2014 Mock NFL Draft: Matt Levine style

As the NFL draft approaches many NFL scouts and GMs are trying to prepare themselves for the chance to select a prospect that could potentially change the history of their franchises. Each year there are many mock drafts and analysts trying to predict what teams will do with their pick and I am no different. So here is my mock draft for the first round of the 2014 NFL draft:

Whoever the Texans select with the 1st overall pick will call this field home. By “krisandapril”,  via Wikimedia Commons

1. Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE South Carolina.

Clowney is a special talent that doesn’t come around very often so the Texans would be making a mistake if they overlooked him and took a QB. I mean just imagine a defensive line where JJ Watt and Clowney are each coming off the ends, thats just scary for opposing offenses.

2. St Louis Rams: Greg Robinson,  OT Auburn

Thank you RGIII. Trading with the Redskins two years ago has given the Rams two first round picks this draft and they should use this one of an offensive tackle. Keeping Sam Bradford upright could help the Rams improve on their 7-9 record in 2014-2015.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles, QB Central Florida

The Jags need a quarterback. In fact, the Jaguars need many positions but those can be addressed later in the draft. I think Bortles could be the franchise QB that could possibly bring the Jaguars back into somewhat relevance and maybe even get fans in Jacksonville to attend the games.

4. Cleveland Browns: Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville

Oh boy where do I begin with this train wreck of a team? The only bright spot for them is wide receiver, Josh Gordon, who is proving to be a star. Adding Bridgewater might help change this team and its image around, plus who wouldn’t want to see Bridgewater throwing bombs down the field to Gordon? I know I do.

5. Oakland Raiders: Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M

Johnny Football would look good in the silver and black — yeah I said it. He is the perfect quarterback for this team that has been trying to find a stable signal-caller for years now. His passing skills and mobility would be perfect for the style of offense the Raiders run. This is a perfect fit for both Manziel and the Raiders.

6. Atlanta Falcons: Khalil Mack, DE Buffalo

Derailed by injuries and poor play, the Falcons took a step back in 2013. Health and some defense, though, could bring the Falcons back to the winning level they were at just a year ago. Adding Mack to the defense would be a big step to improving a poor defense in 2013-2014.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson

The Buccaneers think they have found a franchise quarterback in Mike Glennon who showed some signs of promise last season. Adding a player like Watkins would seriously improve a lackluster offense. Plus having Lovie Smith as the new head coach isn’t too bad either right?

8. Minnesota Vikings: Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M

Adding an explosive and extremely tall wide receiver to the Vikings offense that has speedster Coradarrelle Patterson and former MVP Adrian Peterson, could help them formulate into a dynamic force if Christian Ponder could get his act together. New head coach Mike Zimmer is known for getting the best of his players so maybe that will translate well for the Vikings.

9. Buffalo Bills: CJ Mosely, LB Alabama

The Bills already have standout player Kiko Alonso on their linebacking core and drafting a playmaker like Mosely could put together a dynamic LB core for years to come in Buffalo. People might think this is too high for Mosely but he is a NFL ready talent.

10: Detroit Lions: Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M

The Lions might have been one of the biggest disappointments last season by blowing their division lead in a pathetic way. Their biggest problem was Matthew Stafford and his interceptions. Part of the reason for all Stafford’s picks was that their offensive line was abysmal. Working on it through the draft might help lower the number of interceptions Stafford throws this coming season which could equal the playoffs again for the Lions.

11. Tennessee Titans: HaHa Clinton-Dix, S Alabama

Having Bernard Pollard and Clinton-Dix as their safeties would make it difficult for opposing teams to throw the ball against the Titans. Clinton-Dix is an NFL ready talent who would bring his football smarts from Alabama over to Tennessee.

12: New York Giants: Anthony Barr, LB UCLA

Barr might be the best defensive player in the draft that isn’t heavily known. His ball-hawking and tackling abilities are astonishing and would be a huge boost to the Giants and their normally strong defense.

13. St Louis Rams: Aaron Donald, DE Pittsburgh

The Rams, with their 7-9 record last season, have two first round draft picks and will look to improve their defense with one of them. Adding Donald through the draft would immensely help and improve the Rams defensive line.

14. Chicago Bears: Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan

Over the past few seasons one of the biggest problems for the Bears has been keeping Jay Cutler up on his feet. They will look to improve that in the upcoming year and selecting an offensive tackle with their first round pick will be a step to doing so.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darqueze Dennard, CB Michigan State

Ahh the Steelers who barely made history and almost made the playoffs despite starting off the season 0-4. They will look to add to an aging defense and going with Dennard would be a start move. His skills are just what the Steelers look for in a defensive player so its kind of a perfect fit.

