2014 NFL Mock Draft

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Last update: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. Major changes.
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The order of this 2014 NFL Mock Draft is somewhat random.

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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)

Oakland Raiders: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Star Lotulelei, NT

Sorry for the spoiler alert, but the first three picks in this 2014 NFL Mock Draft will actually be the same as those in Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft. We compile these independently, so it was quite the coincidence that we came up with the first three picks - though you could say they should be obvious at this point.

The Raiders are terrible for many reasons, one of which is their inability to put pressure on the quarterback. As of this writing, only the Jaguars have fewer sacks this season. And right nearby, Aldon Smith has more sacks than Oakland's entire roster. That's embarrassing.

Quarterbacks usually go No. 1 overall, but Jadeveon Clowney is a once-in-a-generation pass-rusher. He's the favorite to be chosen first overall.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB

Anyone who thinks Johnny Manziel is too small to be chosen in the top five is completely mistaken. Manziel currently stands at 6-foot-1, 200. That's taller than Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. Robert Griffin (6-2, 220) is pretty much the same size as Manziel will be following next season. Manziel also boasts a very good arm and great accuracy. There's no reason why he can't be a top-five selection if he continues to play as he did in his Heisman campaign.

You know a team's quarterback situation is dire when Chad Henne represents some hope. Jacksonville isn't going anywhere until it addresses this position.
New York Jets: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB

The Jets have to keep Mark Sanchez on the roster next season because cutting him would result in a $17.1 million cap hit. Giving Sanchez such a contract is a fireable offense.

Fortunately, New York can get out of Sanchez's nightmare deal following the 2013 campaign, and its fans can finally move on to a real quarterback. Maybe Fireman Ed will even return.
Kansas City Chiefs: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Geno Smith, QB

The Chiefs will likely find a potential franchise quarterback this upcoming April, but they'll need to complement him with a No. 1 receiver, as Dwayne Bowe is set to leave via free agency.

Marqise Lee has enjoyed a terrific 2012 campaign and is currently projected to be a top-five pick despite the recent USC wideout failures.
Arizona Cardinals: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Matt Barkley, QB

Jake Matthews will be a projected top-10 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft if he returns to school. The son of Hall-of-Famer Bruce Matthews, Jake would be an enormous upgrade on what is widely considered to be the worst offensive line in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Alec Ogletree, ILB

For the second straight season, Christian Ponder has started well but faded as the year progressed. Maybe this wouldn't happen if he had someone to throw to besides Percy Harvin and Kyle Rudolph.
Tennessee Titans: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Damontre Moore, DE

Alterraun Verner will be entering his contract year in 2013, so Tennessee will need a new starter if it can't retain him. Besides, the Titans need to fix their 25th-ranked pass defense.
Philadelphia Eagles: Bennie Logan, DT, LSU
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Luke Joeckel, OT

Here's why I have the Eagles spending a second-round pick on a defensive tackle in my 2013 NFL Mock Draft. It applies in this situation:

Even if Cullen Jenkins is back next year - he's due a $1 million roster bonus in March - it'll likely be his last season in Philadelphia because he's set to make $4.5 million (with a $2 million roster bonus) in 2014. The Eagles will need someone to play alongside Fletcher Cox.
Carolina Panthers: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Johnathan Hankins, NT

The Panthers already need a right tackle. Cyrus Kouandjio can play that position and eventually slide into the left tackle spot once Jordan Gross moves on. Gross, who will be 34 a couple of months after the 2014 NFL Draft, will be entering his contract season at that point.
Indianapolis Colts: Stephon Tuitt, DE/DT, Notre Dame
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Eric Fisher, OT

Indianapolis' defense is a mess. It needs help on every level, so it might as well start up front with the best player available. Stephon Tuitt would provide the Colts with some major help on a defensive line that lacks talent.
Detroit Lions: Aaron Lynch, DE, South Florida
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Manti Te'o, ILB

Kyle Vanden Bosch likely won't be back with the team next season because of his $5 million salary, while the other exterior pass-rushers, excluding Cliff Avril, have barely done anything this year.
Miami Dolphins: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Taylor Lewan, OT

Anthony Fasano is an upcoming free agent, and based on Hard Knocks, Michael Egnew appears to be a sunk cost.

It's not usual to see a tight end go this high, but Austin Seferian-Jenkins is an absolute stud. He'll be a matchup nightmare, much like Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham.
San Diego Chargers: Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): DeMarcus Milliner, CB

As previously specified in my 2013 NFL Mock Draft, the Chargers will need help at rush linebacker despite the addition of Melvin Ingram. Shaun Phillips will be a free agent this offseason.
New Orleans Saints: Scott Chrichton, DE, Oregon State
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Sheldon Richardson, DT

I've slotted a defensive end to the Saints in my 2013 NFL Mock Draft. The same reason applies here:

The Saints aren't getting much pressure on the quarterback. Cameron Jordan has improved in this department over the second half of the season, but Will Smith looks like a shell of his former self. He's due $10 million in 2013, so he obviously won't be back.
Seattle Seahawks: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Terrance Williams, WR

The Seahawks signed Jason Jones this offseason, but that was only for one year. Alan Branch is also set to hit free agency. Seattle will need some reinforcements up front.
Buffalo Bills: Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
2013 NFL Mock Draft Pick (as of 12/13): Bjoern Werner, DE

The Bills spent so much money this previous offseason upgrading the defensive line, but they still have a gaping hole in the middle of their stop unit. Kelvin Sheppard has been a big disappointment.

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.

2013 NFL Mock Draft