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, Nov. 27, 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

@walterfootball

Jacksonville Jaguars: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
What are the Jaguars doing? Why are they winning meaningless football games? They're still in position to land the No. 1 pick, but that could easily change over the next five weeks. If they screw up, they'll lose a chance at a franchise quarterback again, and they'll just guarantee themselves a 3-13 record in 2014.

Given how important the quarterback position is, Teddy 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.

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.
Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE/OLB, South Carolina
This is an obvious pick with Jadeveon Clowney on the board. 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.

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. Clowney would provide a huge boost.

Pick change; previously Anthony Barr, DE/OLB
Atlanta Falcons: Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
Anthony Barr is a terrific fit for Atlanta's defense. Kroy Biermann had been playing the defensive end-outside linebacker hybrid role prior to tearing his Achilles. Biermann, who will be entering a walk year in 2014, may not be 100 percent. Plus, it's not like the Falcons didn't need an upgrade anyway. Their pass rush is severely lacking, so Barr would definitely bolster that area.

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 17 TFL and eight sacks through 11 games this season. The sky's the limit for him, as he'll only get better at his new position.

Pick change; previously Jake Matthews, OT
Minnesota Vikings: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
The Vikings paid Josh Freeman $3 million to find out if he can be their long-term franchise quarterback. That's how desperate they are for one. Christian Ponder isn't too bad, but he's not good enough to consistently lead the team in the playoffs. Minnesota knows this, as it's been reported that its front office is heavily scouting quarterbacks in this draft class.

I mentioned earlier that I don't like to slot redshirt sophomores into my mock drafts. Brett Hundley is one, but there were reports a month 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
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 is having a solid season, but he has an extensive injury history. Jake Matthews is the top player available, so he makes the most sense.

Pick change; previously Mike Evans, WR
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
The Buccaneers have one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL in Gerald McCoy. However, they're severely lacking at the position otherwise, as the pedestrian Gary Gibson and Akeem Spence have given them nothing. Tampa needs a long-term replacement for Roy Miller.

Pick change; previously Brett Hundley, QB
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.
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.
Oakland Raiders: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Terrelle Pryor got off to a hot start, but he has struggled during the past few weeks. Perhaps having a legitimate No. 1 receiver at his disposal would help him (or Matt McGloin) develop. Denarius Moore and Rod Streater are both capable, but neither is a legitimate top wideout. Mike Evans would easily fill that role.

Pick change; previously Louis Nix, NT
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. He had one good game against the Packers, but was back to being awful versus Dallas. 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.
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.
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 made his debut in my 2014 NFL Mock Draft last week after recent reports have him leaning toward declaring. Adams is yet another great receiving prospect in this loaded class.
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.
Miami Dolphins: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Taylor Lewan's play has dropped off, but he would still be a big upgrade for the Dolphins at left tackle. Considering everything that has happened this season with Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito, Miami has to address the offensive line early and often.
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.
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.

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