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2014 NFL Draft Goals

Walt15 mins
Posted May 3, 2014.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

What does every team need to accomplish in the 2014 NFL Draft? We’ll look at each team’s goals on this page, as well as possible selections for each squad. Also see how the goals are being addressed in the 2014 NFL Mock Draft (will be updated tomorrow).
  1. Houston Texans:
    The Texans are starting over, so they obviously need a franchise quarterback. However, they’re not taking one at No. 1 overall, and they may even pass on one at No. 33, per our NFL Draft Rumor Mill. They have a bunch of other needs to fill, including pass-rusher (Jadeveon Clowney), inside linebacker, nickel corner, safety and tight end.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE/OLB
    33. C.J. Mosley, ILB
    65. Tom Savage, QB
    101. Reynolds, Rashaad CB


    Follow @walterfootball for updates.

  2. St. Louis Rams:
    The Rams have a loaded roster and would have a high chance of making the playoffs if they were in any other division. They need to add more talent around Sam Bradford, including a No. 1 receiver and protection up front. Many expect the Rams to address the latter in the first round, particularly at No. 2 overall via Greg Robinson, but Jeff Fisher’s M.O. is to wait on linemen. Thus, St. Louis is in position to take the best player available with its two first-round choices to make its team even stronger.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    2. Khalil Mack, DE/OLB
    13. Justin Gilbert, CB
    44. James, JaWuan, OT
    75. Bailey, Dion S
    110. Turner, Trai G


  3. Jacksonville Jaguars:
    The Jaguars finished the 2013 season strong, but they still need to breathe some life into their morbid franchise. That can happen with a quarterback. Unfortunately, it appears as though general manager David Caldwell is going to wait until the second round to select Teddy Bridgewater or Jimmy Garoppolo. Caldwell also needs to strengthen his weak defense and find another play-maker for his new quarterback.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    3. Sammy Watkins, WR
    39. Teddy Bridgewater, QB
    70. Kyle Van Noy, DE/OLB
    105. Caraun Reid, DT
    114. Swanson, Travis C


  4. Cleveland Browns:
    The Browns haven’t made the playoffs since the 2002 season. They also haven’t had a franchise quarterback since their franchise reentered the NFL in 1999. It’s time for that to change. They have to find a signal-caller who can transform them into a perennial playoff contender. Otherwise, they need to find another offensive play-maker, upgrade the offensive line and bolster a couple of positions on the defense.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    4. Manziel, Johnny QB
    26. Cooks, Brandin WR
    35. Mosley, C.J. ILB
    71. Mason, Tre RB
    83. Mewhort, Jack OT
    106. Watkins, Jaylen CB
    127. Vereen, Brock S



  5. Oakland Raiders:
    As with the Browns, the Raiders haven’t been in the playoffs since the 2002 season when they lost to the Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. They hit rock bottom earlier this spring when owner Mark Davis embarrassed Reggie McKenzie by vetoing the Rodger Saffold signing. Since then, McKenzie has made some moves to stay competitive, but the Raiders still barely have any depth. They need to improve that area, all while finding a long-term answer at quarterback. That could be a problem, however, considering that the front office needs to win now to stay employed.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    5. Evans, Mike WR
    36. Jernigan, Timmy DT
    67. Roberson, Marcus CB
    107. Murray, Aaron QB

  6. Atlanta Falcons:
    Many seem to forget that the Falcons were in the NFC Championship 16 months ago. They fought through a barrage of injuries this past season and were never able to recover because of their lacking depth. Atlanta essentially just needs to bolster its roster while taking care of a few needs, including rush linebacker, safety and right tackle.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    6. Robinson, Greg OT
    37. Ford, Dee DE/OLB
    68. Bucannon, Deone S
    103. Sims, Charles RB

  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
    The Buccaneers have made a ton of acquisitions this offseason, but they’re still weak in a few areas. They have to find a No. 2 receiving option, upgrade at linebacker and guard, and someone to help Gerald McCoy rush the passer on the interior of the defensive line. They’ll also consider a franchise quarterback at No. 7 overall if they can get either Blake Bortles or Johnny Manziel.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    7. Manziel, Johnny QB
    38. Matthews, Jordan WR
    69. Easley, Dominique DT

