Just Blog Baby 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round One 4.0
By Chase Ruttig
Sep 7, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Louis Nix III (1) warms up prior to the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
#14 Chicago Bears: Louis Nix, DT ND
Rory’s Take : Nix could make an amazing one technique to pair with Henry Melton when he is healthy, or even a three technique if he can develop some quicker explosion in the pass rush.
Chase’s Take: Pretty clear after the 2013 season that the Bears need to revamp their image on defense after a down season. Who better than Nix, a quality interior pass rush/run stopper who played in a National Championship and should be on the way to a solid career at the next level?
#15 Pittsburgh Steelers: Gabe Jackson, G MissST
Rory’s Take: This is where the Steelers go with best player available and by doing so they can have a shot at the best interior line in the NFL. They could even consider moving Jackson to right tackle.
Chase’s Take: The Steelers need to improve in a lot of areas, but none more than on the offensive line where the decline of aging players and the losses of others have left them a shell of their former selves. You can say that about their defense as well, but at this point in the draft Gabe Jackson has the most need-to-talent ratio for the Steelers.
#16 Dallas Cowboys: Ra’Shede Hageman, DT Minn
Rory’s Take: Jerry Jones will need to prioritize his spending because some real constraints are coming soon. With that in mind, I bet someone overpays Hatcher leaving Dallas in need of interior pass rush.
Chase’s Take: This move makes too much sense for Jerry Jones to actually go through with it, but if they lose Hatcher they will have no choice but to attempt to bring in an NFL-ready rookie DT on the cheap.
#17 Baltimore Ravens: Davante Adams, WR Fresno
Rory’s Take: Flacco can chuck the ball a country mile and they already have the receiver to take the top off the defense, but what they need is Anquan Boldin 2.0 and Adams has that skill set.
Chase’s Take: We saw all season that Davante Adams is a player that can go up and get it when thrown to, pairing him with Torrey Smith at wideout with Joe Flacco at QB would have Ravens fans saying “Anquan Who?”
#18 New York Jets: Mike Evans, WR TAMU
Rory’s Take: Geno Smith couldn’t ask for a better weapon to compensate for his inaccuracies.
Chase’s Take: I like Jace Amaro just a bit more than Mike Evans personally, but the Jets need a wideout more than a tight end and Evans has the biggest name and arguably the most talent outside of Sammy Watkins in this draft at the position. Adams might be a better prospect and fits Baltimore a bit better, but Evans would be a steal at #17 if he fell to the Jets.
#19 Miami Dolphins: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT Bama
Rory/Chase’s Take: I think everyone knows that Miami will be looking to add offensive line talent in this draft. It isn’t exactly a secret.
#20 Arizona Cardinals: Jace Amaro, TE TTU
Rory’s Take: Most people would expect an offensive lineman here, but there are some decent tackles in free agency. Instead the Cards go with the best tight end in the draft and add another dynamic pass catcher to an already dynamic offense.
Chase’s Take: Amaro was outstanding during Texas Tech’s bowl game and looked much healthier after shouldering the load during the Red Raiders losing streak to end their Big 12 schedule. Amaro should go in the first round and with the Cardinals looking to continue to attempt their quest in catching up with the 49ers and Seahawks in the NFC West perhaps a franchise tight end is what they need to get there.
#21 Green Bay Packers: Jason Verrett, CB TCU
Rory’s Take: Verrett is talented even if he is a little short. He is a dynamic playmaker and has very sound coverage. He does all the basics very well and could be a great addition to a defense with a pass rush.
Chase’s Take: Verrett could fall into Round 2 due to TCU’s poor season and his lack of height, but defensive coordinator Dom Capers would likely be very happy with plugging in a guy like Verrett who can do a little bit of everything.
#22 San Diego Chargers: Vic Beasley, OLB Clem
Rory’s Take: The Chargers need to pair another young pass rusher with Melvin Ingram so Beasley makes the most sense.
Chase’s Take: The Chargers need to bolster their pass rush as their number one priority so Rory you are spot on with having Beasley at #22.
