2014 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 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.

NFL Draft Recent Links:

2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/9): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/15) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/23)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)

ARCHIVED 2014 NFL MOCK DRAFT

@walterfootball

Houston Texans: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
The Texans are losing games, but it’ll pay off. They’ve quit in most weeks – losing consecutive home games to the Raiders and Jaguars, and then battling the Patriots tough is an obvious sign of that – but it’ll work out in the long run because they’ll be able to land Teddy Bridgewater.

Given how important the quarterback position is, Teddy Bridgewater will the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, barring injury. There’s really no discussion. Jadeveon Clowney wouldn’t get Houston’s franchise back into the playoffs. Bridgewater would.

By the way, I’ve repeatedly discussed why Mariota wouldn’t declare as a redshirt sophomore. He has announced that he’ll be going back to school. He’s the No. 2 pick in my 2015 NFL Mock Draft, updated a few days ago.

By the way, I’m doing this live because I thought it’d be fun to get instant feedback. I’m going to post my mock anyway, so why not do it this way? Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Minnesota Vikings: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
TRADE!!! OK, it’s a bit early to be projecting trades in the 2014 NFL Draft, especially when the order isn’t set yet, but the Rams will almost certainly be trading out of the top three if they obtain a pick in that spot. They’re likely to roll with Sam Bradford with another season, and they have no need for a defensive end, so they may once again slide down, swapping picks with a team wanting to move up for a franchise signal-caller or Jadeveon Clowney. In this case, it’s the latter.

The Vikings, who will have to leap the Falcons to obtain Clowney, have a pretty pedestrian pass rush that will only get worse if Jared Allen leaves via free agency. Allen doesn’t have many productive years left, so he may want to move on to a contender. If that’s the case, Minnesota will really have to bolster the defensive end position.

Once again, Clowney is an elite prospect from a talent perspective, but has work-ethic issues. The Vikings will have to worry about him quitting or exceeding the speed limit by 40 mph, but they’ll ultimately take a chance on him because of his ability.

Pick change; previously Johnny Manziel, QB
Atlanta Falcons: Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
Anthony Barr is a terrific fit for Atlanta’s defense. Kroy Biermann had been playing the defensive end-outside linebacker hybrid role prior to tearing his Achilles. Biermann, who will be entering a walk year in 2014, may not be 100 percent. Plus, it’s not like the Falcons didn’t need an upgrade anyway. Their pass rush is severely lacking, so Barr would definitely bolster that area.

Barr is the best player available; some argue that he should be chosen before Jadeveon Clowney. A former running back, Barr played defense for the first time last season and made an instant impact, recording 13 sacks. He had 20 TFL and 10 sacks this season. The sky’s the limit for him, as he’ll only get better at his new position.
St. Louis Rams: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The Rams signed Jake Long this past offseason, but they still need tackle help because Rodger Saffold will be a free agent next spring. Besides, who knows how long their current left tackle will be able to hold up? Long is having a solid season, but he has an extensive injury history. Jake Matthews is the top player available, so he makes the most sense.

As far as the aforementioned trade is concerned, I don’t think the Rams will be able to obtain a future first-rounder like they did in the Robert Griffin deal because there’s no quarterback involved. However, they’ll be able to at least net a second-round choice, as well as something else.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
What are the Jaguars doing? Why are they accumulating meaningless wins? Gus Bradley is ultimately going to get fired for these victories because he may not be able to land a blue-chip franchise quarterback as a result. Marcus Mariota going back to school doesn’t help, but Jacksonville is now out of range for him anyway. In honor of Jacksonville’s epic futility, I’ve written a poem about them in last week’s NFL Power Rankings entitled, Goodbye Teddy.

The Jaguars now have to talk themselves into one of the “lesser” quarterbacks. Perhaps they’ll try Derek Carr, a mobile quarterback who can make all of the throws. Carr has been awesome this year, and he’s now my No. 2 quarterback (this will change if Blake Bortles declares). There might be some trepidation considering that his older brother busted, but he shouldn’t be penalized for having an underachieving sibling. Think Aaron and Jordan Rodgers, Carson and Jordan Palmer, etc.

Pick change; previously Brett Hundley, QB
Cleveland Browns: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
The Browns obviously have to grab a quarterback with one of their two selections. Brandon Weeden is awful with his backhanded, underhanded and hook-shot passes. Brian Hoyer was decent in his two full games, but he’s likely not the long-term answer. Jason Campbell looked solid before imploding at Cincinnati. Cleveland’s new regime has to find the quarterback it wants to roll with going forward.

