2014 NFL Mock Draft – WalterFootball

Last update: Thursday, April 3, 2014. Major changes in all 5 rounds.
Next update: Next week. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2014 NFL Mock Draft is based on the full seven-round 2014 NFL Draft Order.

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2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/13): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
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2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/26)
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2014 NFL Mock Draft

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Houston Texans: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
Anyone who says the Texans know what they’re doing for sure is lying. This front office doesn’t even know whether it wants to take Jadeveon Clowney or Blake Bortles yet. If the 2014 NFL Draft were held today, Clowney would probably be the pick; Bob McNair stated that he was smitten with him, though that was likely an attempt to create a trade possibility. But this reminds me of the 2011 NFL Draft. Both Kiper and Todd McShay thought a defensive lineman would be the top choice (Kiper said Nick Fairley, while McShay suggested Da’Quan Bowers), yet the Panthers ultimately fell in love with Cam Newton.

With all major quarterbacks re-signed, the same thing will almost certainly happen to the Texans, who still have plenty of time to fall in love with one of the signal-callers. Bortles, who has the characteristics of what Bill O’Brien looks for in a quarterback, will be the signal-caller if Houston chooses to take one. Charlie reported that two teams in the top five prefer Bortles over Bridgewater and Manziel. Something else to keep in mind is that O’Brien seemed impressed with Bortles at the Central Florida Pro Day. Meanwhile, Tony Pauline said that Bortles is the consensus No. 1 quarterback, and that he has been impressive in the interviews.

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Atlanta Falcons: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
General manager Thomas Dimitroff, who has been aggressive this offseason, has a habit of moving up in the draft. Perhaps he’ll do so again for whom many believe to be the greatest pass-rushing prospect to come along in quite a long time. The Falcons could obviously use Jadeveon Clowney; their pass rush struggled this past season, which is a major reason they couldn’t beat Drew Brees or Cam Newton.

Atlanta has expressed interest in Khalil Mack, but there are two things to consider. First, Mack may not even make it to No. 6 with the Jaguars and Raiders possibly interested. Second, it could be smoke to make it seem like they’re not desperate to move up to No. 2.

For those worried that the Falcons will have to give up too many resources, the team won’t have to surrender as much as Washington did to trade up to the second selection for Robert Griffin. The Dolphins, after all, didn’t deal much when they went to No. 3 last year. This year’s second-rounder and a 2015 selection in Round 2 (plus some third-day choices) could suffice.

Also, the notion that Atlanta has too many holes to fill in order to do this is absurd. The front office added a bunch of players in free agency, so the only glaring needs the Falcons currently have are rush linebacker, right tackle, tight end, fullback and safety. That’s not enough to keep Dimitroff from acquiring the best pass-rushing prospect the NFL has seen in years.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo
First of all, the Chris Clemons signing will not preclude the Jaguars from selecting Khalil Mack. Clemons is old (32) and has endured a torn ACL recently. The Jaguars could use Clemons as a situational pass-rusher (like Bruce Irvin in Seattle) with Mack starting at the LEO position.

Second, the Jaguars obviously need a franchise quarterback, so that probably means that general manager David Caldwell won’t select one. In the wake of the Chad Henne re-signing, it’s been speculated on our 2014 NFL Draft Team Rumors page that the Jaguars will pass on a signal-caller at No. 3 and choose one later in the draft. This clearly isn’t a good strategy, but Caldwell is a guy who spent a pick on a right tackle last year because an Internet article told him that Blaine Gabbert would be better with upgraded protection on the right side.

Mack had a great Combine and an even better Pro Day. Chris Mortensen reported afterward that many believe Mack is on Jadeveon Clowney’s level. That’s obviously debatable, but something that’s not is Mack’s great scheme fit in Gus Bradley’s defense.
Cleveland Browns: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
It’s looking like the Browns want to either wait on Marcus Mariota next year – go here for the 2015 NFL Mock Draft – or use their second first-rounder on Derek Carr. I still wouldn’t count out a quarterback at No. 4, but it seems as though Cleveland will go in a different direction.

If that’s the case, the only player who really makes sense is Sammy Watkins. The Browns had tremendous problems at receiver this past season outside of Josh Gordon. Greg “Mr. Dependable” Little continued to struggle, while Davone Bess was even worse. Watkins, the clear-cut No. 1 skill player in this class, would give Cleveland a tremendous duo at receiver.
Oakland Raiders: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
This may still surprise some people, but as I wrote last week, I’ve been hearing more and more that multiple teams in the top 10 prefer Carr over both Teddy Bridgewater and/or Johnny Manziel. We’re trained to think that Bridgewater and Manziel will go before Carr because of what we’ve heard on TV or read on news-aggregator Web sites, but “strange” things happen on Draft Day because teams simply think differently at times.

Also, the notion that the Raiders absolutely won’t select a quarterback at No. 5 because of the Matt Schaub trade is completely ridiculous. A signal-caller is definitely in play here, thanks to the new CBA. Having said that, Oakland will be dying to trade down, as it probably thinks it can acquire Carr by sliding several slots (like last year when they wanted D.J. Hayden badly and were able to fall into the teens to get him). I’m not so sure Carr will be available in the teens anymore, but the Raiders might be willing to take that chance.
St. Louis Rams: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
The Rams will be more than happy to trade down to the fifth, sixth or even eighth pick. Not only will they acquire more selections; they’ll be able to nab Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews or Sammy Watkins with those choices.

