The 2014 Mock draft Thread.

[dryheat44]

Great work Heat, though I'm not in love with WR in the 2nd round or RB in any round,
unless it's a FB/TE/HB type. And we would still need a younger DE.

Fair point. I could go Marcus Smith instead in the 2nd, if he's there.

 

[Brady6]

I love almost everything about this, except for giving up a 2015 1st round pick. I'd rather pass on Kareem Martin and give up 29+62. Add Zach Moore along with Terrance Fede as a developmental base DE. I love the Trai Turner pick, and the inclusion of Gator Hoskins, Trey Burton, Zach Kerr and Chris Boyd.

The other thing I would do differently is not take CJ Fiedorowicz at 93, especially with ASJ at 52. I'd take a DE/OLB hybrid edge rusher like Demarcus Lawrence or Jeremiah Attaochu if available, a safety like Deone Bucannon, another LB like Christian Jones, or trade back and get Antone Exum.

But nice job.

Realistically I do not envision the Texans trading the #33 pick for Mallett so a more realistic mock would look something like this.

Trades –

- #29 and #182 to the Cardinals for #52, #84, #116, and #148

Selections –

- 52-Dominique Easley, DL
- 62-Kareem Martin, DL
- 84-Weston Richburg, OL
- 93-C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE
- 116-Jordan Tripp, LB
- 126-Caraun Reid, DL
- 148-Tria Turner, OL
- CP-Jeff Janis, WR
- CP-Colt Lyerla, TE
- 190-Matt Patchan, OL
- 221-Michael Campanaro, WR

Undrafted Free Agents –

- UDFA-Terrence Fede, DL
- UDFA-Gator Hoskins, FB
- UDFA-Courtney Bridget, DB
- UDFA-Zach Kerr, DL
- UDFA-Blake Annen, TE
- UDFA-Carlos Fields, LB
- UDFA-Trey Burton, TE
- UDFA-Chris Boyd, WR
- UDFA-Gabe Ikard, OL
- UDFA-DeRon Furr, LB/DB
- UDFA-Matt Hazel, WR
- UDFA-Khyri Thornton, DL

I am torn about Lyerla, his upside is intriguing and he could be a great late round steal, but his character concerns are a major issue. For now, I will mock him in the sixth but as time approaches that may change. I do not want to let Hernandez being a POS skew my view on giving other players a chance.

 

[manxman2601]

An interesting two rounder from Mocking The Draft's Matthew Fairburn.

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Which teams will pass on a quarterback? - SBNation.com


Some of the picks seem off (Jason Verrett is the #1 CB at #11 overall) but I think his two Patriot picks are stuffed full of upside:

29. New England Patriots - Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

If there's one thing Bill Belichick loves, it's versatility. Aaron Donald can definitely wear a few different hats on the Patriots' defensive line. Donald has a chance to go much higher than this in the first round, but the Patriots would be fortunate if he were still available at this spot.

62. New England Patriots - Brandon Coleman, WR, Rutgers

With the Patriots' need at wide receiver, and Belichick's connection to Rutgers, this pick feels almost too obvious.

 

[mayoclinic]

An interesting two rounder from Mocking The Draft's Matthew Fairburn.

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Which teams will pass on a quarterback? - SBNation.com


Some of the picks seem off (Jason Verrett is the #1 CB at #11 overall) but I think his two Patriot picks are stuffed full of upside:

He has Antone Exum going 61. Bummer. But he still has Dominique Easley on the board. Donald at 29 and Easley at 62 (playing both DE and DT) would be my ultimate wet dream.

 

[manxman2601]

He has Antone Exum going 61. Bummer. But he still has Dominique Easley on the board. Donald at 29 and Easley at 62 (playing both DE and DT) would be my ultimate wet dream.

And every running back in the AFC's wet dream too

Joking aside, that's part of the reason why I like them on the edges. They can still utilise their amazing athleticism without anything having to be sacrificed in terms of lack of stoutness. I don't think either are typical BB picks but the ability to play them across the DL might just win him over (and Aaron Donald's 3-cone too )

 

[patchick]

I'm getting stuck on something.

Using my own mental big board of priorities, opportunities, and when I really believe players will be drafted, I increasingly find I can only make a mock "work" by drafting Ryan Shazier at #29. (I have a fast, athletic LB as an absolute must, and the few later options I feel good about always slip through my fingers between picks.)

 

[captain stone]

An interesting two rounder from Mocking The Draft's Matthew Fairburn.

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Which teams will pass on a quarterback? - SBNation.com


Some of the picks seem off (Jason Verrett is the #1 CB at #11 overall) but I think his two Patriot picks are stuffed full of upside:

Too low for Donald, and way too high for Coleman.

 

[mayoclinic]

I'm getting stuck on something.

Using my own mental big board of priorities, opportunities, and when I really believe players will be drafted, I increasingly find I can only make a mock "work" by drafting Ryan Shazier at #29. (I have a fast, athletic LB as an absolute must, and the few later options I feel good about always slip through my fingers between picks.)

I think you have to give up something. For me, DT and that fast, athletic LB are high priorities, so I'm willing to let one of OL/TE slip to day 3 and pass on a hybrid/edge player and a safety. Assuming Donald is out of reach, I'm ok going with Easley/Hageman at 29, Christian Jones/Jordan Tripp at 93, and the best interior OL/TE at 62. If Jones and Tripp are both gone by 93, then I would start addressing other needs, and maybe target someone like Kevin Pierre-Louis day 3. That's my starting point; others will prioritize some of those other areas higher, in which case the LB is likely to slip through the cracks. Obviously, any situation that gets us more picks (trade backs, or player trades) just makes things easier.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm getting stuck on something.

Using my own mental big board of priorities, opportunities, and when I really believe players will be drafted, I increasingly find I can only make a mock "work" by drafting Ryan Shazier at #29. (I have a fast, athletic LB as an absolute must, and the few later options I feel good about always slip through my fingers between picks.)

Kevin Pierre-Louis in the 4th or 5th would suffice. I don't think he'll last until the late sixth. And Shazier, and his athleticism, is probably a potentially good BB pick anyway.

 

[patchick]

I think you have to give up something. For me, DT and that fast, athletic LB are high priorities, so I'm willing to let one of OL/TE slip to day 3 and pass on a hybrid/edge player and a safety. Assuming Donald is out of reach, I'm ok going with Easley/Hageman at 29, Christian Jones/Jordan Tripp at 93, and the best interior OL/TE at 62. If Jones and Tripp are both gone by 93, then I would start addressing other needs, and maybe target someone like Kevin Pierre-Louis day 3. That's my starting point; others will prioritize some of those other areas higher, in which case the LB is likely to slip through the cracks. Obviously, any situation that gets us more picks (trade backs, or player trades) just makes things easier.

I have the exact same LB targets and valuations, but I can't make myself content with Pierre-Louis as the sole draftee. I like him more as a specialty tool for certain schemes.

So this is where we diverge: more and more, DT is the position I'm yielding on, in favor of LB & TE.

 

[mayoclinic]

I have the exact same LB targets and valuations, but I can't make myself content with Pierre-Louis as the sole draftee. I like him more as a specialty tool for certain schemes.

So this is where we diverge: more and more, DT is the position I'm yielding on, in favor of LB & TE.

I like the day 3 TE prospects. Frankly, my two favorite offensive skill players in the draft are Trey Millard and Gator Hoskins, both of whom should be late round picks. I think either guy has tremendous versatility and would have terrific value in our offense. I like Jake Murphy a lot. All of the day 1-2 TEs have too many warts for my liking, possibly even including Eric Ebron, who will be out of reach anyway.

I tend to work "backwards" a bit. When there are day 3 guys at a position who I like, then I tend to discount using higher picks on those positions. I'd love as many day 3 picks as possible, and I'd be thrilled to get Antone Exum, Trai Turner, Terrance Fede, Larry Webster, Jake Murphy and one (or more) of Trey Millard/Gator Hoskins. Obviously, the more some of those guys climb, the harder it gets. I tend to use day 1-2 picks for guys whose skill set is more unique, or for positions where I don't see having as man day 3 options. Donald/Easley/Hageman falls into that category for me, along with one of Shazier/Tripp/Jones. If I get one guy from each of those categories then I'm happy filling out the rest of my draft depending on how things fall, and am willing to miss out on some specific prospects, but that's just my approach.

 

[Brady6]

An interesting two rounder from Mocking The Draft's Matthew Fairburn.

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Which teams will pass on a quarterback? - SBNation.com


Some of the picks seem off (Jason Verrett is the #1 CB at #11 overall) but I think his two Patriot picks are stuffed full of upside:

I see no way that Donald is on the board at #29.

 

[patchick]

I tend to work "backwards" a bit. When there are day 3 guys at a position who I like, then I tend to discount using higher picks on those positions.

Absolutely! I do that all the time, without quite putting my finger on it as you have. The day-3 DE group in particular gives this draft a bit of breathing room.

 

[dryheat44]

I have the exact same LB targets and valuations, but I can't make myself content with Pierre-Louis as the sole draftee. I like him more as a specialty tool for certain schemes.

So this is where we diverge: more and more, DT is the position I'm yielding on, in favor of LB & TE.

I think you're right. Even this late in free agency, there are quality veteran DTs that we should be able to get a year or two out of -- Pat Sims, Ryan Pickett, Kevin Williams, Terrence Cody, etc.

 

[mayoclinic]

Absolutely! I do that all the time, without quite putting my finger on it as you have. The day-3 DE group in particular gives this draft a bit of breathing room.

For me, day 3 TE does, too. So I end up with DT, OL and LB as my top 3 picks, barring extra draft resources. Easley/Hageman (assuming Donald out of reach), OL, and Jones/Tripp works for me. Maybe work a trade back in there to get an extra 4th round pick, or a 5th. Then get as many as possible out of Exum, Fede/Webster/Moore, Murphy, Hoskins/Millard. I'd be fine double-dipping on both TE/H-Back and DE on day 3.

 

[manxman2601]

For me, day 3 TE does, too. So I end up with DT, OL and LB as my top 3 picks, barring extra draft resources. Easley/Hageman (assuming Donald out of reach), OL, and Jones/Tripp works for me. Maybe work a trade back in there to get an extra 4th round pick, or a 5th. Then get as many as possible out of Exum, Fede/Webster/Moore, Murphy, Hoskins/Millard. I'd be fine double-dipping on both TE/H-Back and DE on day 3.

My problem with OL is that, aside from Mankins, BB doesn't draft them before round 4 historically (and then there's only one that high). And even with Mankins I have a question. I've always understood that Mankins was drafted to play OG but I've read recently that he was drafted to play OT but stuck at OG because he played it so well. Can any confirm this?

In fact, BB has actually said that his philosophy is not to draft interior linemen early. The question is, with Dante no longer around to coach them up, does that philosophy change?

 

[patchick]

I think you're right. Even this late in free agency, there are quality veteran DTs that we should be able to get a year or two out of -- Pat Sims, Ryan Pickett, Kevin Williams, Terrence Cody, etc.

...not to mention Vince Wilfork, who I won't erase from my roster until/unless it really happens.

Here's how it goes down for me:

At #29, I have a shot at Ra'Shede Hageman. Rare frame/athlete, solid versatility, a type of player you can't usually get this late. Can't pass him up. Then I get to round 2 and realize that I can't count on Jordan Tripp or Christian Jones lasting another full round. So I grimace and spend my 2nd on Tripp.

Now here I am at the end of the 3rd with glaring roster holes at #2 TE and starting center. Already gone: TEs Ebron, Seferian-Jenkins, Amaro, Niklas, Fiedorowicz; Cs Martin, Richburg, Swanson (plus OGs like Bitonio).

I don't like it, not one little bit.

 

[patchick]

My problem with OL is that, aside from Mankins, BB doesn't draft them before round 4 historically (and then there's only one that high). And even with Mankins I have a question. I've always understood that Mankins was drafted to play OG but I've read recently that he was drafted to play OT but stuck at OG because he played it so well. Can any confirm this?

In fact, BB has actually said that his philosophy is not to draft interior linemen early. The question is, with Dante no longer around to coach them up, does that philosophy change?

Odd about Mankins...it seemed clear at the time that he was drafted to be an insta-starter at LG, where there was an open job. Maybe the idea is that they planned to start him out at guard then eventually move him outside in season 2 or 3? But he's hardly the prototype of an NFL LT.

 

[ripatsfan91]

...not to mention Vince Wilfork, who I won't erase from my roster until/unless it really happens.

Here's how it goes down for me:

At #29, I have a shot at Ra'Shede Hageman. Rare frame/athlete, solid versatility, a type of player you can't usually get this late. Can't pass him up. Then I get to round 2 and realize that I can't count on Jordan Tripp or Christian Jones lasting another full round. So I grimace and spend my 2nd on Tripp.

Now here I am at the end of the 3rd with glaring roster holes at #2 TE and starting center. Already gone: TEs Ebron, Seferian-Jenkins, Amaro, Niklas, Fiedorowicz; Cs Martin, Richburg, Swanson (plus OGs like Bitonio).

I don't like it, not one little bit.

I don't think they go defense two rounds in a row with so many needs on offense. I also think it would be terrible value taking Tripp or Jones in the 2nd. LB and DT are much deeper than OG/OC and TE class and not as big of needs IMO

 

[mayoclinic]

...not to mention Vince Wilfork, who I won't erase from my roster until/unless it really happens.

Here's how it goes down for me:

At #29, I have a shot at Ra'Shede Hageman. Rare frame/athlete, solid versatility, a type of player you can't usually get this late. Can't pass him up. Then I get to round 2 and realize that I can't count on Jordan Tripp or Christian Jones lasting another full round. So I grimace and spend my 2nd on Tripp.

Now here I am at the end of the 3rd with glaring roster holes at #2 TE and starting center. Already gone: TEs Ebron, Seferian-Jenkins, Amaro, Niklas, Fiedorowicz; Cs Martin, Richburg, Swanson (plus OGs like Bitonio).

I don't like it, not one little bit.

Presumably, in that scenario, you try to trade back a bit and get Tripp in the early/mid 3rd round. Then you might be able to trade up from 93 and get one of your targeted linemen, though I think that one of the guys you list will be available at 93 (probably Swanson).