2014 NFL Mock Draft

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Last update: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 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

Houston Texans: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
The Texans are losing games, but it'll pay off. They've quit in most weeks - losing consecutive home games to the Raiders and Jaguars, and then battling the Patriots tough is an obvious sign of that - but it'll work out in the long run because they'll be able to land Teddy Bridgewater.

Given how important the quarterback position is, Teddy Bridgewater will the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, barring injury or Marcus Mariota declaring. There's really no discussion. Jadeveon Clowney wouldn't get Houston's franchise back into the playoffs. 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.

Pick change; previously Jadeveon Clowney, DE/OLB
Jacksonville Jaguars: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
What are the Jaguars doing? Why are they accumulating meaningless wins? Gus Bradley is ultimately going to get fired for these victories because he may not be able to land a blue-chip franchise quarterback as a result. Marcus Mariota declaring would help, but again, I don't have that happening. In honor of Jacksonville's epic futility, I've written a poem about them in my NFL Power Rankings entitled, Goodbye Teddy.

Here's where you can debate the pick. Do the Jaguars take a lesser quarterback or the superior prospect in Jadeveon Clowney? Before this season, I may have leaned toward the latter, but Clowney has shown that he doesn't love football by worrying more about the future than supporting his team. Some call Clowney the top defensive prospect to come along in years, but Clowney has motivational problems, as Charlie Campbell reported before anyone else back in August.

I believe that the Jaguars will convince themselves to take Brett Hundley (or another quarterback) for the same reason the Rams chose Sam Bradford over Ndamukong Suh. If Clowney pans out, he won't consistently lead Jacksonville to the playoffs. If Hundley meets expectations, however, the Jaguars will be a perennial postseason team. You need a franchise quarterback in today's NFL, and Jacksonville can't afford to pass on a potential solution at the position.

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 Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
TRADE!!! OK, it's a bit early to be projecting trades in the 2014 NFL Draft, especially when the order isn't set yet, but the Rams will almost certainly be trading out of the top three if they obtain a pick in that spot. They're likely to roll with Sam Bradford with another season, and they have no need for a defensive end, so they may once again slide down, swapping picks with a team wanting to move up for a franchise signal-caller or Jadeveon Clowney. In this case, it's the latter.

The Buccaneers, who will have to leap the Falcons to obtain Clowney, have one of the worst pass rushes in the NFL, as only four teams have accumulated fewer sacks than them this year. They have Gerald McCoy, but they need to find an exterior pass-rushing presence to complement the stud defensive tackle.

Once again, Clowney is an elite prospect from a talent perspective, but has work-ethic issues. The Buccaneers will have to worry about him quitting or taking too many trips to Mons Venus, but they'll ultimately take a chance on him because of his ability.

Pick change; previously Louis Nix, DT
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.
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.

As far as the aforementioned trade is concerned, I don't think the Rams will be able to obtain a future first-rounder like they did in the Robert Griffin deal because there's no quarterback involved (ignore that if they have the No. 2 pick and Marcus Mariota declares). However, they'll be able to at least net a pair of second-round choices.
Minnesota Vikings: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
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've had Johnny Manziel all over my mock over the past few months, but I think the 6-15 range is right for him. Some team will be enticed enough to draft him. The Vikings are very desperate for a franchise quarterback, so they may give Johnny Football a shot.

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.
Oakland Raiders: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Terrelle Pryor got off to a hot start, but he struggled before missing some action with an injury. Perhaps having a legitimate No. 1 receiver at his disposal would help him (or Matt McGloin) develop. Denarius Moore, Andre Holmes and Rod Streater are both capable, but neither is a legitimate top wideout. Mike Evans would easily fill that role.
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.
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.
New York Jets: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
Geno Smith looks like the worst quarterback in the NFL right now - even worse than Brandon Weeden and Jeff Tuel - but it's not like he has much of a chance with his horrific receiving corps. Santonio Holmes can't stay healthy, while Stephen Hill is a bust. The Jets need to give Smith (or a new quarterback they find) a legitimate No. 1 receiver.

Davante Adams made 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 Kyle Van Noy, DE/OLB
Tennessee Titans: Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State
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.

I'm bumping Cameron Erving over Taylor Lewan. The latter hasn't been very good this year, while Erving has played exceptionally.

Pick change; previously Johnny Manziel, QB
San Diego Chargers: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Chargers' pathetic defense has made every single quarterback look like a Pro Bowler this year (save for Andy Dalton). They have a dreadful cornerback situation, which could be remedied with the use of a first-round pick in May's draft.
New York Giants: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
The Giants go with one of the top players on the board. Louis Nix, who stuffs the run well and can also get to the quarterback, would replace Linval Joseph, who happens to be an impending free agent.

Pick change; previously C.J. Mosley, LB
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.
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.

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