NFL front offices are in overdrive right now, working through one of the most talented draft classes in recent years. It also features a record 103 underclassmen declaring early.
Three quarterbacks land in the Top 10 of the latest 2014 NFL Mock Draft — none named Johnny Manziel — while receivers and tight ends make up most of the middle of round one.
1. Houston Texans — Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
With Bill O’Brien as their head coach, the Texans are in prime position to take advantage of a talented roster with a quarterback expert like O’Brien at the helm. However, that doesn’t mean they need to draft a quarterback first overall. Trust in O’Brien to make the most at the position while adding an elite talent like Clowney to an already impressive defensive unit.
2. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins) — Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
The Rams have already made it clear they are looking to move down, and it could lead to a Teddy Bridgewater sweepstakes for the Rams to secure a large haul. Whether they stay put or not, they’ll certainly look at offensive linemen for at least one of their first round picks. Robinson is still the best in the class.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
The crown jewel of the class for the Jaguars, don’t be surprised to see them trade up to secure the top quarterback in this class. If they are unable to get him for whatever reason, don’t expect them to reach for a quarterback, as they’ll opt for Khalil Mack or Anthony Barr instead.
4. Cleveland Browns — Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
The rumors are that they’re intrigued by Johnny Manziel and are the favorites to land him right now. But based on other teams’ interest and his skill set, Manziel doesn’t belong in the Top 10 picks. The Browns should look to add more playmakers on offense, with the hopes that Watkins helps whomever their franchise quarterback is down the road.
5. Oakland Raiders — Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
Quarterback is still an undetermined need for the Raiders, but if they pass at the position, adding more talent to this defense is a must-do. Mack isn’t a finished product quite yet, but his remarkable talent and upside is tough to deny and is worth developing for a young roster like Oakland’s.
6. Atlanta Falcons — Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The Falcons are looking at defensive ends or offensive linemen early and often in the 2014 NFL Draft, and they’ll likely take the best prospect at those two positions. With Jadeveon Clowney and Greg Robinson off the board, the next best lineman is Texas A&M’s Matthews, who may be better than his 2013 teammate Luke Joeckel.
7. Tampa Bay Bucs — Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
Last year’s third-round pick Mike Glennon had his moments this year, and he proved why Greg Schiano believed he could be an NFL starter. However, with a new regime in place, Glennon isn’t a lock to be the starter. New Bucs’ offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford is very close with the Carr family, including working with Carr much of last season.
8. Minnesota Vikings — Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
The Vikings need to find their next “franchise quarterback” after Christian Ponder turned out to be a bust, and landing a high ceiling, yet work-in-progress Blake Bortles could be a perfect fit for new offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s system. It’d be best for Bortles to sit behind Matt Cassel for at least the first half of his rookie season, if not longer.
9. Buffalo Bills — Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
With Khalil Mack off the board, the Bills look to target another pass rusher/linebacker hybrid prospect in the high upside UCLA product Anthony Barr. He still has a ways to go before he’s NFL ready, but his talent level and potential impact could be similar to Aldon Smith’s once he gets more comfortable at linebacker, a position he only started playing three years ago.
10. Detroit Lions — Marqise Lee, WR, USC
After Calvin Johnson, the Lions don’t have a receiver that’s talented enough to be a legitimate NFL starter. In fact, most of their receivers would struggle to make many NFL rosters. While it’s reminiscent of the Matt Millen years, Marqise Lee is a consistent, talented, middle of the field receiver who could make the Stafford-to-Megatron connection even more dominant.
11. Tennessee Titans — Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
Despite their lack of a great record, the Titans have done a great job in drafting recently, frequently hitting on their first rounders and finding playmakers on defense later in the draft. Assuming they won’t target a quarterback or running back this high in the draft, adding another high-upside pass rusher fits the Titans MO.
12. New York Giants — C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
The Giants have long needed help at linebacker, and with Mosley available, he can fill an immediate need and eventually provide leadership for this struggling defense. Mosley can fill in at both inside and strong side linebacker early in his Giants career.
13. St. Louis Rams — Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
Safety is arguably the Rams top need, and Clinton-Dix is arguably the top safety in this class. That being said, don’t be surprised to see the Rams trade down from this pick to take advantage of the talented offensive tackles, tight ends, and cornerbacks still available here. If they stick here or move down a few spots, Clinton-Dix is likely a prime target.
14. Chicago Bears — Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
The Bears’ run defense needs the most help, but with the physical cornerback Dennard being among the Top 10 prospects in this draft, as well as an ideal fit the Bears’ defense, he’s tough to pass on at this stage. This is probably the lowest spot Dennard falls to before teams start clawing their way to trade up for him.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers — Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
The Steelers have swung and missed on offensive linemen frequently in the past few years, and it’s been reflective of their offense. They need to keep Big Ben upright for the future, and Lewan fits the nasty-lineman mold that the Steelers have been known for.
16. Baltimore Ravens — Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State
After losing Anquan Boldin, it was clear this offense took a step back, and it’s no secret they miss having a consistently reliable, first-down receiver. Mike Evans of Texas A&M is the most physical, biggest bodied receiver in the class, but the Ravens should look for the better talent at the position. Reminding of Keenan Allen, Robinson is worthy of a Top 20 pick.
