Alan’s 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Rd 1 Part 2

Updated: 9/25

Picks: 1-16 | 17-32

17. Tennessee Titans: Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State

The Titans bolstered the interior of their line last offseason, so it is likely they continue to do build by beefing up on the outside. Starting tackles, Michael Roos and David Stewart, are 30 and 31 years old, respectively and both have voidable years on their contracts upcoming, too. Erving has good instincts and should only get better with experience. Blocking for famous Jameis Winston will help his mobility develop for the next level.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M

Evans was amazing vs. Alabama. The Chiefs defense looks great so far, in 2013, so it is possible Andy Reid will look to get Dwayne Bowe a partner and Alex Smith another weapon. Evans will be that guy for a team that just misses the playoffs this season despite starting 3-0. Johnny Football’s favorite target is averaging nearly 144 yards per game this season.

19. Chicago Bears: Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame

Tuitt would be a good get for the Bears here. Placing him on the opposite end of Julius Peppers would be a good match for Chicago. The Bears may also elect to take a TE if Marc Trestman wants to continue to build his offense.

20. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis) Sammy Watkins WR, Clemson

Rumors are flying that the Browns may elect to go after Ben Tate from Houston. They will also be able to draft a quality running back in the second round. Sammy Watkins will be a perfect fit for a team looking to change their offense to a more up tempo scheme and if they do indeed draft a Johnny Manziel, Taj Boyd or Marcus Mariota, then Watkins makes perfect sense.

21. Baltimore Ravens: (10-6).Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington

Ed Dickson has been a bust this season, as the Ravens offense seems to suffer a little more each week without a quality TE like Dennis Pitta. Dickson is in his contract year and likely to be elsewhere in 2014. Placing Seferian-Jenkins and Pitta together in 2014 would allow the Ravens to have the offense they wanted in 2013 and the duo could grow to become a poor man’s equivalent of a Rob Gronkowski-Aaron Hernandez combination

22. Dallas Cowboys: (10-6) Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

Nothing but huge upside here. His drop has nothing to do with his play but everything to do with how the Redskins are going to finish since I had St. Louis taking him with their pick. Mack may not be worth drafting as high as that pick may end up for the Rams. He is good but he’s raw. Monty Kiffin would love to have his pass rushing talent in Dallas.

23. Miami Dolphins: Antonio Richardson, OT Tennessee

The Dolphins are 3-0 and believe that Ryan Tannehill is their franchise QB. With that’s said and Jake Long no longer there, the Fins will look to snag a franchise tackle to protect Tannehill. Richardson is a solid pass protector and has good balance. An entire year blocking in the SEC may have him challenging for a higher selection in May’s draft.

24. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Van Noy, OLB BYU

With seven sacks through three games, the Falcons are still struggling to rush the passer. Van Noy recorded 13 sacks in 2012 and has one sack and five QB hurries in 2013.

25. New England Patriots: Ra’shede Hageman, DE/DT, Minnesota 

Vince Wilfork is not getting any younger and Bill Belichick loves size up front. At 6-6, 315 pounds Hageman fits the bill for what Belichick wants in his defensive lineman.

26. Green Bay Packers: James Hurst OT North Carolina

Aaron Rodgers was sacked a total of 51 times in 2012 – more than any other NFL quarterback was – and 55 times if you count the playoffs. It eclipsed his previous record of 50 sacks in 2009 and brings his five-year total as a starter to 202. Enter Hurst, or at least another offensive lineman. Hurst handled Jadeveon Clowney pretty well. There are several guards who have been bumped out of the first round because of skill position needs ( David Yawkey & possibly Cyril Richardson) and GB may select one of them but Hurst would be a better option here.

27. Houston Texans: Trent Murphy, OLB Stanford

Whitney Mercilus was an excellent addition to Wade Phillips 3-4 last year. Brooks Reed is also a strong contributor on the other side but he will be a FA 2015. Murphy is a strong pass rusher and should be able to play in the 3-4. he can split time with Reed to start and then replace him when Reed becomes a free agent. .

28. New Orleans Saints: Adrian Hubbard, LB Alabama

Coming from Nick Saban to Rob Ryan will be an easy adjustment for Hubbard. Saban expects a lot out of his linebackers and so does Ryan. Another member of the loaded Alabama defense, Hubbard could bulk up to 265 or so and give N.O a little help as a pass-rushing end or he can stand up and play just fine in Ryan’s hybrid 3-4 scheme.

29. Cincinnatti Bengals: Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida

Roberson is an All-American talent with the skills necessary to step in and play immediately. The trade between the Browns and Colts may make Roberson a real god value pick here, if he is still available.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Colt Lyerla, TE Oregon

What could make the Niners pistol read option offense even more unstoppable and potent, how about having a dangerous dual TE threat similar to what the Patriots employed with Gronk and Hernandez. Scary thought isn’t it. With NFL teams actively seeking Gronk- and Graham-esque flex tight ends, why not grab a tight end that is so flexible that his team occasionally lines him up at tailback?

31. Denver Broncos: Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State

Would be a scary thing to see Von Miller (possibly) and Sutton play together on a Broncos defense that seems to be doing just fine without Miller. Sutton was contained by Wisconsin’s massive offensive line Saturday but he is not the first and he will not be the last NFL prospect a Badger O-Line slowed down for a Sat afternoon.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU

This is a great pick for the Seahawks. For his career, Johnson has played in 27 games with six starts … Has 52 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks to his credit. He has good speed (Runs at 4.7 40-yard dash despite weighing 295 pounds) and he is good at pressuring the quarterback or plugging a gap against the run. Sounds like a perfect fit (if he’s available) for a team currently willing to employ, as many speed defensive front seven players to chase down Colin Kaepernick for years to come. It is obvious with the Hawks last two wins over San Fran that their defense currently owns the upper hand over Kaepernick and his pistol read option offense. Johnson has been nursing a sore shoulder since the season-opener against TCU, but he seems determined to play through it.

Picks: 1-16 | 17-32