2014 RotoRob NFL Mock Draft: Josh
Greg Robinson sits atop a fine offensive tackle class in this year’s draft. (USATSI)
The 2014 NFL Draft is drawing near and we at RotoRob.com have dusted off all our football writers to give you a three-part series of mock drafts. In January we did some mock drafts for the non-playoff teams. Obviously with the free agency period behind us and the full draft order set, we have many new ideas for you. Now we give you our first full NFL Mock Draft by the seriously zany Josh Johnson.
We believe this to be the deepest draft in years. We opted to leave the draft day trade scenarios to the real GMs, but we would like to note that if Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles or Johnny Manziel get past Oakland at pick five, look for Tennessee or maybe even Dallas to move ahead of Minnesota.
First Round
1. Houston Texans — Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina Gamecocks: Many experts finally agree that Clowney has superior talent. Once mention of the J.J. Watt-Clowney pairing started circling in late January we figured this pick was a lock. A second tier QB is what the Houston fans deserve after they burned Matt Schaub jerseys last year.
2. St. Louis Rams — Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn Tigers: This is a safe pick but considering QB Sam Bradford’s health issues, playing it safe seems reasonable. This division is full of solid defenders so Robinson will need to learn quickly and we think he is up for the challenge — especially given his speed, which was all the rage at the Combine (see video below).
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson Tigers: This dude is legit. After an underrated free agency period we see the Jags making a big splash by grabbing the truest playmaker to come out of college since Calvin Johnson. Watkins would make this offense respectable even if Chad Henne is the QB.
4. Cleveland Browns — Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida Knights: Since the glory days of Brian Sipe and Bernie Kosar Cleveland has been searching for a franchise QB. To us, Bortles appears to be a crossbreed of Andrew Luck and Dante Culpepper. Bortles can be the Browns saviour. He has shown poise and strength when needed. If the Browns ever find a running game, Bortles can lead them out of obscurity.
5. Oakland Raiders — Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M Aggies: While we understand that Schaub was brought in to be “the man,” taking Manziel here still makes sense. This would provide Manziel the time to watch and learn for at least a year. His attitude and swagger fit the Oakland style of play. Johnny Football could be the franchise QB Raider fans have been praying for, given he has time to mature slowly.
6. Atlanta Falcons — Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo Bulls: The Falcons have skill position players, but they need an athlete on the edge. Lots of experts think Mack will be a superstar, but we only think he will be good, not great. If Atlanta had really big balls it would draft Anthony Barr instead. Unfortunately the Falcons will bite the hype hook and draft Mack. Still, considering how bad their defense was last season he is at the very least an upgrade.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M Aggies: Other than Watkins we think Matthews is the safest pick of the draft. He is an aggressive cat who doesn’t ever peel off a block and he is very effective with his hands. Tampa can build its offense around Matthews, who will likely play in five to eight Pro Bowls before he calls it a day.
8. Minnesota Vikings — Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville Cardinals: Basically, we feel Minnesota would be elated if any of the top three QBs were still on the board. At this point it seems it will be Bridgewater. We believe the smoke screens surrounding him are thicker than water. The talent oozes on the field during games, so who cares about some wobbly Pro Day pass? Bridgewater is the only QB that we would start Week One of the 2014 season but if the Vikings are smart they will let him watch Matt Cassel for a year.
9. Buffalo Bills — Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA Bruins: Barr is a savage pass rusher with great agility and balance. He is a former running back so his abilities at OLB are very rare. Barr will give Bills opponents someone else to game plan for, which will open up space for the great Kiko Alonso.
10. Detroit Lions — Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M Aggies: No way the Lions could pass on Evans here. With Megatron on the same field, Golden Tate and Evans will be Fantasy crushers. Evans will learn how to be a big WR in the NFL on a daily basis.
11. Tennessee Titans — Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina Tar Heels: The current Titan receiving corps will be Ebron’s biggest fans and beneficiaries. We feel the Vernon Davis comparisons are actually an understatement. Unlike Davis, Ebron will not disappear in crunch time. Athletic tight ends (i.e., Jimmy Graham, Jordan Reed) are the new standard and Ebron could the best yet.
12. New York Giants — Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama Crimson Tide: Is Clinton-Dix a victim of the mature defense system? If you have asked that question you probably hate the SEC. He understands his responsibilities and QBs and WRs will grow frustrated because he will prevent so many plays from becoming big gains or even completions.
13. St. Louis Rams — Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State Cowboys: Speed can overcome so much. Gilbert will add a dynamic dimension to an already solid defensive scheme. His playmaking skills as a defender could earn him the defensive Rookie of the Year nod.
