tOfficial "2014 NFL Draft" Thread

[Clayton]

I don't think its that surprising. Running backs should declare early because their value completely disappears at 30

 

[Money]

Yeah but the difference between a Matt Ryan and a Matt Shaub is much more important to a team than adding a Julius Peppers or a Suh. Positional value matters. No brainer QB prospects dont come along very often but lets look at the playoff teams right now.

Cam Newton? Picked apart but still picked #1.
Aaron Rodgers? Picked apart and fell way too far.
Alex Smith? Near can't miss guy who was overrated but still in the playoffs.
Andrew Luck. Can't miss guy.
Andy Dalton. Carried into the playoffs and will likely be replaced in the next couple of years
Philip Rivers. Was the #2 QB and was obviously seen as a distant #2.
Peyton Manning. Was seen as a near can't miss guy but lots of teams liked Leaf more.
Tom Brady. Most underrated prospect ever.
Russell Wilson. Height picked apart and fell
Drew Brees. Height picked apart and fell
Nick Foles. Seen as a developmental guy and apparently was underrated
Kaepernick. Seen as a developmental guy and apparently was underrated

So 1 can't miss guy (Luck) and 2 near can't miss guys (Peyton and Alex Smith) and 9 guys that proved people wrong to a certain degree. Dalton is probably the only guy that you'd call shaky.

You need a QB in this league.

Anyways...mock time, no trades

1. Texans - Bridgewater QB
2. Rams (via Redskins) - Matthews OT
3. Jaguars - Clowney DE
4. Browns - Manziel QB
5. Raiders - Bortles QB
6. Falcons - Barr DE/OLB
7. Buccaneers - Hundley QB
8. Vikings - Mack DE/OLB
9. Bills - Watkins WR
10. Lions - Lee WR
11. Titans - Robinson OT
12. Giants - Ebron TE
13. Rams - ClintonDix S
14. Bears - Dennard CB
15. Steelers - Hageman DL
16. Cowboys - Gilbert CB
17. Ravens - Evans WR
18. Jets - Robinson WR
19. Dolphins - Erving OT
20. Cardinals - Beasley OLB

I would be ecstatic if the Ravens landed Evans.

 

[HammerDown]

Will the Texans trade down? I sure as hell would.

 

[HammerDown]

11. Titans - Robinson OT

I wouldn't be devastated with this pick but definitely disappointed. I don't think back-to-back first-round picks should be used on OL. I think they can address backups for Roos and David Stewart in free agency and instead go after the best-available DE or LB.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Barr would be very nice for the Falcons.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I predict the Rams will trade down like they did when the Redskins got RGIII. Fisher will get a ton for the 2nd pick just like he did from the Redskins. Especially if Houston takes Clowney at 1. That means some team desparate for a QB will want to move up.

The Rams are looking to trade back, but I don't get the sense they want to trade out of the top 10...In my initial mock I have them taking Matthews...In my update I'm switching this pick to Clowney @ 2 because they can still most likely get Robinson or Kouandjio @ 13, if they miss out on Matthews.

There is talk in ATL about moving up and maybe TB to get Clowney...after hearing ATL owner's presser I don't think they will move up.

I'm in that camp that believes Bridgewater is not the Andrew Luck of this draft, but Clowney is not Suh either...HOU could deal the pick, but I don't think they will deal out of the top 10.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I wouldn't be devastated with this pick but definitely disappointed. I don't think back-to-back first-round picks should be used on OL. I think they can address backups for Roos and David Stewart in free agency and instead go after the best-available DE or LB.

Call me crazy but I'm mocking Manziel to the Titans.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I would be ecstatic if the Ravens landed Evans.

I know you would as well as me...Watkins will probably be the top WR on most big boards. He'll probably make more splash plays in yr 1, but Evans has beast potential...so does Benjamin from FSU whom I would not mind trading back to pick.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I like this top 10

Did you hear Blank's presser...I think Monday...It sounds like he's not wanting fluff...I'm expecting this to be a meat and potatoes kind of draft for the Falcons which it needs to be. Unless it was a big smoke screen...I don't expect TD to be moving up...unless Barr or Clowney fall to 6, expect an OT from ATL.

I'm now thinking STL might take Clowney @2 and circle back to OT @ 13 because they still will likely get Robinson or Kouandjio...that seems to makes more sense unless they really view Matthews as the guy.

 

[HammerDown]

With Manziel declaring...

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Going on the assumption HOU goes QB, STL goes Clowney or Matthews, JAX is likely going QB, CLE QB, and you still have MIN, TN as being QB needy and I have a feeling MIN might swing a deal to get Cousins.

Heck, OAK could even take Manziel, but I don't see them leaving Barr on the board.

 

[HammerDown]

 

[Clayton]

I'm actually not a huge Evans fan. I think he commits pass inference on almost every catch.

I also think the Rams will be under a ton of pressure to draft a QB if there is more than one getting a lot of hype

 

[ATL96Steeler]

New regimes mean new QBs, so that's why I feel Houston will go Bridgewater. It also fills a bit position of need and revitalizes the fanbase. Bridgewater is also worth a top 10 pick, so it's not reaching. He's also got a fairly established offense and defense coming into Houston. That team is better than 2-14....

For the Rams, a lot of mocks have them trading down considering Clowney would be right there, but the prospect they have to be targeting given the NFC Wests pass rushing is OT and Mathews is the best prospect in the last decade. I think the Rams just snag Mathews here and don't risk it because if Mathews falls to Atlanta or Oakland, I could see a surprise pickup there.

He could very well be, but recent NFL draft history tells us that most of these highly touted LTs since Kalil (in MIN) have started out playing RT, and eventually moved to LT several games into their rookie year or 2nd season in some cases.

You could probably get the same performance after some seasoning @ RT from Robinson (AUB) or Kouandjio (AL) AND have Clowney. Idk if Matthews has enough separation from the 2 & 3 OTs in this draft.

 

[HammerDown]

 

[HammerDown]

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Another young one coming out early.

Kelvin Benjamin of Florida State Seminoles entering NFL draft - ESPN

He's going 1st round...makes sense.

 

[mcnabb7542]

Another young one coming out early.

Kelvin Benjamin of Florida State Seminoles entering NFL draft - ESPN

He's going 1st round...makes sense.

I would love the Eagles to snag him, but the defense needs serious draft help....

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I would love the Eagles to snag him, but the defense needs serious draft help....

PIT would as well and we also need DEF...badly...I'm mocking Shazier OLB from OH ST to PHI...I have Benjamin going to KC one pick after you guys...good chance he will be on the board when PHI picks.

 

[fearthepelicans]

Saints need some help in secondary, WR and OL. Looks like there will be some good ones in this draft.