#23 Philadelphia Eagles: HaHa Cinton Dix, S Bama
Rory’s Take: The Eagles need a presence on defense and Dix can bring that as a big time safety.
Chase’s Take: Dix is the best safety on the board and should go in the first round easily. Philly is already set on offense so this appears to be the perfect fit for both player and franchise.
#24 Kansas City Chiefs Eric Ebron, TE UNC
Rory’s Take: You know Andy Reid wants to open up this offense and this would be an awesome weapon to add.
Chase’s Take: Ebron is a top talent in this draft and is somebody that is getting a lot of love due to his mix of size and speed that is really trendy in the NFL right now. Somebody is going to make sure to land Ebron before Round 2 and a team like Kansas City which could use both a tight end and a big target at wideout will be the most likely team unless he somehow jumps Amaro/Adams/Evans into the Top 20.
#25 Cincinnati Bengals: Aaron Donald DE/DT Pitt
Rory’s Take: Geno Atkins is the best three technique in the NFL, but his injury is significant and adding another high end potential three tech would be great for this team in the long run especially when Atkins’ pass rush ability begins to drop off.
Chase’s Take: Donald has a ton of value in the late first round/early second round due to his potential to both play on the interior as an undersized talent or where he is likely most comfortable at defensive end. Speed may be a concern to some teams, but the Bengals can afford to use him in a platoon starter’s role while he adjusts into the pace of the NFL.
#26 Cleveland Browns: Marqise Lee, WR USC
Rory’s Take: After getting the franchise quarterback they need, the Browns now add another stud wide receiver to create a potentially dynamic passing game.
Chase’s Take: I am not as high on Marqise Lee as some, but there is no denying that he should be going relatively early to some team that needs a wideout. His durability remains a question, as does the toxic environment at USC where he was by no means a winner. Still somebody is going to take a shot at Lee, and a team like the Browns could be one of those.
#27 New Orleans Saints: Kyle Van Noy, LB BYU
Rory’s Take: Adding solid and consistent pass rushers to this defense is a huge need.
Chase’s Take: KVN is a freak linebacker for BYU and will be a late first rounder unless something catastrophic happens at his pro day/combine. A team like the Saints that can afford to build him up into whatever role they see him fitting would be lucky to have him.
#28 San Francisco 49ers: Stephon Truitt, DE/DT ND
Rory’s Take: Adding youth to the defensive line may not seem like a priority, but it is how great defenses stay great and this would be a solid addition and potential replacement for Justin Smith.
#29 New England Patriots: CJ Mosley, ILB Bama
Rory’s Take: There is a chance that Brandon Spikes will leave the Patriots in free agency and he has quietly been an anchor in the middle of the defense.
Chase’s Take: New England has been terrible thanks to injuries inside the interior of their defense in regards to defense and stopping the run, bringing in Mosley will help build for the future while adding much needed depth in the middle linebacker role on the cheap at the same time. Mosley is NFL ready from playing at Bama and would be a no brainer for New England if he is available by my projections.
#30 Carolina Panthers: Aaron Colvin, CB OU
Rory’s Take: The Panthers have a fantastic pass rush but they need to add some playmakers in the back end.
Chase’s Take: From the “You can never have enough cornerback depth” file
#31 Denver Broncos: Bradley Roby, CB OSU
Rory’s Take: With Von Miller leading the charge the Broncos can always produce a pass rush but they desperately need to add more young cheap talent to the back end.
Chase’s Take: As long as Peyton Manning is in town, the Broncos will be stockpiling young talent on defense. For the time being the offensive side of the ball can be ignored a little. When you have the best quarterback in the NFL you can do that.
#32 Seattle Seahawks: Loucheiz Purifoy, CB UF
Rory’s Take: Due to suspensions and cap restraints the Seahawks could be hurting for cornerback depth next season. Purifoy matches their mold of bigger and more physical cornerbacks and would fit right in with the energetic Pete Carroll.