Welcome to the second half of my final mock draft. Please remember to look at this as what I would do if I was picking for each team, instead of a prediction of what will actually happen. The first half can be found here, along with the rest of Sports Events Guide’ NFL draft coverage.
17. Baltimore Ravens- Taylor Lewan, OT
With the two best wide receivers and best safety of the board, the smartest move for the Ravens could make would be to take the best offensive tackle available. Although he has some off the field issues and isn’t a polished as Jake Mathews or physically gifted as Greg Robinson, Taylor Lewan is a 6’7” behemoth who started four years at offensive tackle for Michigan. Lewan can be plugged in at right tackle from day one for Baltimore, a hole left by the departure of Michael Oher in free agency.
18. New York Jets- Odell Beckham, WR
Every single mock I have done has had the Jets take a wide receiver and tight end, and this will not change even after they signed Eric Decker in free agency. Whether it is Michael Vick or (more likely) Geno Smith, getting the Jets starting QB more weapons can only help the team, and Odell Beckham is an explosive play-maker who fits the bill perfectly. 88% of the passes he caught for LSU in 2013 went for a first down (over 10% greater than teammate Jarvis Landry), and a large part of that was his impressive athleticism (sub-6.7 3-cone at the combine).
19. Miami Dolphins- Zach Martin, OL
Although the Dolphins improved their offensive line in free agency with Branden Albert, they still need a couple of new players to avoid a repeat of last year, where they conceded the most sacks by a handsome margin. They cannot afford to miss the opportunity to pick up an elite blocker, and Notre Dame’s Zach Martin has the ability to become a star at either tackle or guard. He is a perfect fit for the team.
20. Arizona Cardinals- Dee Ford, OLB
After picking up the new left tackle they needed in free agency, the Cardinal’s attention should turn to outside linebacker in the first round, where they need to not only improve, but also find a long term replacement to John Abraham. Despite being seen as undersized by some, Dee Ford is an excellent edge rusher, racking up an incredible 27.5 QB pressures in his final season at Auburn, as well as the Senior Bowl MVP award.
21. Green Bay Packers- Calvin Pryor, FS
This pick is wide open for the Packers, who could take any one of a wide number of players depending on who is available. Although both TE Jace Amaro and LB Ryan Shazier are tough to pass on, it makes sense for the Packers to fill their biggest need with the best safety available. The performance by the Packers safeties last year can only be described as horrendous, and Calvin Pryor would be an immediate improvement. He has the strength and vision to land very powerful tackles, and although he isn’t as good in coverage as Clinton-Dix, he’s no slouch either.
22. Philadelphia Eagles- Brandin Cooks, WR
After cutting Desean Jackson, the Eagles are looking for a new offensive weapon for Chip Kelly to play with so that they can try to retain the NFC East and their rank as the second best offence in the NFL. Fortunately, the most explosive player in this year’s draft is still available. Brandin Cooks is the type of player the Eagles’ coach dream about, with lightning fast speed and elusiveness- he averaged an insane 9.3 yards after the catch on screens in his final year at Oregon State.
23. Kansas City Chiefs- Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG
Considering the Chiefs have no second round pick, I see them as prime candidates to trade down on Thursday. If they stay here, I expect them to either go after a receiver or offensive linemen with pick 23. And as the top four wide receivers have been taken by this point in my mock, yet the best offensive guard is still available, Xavier Su’a-Filo is the pick. The former UCLA player started all three seasons he played for the Bruins, and combines great all-round blocking technique with surprising versatility versatile (he spent a large part of his freshman year at left tackle).
24. Cincinnati Bengals- Jason Verrett, CB
With all three of the Bengals current starters at cornerback over 30, and Dre Kirkpatrick not living up to his first round billing, the Bengals will need to look for a new cornerback in this draft, although both a linebacker and defensive end could be taken here. By far the biggest concern surrounding Jason Verrett is his height- at 5’9”, many will see him as only a nickel corner in the pros. But he is an outstanding cover corner who plays much more physically that you may expect on first looks, and should at least become one of the league’s best nickel corners, if not much more.
25. San Diego Chargers- Louis Nix III, NT
Although the Chargers are in desperate need of an upgrade at cornerback, they are currently without a starting nose tackle after Cam Thomas left in free agency, and the ability to get the best player at the position in the draft cannot be missed. Louis Nix is a prototypical nose tackle with the size and strength to engulf blockers in the middle of a 3-4 defensive line.
26. Cleveland Browns- Ryan Shazier, ILB
After addressing their primary need with their first pick, the Browns have a number of options at the bottom of the first round. It therefore makes sense for them to go best player available, and that is speedy linebacker Ryan Shazier. He reportedly clocked in a sub-4.4 40 yard dash at his pro day, an incredible feat considering his position (the best 40 time for a linebacker at the combine was 4.51). This combined with his ability to play both the run and pass means he can start immediately opposite Karlos Dansby in the middle of the Browns defense and play all three downs.
27. New Orleans Saints- Kyle Fuller, CB
Although the Saints secondary was vastly improved last season, they could still do with an upgrade at cornerback. They signed Champ Bailey in free agency to start opposite Keenan Lewis, but at 36, his best years are unquestionably behind him. Kyle Fuller could step in from day one on the outside, or even play in the slot if the team feels he would be better off replacing Corey White. Wherever he plays, he has the technique and measurable to become a star cornerback in the future.
28. Carolina Panthers- Cyrus Kouandjio, OT
Although the Panthers still need to improve at wide receiver and cornerback, there should be good options available at both positions in later rounds. On the other had the same can’t be said for left tackle, where a replacement for the now retired Jordan Gross has to be found early. Although Kouandjio is inconsistent at times and had a disappointing combine, his size and strength makes him a fantastic blocker, especially in the ground game, with the potential to become a franchise left tackle.
29. New England Patriots- Timmy Jernigan, DT
Despite having very few major needs, there are a number of positions were the Patriots could improve. As a result this pick could go one of many ways on Thursday, including interior offensive line and tight end. But with both their defensive linemen over 30 and ending the season on IR, the Patriots must look for another player who can cause trouble up the middle. Timmy Jernigan probably won’t fall this far in the draft, and certainly doesn’t deserve to based on his ability. He was a force for Florida State in their National Championship run, and despite weighing less than 300 pounds has the strength and technique to play as both a 3-tech DT and nose tackle.
30. San Francisco 49’ers- Marquise Lee, WR
This is a dream scenario for the 49’ers, who were one of only three teams who averaged less than 190 passing yards per game last season. Lee has seen his draft stock fall dramatically since this time past year, mainly due to injury. But he is still a fantastic receiver with elite level elusiveness and play-making ability, and would be a great addition to the San Francisco offence.
31. Denver Broncos- Bradley Roby, CB
The Broncos made some great moves in free agency, picking up lots of star players who can help the team in one final push for a Superbowl with Peyton Manning. But one position they did not address was cornerback, despite letting two of last year’s starters go elsewhere. Bradley Roby is a great cover corner when he plays well, and has all the athleticism you want at the position. But his final year at Ohio State was littered with mistakes that he needs to iron out to become a starter in the NFL. If he returns to the form he showed in his sophomore year that saw him projected to go in the top 10 at the start of the season, he should prove to be a very smart pick for Denver.
32. Seattle Seahawks- Joel Bitonio, OL
The Seahawks are in a good position heading into the 2014 draft. They have managed to retain their key free agents, and are in a good position to move up or down to get the player they want. Wherever they pick, one of their biggest needs is on the offensive line, where they need two new starters. Joel Bitonio can play at either guard or tackle, and his versatility and ability fits perfectly with what Seattle needs.
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