14. Chicago Bears — Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh Panthers: This athlete can change the mold of what we believe an NFL DT should look like. Donald is not a 330-pound biscuit eater. He is a 285-pound speedboat that will have QBs running from the pocket. Donald has the potential to be a sack master at DT like the no other NFL player has before him.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers — Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan Wolverines: Old school Steeler football will flourish when Lewan tramples defenders. If he lasts this long in the draft, Pittsburgh will have a future All-Pro with an insatiable mean streak. That’s the Steeler way.
16. Baltimore Ravens — Zack Martin, OL, Notre Dame Fighting Irish: It has been said Martin is the most versatile O-lineman in the draft. His ability to play five different positions at a high level automatically makes him a first rounder. Martin flattened any critiques with a gaudy Senior Bowl week. The Raven ground game shall be relevant again.
17. Dallas Cowboys — Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State Spartans: When Dennard lasts this long, Dallas will have to bite. The NFC East is loaded with great WRs and slowing them down should be a top priority. Dennard will be a respected and feared NFL player.
18. New York Jets — Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville Cardinals: The Jets need a player like Pryor. He is an aggressive run stuffer that should improve an already good New York D. Pryor is a ball hawk and a top-notch open field tackler. He just makes sense for the Jets.
19. Miami Dolphins — C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama Crimson Tide: We know the Fins need O-linemen, but if Mosley falls this far it would be a logical choice. He has had health issues and that is always a concern. Mosley is an instinctive ILB much like Mike Singletary. Mosley has thighs like watermelons and that helps drive his power game.
20. Arizona Cardinals-Dee Ford, DE, Auburn: Overrated you say? We are still on the fence. We love his hand whipping first move but to make that work in the NFL he needs to hit the weight room.
21. Green Bay Packers — Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State Seminoles: We can’t ever remember an interior lineman with such fast feet. Those twinkle toes strengthen his solid legs and high motor. Jernigan will flush the pocket and Clay Matthews will be ready to pounce.
22. Philadelphia Eagles — Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State Beavers: Good Lord, why would Chip Kelly draft a Beaver? The answer is easy: he loves speed! Cooks is small, but he is tough. He will not cry like DeSean Jackson. Cooks will outwork everyone on the field.
23. Kansas City Chiefs — Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech Red Raiders: Amaro’s hands are very nice and the Chiefs need weapons like this. Head Coach Andy Reid always plays to his strengths and Amaro can be a strong presence for this offense.
24. Cincinnati Bengals — Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri Tigers: Cincy is a bona fide playoff team. Although the Bengals can’t seem to win in the postseason, it’s apparent they are a piece or two away. Ealy can help them claw deep into January. He is a restless force. With Ealy trimming the edge and Geno Atkins charging up the middle, the Bengals can nab a few more wins.
25. San Diego Chargers — Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Defensive vulnerability can often be traced back to a weak middle. The 330-pound Nix can fill many gaps. Peyton Manning and Jamaal Charles shall be wary — this is their official warning.
26. Cleveland Browns — Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State Seminoles: Believe what you will about the so-called “workout blow off.” Cleveland has a dynamic WR in Josh Gordon and its TE Jordan Cameron looks to be the real deal. Benjamin can provide a big “move the sticks” type of target.
27. New Orleans Saints — Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech Hokies: Fuller tackles like a SS and blankets WRs almost as well as Dennard. In the Big Easy, Fuller can learn from Champ Bailey.
28. Carolina Panthers — Marqise Lee, WR, South California Trojans: Lee drops here because of a knee injury much like Keenan Allen did in last year’s draft. The Panthers lost their top three WRs this offseason, so getting a talent like Lee that can start immediately is paramount.
29. New England Patriots — Austin Serefian-Jenkins, TE, Washington Huskies: If Rob Gronkowski is healthy or not, Serefian-Jenkins will be a difference maker. Serefian-Jackson can block and catch like no other TE in this draft. His massive build makes him a red zone mismatch.
30. San Francisco 49ers — Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA Bruins: The trend of producing athletic bigs continues here. Su’a-Filo moves like a 200-pounder yet he weighs 300. The ‘Niners will see improvements in their already good running attack.
31. Denver Broncos — Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State Buckeyes: If Shazier weighed 20 more pounds he would be a top 10 pick. At 6’1″, 237 pounds, he is a slender juggernaut. Shazier’s 4.38-second 40-yard dash prompted many scouts to vault him into the first round. Denver gets a player who can change the complexion of a game with one bone crunching tackle. With DeMarcus Ware as a mentor Shazier will have All-Pro potential for many seasons to come.
32. Seattle Seahawks — Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt Commodores: We know we are overrating Matthews here, but before you judge watch some video of this guy. He can be a reliable and consistent weapon for a team already bursting with talent.
Round Two
33. Houston Texans —Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State Bulldogs: Needs to improve his accuracy.
34. Washington Redskins — Jason Verrett, CB, Texas Christian Horned Frogs: This kid knows how to cover a receiver.
35. Cleveland Browns — Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama Crimson Tide: Would go higher if not for his knee.