I’ve repeatedly mentioned that I don’t like to slot redshirt sophomores into my mock drafts. Brett Hundley is one, but there were reports a month ago that his representatives met with Jay-Z’s agency. His father denied this, but what else would he have told the media? If these rumors are true, Hundley will likely enter the 2014 NFL Draft, where he will probably be a top-10 pick. Hundley isn’t playing up to expectations this season, but he has way too much upside not to be considered here by a team that is in such dire need of a quarterback.

Pick change; previously Derek Carr, QB
Oakland Raiders: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Matt McGloin and Terrelle Pryor have both exceeded expectations and played well at times this year, but that can be attributed to offensive coordinator Greg Olson’s excellent coaching. Olson has gotten the most out of these two, as well as Josh Freeman and Chad Henne (Blaine Gabbert was a lost cause). Imagine what he’ll do with a legitimate franchise quarterback. The Raiders absolutely have to consider Johnny Manziel if he’s available.

I’ve had Manziel all over my mock over the past few months, but I think the 6-15 range is right for him. Some team will be enticed enough to draft him. The Raiders need a franchise quarterback, so they may give Johnny Football a shot.

Pick change; previously Mike Evans, WR
Buffalo Bills: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
With tons of quarterbacks flying off the board, the Bills are in position to take the best player available. It could be argued that Mike Evans would fit that description.

Buffalo has Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods as its starting wideouts, but neither is a No. 1 receiver. E.J. Manuel could definitely make a second-year leap with a dominant weapon at his disposal.

Pick change; previously Khalil Mack, DE/OLB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
The Buccaneers have one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL in Gerald McCoy. However, they’re severely lacking at the position otherwise, as the pedestrian Gary Gibson and Akeem Spence have given them nothing. Tampa needs a long-term replacement for Roy Miller.

Pick change; previously Jadeveon Clowney, DE
Pittsburgh Steelers: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
The Steelers will never pass up the opportunity to grab a great offensive play-maker if one is available to them. This draft class is top-heavy at receiver, so with Jake Matthews off the board, Pittsburgh can go with the best player on the board, and that would be Sammy Watkins. Pittsburgh lost its deep threat this past offseason when the overrated Mike Wallace took the money and ran to Miami. Watkins would assume that role.
Tennessee Titans: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
The Titans are fine at offensive tackle right now, but Michael Roos and David Stewart will be free agents in 2015 and 2014, respectively (the latter has a voidable year after this upcoming season). They’ll need to retool at the position if they don’t re-sign either of the two.

I’m bumping Greg Robinson up to the No. 2 tackle slot. Robinson has been amazing during Auburn’s improbable run to the national championship – though Alabama should be playing Florida State in the BCS Championship.

Pick change; previously Cameron Erving, OT
New York Giants: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Giants almost have to go with the top defensive player on the board. They need help everywhere, including the cornerback position. All of the New York corners have struggled this year, so the Giants could use the help of Justin Gilbert, who has been incredible in 2013 after struggling last season.

Pick change; previously Louis Nix, NT
St. Louis Rams: HaHa Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
St. Louis’ defense has been poor for most of the year for many reasons. One is the play of safety Rodney McLeod. He hasn’t been terrible, but it’s clear that the Rams need to find an upgrade next to T.J. McDonald. HaHa Clinton-Dix is arguably the top defensive player available who makes sense for St. Louis.
New York Jets: Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo
The Jets have a strong interior pass rush, but they have to find help at the outside linebacker position to get pressure on the quarterback from the exterior.

Khalil Mack completely dominated the Ohio State offensive line earlier in the year. The Buckeyes simply couldn’t do anything about him. Mack is now in the conversation to be a top-10 pick, so the Jets are getting a steal.

Pick change; previously Davante Adams, WR
San Diego Chargers: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
Like the Giants, San Diego has to go with the top defensive player on the board. Its stop unit is a disgrace.

The Chargers were so desperate for help at rush linebacker that they signed Dwight Freeney. The former Colt is obviously not a long-term solution for the team’s pass-rushing woes.

Pick change; previously Justin Gilbert, CB
Green Bay Packers: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
With Jermichael Finley heading for free agency, Green Bay could grab a replacement. Jace Amaro has been fantastic this year, and he’s the top tight end if he leaves Texas Tech. As Charlie Campbell reported, Jace Amaro is likely declaring for the 2014 NFL Draft, but nothing is definite yet.

Go to 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

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