Alan’s 2014 NFL Mock Draft- Hundley Going Number 1
Updated: 10/03
Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Brett Hundley, UCLA
The Jaguars rank in the 30’s in four of the six possible offensive and defensive rankings. They are last in the league in total offense ( 31 run- 30 pass) and rank 22 on defense ( 32 vs. the run & 11 vs. the pass). This is a team that must select a franchise quarterback and this draft has plenty of them. While most feel this pick is Teddy Bridgewater, I simply like Brett Hundley more than Bridgewater. At 6-3 225 pounds, Hundley is a raw gifted athlete. Through three games, Hundley is averaging 283 YPG with 8 TD’s and 3 INT’s. He averaging another 52.3 rushing yards per game and chipped in with another 2 TD;s on the ground.
2. New York Giants: Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
Fours are wild in New Jersey these days. A team that won two Super Bowls during the past six years because they could rush the passer has sacked the QB four times in four games and while it isn’t the only reason, it is a major reason why the Giants are 0-4 (there it is again) to start the season. Yes, they need help on the offensive line and in the secondary but the NFL Draft has proven those players can be had later, especially where the Giants are likely to be drafting at the top of each round. What cannot be had is a player with the ability to change your franchises defense for the next seven to 10 years and that player this year is Jadeveon Clowney. The Giants will need a player with his speed, size and power to contend with RG3 and whatever Chip Kelley is throwing out on the field.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville
The switch to Mike Glennon signified the end of the Josh Freeman era in Tampa Bay. The switch to Mike Glennon also signified the end of the Mike Glennon era in TB. The Bucs take the QB that many feel is the best in this draft if Teddy Bridgewater. So far, in 2013, Bridgewater has passed for 1,214 yards, 14TD’s and 1Int. He is succeeding against lesser competition than some of the other high profile QB’s in this draft but he also has not struggled at any time.
4. Oakland Raiders: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
This is not the Al Davis run Raiders anymore but that does not mean that the Raiders are going to do what everyone thinks they should with the fourth pick in the draft. The good news is Oakland will get an entire season to see if Terrell Pryor is the answer at QB before deciding what to do with this pick. I do not think he’s as talented as some of the QB’s coming out that play his style but with a year in the NFL under his belt, the Raiders will be happy to stick with him as they continue to build. With that said, this pick will be spent to bolster their defense, as Oakland takes Anthony Barr. Barr has just one sack this year but he has five tackles for a loss. After 13.5 sacks LY, he could already be playing on Sunday’s.
5. New York Jets: Marquis Lee WR, USC
The Jets enter Week 5 with the second best defense in the NFL, so this draft should be about the offensive side of the football. With more than a few possible franchise QB’s left on the board, could the J-E-T-S JETS, JETS, JETS actually take one? If Geno Smith does not get any better in a “what have you done for me lately” league, they could but it’s likely to be a weapon for him instead. That weapon is likely to be the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner, Marquis Lee. Teams love his explosive speed and big-play potential. Despite the poor QB at USC, Lee is arguably the top receiver in college football. Lee also seems to also have survived what looked to be a potentially devastating knee injury, which he suffered on a punt return vs. Arizona St. last Sat. He was carted off the field but there is no ligament damage. He will be a nice addition for Geno Smith and WR Stephen Hill.
6. Minnesota Vikings: Taj Boyd, QB Clemson
The Vikings got a nice win on the pitch across the pond on Sunday as they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. They did so with Matt Cassell playing QB and need I remind anybody that while he looked good Sunday, he’s not anyone’s long-term answer. Neither is the guy he was filling in for, the injured Christian Ponder. I keep going back and forth on this one between Taj Boyd and Marcus Mariota. This week it is Boyd. He has 994 passing yards (9 less than Mariota) 9 TD’s with no INT’s (same as Mariota) and additional 159 yards (136 less than Mariota) and 4 TD’s (1less) on the ground. His completion percentage is 64 percent, or five percent higher than Mariota’s. The thought of Adrian Peterson running out of a pistol read option, or similar type of offense already has NFC North defensive coordinators looking for jobs.
7. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon
Part of the reason I went with Boyd in Minnesota was because this was too easy to pass up. Michael Vick is thriving in Chip Kelly’s offense, it’s just a shame they cannot stop anyone. This means they should be taking Louis Nix or a linebacker here—-but they won’t. Why not build up the NFL’s second ranked offense and leave the 32nd defense to fend for themselves. Mariota and Kelly reunite and the Eagles still will not be able to stop anyone next season.
8. Buffalo Bills: Bradley Robey, CB Ohio State
The Bills picked off Joe Flacco five times last Sunday, which means they do not need any help in the secondary, or on the defense period—right——wrong. That’s just how bad Flacco and the Ravens offense were, as the Bills won 23-20. Many prognosticators have Bradley Robey heading to Bills and I do not disagree. He did not play well vs. Wisconsin but Jadeveon Clowney seems to be getting a season pass on poor play at times. Robey is a Playmaker with elite speed, quickness, and breaking ability.
9. Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel QB, Texas A&M
The Browns won for the second consecutive week, this time against AFC North favorite, Cincinnatti. They did so with third string QB Brian Hoyer once again, as TE Jordan Cameron continues to shine. No matter how well Hoyer does, the Browns will take a Manziel type of signal caller with their first pick in the first round. It is not likely this regime will be duped, as previous Browns front offices have into thinking that the backup QB is the savior. In my opinion, Johnny Football leads the Heisman race and why shouldn’t he with almost 1,500 passing yards, another 314 on the ground and 17 total touchdowns. The Cleveland faithful will love his rock-n-roll persona, which is appropriate for the city that is home to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame.
10. Carolina Panthers: Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M
The Panthers are a surprising third in the NFL running the football but last when it comes to passing offense. Cam Newton has been sacked 10 times, a number that would likely be amongst the leaders if not for his ability to scramble out of trouble. It is hard to believe but Jordan Gross will be finishing his 11h season in the NFL and Newton will need to have faith in a blindside protector. Jake Matthews continues to show each week protecting Johnny Manziel that he is the best OT in the draft and Carolina gets a gift as he falls to 10.
11. St. Louis Rams (From Washington): Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan
If Sam Bradford continues to falter, I would not be surprised to see the Rams trade one of, if not both of these picks to snag one of the above quarterbacks. The run on Tackles starts, as the Rams need one to play opposite Jake Long. With Rodger Saffold likely to be elsewhere next season, Taylor Lewan slides in quite nicely. One scout describes Lewan as an “excellent athlete for the tackle position. Well put together. Long, strong and stout against rushers. Very athletic and is great getting to the second level. Smooth, quick kick slide in pass protection.”
12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT Alabama
The Steelers need as much help on the offensive line as any team in recent draft history. Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked 15 times and suffered an additional 22 QB hits through 4 games. The Steelers are 29th rushing the ball this season. How desperate is Pittsburgh, they traded for OT Levi Brown from Arizona today. According to Mark Sessler of NFL.com, Mike Adams has been a turnstile this season and needs to be replaced, but anyone watching Cardinals film has seen Brown pop off the screen– as a massive liability. Brown was flamed by Rams pass rusher Robert Quinn in the season opener, and was equally horrible vs. the Saints in Week 3. Fifty-nine offensive tackles currently grade higher on the field this season than does Brown, per Pro Football Focus. To make a long paragraph short, Cyrus Kouandjio will feel needed in the Steel City.
13. St. Louis Rams: Louis Nix III, DL Notre Dame
The Rams have issues in the backfield, as they possess the worst rushing attack in the league– but solid RB’s can be had in the second and third rounds. They also cannot stop the run, ranking 30th in NFL in run defense. Jeff Fisher will want a receiver to compliment Tavon Austin and Mike Evans would fit well here but Louis Nix III is a far better option at this point. Nix is the top DL in the draft. He is a great nose tackle prospect who is powerful and strong. He has good speed for his size and the Rams need him in a division that has two teams currently ranked in the top 8 in the NFL in rushing.
14. Arizona Cardinals: Kyle Van Noy, OLB BYU
The Cardinals have needs at QB and running back. Carson Palmer is not getting any younger and their rushing attack ranks 26th in the NFL. Arizona isn’t bad on defense, ranking 14th in the NFL but their pass defense could use some help. Conventional wisdom says to generate a better pass rush, as the Cards do possess some playmakers in the secondary. Look for BYU standout Kyle Van Noy to move up draft boards, as the season progresses. He is an explosive pass rusher with sprinter speed and athleticism. Has the quickness and elusiveness to beat his man inside and out. He is also a big hitter and never quits on a play. This season he has 16 tackles, 5 TFL and 1 sack. He also has six QB hurries and 3 PD.
15. San Diego Chargers: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
The Chargers can score points and gain yards almost as much as they surrender them. This will BE a pick to bolster their defense and you can take your pick, as to which part of it you would like to bolster. Verrett could be the top CB in the draft once the season ends and SD could use him—probably next week when they play Oakland. Ranked 29th vs. the pass, the Chargers pass defense is not likely to improve with receivers such as Mike Wallace, AJ Green, Victor Cruz, as well as Denver’s formidable trio left on the schedule this season.
16. Detroit Lions: CJ Mosley, LB Alabama
DeAndre Levy and Stephen Tulloch have turned in decent seasons thus far. Moseley would be a great addition behind a stout Lions front line. According to Mel Kiper, Mosley is gifted in coverage, and has the all-around versatility that will make him an appealing linebacker in any scheme. He flies to the ball and makes a ton of plays; now he simply needs to get a bit stronger and show the leverage against the run. However, on the weak side, he gets through blocks and chases everything down (or just beats people to the ball).
Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32
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