36. Oakland Raiders — Joel Bitonio, OG, Nevada Wolf Pack: Moved over from left tackle with tremendous results.
37. Atlanta Falcons — Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia Cavaliers: Took off after moving to right tackle.
38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State Nittany Lions: Has been compared to Anquan Boldin.
39. Jacksonville Jaguars — Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois Panthers: The next Tony Romo?
40. Minnesota Vikings — Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State Beavers: Nicely sized at 6’3″, 273 pounds.
41. Buffalo Bills — Jimmie Ward, SS, Northern Illinois Huskies: Considered an aggressive safety.
42. Tennessee Titans — Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State Buckeyes: One of the top running backs OSU has ever produced.
43. New York Giants — Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU Cougars: 23-year-old also played baseball, basketball and track at BYU.
44. St. Louis Rams — Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Louisiana State Tigers: Tremendous athleticism.
45. Detroit Lions — Ja’Wuan James, OT, Tennessee Volunteers: Amazing size (6’6″, 312).
46. Pittsburgh Steelers — Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State Bulldogs: At a tick under 6’1″, he’s tall enough to play WR.
47. Dallas Cowboys — Deone Bucannon, SS, Washington State Cougars: First Team All-American.
48. Baltimore Ravens — Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi State Bulldogs: One of the best offensive lineup in MSU history.
49. New York Jets — Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss Rebels: Really impressed at the Combine.
50. Miami Dolphins — Dakota Dozier, OG, Furman Paladins: First-team AP FCS All-American.
51. Chicago Bears — Terrence Brooks, FS, Florida State Seminoles: Second-team All-ACC.
52. Arizona Cardinals — Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Missed the Combine because of broken foot.
53. Green Bay Packers — Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame Fighting Irish: First-team All-Independent.
54. Philadelphia Eagles — Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State Buckeyes: One of 30 players invited to NFL Draft.
55. Cincinnati Bengals — Bashaud Breeland, CB, Clemson Tigers: Very athletic player.
56. San Francisco 49ers — Trent Murphy, OLB, Stanford Cardinal: Was a Captain at Stanford.
57. San Diego Chargers — Trevor Reilly, DE, Utah Utes: Had minor knee surgery in January.
58. New Orleans Saints —Tre Mason, RB, Auburn Tigers: He’s a patient runner.
59. Indianapolis Colts — Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota Gophers: He may have first round talent.
60. Carolina Panthers — Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida Gators: Missed time last season with injuries and a suspension.
61. San Francisco 49ers — DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State Broncos: Spent two seasons dominating JC before becoming a Bronco.
62. New England Patriots — Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State Sun Devils: In last two years, has 37 tackles for a loss.
63. Denver Broncos — Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington Huskies: Had nearly 3,500 yards rushing in three seasons.
64. Seattle Seahawks — Jack Mewhort, OT, Ohio State Buckeyes: In 49 career games, he started 38 times.
Round Three
65. Houston Texans — Yawin Smallwood, ILB, Connecticut Huskies
66. Washington Redskins — Kareem Martin, DE, North Carolina Tar Heels
67. Oakland Raiders — Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson Tigers
68. Atlanta Falcons — Jeremy Hill, RB, Louisiana State Tigers
69. New York Jets — C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa Hawkeyes
70. Jacksonville Jaguars — Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor Bears
71. Cleveland Browns — Jackson Jeffcoat, OLB/DE, Texas Longhorns
72. Minnesota Vikings — Shayne Skov, ILB, Stanford Cardinal
73. Buffalo Bills — Cyril Richardson, OG, Baylor Bears
74. New York Giants — Carl Bradford, OLB, Arizona State Sun Devils
75. St. Louis Rams — Jarvis Landry, WR, Louisiana State Tigers
76. Detroit Lions — Adrian Hubbard, OLB, Alabama Crimson Tide
77. San Francisco 49ers — Lamarcus Joyner, CB, Florida State Seminoles
78. Dallas Cowboys — Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina Gamecocks
79. Baltimore Ravens — Keith McGill, CB, Utah Utes
80. New York Jets — Louchiez Purifoy, CB, Florida Gators
81. Miami Dolphins — Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
82. Chicago Bears — Victor Hampton, CB, South Carolina Gamecocks
83. Cleveland Browns — Ed Reynolds, FS, Stanford Cardinal
84. Arizona Cardinals — Billy Turner, OT, North Dakota State Bisons
85. Green Bay Packers — Marcus Smith, DE, Louisville Cardinals
86. Philadelphia Eagles — Jordan Tripp, OLB, Montana Grizzlies
