1. Oakland Raiders: Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
Unless a team needs a quarterback it will be a shock if Clowney doesn't go #1. He is the best defensive pass rusher to come out in a long time. He can play in any scheme and should make an immediate impact. Oakland needs impact players on both sides of the ball. Clowney will play opposite of Lamar Houston and give the Raiders two top flight ends. Oakland could go with a QB here, but Clowney could be too much to pass up and Flynn should get a shot.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
They drafted #2 in 2013 and I don't see why they won't again. Taking an OT when you already have one is a dumb move and a lack of not addressing the QB position will get them nowhere. They have to hope that the 2014 QB class is much better than 2013. Quite easily the top QB might be the reigning Heisman Trophy Winner. Manziel has a lot of Brett Farve in him and is a much better passer than people think. He'll bring a lot of play making ability and he fits right into the current trend of QBs that can move.
3. New York Jets: Marqise Lee WR USC
The big talk about the Jets 2013 NFL Draft was about adding Geno Smith, but their lack of effort to add weapons to the offense is a real question mark. Santonio Holmes is nice, but he's a #2 WR. No matter who is their QB is starting they need weapons to be successful. Well taking Lee won't give them that problem any longer. Lee has good size and play making ability you want out of your #1 receiver. Pair him up with Holmes and Jeremey Kerley in the slot and that really does wonders for a poor passing attack.
4. Cleveland Browns: Tajh Boyd QB Clemson
It was no secret that the Browns new coaching staff and front office wanted to upgrade from the Brandon Weeden experience. Unfortunately there wasn't anything to take in the 2013 draft. Pick in the top five again will give them a shot to get a future signal caller. Tajh Boyd really broke out last year at the end of the season and another good season and he could be making a run at the top QB in the draft. Boyd also should be appealing to head coach Rob Chudzinski who coached a similar skilled QB in Cam Newton in Carolina.
5. Tennessee Titans: Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
If the Titans are picking in the top five that means that Jake Locker has continued to struggle and they need to move on. Locker was never worth the 8th pick and now the Titans would be looking for another franchise quarterback. Bridgwater could easily be the first QB taken, but the Titans won't complain getting him here. Bridgewater is highly accurate and with the weapons the Titans have accumulated, they could be a good QB away from playoff contention.
6. Kansas City Chiefs: Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
Kansas City really did a lot of good things this past off season and in the draft, but they still lack some sizzle on offense. Dwayne Bowe is a good receiver and Jonathan Baldwin might develop into a good deep threat, but they lack a real true playmaker. That's what Sammy Watkins could bring to them. Watkins can give Andy Reid that DeSean Jackson type of athlete that can make something out of nothing.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Taylor Lewan OT Michigan
They didn't get a chance to draft a LT in the 2013 which is a big need in Bruce Arians vertical passing offense. Add in that Carson Palmer isn't very mobile, they need somebody to be the blind side protector. If Taylor Lewan would have came out in the 2013 Draft he probably would have been at least the third tackle taken. Now he's likely the top tackle but falls here because the QBs in this class are so good. Either way the Cards would love to have him.
8. Detroit Lions: Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M
It was no secret that the Lions were hoping that Eric Fisher or Luke Joeckel would have fallen to them at #5. With Jeff Backus retired they had a huge hole on the left side. Now without getting one of them and not taking any other player, they'll have to hope that Riley Reiff can man the spot. However Reiff is probably better suited to play RT or guard. Luckily for them they can address the position here. Despite playing RT his entire career so far, Matthews was considered a top 15 pick this past year. He is a good athlete and has the frame to be a good LT. He'll get his shot this year and a strong year could vault him to the #1 OT spot.
9. Buffalo Bills: Cyrus Kouandjio OT Alabama
Despite losing their best offensive lineman in Andy Levitre to free agency, the Bills did nothing to replace him. Sure they feel pretty optimistic about who they have on their roster, but he's void will be missed. What they could do is look to grab one of the top tackles in this class and move Cordy Glenn inside to guard. Glenn has played well at LT, but he could be even better as a guard. Cyrus Kouandjio emerged for the Crimson Tide which allowed Barrett Jones to move inside to center.
10. Carolina Panthers: Bradley Roby CB Ohio State
The strength of this class may be at the cornerback position where several players have the ability to go in the first round. The best in the class may be Roby who uses his elite speed to shadow receivers and has the knack for breaking up passes (lead the nation). Carolina could really use a corner and was rumored to be interested in taking one last year in the first round until Star Lotulelei fell to them. The need is still there with and should be a focus heading into the 2014 off season.
11. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Tuitt DT Notre Dame
With Dallas moving from the 3-4 to the Tampa 2 the biggest change they need is a 3 technique disruptor of a defensive tackle. If the Cowboys would have stayed put at #18 they could have at Sylvester Williams or Sharrif Floyd, but moving back there wasn't anybody left. But for the defense to be successful, they need somebody. That somebody just might be Tuitt. Manti Te'o got a lot of the attention at Notre Dame, but that was because teams were so focused on the talented Tuitt. He has great size and strength but his best quality is his quickness. He's the ideal disruptor needed.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anthony Johnson DT LSU
If Tampa would have kept their first round pick one area they were thinking of addressing was the defensive tackle spot. The Bucs lost Roy Miller in free agency and he was a good run stuffer next to Gerald McCoy. For McCoy to be successful, they needed somebody next to him that was going to command some attention. Johnson did a great job filling in for Michael Brockers and would be a great fit as a 4-3 NT.
