2014 NFL Mock Draft: Pre Combine

Apr 27, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans helmet on a table during a press conference to introduce first round draft pick defensive end Whitney Mercilus of Illinois at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past couple of weeks here at Ramblin’ Fan we have posted who we believe the Rams are going to take come May, but have yet to do a full 32 team mock draft. Well, the wait is over, here is our full, 32 team, first round mock draft.

1. Houston Texans- DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina

As much as the Texans need a quarterback, they can still get a solid one atop the second round in Derek Carr if need be. Clowney is considered the best player in the draft and next to Watt, the Texans would have a scary defensive line.

2. St. Louis Rams- OT Greg Robinson, Auburn

I realize Fisher and Snead have never taken an offensive lineman in the first round of a draft. I get that much, but this year might break that trend, especially with a guy like Robinson there for the taking.

The Rams may end up trading this pick, but they should definitely consider drafting Robinson especially due to the fact that he fits exactly what the Rams are as an offense. According to Mel Kiper Jr. Robinson is an absolute mauler in the run game, and he has plenty of length and athleticism to also become dominant in protection. Thats the kind of tackle that the Rams want.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars- QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville

The Jaguars need a quarterback as it is assumed that Blaine Gabbert is officially a bust and Chad Henne isn’t the future. Bridgewater is a perfect pick here for Jacksonville and can be their franchise quarterback moving forward.

4. Cleveland Browns- WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson

The Browns are another team that could use a quarterback, but my guess is that they will give Hoyer another try and maybe bring in a veteran or draft a guy in the second or third round. The Browns already have Josh Gordon, adding a talent like Watkins on the other side is almost irresistible.

The Browns already have a pretty good defense, and by pretty good I mean really good. Having a dangerous receiving corps, could help get this team to respectability next season.

5. Oakland Raiders- QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

The Raiders are another team that needs a quarterback and a lot of other things, but quarterback is a good place to start. Manziel will get fans in the black hole excited for the first time in a while.

The Raiders also need an offensive tackle as well as a pass rusher, but Matt McGloin and Terrell Pryor just aren’t the answer.

6. Atlanta Falcons- OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M

Matt Ryan was sacked the third most times in the NFL last season(44). That’s ridiculous. You can have the best quarterback in the nation, but if you can’t protect him, he won’t do a whole lot.

Injuries had some to do with the Falcons’ problems last season, but taking one of the best players in the draft here at number six won’t hurt.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- OLB Khalil Mack, Buffalo

Adding A guy like Khalil Mack next to LaVonte David is scary just to think about. This Buccaneers defense will turn into the Buccaneers defense of old, especially with Lovie Smith in charge.

Mack is the NCAA’s all-time career leader in tackles for loss and forced fumbles, and he has the potential to develop into a versatile playmaker in the NFL. He is the number four rated player in the upcoming draft and would be a great pick for the Bucs.

8. Minnesota Vikings- QB Blake Bortles, UCF

Christian Ponder is not the answer for Minnesota and things aren’t looking too good for Josh Freeman. The Vikings need to bring is a young guy to compete and win the starting job.

The Vikings need a guy that can come in and help get this team to compete with the other three teams in the division and Bortles could do just that.

9. Buffalo Bills- LB CJ Mosley, Alabama

I say the Bills try to trade down to take TE Eric Ebron and add a playmaker to their offense, however, because I did not include trades in this mock, I am going to say that the Bills go with linebacker CJ Mosley.

He was highly productive at Alabama, and set the tone for that defense with his motor and aggressive play. In addition to his outstanding cover skills, he’s very disruptive when turned loose as a pass-rusher.

Mosley next to Alonso would be a scary sight for teams that have to play the Bills next season.

10. Detroit Lions- WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M

The Lions need a guy across from Calvin Johnson who can still make all the catches and that guy is Mike Evans. Stafford is one of those quarterbacks that just throws the ball up and let’s his receiver win the battle, and that’s exactly the type of wide receiver Evans is.

Having a guy like Johnson for Evans to learn from will be highly beneficial and could make this Lions offense even more dangerous than it already is.

11.Tennessee Titans- OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA

Barr is arguably a top five player in this draft and for him to fall all the way down to Tennessee at 11 is a blessing. New Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton will love to add a guy like Barr to an already solid Titans defense. He’s a naturally gifted player with a unique combination of athleticism and size.

12. New York Giants- OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan

Manning may not have been the most sacked quarterback in the NFL, but he was up there as he was sacked 39 times in 2013. The Giants went offensive line last year in the draft, and upgrading their offensive line yet again can help get this team back to the playoffs.

13. St. Louis Rams- WR Marqise Lee, USC

The Rams need a wide receiver and I think Marqise Lee is that guy. Lee is actually graded above Evans on some boards and if it weren’t for Watkins and a sub-par senior year, Lee could be the number one receiver in this draft.

Lee proved that with a good quarterback, he can be successful. He does have a lean frame and had problems dropping the ball last season, but he has outstanding speed and is a big-play weapon both as a vertical route runner and after the catch. His ball skills were not a problem when he had Matt Barkley throwing to him.