  8. Minnesota Vikings:
    The Vikings would love for either Blake Bortles or Khalil Mack to fall to them. There’s no chance the latter will be available, but Bortles could be. If not, they’ll probably have to decide between Anthony Barr and Derek Carr. An ideal situation would be for Minnesota to move down and snag Carr in the mid- or late-teens. After that, they’d have to find some upgrades for their lackluster back seven.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    8. Bortles, Blake QB
    40. Lawrence, Demarcus DE/OLB
    72. Roberson, Marcus CB
    96. Loston, Craig S
    108. Freeman, Devonta RB




  9. Buffalo Bills:
    It appears as though the Bills have three prospects in mind at No. 9: Jake Matthews, Mike Evans and Eric Ebron. They’ll almost certainly nab one of them, and they’ll focus on the other two positions in later rounds. Buffalo has also met with a ton of cornerbacks and running backs, so the front office will probably address those two areas.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    9. Matthews, Jake, OT
    41. Niklas, Troy TE
    73. Breeland, Bashaud CB
    109. Brown, Preston LB

  10. Detroit Lions:
    The Lions added Golden Tate through free agency, but they still need to obtain a couple of weapons around Matthew Stafford. This can be done via Eric Ebron or Odell Beckham at No. 10 (or trading up for Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans). Detroit also needs to work on its secondary and finding depth for its defensive line. A pass-rushing linebacker is needed as well.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    10. Barr, Anthony DE/OLB
    45. Latimer, Cody WR
    76. Jean-Baptiste, Stanley CB
    111. Dixon, Ahmad S

  11. Tennessee Titans:
    It doesn’t appear as though the Titans are interested in drafting a quarterback No. 11 overall. They’ll give Jake Locker another year, which means they can focus on finding pieces for their new 3-4. A rush linebacker, five-technique, inside linebacker and cornerback are all needed. Finding a new running back and a left tackle of the future is something else Tennessee should focus on.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    11. Barr, Anthony DE/OLB
    42. Hill, Jeremy RB
    112. Mauro, Josh DE/DT

  12. New York Giants:
    It’s all about bolstering the trenches. Multiple upgrades should be obtained on both the offensive and defensive lines. The Giants can also look at the receiver, running back and safety positions, but all of that is secondary when it comes to improving the fronts. The Giants can nab a left tackle at No. 12 and then snag defensive ends and tackles a bit later.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    12. Martin, Zack OT/G
    43. Lawrence, Demarcus DE/OLB
    74. Ferguson, Ego DT
    113. Freeman, Devonta RB



  13. Washington Redskins:
    I know Washington’s natural spot is No. 2, but I thought I’d place them here because the Rams are more associated with the second pick. The Redskins don’t have a first-rounder, so they won’t be able to upgrade their roster very much. What they can do is find some potential starters on the offensive line and front seven. Some help in the secondary is needed as well.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    34. Verrett, Jason CB
    66. Richardson, Antonio OT
    102. Dozier, Dakota G

  14. Chicago Bears:
    Defense, defense, defense. The Bears have to bolster every single level of their stop unit with multiple upgrades. They may take a running back or tight end late in the draft, but they have to focus on fixing their pathetic defense.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    14. Clinton-Dix, Ha Ha S
    51. Tuitt, Stephon, DE/DT
    82. Roberson, Marcus CB
    117. Uko, George DT

  15. Pittsburgh Steelers:
    The Steelers have lost two starting receivers in as many offseasons, so they’ll need to find some help for Ben Roethlisberger. Mike Evans at No. 15 would be a wet dream. More realistically, Pittsburgh could find some help at cornerback and then focus on getting a new wideout a bit later. Getting an upgrade or two in the front seven is also a must.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    15. Gilbert, Justin CB
    46. Tuitt, Stephon DE/DT
    97. Moncrief, Donte WR
    118. Gaines, Phillip CB

  16. Dallas Cowboys:
    The Cowboys have a terrible defense with plenty of holes. Upgrades are needed all over. Some areas could be addressed on offense, including right tackle and receiver, but Dallas has to spend most of its energy improving the stop unit.

