Things got worse Sunday night, as the Packers scored on eight consecutive possessions. 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.
New York Giants: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
This was a close call between Jake Matthews and Anthony Barr. I ultimately settled on the left tackle because the Giants, who have major pass-protection issues, need to shield Eli Manning as he continues into his mid-30s. William Beatty has struggled on the blind side this year, while Justin Pugh has totally been out of place at right tackle. This pick would allow Pugh to slide into his natural guard position.
St. Louis Rams: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
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 is having a solid season, but he has an extensive injury history.

Pick change; previously HaHa Clinton-Dix, S
Atlanta Falcons: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
The Falcons didn't address defensive tackle last offseason even though they have a hole there next to Jonathan Babineaux. Peria Jerry has been given one more chance to prove himself, but 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.
Houston Texans: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Wide receiver is not a top need for the Texans, but there isn't a better match for them in this scenario than Mike Evans. They spent a first-round pick on another wideout last year, but the position could be addressed again. Andre Johnson, 33 in July, is owed $28 million over the next three years. That's way too much for a cap-strapped Houston squad. They may ask him to renegotiate, but Johnson, sensing he has just one more shot at a big pay day, may want to move on to a team with a more stable quarterbacking situation.

Pick change; previously Taylor Lewan, OT
Pittsburgh Steelers: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
The Steelers desperately need offensive line help, but the two top tackles are off the board. Besides, how can they resist with someone as talented as Sammy Watkins still on the board? 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.
Philadelphia Eagles: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Chip Kelly needs a quarterback who will actually be a good fit for his system. The only signal-caller currently on the roster who qualifies is way too injury- and turnover-prone. Nick Foles, who was never a good match for Kelly, had a disastrous performance against Dallas. Matt Barkley is a career backup, at best.

Johnny Manziel is made for Kelly's offense. I don't see how the Eagles pass on him if he's available. Manziel is seen as a jerk by some. 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.

Pick change; previously Tajh Boyd, QB
Buffalo Bills: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
I wrote a couple of weeks ago that it was time to shoot Vic Beasley up in my 2014 NFL Mock Draft. I was 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 lots 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.
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 who makes sense for St. Louis.

Pick change; previously Ra'shede Hageman, DT
Cleveland Browns: Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
The Browns obviously have to grab a quarterback with one of their two selections. Brandon Weeden is awful with his backhanded, underhanded and hook-shot passes. Brian Hoyer was decent in his two full games, but he's likely not the long-term answer. Cleveland's new regime has to find the quarterback it wants to roll with going forward.

Tajh Boyd struggled in a big game against Florida State and has some height issues, which is why I've moved him down in my mock draft. However, he's still worthy of being chosen in the middle of the first round.

Pick change; previously Johnny Manziel, QB
Oakland Raiders: Ra'shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
Ra'shede Hageman has been a monster this year for Minnesota. He would satisfy a need the Raiders have for an interior pass-rusher. Vance Walker isn't bad, but he's not consistent in terms of getting to the quarterback.

Pick change; previously Mike Evans, WR
Tennessee Titans: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
The Titans have a strong pass rush, but their defense has struggled at times this year because their linebackers stink. Moise Fokou has been dreadful in the middle of the stop unit. C.J. Mosley would be a tremendous upgrade.
Miami Dolphins: Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
Jonathan Martin is good at opening up running lanes, but was a terrible as a blind-side pass protector before moving to the right side in the wake of Bryant McKinnie's arrival. The Dolphins need to find a legitimate franchise left tackle because Ryan Tannehill has taken a league-leading 32 sacks through seven games.

Pick change; previously James Hurst, OT
Baltimore Ravens: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
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 Baltimore misses Anquan Boldin?

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