Alan’s 2014 NFL Mock Draft- Part 2 10/17
Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32
17. Miami Dolphins: Antonio Richardson, OT Tennessee
The Dolphins started the season 3-0 for the first time since 2002 but have since dropped to 3-2, as they are ranked in the bottom third of the league in both total offensive and defensive yards. Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill has been sacked 24 times. Their running game is 29th in total rushing yards and the only answer to solve this issue is to draft an offensive lineman, which they should have done last year to replace Jake Long. As they did last April, when they traded up to draft Barkevious Mingo, the Dolphins could do so once again to grab a big name tackle this year. The pick is likely ‘Tiny” Richardson, whom you may know as Antonio Richardson from Tennessee. Richardson is raw with just one season of starting action but he is amazingly quick and smooth for a man that is 6-6 and 332-pounds. He was awesome in blocking for a Vols offense that rushed for 189 yards vs. Georgia two weeks ago and allowed just one sack.
18. Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Van Noy, OLB BYU
With the Eagles likely headed for 8-8 or 7-9 in the NFC Least, they will remove themselves from the QB equation at this point. Zach Mettenbereger does not fit the offense Chip Kelly runs. With the third best offense in football, the Eagles must look towards rebuilding their 32nd ranked defense with this pick. They acquired free agent help in the secondary, which has not been a raving success and their linebackers could always use help. According to PFF.com, The Eagles have rushed their inside linebackers more than any other has team, with DeMeco Ryans having 64 pass rushes which is the most for all inside/middle linebackers and Mychal Kendricks with 50 which is third-most. They only have one sack, one hit and five hurries to show for these 114 pass rushes. While Van Noy plays on the outside, the Eagles want to get to the Q. Van Noy recorded 22 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and two blocked kicks LY. So far this year, Van Noy has 36 tackles, 3 sacks and 1 INT for a TD.
19. Tennessee Titans: Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State
Starting tackles, Michael Roos and David Stewart, are 30 and 31 years old, respectively and both have voidable years on their contracts upcoming. Tennessee’s line is much improved this season with the additions of Chance Warmack and Andy Levitre so it’s possible the build continues from inside – out with Erving taking a tackle spot. At 6-5, 310 pounds, Erving played in 13 games as a redshirt freshman defensive tackle but has looked like a natural after being moved to left tackle a season ago. He is long, balanced and athletic and has been a major reason freshman quarterback Jameis Winston looks so relaxed and could be this year’s Johnny Manziel. Another year at Tackle and he is likely the steal of the first round at No.19.
20. Chicago Bears: Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame
Chicago is going to have to address the cornerback in 2014 as both Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings will be free agents and are on the plus side of 30. Loucheiz Purifoy or Ifo Ekpre-Olomu would not be a bad selection here either. As a defense, Chicago had another 10 missed tackles Vs. the Giants last week and has missed 55 after six games this season… only 30 fewer than the 85 they missed as a defense in 16 games last year. Tuitt is starting to play better after offseason sports hernia surgery played a role in his adding 20 pounds. He looked slow and out of shape early in the season but has looked good in two straight games against Michigan State (six tackles) and Oklahoma (five tackles, one tackle for loss). Bookending him with Julius Peppers to terrorize opposing QB’s would help ease the pain if the Bears elect to wait a year to address the CB situation.
21: Baltimore Ravens: Mike Evans, WR.
While Ozzie Newsome needs WR’s he also needs offensive lineman and possibly even a RB. That cold hard reality has hit the Ravens like a ton of bricks after their once vaunted rushing attack is averaging just 2.7 yards per carry this season. Would not be surprised to the Ravens trade down and be able to grab both. Nevertheless, if they stay here, they are likely to grab some weapons for Joe Flacco and Mike Evans just continues to impress. While Ole Miss shut him down pretty good, he still had some clutch catches and is averaging 123 receiving yards per game and like his QB, who is a red-shirt sophomore, Evans is young and will only get better. Paired with Torrey Smith, Joe Flacco will have his outside guys for the near future.
22. Detroit Lions: Bradley Roby, CB Ohio State
Robey is having a solid season for the Buckeyes. One scouting site has Robey ranked as the top corner in the draft saying, “he is a playmaker with elite speed, quickness, and breaking ability.” I do not think he has had the type of season many have expected from him and has fallen behind Jason Verrett on my draft board but he has great potential. Still Robey is nice get for Lions at No.22 and willhelp a Lions secondary that has been struggling for quite some time.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
With just two catches vs. Oregon last Saturday, Seferian Jenkins did not have the type of game the Huskies needed from him or QB Keith Price. However, if you saw the TD catch vs. the Ducks then you saw the potential he possesses and will be a reminder to Chiefs fans of what they once had in some guy named Gonzalez. Seferian-Jenkins has all of the skills and physical attributes to be a pure stud in the NFL. Alex Smith will be around for a while and knows how to find a TE. Just ask Vernon Davis.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Ha’Sean Clinton Dix, S Alabama
The Cowboys need help on the interior of the defensive line Jay Ratliff is no longer a Cowboy and Jason Hatcher is having a career year but the 31-year-old is a F/A in 2014. However, solid DT’s can be had in abundance during the first three rounds of the draft. Where the Cowboys really possess a need is at safety and Clinton Dix is the only first rounder now. Clinton-Dix has an exciting combination of athleticism and instincts. The Cowboys may also opt to take Loucheiz Purifoy or Ifo Ekpre-Olomu—and none of them would be a bad first night decision for Dallas.
