April 21, 2014
From Preston Grames, Cadillac, Michigan
“Hey Charlie! You had the Browns taking Manziel at 26 and Watkins at 4, and the Lions taking Mike Evans at 10. But what if the Browns traded picks with the Lions? Then the Lions could get Watkins, and the Browns would get Evans. Maybe the thought would be, to help Manziel transition, draft the guy he’s been throwing to all this time. (I’m a Lions fan by the way)”
That makes a lot of sense. Plus, the Browns have a speed receiver in Josh Gordon, and taking Evans would give them a combination similar to Chicago’s. Cleveland would get at least one second-round pick from a deal like you described. With all the extra picks on Day 2, the Browns could easily move back into the first round and have three first-round selections and a high second-rounder. That could make a big difference in Cleveland closing the gap in the AFC North.
From Eric Vasquez, Houston, Texas
“My question involves former Michigan wide receiver Jeremy Gallon. Earlier in the year, I turned on the Michigan/Michigan State game, and was immediately impressed by Gallon’s performance, especially against the physical Spartan secondary. I know that with this year’s draft being especially deep at WR that Gallon will likely be a Day 3 pick, but what is the scouting community’s opinion on him? Is he a potential diamond in the rough? Thanks (P.S. Thanks for no longer mocking Tajh Boyd to the Texans).”
Gallon is definitely a potential diamond in the rough. He is a dangerous speed receiver, and as you saw, he had many huge games last season. I think Gallon projects to being a slot receiver in the NFL, and he could be a nice weapon in that role. Gallon looks like a third-day pick to me, where I’ve heard he should be drafted. As for Boyd, if the old Texans regime had stayed, I might still be mocking him to Houston.
From Tony, Tampa, Florida
“How is Houston going to be able to afford both Watt & Clowney if they took Clowney? I think Watt would be a FA next year & theyre not letting him go. Theyd have to put $$$$ into him & then if they took Clowney theyd have to put a bunch of $$$$ into him. So in about 2 or 3 years theyd be down the toilet with the two of them since theyd cost so much. I doubt they take Clowney (especially with how much both would cost). ”
No. The complete opposite actually. J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney would be one of the cheapest duos of pass-rushers in the NFL over the next five years thanks to the rookie wage scale. Clowney’s rookie contract is going to be five years for about 25 million dollars. Over that time, Clowney could be one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL and will be a massive bargain at five milion dollars per year.
Even after Houston extends Watt, Clowney and Watt could annually cost less than what the Bucs paid Darrelle Revis last season. In four or five years, tbe Texans can reevaluate their roster then. They won’t be paying big money to Arian Foster at that point, along with other big contracts like Jonathan Joseph and Chris Myers. Houston should have the money to afford both in the long term – if the organization plans accordingly.
From Mr.B, @MrBinFlorida
“Which of the OLB in this class be able to switch to MLB? BC I have read that the Browns could draft either Mack or Shazier.”
There are a number of outside linebackers in the 2014 NFL Draft who could play middle linebacker at the next level. With the NFL becoming more of a pass-happy league, smaller linebackers who were relegated to the outside are now more feasible about moving to the inside.
For a 3-4 defense like the Browns, Mack and Shazier could move to the middle. Other candidates to do that would include Kyle Van Noy, Christian Jones or Carl Bradford. They all have enough size and speed to play on the inside. For a 4-3 defense, Mack is too big to play the middle. He would fit as a Sam (strongside) linebacker. The other players could perhaps be a middle linebacker in a 4-3 with some grooming.
From Teddy Kuhn, Bangor, Maine
“In your mock you have the Bills taking Eric Ebron instead of Mike Evans. I really hope your right but I worry Buffalo would take Evans instead. Why do you think they go with Ebron over Evans?”
Thanks, Teddy. I definitely think the Bills would go with Ebron. They just traded for Mike Williams to go with Stevie Johnson. Plus, they’ve drafted Robert Woods and T.J. Graham on Day 2 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. It makes more sense for Buffalo to go with Ebron. He would be a three-down play-maker, while Evans might not even earn snaps over those veterans.
Buffalo needs a receiving tight end for E.J. Manuel to work with. Having Ebron serve as a security blanket could help Manuel’s development in Year 2 of his career. Ebron would diversify the Bills’ offense more than Evans would.
Even aside from the roster situation, Ebron is the rarer player, too. Teams can land big receivers like Evans in every draft – even on the second day. Dangerous receiving tight ends like Ebron are very rare, and he is a top-10 talent.
From Bryan Murray
“I can understand and even see the Vikings moving up to make a selection, but i have to disagree and do not think it is smart to choose a quarterback. There are no Luck type QBs in this draft, but i could see the Vikings move up for Khalil Mack. Other then that choice i do not see the Vikings moving up. Just my thoughts.”
I agree with you that there is no Luck-type quarterback in the 2014 NFL Draft, but you and I both know that won’t stop teams from drafting signal-callers in the first round. Most years, there isn’t a Luck-type quarterback but desperate teams take one anyway.
I heard from sources that Minnesota is a prime candidate to move up for Blake Bortles. I’ve heard the Vikings love Bortles and view him as a great fit for Norv Turner’s offense. Bortles’ personality also fits Mike Zimmer as well. Minnesota has been aggressive in trades in the last two drafts – including moving back into the first round. I think the Vikings are likely to select Bortles or Derek Carr on Thursday, but I do think Anthony Barr is in play as well.
Once again send questions/comments via email [email protected] or on Twitter @draftcampbell.
2014 NFL Draft Mailbag Archive:
2014 NFL Draft Mailbag - April 21
2014 NFL Draft Mailbag - March 23
2014 NFL Draft Mailbag - Aug. 5
2014 NFL Draft Mailbag - July 22
2014 NFL Draft Mailbag - July 9
2014 NFL Draft Mailbag - June 26
2014 NFL Draft Mailbag - June 2
2014 NFL Draft Mailbag - May 16
NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
