2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3

Last update: Wednesday, Dec. 25, 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.

*** THIS IS A LIVE 2014 NFL MOCK DRAFT. PICKS ARE BEING POSTED NOW. TO SEE PREVIOUS VERSIONS, CHECK OUT THE ARCHIVED 2014 NFL MOCK DRAFT SECTION. FOLLOW @walterfootball FOR UPDATES ***


65. Houston Texans: Yawin Smallwood, ILB, Connecticut
    The Texans really wanted to add some inside linebackers in the 2013 NFL Draft, but never got around to it (Arthur Brown was snagged off the board right before they picked in Round 2). They remain pretty thin at the position.
    
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66. Washington Redskins: Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford
    ESPN loves talking up London Fletcher by saying he's still great, but he can barely move. He's one of the reasons the Redskins are so inept on defense. He's retiring after this season anyway.
    
    
67. Oakland Raiders: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
    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.
    
    Pick change; previously Will Sutton, DE/DT
    
    
68. Atlanta Falcons: Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina
    Here's more front seven help, as the Falcons need to concentrate on bolstering their pass rush this offseason.
    
    Pick change; previously Zack Martin, G
    
    
    
    
    
69. New York Jets: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
    Here's some more secondary help for the Jets. Antonio Cromartie won't be back next year after struggling this entire season.
    
    Pick change; previously Ty Zimmerman, S
    
    
70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
    Maurice Jones-Drew is an impending free agent. He'll likely want to leave such a terrible situation, so the Jaguars will need to find a new running back.
    
    
71. Cleveland Browns: Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State
    Here's some secondary help for the Browns, who could use someone to challenge Tashaun Gipson at safety.
    
    
72. Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
    Here's more secondary help for the Vikings. A corner needs to be added with Chris Cook about to hit free agency.
    
    
73. New York Giants: Telvin Smith, OLB, Florida State
    The Giants upgrade yet another level of their defense, as their stop unit needs to be completely bolstered.
    
    
74. San Francisco 49ers: Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee
    The 49ers don't need a legitimate nose tackle to run their defense, but having one definitely wouldn't hurt.
    
    
75. Buffalo Bills: Taylor Hart, DE/DT, Oregon
    Marcell Dareus will be hitting free agency after this upcoming season, so Buffalo may add another lineman for depth purposes.
    
    Pick change; previously Loucheiz Purifoy, CB
    
    
76. New York Jets: Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado
    Given how anemic their receiving corps is, it would not surprise me at all if the Jets double dipped at wideout.
    
    Pick change; previously Charles Sims, RB
    
    
    
    
    
77. St. Louis Rams: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
    The Rams should think about drafting a quarterback on Day 2 just in case Sam Bradford continues to be mediocre (and injury-prone).
    
    
78. Detroit Lions: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
    The Lions have to consider a cornerback early in the 2014 NFL Draft if they don't sign one in free agency. They've looked helpless against several of the better quarterbacks they've faced this year.
    
    Bradley Roby is slotted pretty low in this mock because he has played poorly this season. He's also had some off-the-field issues. I think the Lions would take a chance on him though.
    
    
79. Cleveland Browns: Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia
    The Browns apparently plan on courting Ben Tate in free agency, but what if he never hits the market or chooses to sign elsewhere?
    
    Pick change; previously Ka'Deem Carey, RB
    
    
80. Green Bay Packers: Morgan Breslin, DE/OLB, USC
    Nick Perry finally started playing well just before getting hurt. He's back now, but the Packers still need depth behind him and Clay Matthews.
    
    
81. San Diego Chargers: Jeoffrey Pagan, DE/DT, Alabama
    The Chargers have a solid starting front line on defense, but they don't have much depth.
    
    Pick change; previously Ed Stinson, DE/DT
    
    
82. Dallas Cowboys: Ty Zimmerman, S, Kansas State
    Pick a position, any position. The Cowboys need upgrades all over their defense.
    
    Pick change; previously Anthony Steen, G
    
    
83. Baltimore Ravens: Russell Bodine, C, North Carolina
    Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and others are gone, but perhaps the player the Ravens miss most is Matt Birk. His replacements at center have been horrible. Almost anyone would be an upgrade.
    
    
84. Arizona Cardinals: Stephen Morris, QB, Miami
    Carson Palmer has played better lately, but he's obviously not the long-term solution. Arizona can develop Stephen Morris for a couple of seasons.
    
    
    
    
    
85. Chicago Bears: Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida
    The Bears will have to address their two cornerback positions next offseason, as Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings both have expiring contracts.
    
    Pick change; previously E.J. Gaines, CB
    
    
86. Miami Dolphins: George Uko, DT, USC
    Both Randy Starks and Paul Soliai are impending free agents. The type of defensive tackle Miami obtains obviously depends on which one leaves.
    
    Pick change; previously Calvin Barnett, DT
    
    
87. Philadelphia Eagles: Quandre Diggs, CB, Texas
    The Eagles have to find upgrades all over their defense. Help is definitely needed at cornerback. Cary Williams has been a huge disappointment, while Bradley Fletcher can't seem to get healthy, which has been a problem for him his entire career.
    
    
88. Indianapolis Colts: Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers
    We now see what Indianapolis' offense looks like without Reggie Wayne. Wayne will be back next year, but he won't be around forever. The Colts need a long-term solution at wideout to go along with T.Y. Hilton.
    
    Pick change; previously Taylor Hart, DE/DT
    
    
    
    
    
89. Cincinnati Bengals: Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss
    Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden recently complained about the No. 2 receiver spot on his team. Marvin Jones has shown flashes, but he hasn't been consistent.
    
    Pick change; previously Brandon Coleman, WR
    
    
90. New Orleans Saints: Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
    The Saints could use another receiver. Marques Colston disappointed this season prior to the Carolina victory, yet he's still New Orleans' top option by a wide margin.
    
    
91. Kansas City Chiefs: Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin
    The Chiefs need another outside receiver to start across from Dwayne Bowe. This team had so many drops against the Broncos.
    
    Pick change; previously Paul Richardson, WR
    
    
92. San Francisco 49ers: Trevor Reilly, DE/OLB, Utah
    The 49ers may consider spending an early pick on a pass-rusher. Aldon Smith, who spent some time in rehab, has a pretty cloudy future with numerous off-the-field issues. San Francisco needs to protect itself in case Smith can't stay out of trouble.
    
    
93. New England Patriots: DaQuan Jones, NT, Penn State
    Perhaps this is an overreaction pick, but Vince Wilfork will find it difficult to come back from a torn Achilles at his size and age.
    
    
94. Carolina Panthers: Rob Herron, WR, Wyoming
    Steve Smith is slowing down, while Brandon LaFell hasn't proven that he can be a consistent starter. The Panthers need to bolster their receiving corps.
    
    Pick change; previously Donte Moncrief, WR
    
    
95. Denver Broncos: Anthony Steen, G, Alabama
    What's better than Peyton Manning and four awesome targets? Peyton Manning and four awesome targets with upgraded protection. Zane Beadles, the weak link on a solid Denver front, is an impending free agent.
    
    
96. Minnesota Vikings: Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas
    The Vikings will likely be losing Jared Allen after this season, so they'll need some help at defensive end.
    
    
    
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