16. Dallas Cowboys: Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State

How bout them Cowboys!? Missing the playoffs yet again….but they will look to add to a defense that struggled mightily in 2013 and adding Gilbert would improve it very much so.

17. Baltimore Ravens: Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina

Joe Flacco didn’t exactly earn his huge contract in 2013 but he is still a very good quarterack — he just needs more weapons. Many teams are trying the new two tight-end offensive schemes, copying the Patriots, and the Ravens fit exactly into the mold. They already have Dennis Pitta and adding Ebron could provide a very scary offense if Ray Rice ever wants to stop beating up his fiancee and get back to his Super Bowl winning ways.

18. New York Jets: Derek Carr, QB Fresno State

Geno Smith didn’t exactly impress a lot last season but he did have some nice moments. Bringing in another young QB could put pressure on Geno to improve and one that is more of a pocket passer could be good for competition.

19. Miami Dolphins: Zack Martin, OT Notre Dame

The Dolphins owned their own fate sitting at 8-6 last season but dropped the final two games resulting in another non playoff season. Keeping Ryan Tannehill upright and after losing Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito makes room for Zach Martin to step in and earn his first-round money quickly on the offensive line of the Dolphins.

20. Arizona Cardinals: Odell Beckham Jr, WR LSU

The Cardinals were the surprise team of last season and they almost made the playoffs in the strong NFC West. Adding another weapon to compliment Larry Fitzgerald will help the Cardinals chances of making the playoffs in 2014-2015. Beckham Jr could be that complimentary weapon who could mold into the wide receiver of the future.

21. Green Bay Packers: Jimmie Ward, S  Northern Illinois

The Packers for years have been lacking a strong defense even when they won the Super Bowl. Adding a defensive player would help the Packers chances to reach the playoffs yet again. Ward is a great fit as he helps out a weak secondary.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Dee Ford, DE Auburn

The offensive side off football comes easy enough for the Eagles and Chip Kelly, but defense is what wins championships. Ford has proven that he has speed to get to the quarterback, which could be beneficial for the Eagles to improve their defense.

23. Kansas City Chiefs: Marquise Lee, WR USC

The Chiefs surprised everyone last season by making the playoffs due to good quarterback play, a good defense and actually having a decent head coach. But even with that success, there is room to improve, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Adding Lee would give Kansas City and Alex Smith another weapon to compliment Dwayne Bowe.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Jason Verrett, CB TCU

The only part of the Bengals stellar defense that was lacking was the secondary and they will look to improve on that this season. They have the depth as they showed with all the injuries last year but getting Verrett would improve an already-great defense. He is an aggressive defender who can jump routes with consistency and has a knack for making plays even when the ball goes away from the man he’s covering.

25. San Diego Chargers: Louis Nix III, DT Notre Dame

San Diego shocked many people last season and they will look to add to that success and it starts with its defense. Nix has the ability and speed to make plays and that’s something that can help any team. If they draft him, he’d join former teammate Manti Te’o on the Chargers’ defense.

26. Cleveland Browns: Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State

After already drafting a quarterback earlier in the first round, the Browns should want to add more weapons to surround the rookie signal-caller. Wide receiver Josh Gordon is a clear number-one, and pairing him with Benjamin could pan out to be one of the best moves the Browns have made in years.

27. New Orleans Saints: Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech

We all know that the Saints have no problems on offense but their defense could use some work. Fuller, who was hurt in his senior season showed at the combine that he is back and ready to help improve any defense and the Saints should look his way.

28. Carolina Panthers: Ra’Shede Hageman, DT Minnesota

The Panthers have a good defense and it showed in 2013. Pairing standout Greg Hardy and Hageman could be even scarier for opposing offenses.

29. New England Patriots: Bradley Roby, CB Ohio State

We all know that Bill Belichick likes to take random players and turn them into something special. Roby is no different. Personally, I think he is the most underrated cornerback in the draft. Belichick and the Patriots get another steal in Roby.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State

Adding depth to a wide receiver core is never a bad thing, especially for the 49ers. Cooks has impressive speed. It would be fun to see Colin Kaepernick unleash the ball down the field more often in the 49ers’ new stadium.

31. Denver Broncos: Calvin Pryor, S Lousiville

The Broncos looked crazy-bad in the Super Bowl. Adding some defensive help could give the Broncos another chance to shore-up a weakness that was exploited in the Super Bowl.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Coleman, WR Rutgers

There aren’t many positions or areas where the Super Bowl champs need to improve. Last week, they released Sidney Rice and replacing him will be a priority. Since the Seahawks like the tall players Coleman, listed at 6’6’, would be the perfect fit.