Draft week is upon us again. This year we took some chances and made a few trades and picks that aren’t out of the realm of possibility, but teams would have to be willing to let go of their conservative ways to make them. Good thing for them, we did it for them. Take a look below at the Fantasy Couch 2014 NFL Mock Draft… Enjoy.
1. Houston Texans – Khalil Mack 6’3 251 lbs OLB Buffalo
Schematically this is a perfect fit. If the Texans decide to pass on Clowney and Johnny Football, Mack is far from a bad consolation prize. Mack set school records for sacks (28.5), tackles for loss (75) and forced fumbles (16). Although the conference competition wasn’t elite, see the Ohio State and Baylor games–Baller.
2. **TRADE** Atlanta Falcons (via trade up) – Jadeveon Clowney 6’5 266 lbs DE South Carolina
When the Texans take Mack, It will give the Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff that extra incentive to move up and get his guy. Clowney is an absolute freak athletically. Clowney is a day one starter and will make an immediate impact on any defense lucky enough to get him.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Johnny Manziel 6’0 207 lbs QB Texas A&M
Johnny Football comes in and instantly sparks an offense that needs it. Manziel is a dynamic QB that can extend plays when needed. He has a small frame but a strong arm that can make the throws needed to be successful in the NFL.
4. Cleveland Browns – Sammy Watkins 6’1 211 lbs WR Clemson
The consensus No. 1 WR in this year’s draft. Along with being quick and fast, Watkins has strong hands and is smooth in and out of routes; a good pairing for rising star wide receiver Josh Gordon.
5. Oakland Raiders – Taylor Lewan 6’7 309 lbs OT Michigan
The nastiest tackle in this year’s draft. Taylor Lewan is a huge book end tackle with long arms and is good in space. Lewan is a finisher that fits the Raiders’ desired attitude. He’s a solid blindside fit to protect the Raiders’ new QB.
6. St. Louis Rams (via Atl) – Greg Robinson 6’5 332 lbs OT Auburn
The Rams still get the player they would have gotten at No. 2, but at the same time picking up more picks from the Atlanta deal. Greg Robinson is a long-armed athletic tackle, many have slated as the No. 1 overall tackle.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mike Evans 6’5 231 lbs WR Texas A&M
The Bucs get another tree of a wide receiver to pair with Vincent Jackson. Mike Evans is a fast, big-bodied WR that can win the 50-50 balls with his jumping ability and body control.
8. **TRADE** San Francisco 49ers (via trade up) – Darqueze Dennard 5’11 199 lbs CB Michigan State
San Francisco doesn’t have many holes on defense but they trade up into the Top 10 to fill the most glaring need at cornerback. Dennard is ranked by many as the No. 1 CB in this draft. He is a physical corner with good ball skills and has a nose for playing the run.
9. Buffalo Bills – Jake Matthews 6’5 308 lbs OT Texas A&M
Jake Matthews is a versatile offensive tackle who can play both left and right sides. He’s much stronger and more physical than Luke Joeckel, a Top 5 pick of last year’s draft.
10. Detroit Lions – Justin Gilbert 6’0 202 lbs CB Oklahoma State
Probably the most athletic player in this year’s draft, Gilbert has excellent hips, quick feet, good size and good hands. He lead the Big 12 with seven interceptions, two of which were for touchdowns. Gilbert can also return kicks at the next level.
11. Tennessee Titans – Blake Bortles 6’5 232 lbs QB Central Florida
The Titans did not pickup the fifth year option on Jake Locker and could be looking for his replacement. Bortles has prototypical size and strength with a high ceiling in the correct system.
12. New York Giants – Eric Ebron 6’4 250 lbs TE North Carolina
The addition of Brandon Myers may as well have just not happened. Ebron is the consensus No. 1 tight end and one of the best offensive playmakers.
13. St. Louis Rams – Odell Beckham Jr. 5’11 198 lbs WR LSU
The 2013 Paul Hornung award winner for the nation’s most versatile player, Beckham has the skill set to change a game on offense as well as special teams. Sam Bradford would be very pleased with this pick.
14. Chicago Bears – Aaron Donald 6’1 285 lbs DT Pittsburgh
With one of the league’s worst rush defenses, the Bears’ solidify the middle of their defense with fast rising defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Reminiscent of Geno Atkins, the Bears are hoping they get similar production.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Zack Martin 6’4 308 lbs OT Notre Dame
Martin has the ability to play both guard and tackle and with all of the Steelers’ offensive line woes, this pick fills a huge need for Pittsburgh.
