2014 NFL Mock Draft: "Guessing" the Names to Be Called on Day One in New York
Published by Daniel Lewis (Featured Contributor) on April 29, 2014 at Yahoo! Sports. Click to download article from Yahoo!
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The 2014 NFL Draft is shaping up to be the most unpredictable draft in recent history.
QB Johnny Manziel is arguably the most polarizing prospect in the history of the NFL draft process. Questions abound whether DE Jadeveon Clowney is a once-in-a-decade defensive lineman or the next athletic freak to fail in the pros. Similarly, scouts disagree on whether quarterbacks such as Teddy Bridgewater or Derek Carr are prospective top-10 picks or unlikely to be selected in the first round entirely.
In addition, the league's decision to move this year's draft to May as opposed to late April has fueled increased analysis, speculation, and mock drafts. In fact, there is no better example of just how unpredictable this year's NFL draft appears to be than the status of the first-overall pick: no one—maybe not even the Houston Texans who own the pick and are reportedly split on Manziel vs. Clowney—knows what will happen on that fateful evening that is less than two weeks away.
Below are my predictions for the names that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will announce on May 8:
1. Houston Texans: DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins): OT Greg Robinson, Auburn
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: OLB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
4. Cleveland Browns: QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
5. Oakland Raiders: WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
6. Atlanta Falcons: OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M
8. Minnesota Vikings: QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida
9. Buffalo Bills: OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan
10: Detroit Lions: TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina
11. Tennesee Titans: CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
12. New York Giants: DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
13. St. Louis Rams: FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
14. Chicago Bears: ILB C.J. Mosley, Alabama
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
16. Dallas Cowboys: DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida State
17. Baltimore Ravens: FS Calvin Pryor, Louisville
18. New York Jets: WR Marqise Lee, USC
19. Miami Dolphins: OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame
20. Arizona Cardinals: OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA
21. Green Bay Packers: DE/DT Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota
22. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Odell Beckham, LSU
23. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
24. Cincinnati Bengals: DE Kony Ealy, Missouri
25. San Diego Chargers: DT Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis Colts): OLB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
27. New Orleans Saints: CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech
28. Carolina Panthers: WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State
29. New England Patriots: DE Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
30. San Francisco 49ers: CB Jason Verrett, TCU
31. Denver Broncos: OG Xavier Su’a-Filo, UCLA
32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State
QB Johnny Manziel is arguably the most polarizing prospect in the history of the NFL draft process. Questions abound whether DE Jadeveon Clowney is a once-in-a-decade defensive lineman or the next athletic freak to fail in the pros. Similarly, scouts disagree on whether quarterbacks such as Teddy Bridgewater or Derek Carr are prospective top-10 picks or unlikely to be selected in the first round entirely.
In addition, the league's decision to move this year's draft to May as opposed to late April has fueled increased analysis, speculation, and mock drafts. In fact, there is no better example of just how unpredictable this year's NFL draft appears to be than the status of the first-overall pick: no one—maybe not even the Houston Texans who own the pick and are reportedly split on Manziel vs. Clowney—knows what will happen on that fateful evening that is less than two weeks away.
Below are my predictions for the names that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will announce on May 8:
1. Houston Texans: DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins): OT Greg Robinson, Auburn
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: OLB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
4. Cleveland Browns: QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
5. Oakland Raiders: WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
6. Atlanta Falcons: OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M
8. Minnesota Vikings: QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida
9. Buffalo Bills: OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan
10: Detroit Lions: TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina
11. Tennesee Titans: CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
12. New York Giants: DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
13. St. Louis Rams: FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
14. Chicago Bears: ILB C.J. Mosley, Alabama
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
16. Dallas Cowboys: DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida State
17. Baltimore Ravens: FS Calvin Pryor, Louisville
18. New York Jets: WR Marqise Lee, USC
19. Miami Dolphins: OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame
20. Arizona Cardinals: OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA
21. Green Bay Packers: DE/DT Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota
22. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Odell Beckham, LSU
23. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
24. Cincinnati Bengals: DE Kony Ealy, Missouri
25. San Diego Chargers: DT Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis Colts): OLB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
27. New Orleans Saints: CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech
28. Carolina Panthers: WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State
29. New England Patriots: DE Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
30. San Francisco 49ers: CB Jason Verrett, TCU
31. Denver Broncos: OG Xavier Su’a-Filo, UCLA
32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State