14. Chicago Bears- DT Timmy Jerrigan, FSU

Offense was not the problem for the Bears last season, and it won’t be this season. If the Bears want to take the next step, they have got to get better on defense, specifically the defensive line.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers- DT Louis Nix III, Notre Dame

The Steelers need to get back to playing Steeler football and that all starts up front defensively. Nix III and the Steelers were made for each other,  the system fits, the player fits, it just all makes sense.

16. Baltimore Ravens- OT Zach Martin, Notre Dame

Ray Rice had probably his worst season to date as a professional football player. The Ravens will look to fix that by adding an offensive lineman in the first round. Michael Oher hasn’t lived up to his “blindside” status either. Martin is a plug and play type of player and would be a good addition to the Ravens offensive line.

17. Dallas Cowboys- S Ha Ha Clinton Dix, Alabama

There is no way Clinton-Dix makes it past the Cowboys. The Cowboys secondary was a weak point for one of the worst defenses last season and Clinton-Dix would be a huge upgrade and make the defense better, maybe even help the Cowboys get over .500.

18. New York Jets- CB Justin Gilbert, OSU

The Jets need a young, top guy across from Cromartie. Gilbert is the best cornerback in the draft and has potential to be a shut down guy. Gilbert would be a great option and who knows,the Jets may just end up buying a ticket to “Gilbert Island” with this pick, it even sort of has a ring to it.

19. Miami Dolphins- OT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama

The Dolphins are in desperate need of offensive line especially after the Jonathan Martin, Richie Incognito incident. Kouandjio is the best offensive lineman on the board, therefore the Dolphins will take him.

20. Arizona Cardinals- OT Morgan Moses, Virginia

Carson Palmer was the eighth most sacked quarterback last season, offensive line is a need for this team. The Cardinals are on the verge of making a move for a championship, but all of that starts up front.  Moses has the size, natural athleticism and strength to develop into a good starter at left tackle

21. Green Bay Packers- TE Eric Ebron, UNC

The Green Bay Packers could go defense here, but with the uncertainty of Jermichael Finley, Aaron Rogers could use a dominant, big, pass catching tight end. Ebron is the best tight end in the draft and could become Rogers’ favorite target.

22. Philadelphia Eagles- S Calvin Pryor, Louisville

The Eagles desperately need some help in the secondary. Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard is an option here, but the Eagles are in big need of a safety and Pryor is a great option. The Eagles can easily find a good cornerback in the second round.

23. Kansas City Chiefs- DE Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame

The Chiefs defense played considerably well last season, but as the season went on it began to get exposed and deteriorate.  Tuitt has a rare combination of size and quickness, a player who will play at 300-plus pounds and drive blockers with power but can also turn, rip, bend and get around defenders with agility.

24. Cincinnati Bengals- CB Darqueze Dennard, MSU

The Bengals are getting a bit old in the secondary and Dennard is a perfect player to build on.  He brings a physical style and an ability to press combined with great awareness and the ability to defend like he’s in your jersey without simply grabbing.

25. San Diego Chargers- CB Lamarcus Joyner-FSU

When you play in the same division as Peyton Manning you can never have too many cornerbacks. The Chargers already have a pretty good defense and might be able to take it to the next level with some help on the back end. Joyner is one of the best defensive playmakers in this class and would be perfect for the Chargers defense.

26. Cleveland Browns- RB Carlos Hyde, Ohio St.

Hyde stays in state in my mock draft. The Browns have a pretty good defense but need to get much better offensively. The Browns have an early pick in the second round and if needed they can take a quarterback there.

The Browns traded Richardson last season to the Indianapolis Colts for this pick and replace him with it. McGahee isn’t the long term answer and the Browns need to get younger at the position.

27. New Orleans Saints- DE Kony Ealy, Mizzou

It would not surprise me if the Saints traded out of the first round if they can’t land one of the graded first round tackles, as any of the rest of them are going to be a reach right here.

The Saints go best player available and Ealy is that guy. He is an extraordinary athlete who should be able to line up at end and outside linebacker, regardless of the formation, he is perfect for a Rob Ryan defense.

28. Carolina Panthers- WR Bradin Cooks, Oregon St

The Panthers need to find a replacement for Steve Smith and get some more weapons around Cam Newton to really break out next season and take the Panthers to the next level. Cooks is that guy.

29. New England Patriots- TE Jace Amaro, TT

Tom Brady and the Patriots struggled a lot last season when Gronkowski was out. The Patriots need a guy to fill the void and play the insurance policy role when Gronk is injured. The Pats need to give Brady some weapons if they want another championship before he retires, and Amaro gives the Patriots just that.

30. San Fransisco 49ers- DT Ra’Shede Hageman, Minnesota

Hageman ads depth and insurance to an already good defensive line. Hageman is tall, well-proportioned and naturally strong, and not many guys his size move like he does. Landing with an already good defense could be exactly what he needs.

31. Denver Broncos- CB Jason Verrett, TCU

The Broncos do need offensive line, but there depth in the secondary, or lack thereof really showed in the deep rounds of the playoffs last season. The Broncos need to get better and younger in the secondary, and that’s exactly what they do here.

32. Seattle Seahawks- WR Kevin Benjamin, FSU

Can we just not give them a pick because they are on another level than the rest of the league right now? If it’s one thing the Seahawks do need though it is a wide receiver. Benjamin has his flaws, but he could just be what Russell Wilson needs on the outside. The Seahawks will more than likely cut ties with Sidney Rice and Benjamin would be a good replacement.