    Ideal 2014 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    16. Donald, Aaron DT
    47. Crichton, Scott DE
    78. Bailey, Dion S
    119. Richardson, Cyril G/OT


    Go to 2014 NFL Draft Goals: 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 bandwidth.

2014 NFL Mock Draft | 2015 NFL Mock Draft






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2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4






NFL Draft Links:

My 2003 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
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My 2004 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2004 NFL Draft Prospects/ 2004 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/6/08)
My 2005 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2005 NFL Draft Prospects
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My 2006 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
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My 2007 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/ Round 4/ Round 5/ Round 6/ Round 7
Other 2007 Mock Drafts:April Fools
2007 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/24)/Kenny Ortiz's Top 40 Prospects
2007 NFL Combine and Pro Day Results
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2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/Round 4/Round 5/Round 6/Round 7
Alternative 2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/7): Round 1 /Round 2
2008 NFL Re-Draft - Round 3 (UPDATED 4/27)
2008 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 8/5)
Other 2008 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/25)/ Craig Smith (4/22)/ Emmitt Smith (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Shocker (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Backwards (4/19)/ Forum Mock (4/15)/ April Fools (4/1)
2009 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2009 Mock Drafts: Re-Draft (4/26) /Matt McGuire (4/25) /Reader Mock (4/25) /Hunter Ansley (4/24) /Backward Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Smith (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/9) /April Fools (4/1) /Experts (3/30) /KFFL (3/14)
2010 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 3 (4/24): Round 4 (Walt's) / Round 4 (Matt's)
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 2 (4/23): Round 2 (Walt's) / Round 3 (Walt's) / Round 2 (Matt's) / Round 3 (Matt's)
Other 2010 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Celebrity Mock (4/8) /Experts (3/17) /Reader (4/13) /Consensus (2/25)
2011 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2011 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2011 Mock Drafts: Free Agency (5/9) /Greg Cox (4/28) /Backward Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/21) /Team Big Boards (4/21) /Celebrity Mock (4/13) /Experts (4/7) /Not Mock (4/6) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Greg Cox's 2012 Mock (2/22) /Matt McGuire (1/8)
2012 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2012 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2012 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Pick History (4/23) /Emmitt Mock (4/19) /Not Mock (4/19) /Backward Mock (4/17) /Celebrity (4/15) /Goals (4/10) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Greg Cox (9/9)
2013 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2013 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2013 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /GM Mock (4/21) /Charlie's Trade Mock (4/20) /Goals (4/19) /Rapid Reader Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/14) /Not Mock (4/13) /Pick History (4/5) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Archived 2013 NFL Mock Drafts
2014 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATE 5/8): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2014 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/10): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2014 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/8) /Goals (5/3) /Not Mock (4/27) /Emmitt Mock (4/20) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Celebrity Mock (4/11) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2015 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2015 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/2): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2015 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/30) /Goals (4/25) /Not Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/3) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/5) /Overreaction Mock (12/29)
2016 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2016 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2016 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Combo (5/8) /Goals (4/23) /Not Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2017 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2017 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2017 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Combo (5/7) /Goals (4/22) /Not Mock (4/21) /Emmitt Mock (4/16) /Backward Mock (4/9) /Celebrity Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Overreaction Mock (1/2)
2018 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2018 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2018 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Combo (5/6) /Goals (4/21) /Not Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Backward Mock (4/8) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/11) /Senior Bowl (1/27)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2019 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /Combo (5/5) /Goals (4/20) /Not Mock (4/18) /Witten Mock (4/14) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Emmitt Mock (4/7) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/26) /Video Mock (1/8) /Overreaction Mock (12/31)
2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2020 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/23) /Combo (5/3) /Goals (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/12) /Trades Mock (4/8) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/16) /Corey Long (3/13) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2021 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2021 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/1): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2021 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/17) /Goals (4/23) /Backward Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/11) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/30) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2022 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2022 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2022 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Goals (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/5) /Overreaction Mock (1/10)
2023 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2023 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2023 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Backward Mock (4/19) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/4) /Overreaction Mock (1/9)
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/20): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/22)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/23)
2018 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2017 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2016 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2015 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2014 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2013 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2012 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2011 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2010 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2009 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2008 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2007 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2006 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2005 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2004 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2003 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2002 NFL Draft Re-Mock


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