Jeff Fisher usually isn’t one to take an offensive lineman early, but Jake Long’s return for the 2014 is questionable. That’s troubling, given that the Rams need to keep the fragile Sam Bradford healthy if they want to compete in the best division in football. Greg Robinson had a terrific Combine and has even drawn comparisons to Hall of Fame tackle Larry Allen. Given how tremendous of a prospect Robinson is, Fisher may make an exception to his rule.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Tampa Bay would love it if Sammy Watkins would fall to this spot, but there’s no way in seven hells that is happening. Blue-chip prospects like Watkins just don’t slide very far during the draft. Mike Evans, however, wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize.

The Buccaneers must give Josh McCown another weapon. A tertiary target was seen as a big need entering the offseason, but after all of the negative things that have come to light about Williams – including the recent stabbing – Tampa may just want a new No. 2 wideout across from Vincent Jackson.
Minnesota Vikings: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
Todd McShay reported over the weekend that the Vikings have Teddy Bridgewater as their top quarterback. This is false information, as Minnesota prefers at least one signal-caller over the Louisville product. However, until I find out more, I’m going to assume that McShay is at least semi-accurate in that the Vikings like Bridgewater enough to take him at No. 8 despite his awful Pro Day. This would be the opposite of what this front office did with Christian Ponder; Rich Spielman reached for Ponder, whereas he’d be landing a semi-steal with Bridgewater, who was expected to go No. 1 overall throughout most of the college season.
Buffalo Bills: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The Bills filled some of their holes in free agency, but there are three glaring positions of need that still have to be addressed: wide receiver, tight end and right tackle. Buffalo will likely choose the top player available who can fix those needs. As it stands in this mock draft, the order would likely be Jake Matthews, Mike Evans and Eric Ebron.

Matthews is just too good to pass up. He’d start instantly and could eventually be moved to the left side if the Bills think Cordy Glenn would be better at right tackle.
Detroit Lions: Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
I’ve mocked Justin Gilbert here in the past couple of updates, but the Lions have a couple of young cornerbacks they like, so they may opt to go in a different direction even though I consider the Oklahoma State product to be the best player available at this juncture.

One such direction is Anthony Barr. Jim Caldwell discussed the need for a pass-rushing linebacker, and Barr fits perfectly. Also, Detroit has shown a lot of interest in Barr, so the team could draft him if Mike Evans isn’t available.

Pick change; previously Justin Gilbert, CB
Tennessee Titans: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Titans addressed a bunch of areas on their roster this offseason, but one position of need that they didn’t get to fix was cornerback. They lost Alterraun Verner to the Buccaneers, so they need a new starter across from Jason McCourty. Tennessee has to get past Andrew Luck to win the AFC South, so acquiring as many talented corners as possible is a must.

Justin Gilbert, the consensus No. 1 cornerback, also happens to be one of the top players available, so that means this pick makes more sense.

Pick change; previously Anthony Barr, DE/OLB
New York Giants: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
These are the defensive tackles currently on the Giants’ depth chart: Cullen Jenkins, Johnathan Hankins and Markus Kuhn. Think the team needs an upgrade at the position after losing Linval Joseph to the Vikings?

Aaron Donald is the best player available who makes sense for New York. He had a dominant 2013 campaign and has since strengthened his draft stock with strong showing at the Senior Bowl and Combine.
St. Louis Rams: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
St. Louis’ dream scenario would be to trade down from No. 2 to No. 6, snatch Sammy Watkins with the sixth pick and then take Taylor Lewan here. Unfortunately, Watkins was not available at No. 6, so Greg Robinson was chosen there. In this scenario, the Rams would love it if Justin Gilbert fell here, but that once again is not the case.

Darqueze Dennard probably makes the most sense if Gilbert is off the board. He would fill a huge hole vacated by the anemic Cortland Finnegan, who was inexplicably given a big contract by the Dolphins. Ram fans had to be laughing at that one.
Chicago Bears: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
The Bears will be going with the top defensive player available who makes sense for them, and by my estimation, that’s Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Chicago has a huge void at the safety position; Major Wright is a free agent, while Chris Conte’s ineptitude was quite apparent in the win-and-in season finale versus the Packers. Clinton-Dix fits what the Bears look for in their draft prospects.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
The Steelers will never pass up the opportunity to grab a great offensive play-maker if one is available to them. I’ve been mocking a receiver to them for quite some time – and they will take Mike Evans if he falls to No. 15 – but it’s time for a positional change.

Eric Ebron could be considered the top prospect available who makes sense for Pittsburgh. He would serve as a great intermediate weapon for Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben currently loves throwing the ball to Heath Miller, but Miller appears to be on his last legs. Besides, the Steelers can have Miller and Ebron on the field at the same time in the short term.
Dallas Cowboys: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
This pick may not make much sense on the surface, but hear me out. Doug Free is coming off a solid season, but he has just one year left on his contract. He was also tried at the guard position before the 2013 campaign began, so perhaps Jerry Jones will want him to shore up a huge hole at one of those slots. Free would be able to move there with this selection.

Taylor Lewan has the talent to be the sixth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, but character issues could drop him some. Jones has proven recently that he’s willing to take chances on players with concerns, provided they’re not too egregious.

Go to 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

Sorry for cutting this 2014 NFL Mock Draft into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwith.