2014 NFL First Round Mock Draft (32 Picks): Who Every Team Should Pick
The National Football League Draft is unlike any other. Each franchise will make a decision that will forever change the future for the better -- or worse. A lot of time and money will be invested in these individuals once their name is called, if it's called. For football fans who can't watch a game until September, this is paradise. So let's breakdown all 32 NFL picks of the first round by team and select a player based on team needs.
With the first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select...
Johnny Manziel, Quarterback from Texas A&M
It's time for the Texans to stop messing around and sign a future quarterback. We all know what Manziel is capable of and what he's done on the football field. He's obviously very familiar with the area as well. Selecting Clowney would be the "safe choice," but the Texans tried that with Mario Willams in 2006. Williams was good, but the wins didn't come.
2. St. Louis Rams
Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End from South Carolina
An easy pick for the Rams. If Clowney is sitting there at No. 2, you have to take him. The Rams defense isn't terrible (15th), but in this division you must get to the quarterback. The NFC West will as tough as ever next season.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Blake Bortles, Quarterback from Central Florida
A.J. McCarron is more decorated but relies a lot Nick Saban's system, and Aaron Murray is coming off a major injury. The Jaguars need a quarterback, so why not Bortles? He's played the last three years at Florida and he has great accuracy.
4. Cleveland Browns
Aaron Murray, Quarterback from Georgia
Unfortunately, Murray tore his ACL last season, so many will be skeptical. Murray leaves college football as the SEC all time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Not very mobile, a Dan Marino-type quarterback. Maybe the best pure passing quarterback in this year's draft.
5. Oakland Raiders
Jake Matthews, Offensive Tackle from Texas A&M
Raiders have done quite a bit this offseason on defense. If a quality quarterback isn't available at the No. 5 spot, then they should beef up the offensive line. Matthews out of Texas A&M is a good start.
6. Atlanta Falcons
Greg Robinson, Offensive Tackle from Auburn
Falcons need help in the run game, but this draft isn't loaded with elite running backs. Often times, Matt Ryan found himself under a pile because of the pressure. Robinson played well against SEC defenses.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver from Clemson
Buccaneers made a great to sign Josh McCown. Now it's time to get him some help with Sammy Watkins, who has great speed and athleticism.
8. Minnesota Vikings
A.J McCarron, Quarterback from Alabama
McCarron is the kind of quarterback who needs a good system around him, which is ok. He would do good with that offensive line in front of him and Adrian Peterson. Vikings could also use a leader like McCarron.
9. Buffalo Bills
Eric Ebron, from North Carolina
Tight ends don't usually go very high in the draft, but Ebron is clearly the best in this year's draft. The Bills could definitely use a "check down" guy as they are still not set on quarterback yet.
10. Detroit Lions
Justin Gilbert, Cornerback from Oklahoma State
A very easy selection for the Lions. Gilbert is the best corner in the draft and the Lions pass defense is nothing to brag about.
11. Tennessee Titans
Khalil Mack, Outside Linebacker from Buffalo
The Titans need an enforcer who can do a little bit of everything. Mack is a linebacker who can sack the quarterback, stop the run and has good instincts.
12. New York Giants
Offensive Guard, Zack Martin from Notre Dame
The Giants could use a young first-round guard protecting Eli Manning. Giants have already shown a lot interest, and Martin is capable of playing both tackle and guard.
13. St. Louis Rams
Mike Evans, Wide Receiver from Texas A&M
The Rams have two draft picks in the top 13. They may want to trade out for more picks. If they choose to stay, Evans will probably be there at No. 13. Evans can help Bradford and the Rams passing game.
14. Chicago Bears
Ha Ha Clinton Dix, Free Safety from Alabama
Bears play in a pass happy division loaded with quarterback talent. The Bears need safety help, and Dix looks to be the best free safety in this draft.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dee Ford, Defensive End from Auburn
It's time to bring the steel curtain back to Pittsburgh. Ford is a very adjustable player, who can play both linebacker and defensive end.
16. Dallas Cowboys
Calvin Pryor, Free Safety from Louisville
The Cowboys need defensive help at almost every position, so there's no wrong pick as long as it's on the defensive side. Pryor is a ball hawk who can make plays and help the third worst pass defense in the NFL.
17. Baltimore Ravens
Travis Swanson, Center from Arkansas
The Ravens allowed the fourth most sacks last season and Swanson played great against the very best while at Arkansas.
18. New York Jets
Jace Amaro, Tight End from Texas Tech
Jets could badly use a tight end for a security blanket. Neither Geno Smith or Michael Vick have great deep ball accuracy, so a tight end would be a great pick.
19. Miami Dolphins
Taylor Lewan, Offensive Tackle from Michigan
This is an easy pick. The Dolphins had the most sacks against in the NFL last season, so they should simply draft the best offensive lineman available.
20. Arizona Cardinals
Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback from Louisville
Bridgwater's stock has plummeted since his pro day, but he's still a good quarterback. The level of competition he faced was not very tough compared to others, but the Cardinals might want to give him a try.
21. Green Bay Packers
Jimmie Ward, Strong Safety from Northern Illinios
The Packers could use a hard hitting safety to set the tone in the secondary. Their defensive line is good enough to compete. Ward is very much used to playing in cold weather as well.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Darqueze Dennard, Cornerback from Michigan State
The Eagles gave up the most passing yards last season of any NFL team, so there's no doubt -- draft secondary.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Odell Beckham Jr., Wide Receiver from Louisiana State
Alex Smith has been a good pickup for the Chiefs, and it's time to build around him. Dwyane Bowe is inconsistent and running back, Jamaal Charles was the leading receiver for the Chiefs last season.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Kyle Fuller, Cornerback from Virginia Tech
Leon Hall has been great for the Bengals, but he's coming off a second torn ACL injury. For insurance, the Bengals should look at another corner. You can never have too many corners -- ask the Seahawks.
25. San Diego Chargers
Carlos Hyde, Running back from Ohio State
Phillip Rivers is going to need more help if the Chargers are going to get over the hump in the AFC. Hyde probably won't be Tomlinson, but he can help.
26. Cleveland Browns
Cyrus Kouando, Offensive Tackle from Alabama
The Browns offensive line is awful, and Kouando is a great tackle, who is a two-time National Champion.
27. New Orleans Saints
C.J. Mosley, Inside Linebacker from Alabama
The Saints signed Jairus Byrd to help the secondary, so drafting Mosley should help out down low. Most of the Saints issues are on defense.
28. Carolina Panthers
Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver Oregon State
Cam Newton and the Panthers pass attack need a lot of help. Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell are both on different teams. Time to draft a wide out.
29. New England Patriots
Kony Ealy, Defensive End from Missouri
The Patriots defense doesn't scare anybody anymore. It's time to get a big defensive end that can get to the quarterback so the defense can get off the field.
30. San Francisco 49ers
Marqise Lee, Wide Receiver from USC
Lee is a good receiver, and the 49ers defense is just fine. Boldin could use a receiver tandem to help with double teams.
31. Denver Broncos
Chris Borland Inside Linebacker from Wisconsin
The Broncos offense broke almost every offensive record last season. Clearly, defense is the issue, and Borland can provide sure tackles.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Demarcus Lawrence, Defensive End from Boise State
The Seahawks defense is already elite, but at this point Lawrence may be a steal at the No. 32 pick. With the "legion of boom" secondary and an improved line, this could be scary.
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