87. Kansas City Chiefs — Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado Buffaloes
88. Cincinnati Bengals — Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State Rams
89. San Diego Chargers — Telvin Smith, OLB, Florida State Seminoles
90. Indianapolis Colts — Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Arizona Wildcats
91. New Orleans Saints — Dominique Easley, DT, Florida Gators
92. Carolina Panthers — Cameron Fleming, OT, Stanford Cardinal
93. New England Patriots — David Yankey, OG, Stanford Cardinal
94. San Francisco 49ers — Will Clarke, DE, West Virginia Mountaineers
95. Denver Broncos — Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood Lions
*96. Minnesota Vikings — Trai Turner, OG, Louisiana State Tigers
*97. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jalen Watkins, CB, Pittsburgh Panthers
*98. Green Bay Packers — L’Damian Washington, WR, Missouri Tigers
*99. Baltimore Ravens — Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
*100. San Francisco 49ers — Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice Owls
Round Four
101. Houston Texans — Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia Mountaineers
102. Washington Redskins — Christian Jones, OLB, Florida State Seminoles
103. Atlanta Falcons — DaQuan Jones, DT, Penn State Nittany Lions
104. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin Badgers
105. Jacksonville Jaguars — Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas Razorbacks
106. Cleveland Browns — Devon Kennard, OLB, Southern California Trojans
107. Oakland Raiders — Craig Loston, SS, Louisiana State Tigers
108. Minnesota Vikings — Josh Huff, WR, Oregon Ducks
109. Buffalo Bills — Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska Cornhuskers
110. St. Louis Rams — Christian Kirksey, OLB, Iowa Hawkeyes
111. Detroit Lions — Jordan Zumwalt, OLB, UCLA Bruins
112. Tennessee Titans — Josh Mauro, DE, Stanford Cardinal
113. New York Giants — Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee Volunteers
114. Dallas Cowboys — Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas Razorbacks
115. New York Jets — Brandon Linder, OG, Miami Hurricanes
116. Miami Dolphins — Dion Bailey, FS, Southern California Trojans
117. Chicago Bears — Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida State Seminoles
118. Pittsburgh Steelers — Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina Gamecocks
119. Jacksonville Jaguars — Lamin Barrow, ILB, Louisiana State Tigers
120. Arizona Cardinals — A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama Crimson Tide
121. Green Bay Packers — Terrence Mitchell, CB, Oregon Ducks
122. Philadelphia Eagles — Isaiah Lewis, SS, Michigan State Spartans
123. Cincinnati Bengals — Robert Herron, WR, Wyoming Cowboys
124. Kansas City Chiefs — E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri Tigers
125. San Diego Chargers — Ahmad Dixon, SS, Baylor Bears
126. New Orleans Saints — James Gayle, DE, Virginia Tech Hokies
127. Cleveland Browns — Daniel McCullers, DT, Tennessee Volunteers
128. Carolina Panthers — Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin Badgers
129. San Francisco 49ers — Andre Williams, RB, Boston College Eagles
130. New England Patriots — Michael Schofield, OT, Michigan Wolverines
131. Denver Broncos — Jon Halapio, OG, Florida Gators
132. Seattle Seahawks — Zach Fulton, OG, Tennessee Volunteers
*133. Detroit Lions — Marqueston Huff, FS, Wyoming Cowboys
*134. Baltimore Ravens — Kenny Ladler, FS, Vanderbilt Commodores
*135. Houston Texans — Ego Ferguson, DT, Louisiana State Tigers
*136. Detroit Lions — Zach Mettenberger, QB, Louisiana State Tigers
*137. New York Jets — Brent Urban, DE, Virginia Cavaliers
*138. Baltimore Ravens — J.C. Copeland, FB, Louisiana State Tigers
*139. Atlanta Falcons — Arthur Lynch, TE, Georgia Bulldogs
*140. New England Patriots — Michael Sam, OLB/DE, Missouri Tigers
Other notables that we really like in the final three rounds and the teams of interest:
Tyler Starr, ILB, South Dakota Coyotes: Oakland, Green Bay or Dallas
Ryan Hewitt, FB/TE, Stanford Cardinal: Kansas City, Miami or New England
Rajion Neal, RB, Tennessee Volunteers: Oakland, New York Giants or Arizona
Crockett Gilmore, TE, Colorado State Rams: Jacksonville, Oakland or New York Giants
Morgan Breslin, DE/OLB, Southern California Trojans: Seattle, Minnesota or Kansas City
D’Anthony Thomas, RB/WR, Oregon Ducks: Denver, New Orleans or Tampa Bay
Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech Hokies: New Orleans, Denver or Jacksonville
Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh Panthers: Cleveland, Arizona or St. Louis
Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia Bulldogs: Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay or New York Giants
*Compensatory picks
Now it’s your turn. Let us know in the comments below how you see the 2014 NFL Draft shaking out.
