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: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 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 (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 declare, 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.

The Jaguars were victorious two weeks ago, but they're very fortunate Tampa Bay got into the win column as well. Jacksonville better not win another game, or it'll screw up its entire future.

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.
Minnesota Vikings: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
I've yet to mock Jadeveon Clowney to the Vikings, but I'm doing that for the first time here. Jared Allen has been a great pass-rusher for Minnesota for a very long time, but his contract is expiring this March. Considering that he has only a couple more effective years in his career, he'll likely want to move on to a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

If Allen does leave, Clowney would be a no-brainer, as he would bolster a pass rush that is in the bottom 10 of sacks this season.

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.

Pick change; previously Brett Hundley, QB
Houston Texans: Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
Charlie Campbell's mock has slotted Anthony Barr to Houston for a couple of weeks now, and it makes a ton of sense. The Texans aren't getting much of a pass rush from their outside linebackers. Whitney Mercilus hasn't done much outside of the Seattle game, while Brooks Reed has been an even greater disappointment.

Anthony Barr is the best player available; some argue that he should be chosen before Jadeveon Clowney. A former running back, Barr played defense for the first time last season and made an instant impact, recording 13 sacks. He has 14.5 TFL and seven sacks through 10 games this season. The sky's the limit for him, as he'll only get better at his new position.

Pick change; previously Brett Hundley, QB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
This may seem like an odd pick after Mike Glennon just torched the Falcons. However, the Buccaneers could have a new regime in place next year, so the new front office may want to draft their own quarterback, even if Glennon plays somewhat well to close out the year. It all depends on whether Tampa sticks with its current front office, as well as Glennon's performance the final six weeks.

I mentioned earlier that I don't like to slot redshirt sophomores into my mock drafts. Brett Hundley is one, but there were reports three weeks ago that his representatives met with Jay-Z's agency. His father denied this, but what else would he have told the media? If these rumors are true, Hundley will likely enter the 2014 NFL Draft, where he will probably be a top-10 pick. Hundley isn't playing up to expectations this season, but he has way too much upside not to be considered here by a team that is in such dire need of a quarterback.

Pick change; previously Jadeveon Clowney, DE
Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Think the Falcons regret giving Sam Baker a 6-year, $41.1 million extension in March? The dinosaur-armed Baker was terrible in 2013 before landing on injured reserve with a knee injury. Atlanta's front office needs to make sure Matt Ryan is well protected after this debacle of a season. Besides, Jake Matthews is the top player available, so the Falcons can't go wrong with this pick.

Pick change; previously Anthony Barr, DE/OLB
St. Louis Rams: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Why would the Rams go with receivers in back-to-back years? Well, a couple of reasons. First, Mike Evans is the last of the elite-elite prospects available in this mock draft. Teams often take the best player available who makes sense for them. Mike Evans definitely makes sense, and that brings me to my second point: Austin Pettis and Brian Quick are seeing major snaps for St. Louis. Receiver isn't a huge need, but it can definitely be upgraded. And finally, the Rams need to do everything they can to salvage Sam Bradford. If that means using consecutive first-rounders on wideouts, so be it.

Pick change; previously Taylor Lewan, OT
Buffalo Bills: Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo
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.

Khalil Mack is making a big jump in this mock draft. Mack completely dominated the Ohio State offensive line earlier in the year. The Buckeyes simply couldn't do anything about him. Mack is now in the conversation to be a top-10 pick.

Pick change; previously Vic Beasley, DE/OLB
Pittsburgh Steelers: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
The Steelers will never pass up the opportunity to grab a great offensive play-maker if one is available to them. This draft class is top-heavy at receiver, so with Jake Matthews off the board, Pittsburgh can go with the best player on the board, and that would be Sammy Watkins. Pittsburgh lost its deep threat this past offseason when the overrated Mike Wallace took the money and ran to Miami. Watkins would assume that role.

Pick change; previously Jake Matthews, OT
Baltimore Ravens: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
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?

Davante Adams makes his debut in my 2014 NFL Mock Draft after recent reports have him leaning toward declaring. Adams is yet another great receiving prospect in this loaded class.

Pick change; previously Marqise Lee, WR
Cleveland Browns: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
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. Jason Campbell looked solid before imploding at Cincinnati. Cleveland's new regime has to find the quarterback it wants to roll with going forward.

Derek Carr, who can make any throw, has been awesome this year, and he's moving into top-10 consideration. There might be some trepidation considering that his older brother busted, but he shouldn't be penalized for having an underachieving sibling. Think Aaron and Jordan Rodgers, Carson and Jordan Palmer, etc.
Tennessee Titans: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
The Titans needed to make the playoffs for this current regime to survive. It's likely that Mike Munchak and the front office are axed this offseason. If that's the case, the new staff may want to bring in its own quarterback. Outside of a few games earlier in the season, Jake Locker hasn't shown much promise. Besides, he hasn't been able to stay healthy.

Johnny Manziel is too talented not to be chosen on Thursday. Some team will fall in love with him, and it could be the Titans, depending on the new coaching staff that they hire.

Pick change; previously Tajh Boyd, QB
Oakland Raiders: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
The Raiders strangely passed on Star Lotulelei and Sharrif Floyd when they had a huge need at defensive tackle. That is still the case, as Vance Walker and Pat Sims are a pretty underwhelming duo. Louis Nix, who can stuff the rush and get to the quarterback, would be a big upgrade.

Pick change; previously Sammy Watkins, WR
St. Louis Rams: HaHa Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
St. Louis' defense has been poor for most of the 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.
San Diego Chargers: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Chargers' pathetic defense has made every single quarterback look like a Pro Bowler this year. They have a dreadful cornerback situation, which could be remedied with the use of a first-round pick in May's draft.

Pick change; previously Jason Verrett, CB
New York Giants: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
The Giants have dealt with issues at linebacker for years. They even traded for the injury-prone Jon Beason recently, who has predictably struggled. It's time for this to come to an end. New York can solidify its weakest position with the top non-rushing linebacker in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Green Bay Packers: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
With Jermichael Finley heading for free agency, Green Bay could grab a replacement. Jace Amaro has been fantastic this year, and he's the top tight end if he leaves Texas Tech. As Charlie Campbell reported, Jace Amaro is likely declaring for the 2014 NFL Draft.

Pick change; previously Eric Ebron, TE

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