16. Dallas Cowboys – Ha Ha Clinton Dix 6’1 208 lbs FS Alabama
Dallas’ safety play last year, along with the rest of the NFC East was terrible. Haha immediately comes in as a day one starter with the ability to play the middle of the field and support the run at the line of scrimmage.
17. Baltimore Ravens- Calvin Pryor 5’11 207 lbs FS Louisville
With the departure of James Ihedigbo, the Ravens are looking for an athletic free safety to pair with last year’s first round pick Matt Elam. Pryor is an enforcer that can also roam the middle, giving Baltimore the defensive attitude that they once had in the days of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.
18. New York Jets – Brandon Cooks 5’10 189 lbs WR Oregon State
Cooks is undersized but a versatile wide receiver with excellent burst and run-after-the-catch ability. He is a reliable target having 128 receptions in 2013 which is what the Jets will need.
19. Miami Dolphins – CJ Mosley 6’2 234 lbs ILB Alabama
C.J. Mosley is everything that Rolando Mcclain could have been. This gifted linebacker can come in and be a day one starter, especially with the let down of recent acquisitions in Ellerbe Wheeler.
20. Arizona Cardinals – Anthony Barr 6’5 255 lbs OLB/DE UCLA
This former running back and pass rushing specialist is exactly what the Cardinals need in a conference that includes quarterbacks like Kaepernick and Wilson.
21. Green Bay Packers – Austin Seferian Jenkins 6’5 262 lbs TE Washington
A 2 sport star in college, Jenkins won the John Mackey award for the Nation’s Top Tightend in 2013. With Finley’s future unsure Green Bay will look to replace him while adding a big target for Aaron Rogers.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – Bradley Roby 5’11 194 lbs CB Ohio State
Roby is a speedy corner that can run with most No. 1 receivers in the league today. He may have been the top cornerback in the draft if not for off-field issue but could prove to be the best of the group.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Marquise Lee 6’0 192 lbs WR USC
Dwayne Bowe needs a legit No. 2 wide receiver to help draw coverage off of him. Lee has good explosion, acceleration, route running. Lee makes good adjustments based on the defense and knows how to find holes in the zone.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Kyle Fuller 6’0 190 lbs CB Virginia Tech
Cincinnati is looking to get younger in the CB position and Fuller is the next best corner. Fuller is an athletic and versatile DB having played multiple positions such as safety, linebacker, and cornerback. On top of all that, he has a high football IQ.
25. San Diego Chargers – Jason Verrett 5’9 189 lbs CB TCU
Verrett has smooth hips, quick feet and plays with tenacity. This corner has everything except size, but can still be a solid nickel and or No. 2 cornerback.
26. Cleveland Browns – Teddy Bridgewater 6’2 214 lbs QB Louisville
The slide down the draft board stops in Cleveland. Bridgeater was considered the No. 1 QB prospect coming into this offseason and had it not been for a rough showing at his pro day, he might still have been considered No. 1. Cleveland gets their starting QB here late in the first.
27. New Orleans Saints – Jordan Matthews 6’3 212 lbs WR Vanderbilt
Cousin of Jerry Rice, Matthews has very good ball skills, catch radius and athleticism. The big body wide receiver will be a nice compliment to Colston.
28. Carolina Panthers – Kelvin Benjamin 6’5 240 lbs WR FLorida State
A red zone weapon, Benjamin is a huge wide receiver with freakish athletic ability. With Carolinas’ wide receiver woes, Benjamin gives Cam Newton a target that’s hard to miss.
29. New England Patriots – Rashede Hageman 6’6 310 lbs DT Minnesota
Hageman is a converted tight end with great athletic ability for his size. New England will look to sure up their defensive line with the addition of the 6’6 310 lbs defensive tackle.
30. Minnesota Vikings (via 49ers) – Derek Carr 6’2 214 lbs QB Fresno State
The Vikings get their quarterback at 30 while picking up additional picks to help fill other holes. Carr had a record-breaking season at Fresno State last year, throwing over 5,000 yards, with 50 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. If Carr slides this far, this could be the QB steal of the draft.
31. Denver Broncos- Ryan Shazier 6’1 237 lbs OLB Ohio State
With the departure of Wesley Woodyard, the Brocos will look to fill a spot at ILB. Although Shazier played OLB at Ohio State and could provide some pass rush, but he may best be used inside because of his sideline to sideline quickness.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Xavier Sua Filo 6’4 307 lbs OG UCLA
The No. 1 rated guard in this year’s draft class comes into Seattle as a day one starter to pave roads for Beast Mode. Sua Filo has a strong base and great balance.
2014 NFL Draft by Keoni Tamiano-Block and Jason Kendrick.
You can reach Keoni @Hereaux_KB and Jason @Jas_God on Twitter.
