2014 NFL Mock Draft: Tim Short

Tim’s 2014 Updated: 5/8 With Trades

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Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3

1. Houston Texans trade with Atlanta Falcons: Falcons select- DE Jadveon Clowney, South Carolina  TRADE

The Deal: The Falcons trade their 1st (6), 2nd (37), 3rd (68), and 7th (220)  this year and 2nd rounder next year for the Texans 1st (1)

Why The Falcons make the move: The Falcons want to make a splash in this draft and grab an impact player. There is no greater impact player than Clowney and he would be an elite piece to build around going forward. Though there are other good pass rushers like Mack and Barr, neither are as strong as a fit for the Falcons. It’s a hefty cost to pay, but one that Atlanta could see as worth it, if it can put them over the top.

Why the Texans make the move: The Texans are not just a quarterback or top defensive player away from turning this team around. They have solid starters, but they need depth and to think about the long term. To move down 5 spots the Texans net 3 picks from the top 2nd and 3rd round over the next two years and an extra 7th this year. The Texans can still land a quality player and add more ammunition to rebuild this roster.

2. St. Louis Rams trade with the Minnesota Vikings: Vikings select- QB Blake Bortles, UCF –  TRADE

The Deal: The Vikings trade their 1st (8), 2nd (40), 3rd (96) this year and 2nd and 4th rounders next year for the Rams 1st (2)

Why the Vikings make the move: The Vikings could stay put and maybe go defense in the first round, but this team desperately needs a quarterback and Blake Bortles is the best fit for them. He is the one guy that they could make a splash for. Minnesota has an extra 3rd from the Percy Harvin trade, which they use here as part of this deal. It’s a steep price, but Bortles gives the Vikings the franchise quarterback they’ve been lacking.

Why the Rams make the move: The Rams don’t have a pressing need here and can continue to cash in on the RGIII trade netting them an additional 2nd and 3rd this year and 2nd and 4th the following season. All the while the Rams will still be in a great spot to add a top LT, WR, or DT at the 8th spot.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Greg Robinson, Auburn

4. Cleveland Browns: QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

5. Oakland Raiders trade with the Houston Texans: Texans select OLB Khalil Mack, Buffalo OT Greg Robinson, Auburn  – TRADE

The Deal: The Texans trade their 1st (6), 4th (101), and 7th (220) for the Raiders 1st (5)

Why the Texans make the move: It is just one spot, but it’s worth it to Houston to ensure they land a guy that fits perfectly into their defense. Adding Mack to their pass rush is as good (and potentially better) than adding Clowney. With the haul the Texans got from the first overall pick they are playing with house money at this point.

Why the Raiders make the move: Though the Raiders could use Khalil Mack, they could use additional selections even more. For passing on Mack (which they may have done on their own) they pick up an early 4th and 7th round picks, while still having top talents like Sammy Watkins, Aaron Donald and Jake Matthews on the board.

6. Atlanta Falcons trade this to the Texans who then trade it to the Raiders: Raiders select DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh    – Traded

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson

8. Minnesota Vikings trade this to the Rams: Rams select OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M

9. Buffalo Bills: S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama

10. Detroit Lions: CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State

11. Tennessee Titans: OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA

12. New York Giants: TE Eric Ebron, UNC

13. St. Louis Rams trade with the Miami Dolphins: Dolphins select- OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan TRADE

The Deal: The Dolphins trade their 1st (19), 3rd (81), and 6th (190) for the Rams 1st (13)

Why the Dolphins make the move: Miami is desperate to fix their offensive line and they could be willing to trade up to land a top talent like Lewan. Lewan is a very talented prospect and should be a day one starter and massive upgrade at RT. Miami has to give up a 3rd and 6th, but it’s worth it to really ensure this line’s future.

Why the Rams make the move: The Rams could stay here and take Calvin Pryor, but in a deep draft they can pick up a couple more selections and they only move down 6 spots where they can still choose from any number of talented prospects.

14. Chicago Bears: S Calvin Pryor, Louisville

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M

16. Dallas Cowboys trade with the Eagles: Eagles select WR Odell Beckham, LSU TRADE

The Deal: The Eagles trade their 1st (22), 3rd (86), 7th (237) for the Cowboys 1st (16)

Why the Eagles make the move: The Eagles want to replace DeSean Jackson and keep the explosive element to their offense, so they make the move here to jump up and get the rising Beckham. With Maclin’s status coming back from an ACL injury (and only under contract for one more year, Beckham’s selection makes even more sense.

Why the Cowboys make the move: The Cowboys were basically spectators in free agency this year given their cap situation, so the chance to add two additional selections to move down a few spots has to be appealing to them.

17. Baltimore Ravens: OT/OG Zack Martin, Notre Dame

18. New York Jets: WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State

19. Miami Dolphins trade this to the St. Louis Rams: Rams select DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida State Traded

20. Arizona Cardinals: QB Derek Carr, Fresno State

21. Green Bay Packers: DT Louis Nix, Notre Dame

22. Philadelphia Eagles trade this to the Dallas Cowboys: Cowboys select DE Dee Ford, Auburn Traded

23. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Marquise Lee, USC

24. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech

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

26. Cleveland Browns (from Colts) trade with the Houston Texans: QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville  TRADE

The Deal: The Texans trade their 2nd (33), 3rd (68) to the Cleveland Browns for their 1st (26) pick.

Why the Texans make the move: Though it’s possible that Bridgewater would fall to the Texans anyways at the top of the 2nd round, do the Texans really want to risk the chance that another team jumps them to steal him? Also, one added benefit of trading up the Texans will have a 5th year option on Bridgewater, which will be pretty cheap from a quarterback perspective. If Bridgewater takes a year or two to develop, this ensures the Texans have a couple of years to see what they have before making a long term commitment.

Why the Browns make the move:While the Browns could consider a guard, corner or receiver here, they can pick up an extra early 3rd rounder just to move back a few spots. With the depth of this draft, Cleveland can still fill a big need and net another talented player.

27. New Orleans Saints: OLB Jeremiah Attachou, Georgia Tech

28. Carolina Panthers: OT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama

29. New England Patriots: TE Jace Amaro, Texas Tech

30. San Francisco 49ers: OLB Kyle Van Noy, BYU

31. Denver Broncos: LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama

32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State