17. Dallas Cowboys — Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU
The Cowboys’ secondary was woefully unsuccessful this year, and much of that has to do with their safety play and their interior pass rushing. Safety is certainly an option, but finding an upfield 3-technique rusher like Anthony Johnson could force quarterbacks off balance, leading to turnovers for the Dallas defensive backs.
18. New York Jets — Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU
Leaving LSU early along with teammate Jarvis Landry, Beckham possesses the better skill set of the two, and has the higher upside to be an NFL No. 1 WR. Beckham may not be on the national scene yet, but he’s an elite talent with the vertical ability to take over for Santonio Holmes as the feature receiver for Geno Smith moving forward.
19. Miami Dolphins — Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
Kouandjio could easily go higher than this thanks to his mauling upfield run blocking and a rare physicality in pass protection, but the Dolphins should be able to get one of the falling left tackle prospects in this class to address their most dire position. While we view him as a second-round prospect, it’d be a surprise if he didn’t go Top 20.
20. Arizona Cardinals — Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
The Bruce Arians offense has really turned this Cardinals’ franchise around, but they’re not a finished product as a team to consistently compete in the brutal NFC West. With Fitzgerald on one side and the emergence of Michael Floyd on the other, the outside weapons for Carson Palmer are there. Adding a Top 10 talent in Eric Ebron, like Arians wanted in Indianapolis when he advocated for Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, could allow them to attack the middle of the field and dominate defenses similarly to how the Bears’ big three weapons did this past season.
21. Green Bay Packers — Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
Jermichael Finely suffered a brutal injury last year, and there are doubts as to what the Packers should expect from him in the future. Either way, Aaron Rodgers and this offense have been fantastic at utilizing all of their weapons, and adding a versatile receiving threat like Jace Amaro could further frustrate their NFC North foes.
22. Philadelphia Eagles — Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
The Eagles have invested in the cornerback position in recent years, but it hasn’t produced results yet. Cary Williams is highly inconsistent, Bradley Fletcher has battled through injuries, and Brandon Boykin has been very impressive but is limited to nickel coverage on most occasions. Add in the speedy, athletic Roby, who could wind up as the best defensive back in this class, and the Eagles have a four way competition for their two starting spots.
23. Kansas City Chiefs — Calvin Pryor, SAF, Louisville
The Chiefs could go a handful of ways to add to their surprisingly effective 2013 roster, but looking at why their season ended may be the best way to approach the draft. After Andrew Luck torched the Kansas City safeties, all eyes turned to the draft to find a player long-term next to Eric Berry. Pryor is very talented and already high on NFL boards as a safety prospect, and likely winds up in the first round.
24. Cincinnati Bengals — Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State
The Bengals have done a fantastic job in drafting the past few years, so finding a glaring need for them is difficult. But Shazier gives this team an active linebacker to complement Vontaze Burfict for the future on defense.
25. San Diego Chargers — Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU
They’ve invested heavily in the past on the pass rush, but the Chargers still need more talent in that department. Van Noy can play both inside and outside in the 3-4 set, and he can provide both depth and an instant impact for this defense.
26. Cleveland Browns (via Indianapolis Colts) — Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
If the Browns pass on Johnny Manziel at No. 4 overall (which would be the best decision), they still could land him with their second first rounder. I’m not sure many teams feel he’s a fit for their offense as a first rounder, and if the Browns are so adamant about getting Manziel, adding a weapon like Sammy Watkins first should do wonders to help the offense whenever it’s ready for Johnny Football.
27. New Orleans Saints — Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech
Rob Ryan has done wonders with the Saints’ defense, but it’s no secret they need more pass rush help, talent-wise, for the future. Jeremiah Attaochu was remarkably impressive as a sophomore and produced at a high level in ore a true 3-4 defense, which scouts will certainly notice when they review him. He’ll fit in well as an edge rusher in a 3-4 set.
28. Carolina Panthers — Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Steve Smith shouldn’t be relied on for the future if the Panthers hope to further Cam Newton’s development. Adding a new vertical stretching playmaker in Brandin Cooks is exactly what the doctor ordered for the thriving Panthers offense.
29. San Francisco 49ers — Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The front seven for the 49ers is battle tested and loaded with talent, but the secondary could still use an upgrade, especially depth-wise. Gilbert can step in day one and play outside at the cornerback spot in nickel sets, with the upside of being a starter early in his career.
30. New England Patriots — Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
Vince Wilfork went down with an injury earlier this year for the Patriots, and they can’t afford to bank on an injured Wilfork for the next four or five years, especially thanks to his impact on the defense. Nix reminds a lot of Wilfork, and he’ll get a chance to learn from him for at least a year.
31. Seattle Seahawks — Zach Martin, OT, Notre Dame
Seattle, like Cincinnati, has done a great job drafting the past few years, especially in the later rounds defensively. While they could add defensive line depth or add to a quickly depleting secondary, I think they consider adding a tackle to pair with Russell Okung for the future, especially since a top offensive tackle may fall to them.
32. Denver Broncos — Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
Donald earned all of the awards he received this year, but the undersized interior pass rusher may struggle to find a match in the top 20 of the draft. While he may be worth that high of a pick, it’s more likely as of now that he falls to the late first round. The Broncos scoop up a great value.