25. Cincinnatti Bengals: Allen Robinson, WR Penn State
The Bengals don’t have a lot of needs, but one of their wants is adding another consistent weapon across from A.J. Green. Allen Robinson gives them a nice big target who can be a threat that other defenses need to focus on. Hopefully the additional weapons will help mask any issues Andy Dalton has, and keep this offense rolling.
26. Green Bay Packers: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB Oregon
According to Mel Kiper, “Ekpre-Olomu is explosive out of his backpedal and is a willing hitter; he plays with the physical nature of a safety. He anticipates well and cracks down on plays in front of him, has good reaction skills and can put his foot in the ground and jump routes. Knows how to break up passes without drawing flags.” Despite ranking in the top 10 in sacks with 17 through six weeks, the Packers currently rank 28th against the pass in the NFL. This is a need pick, as the Packers continue to build their defense.
27. Cleveland Browns (From Indianapolis): Lache Seastrunk RB, Baylor
Seastrunk is home run hitter with rare cutting ability. He has major straight-line speed and explosiveness and is as dangerous in the open field as running back in the NFL. He has already shown elite lateral cuts in space and he consistently executes sudden right angle moves to elude tacklers in space. He has super quick feet and at 5-9 and 205 pounds, a strong lower body to break arm tackles. He has a good low center of gravity but he is not a power back. If the Browns wanted one of those, they would have kept Trent Richardson.
28. San Francisco 49ers: Vic Beasley, LB Clemson
Jim Harbaugh sees a player like Bruce Irvin (6-3, 245lbs.) for the Seahawks twice a season and knows what kind of damage he can do. Vic Beasley (6-3, 235 lbs.) is that type of player. The Niners have concerns about their pass rush, as they rank in the lower half of the league in sacks. There are also concerns about their pass rush and stopping the run. Beasley led Clemson with eight sacks in limited duty as a sophomore and has matched that total through five games in 2013.
29. New England Patriots: Ra’shede Hageman, DE/DT, Minnesota
It will be another interesting offseason in Foxborough. CB Aqib Talib is having a Pro-Bowl year but will make NE pay dearly to keep him as a free agent next season—see ya—Their offense needs as many pass catchers, as they can sign and draft, so what to do here is the biggest question mark. Possibly look for Belichick to trade back to the top of round 2 but if he stays here, I still think he does not want to worry about his defensive line breaking down. With Vince Wilfork gone for the season and likely not to return as dominant, he will need another big body player up front—Enter Ra’shede Hageman. At 6-6, 315 pounds Hageman fits the bill for what Belichick wants in his defensive lineman and if Wilfork can come back eventually and produce as he did, the Pats will have a huge formidable duo on their D-line.
30. Seattle Seahawks: Cyril Richardson, OG, Baylor
The Seahawks have issues along their O-Line due in large part to injuries but they could use an upgrade at the guard position and I’ll give it to them here. According to NFL Draft Scout.com Richardson is “A dominating drive blocker who projects best at guard but spent the entire 2011 season protecting Robert Griffin III at left tackle, Richardson is massive, powerful and shockingly athletic.”
31. Denver Broncos: Loucheiz Purifoy, CB Florida
The Broncos own the NFL’s worst pass defense. At some point, the Broncos will start playing teams that can play both offense and defense and that is for sure likely to occur at some point in the playoffs. If they cannot get at least a few stops they will not hoist the Lombardi, as many expect. Purifoy has potential to be a shutdown corner in the NFL and Champ Bailey is not getting any younger. An eventual pairing with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is possible and with the versatile and hard-hitting Purifoy still on the board, this is a no brainer for the Broncos.
32. New Orleans Saints: Trent Murphy, DE Stanford
One scouting site refers to him as a violent and versatile pass rusher. At 6’6″ and 260 lbs., Murphy shows the size necessary to make the move from Rush Linebacker to full-time End. Since the start of last season, Murphy has 15 Sacks, 26 TFL and 78 tackle. Do you think Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan would have liked to have a violent and versatile player on the field during the Patriots final drive last Sunday?
Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32
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