Steve Shoup’s 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2

Picks 1-16 17-32 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7

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1 (33). Houston Texans: QB Tom Savage, Pittsburgh

 

-It’s hard to not consider this a complete reach, but the Texans need a quarterback and Bill O’Brien seemed to be real intrigued with Savage at his Pro Day. Ideally the Texans would trade back in this round to make this selection, but here they take their guy.

 

2 (34). Washington Redskins: LB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State

 

-The Redskins will likely look to trade back, but if they can’t get a deal done Shazier from Ohio State would be be an interesting selection. ILB is a very thin position for the Redskins and Shazier could be a very good starter at the next level. He’s a little undersized, but he’s got a great skill set, capable of both being strong in coverage and as a blitzer.

 

3 (35). Cleveland Browns: G Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State

 

-The Browns need a corner, but there aren’t any that fit the team that well right here. Instead I see them bolstering their guard position with Gabe Jackson.

 

4 (36). Oakland Raiders: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois

 

-The Raiders get their young quarterback here in Garoppolo. He gets to sit for a year behind Matt Schaub, which could allow him to develop into a quality starting option down the road.

 

5 (37). Atlanta Falcons: TE Jace Amaro, Texas Tech

 

-The Falcons need a lot of help on defense, but it will be tough to pass up a young tight end like Amaro to replace Tony Gonzalez.

 

6 (38). Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Marquise Lee, USC

 

-The Buccaneers need to add a receiver early and this would be a good spot to do so with Lee on the board.

 

7 (39). Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Morgan Moses, UVA

 

-The Jaguars need to keep upgrading their offensive line and Moses would be a great fit at this pick.

 

8 (40). Minnesota Vikings: DE Dee Ford, Auburn

 

-The Vikings need to go defense here and Ford is one of the highest rated players on the board. He could really help make up for the loss of Jared Allen and could fit in nicely for Mike Zimmer.

 

9 (41). Buffalo Bills: S Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois

 

-Ward can help replace Jarius Byrd and should be able to start from day 1.

 

10 (42). Tennessee Titans: RB Tre Mason, Auburn

 

-The Titans parted ways with Chris Johnson and could look to find his replacement early in the draft. Mason had a great end to his college career and looks to be a work horse back.

 

11 (43). New York Giants: OT Joel Bitonio, Nevada

 

-The Giants should continue to upgrade their offense with this pick and get Eli Manning some additional protection. Bitonio has great versatility and could start inside at guard, but could then shift outside to tackle if Beatty continues to struggle.

 

12 (44). St. Louis Rams: WR Kelvin Benjamin, FSU

 

-The Rams are still looking for that star receiver and they may take a shot at Benjamin to fill that role. Benjamin is a raw talent, but if he can put it all together he could be a star.

 

13 (45). Detroit Lions: DE Scott Crichton, Oregon State

 

-The Lions should continue to build up the defensive side of the ball and add another pass rusher here.

 

14 (46). Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Allen Robinson, Penn State

 

-The Steelers could used some size and help at wide receiver and local product Allen Robinson fits both of those criteria. Robinson could be a nice complement to Antonio Brown, and would give the Steelers a nice receiver corps.

 

15 (47). Dallas Cowboys: DT Dominique Easley, Florida

 

-The Cowboys couldn’t get a DL in the first round so they need  to find some one here. With Easley on the board that should be the direction that they go as he’s a perfect fit for their Tampa Two defense.

 

16 (48). Baltimore Ravens: WR Davante Adams, Fresno State

 

-This isn’t a major need for 2014, but the Ravens could look to add a long term receiving complement to Torrey Smith. Adams has a nice combination of size and speed and if given a year or two to develop he could end up being a really nice starter down the road.

 

17 (49). New York Jets: TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington

 

-The Jets need to add more weapons than just one receiver to boost their offense, and it would make a lot of sense for them to come back in the 2nd round with Seferian-Jenkins if he’s available.

 

18 (50). Miami Dolphins: OT JaWuan James, Tennessee

 

-The Dolphins need to fix their line so look for a major investment into the unit. Using their top two picks on the position group makes a lot of sense.

 

19 (51). Chicago Bears: DT Will Sutton, Arizona State

 

-The Bears need to add a defensive tackle at this spot and Sutton is a guy who could be a nice fit. Sutton could thrive in the Bears system as a quality pass rushing defensive tackle.

 

20 (52). Arizona Cardinals: OLB DeMarcus Lawrence, Boise State

 

-For as good as the Cardinals defense has been in recent years, they really haven’t had strong pass rushing outside linebackers. Adding Lawrence could help fix that, and that could turn a strong defense into a great one.

 

21 (53). Green Bay Packers: CB/S LaMarcus Joyner, FSU

 

-The Packers need secondary help and could look at the hybrid corner/safety LaMarcus Joyner to fill their need. Green Bay will probably see him as more of a safety, but he could get consideration at corner as well.

 

22 (54). Philadelphia Eagles: WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt

 

-The Eagles seem to want to add another big receiver, and would be lucky to land Jordan Matthews here. Matthews is one of the most NFL ready receivers in this draft and could help the Eagles fill the gap left by DeSean Jackson.

 

23 (55). Cincinnati Bengals: RB Carlos Hyde, Ohio State

 

-The Bengals don’t have many pressing needs, so look for them to take a value pick here. They might have spent a 2nd on RB the year before, but Bernard isn’t an everydown back. He needs a power complement and that is where Hyde comes in. He can be the chainmover, short yardage back, while Bernard comes in for the big play.

 

24 (56). San Francisco 49ers (from Kansas City Chiefs): DE Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame

 

-The 49ers could go any number of directions, but the idea of adding Tuitt to their defensive line rotation is too good too pass up.

 

25 (57). San Diego Chargers: DT Ra’Shede Hageman, Minnesota

 

-The Chargers could use some help along the defensive line.

 

26 (58). New Orleans Saints: CB Phillip Gaines, Rice

 

-Phillip Gaines is climbing up draft boards and he could make a lot of sense to the Saints with this pick. He’s a talent corner who was overlooked at a smaller school.

 

27 (59). Indianapolis Colts: CB Marcus Roberson, Florida

 

-The Colts could possibly consider an offensive or defensive lineman with this pick, but I think this selection is about adding a piece to their secondary for a possible Patriots or Broncos match-up in the post season.

 

28 (60). Carolina Panthers: WR Donte Moncrief, Mississippi

-The Panthers land their receiver with this pick and give Newton an interesting prospect with a nice combination of size and speed.

29 (61). San Francisco 49ers: LB Christian Jones, FSU

 

-The 49ers are bound to be intrigued by the versatile Jones, who can line up in a variety of spots. He could help replace Bowman if he’s not back from injury and he has the pass rush ability to help replace Aldon Smith during his inevitable suspension.

 

30 (62). New England Patriots: TE Troy Niklas, Notre Dame

 

-The Patriots need to upgrade their tight end position and grabbing an inline tight end option like Niklas makes a lot of sense. If Gronkowski is healthy he could be split out wide more in two tight end sets, or the Patriots could use both on the line giving them a favorable formation to run from.

 

31 (63). Denver Broncos:  DE Kareem Martin, UNC

 

-The Broncos did sign DeMarcus Ware, but they can’t be content that their defensive line is set at this point. Adding another talented piece in Martin would help ensure the Broncos have the depth and talent to make another Super Bowl run.

 

32 (64). Seattle Seahawks: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Nebraska

 

-The Seahawks lost two of their top 3 corners from a year ago and could use some new options to team up with Sherman.

 

Picks 1-16 17-32 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7

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