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Anthony Barr OLB UCLA
It's been a complete overhaul of the Eagles this past off season under new coach Chip Kelly. The offense will be going towards a more uptempo attack while the defense is switching to the 3-4. Kelly wanted to draft Dion Jordan to provide a versatile pass rusher off the edge, but was unable to do so. Without getting a player later on they may have to rely on taking somebody in 2014. Anthony Barr is a former tight end who really took off after switching to rush linebacker. He's still raw, but has the natural talent that will remind Kelly of Jordan.
14. San Diego Chargers: Antonio Richardson OT Tennessee
San Diego accomplished their goal of landing an offensive lineman early in the draft to help protect Phillip Rivers. However DJ Fluker is a right tackle and that still leave the left side (most important side) still a concern. Look for them to patch up the position this year and look to find a solution in the off season. One way they could go is looking towards Tennessee. Antonio Richardson is a talented tackle who was so good that the Vols moved Dallas Thomas (who played well at LT) inside to guard. He has good size, but is a good athlete on top of it.
15. Miami Dolphins: Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE Washington
It was no secret that the Dolphins were high on Tyler Eifert and if they would have stuck to their #12 pick that could have easily been the pick. They do have Dustin Keller, but he isn't a top flight tight end. Austin Seferian-Jenkins could do a lot of wonders for the Dolphins unique offensive attack. Despite his large frame he is a gifted athlete and would provide a lot of mismatches in the passing game. With a creative mind of Joe Philbin and the deep threat of Mike Wallace will really open up the middle for ASJ.
16. Chicago Bears: Jason Verett CB TCU
One of the bigger issues the Bears didn't address in the 2013 draft was adding youth to an aging cornerback position. Charles Tillman, Tim Jennings, and Kelvn Hayden are all on the wrong side of 30 with nobody behind them set to challenge. For the Bears new scheme they need corners who can match up man to man and lock down receivers. Jason Verett has made an impact ever since he set foot on TCU's campus including leading the Big 12 in interceptions and passes defended.
17. Minnesota Vikings: CJ Mosley LB Alabama
With two first round picks and then trading back into the first for a third pick everybody thought the Vikings would pick up that middle linebacker of the future in either Alec Olgetree or Manti Te'o. But instead they passed and came out of the draft with no real answer at the position. CJ Mosley decided to come back to Alabama and could have been a first round pick if he did so. He has good athleticism and instincts. He excels in coverage and would be a good fit as a 4-3 middle linebacker.
18. St. Louis Rams: Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix S Alabama
With both starting safeties from the 2012 season gone the Rams had to do something to address the unit. TJ McDonald was taken in the third round to be their strong safety of the future. Although they got McDonald they still lack that rangy free safety to complement McDonald's work in the run game. Ha Ha (as Ha'Sean is known) has the speed and range which is needed to play free safety in the NFL and the quickness to match up to slot receivers if needed.
19. Cincinnati Bengals: Aaron Lynch DE South Florida
Lynch lead Notre Dame in sacks as a true freshman, but had to transfer to South Florida due to family reasons. If he picks up where he left off he should become a hot commodity. Cincinnati franchised Michael Johnson and he looks to finally be breaking out, however opposite of him Carlos Dunlap has seemed to regress. Finding another pass rusher would help keep Johnson from facing a too many double teams.
20. New Orleans Saints: Kyle Van Noy OLB BYU
It was Ezekial Ansah who got most of the attention at BYU, but Kyle Van Noy had better sack numbers and is a more polished pass rusher. He isn't going to wow you with is athletic ability or size but he is a technician and has a knack for getting to the QB. With New Orleans moving towards a 3-4 they needed to add some pass rushers and the only ones they did were UDFAs. After fixing the secondary look for them to make the rush linebacker a top priority.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu CB Oregon
For Chuck Pagano's defense to be successful he needs good cover corners who have good speed and can match up well in man coverage. They like to play the trail position with help from the safety. A perfect fit for that would be Ekpre-Olomu from Oregon. Ekpre-Olomu really broke out this past season leading the Pac 12 in pass breakups. He is really becoming a name people are going to have to learn how to pronounce.
22. New York Giants: Loucheiz Purifoy CB Florida
The run of cornerbacks continues with the selection of Purifoy. Purifoy is a two way player at Florida, but his best fit in the NFL is at corner. Purifoy uses height size and length to be very active in pass defense and that is perfect for Perry Fewells Cover 2 scheme. What is becoming a very strong position group allows the Giants to address a position of needs. What was once a strength is now a concern. Terrell Thomas is coming off injury, Prince Amukamara hasn't developed fast enough, and Corey Webster isn't getting any younger. Adding another piece could really benefit the Giants.
23. Green Bay Packers: Adrian Hubbard OLB Alabama
Finding a comparable pass rusher to pair opposite of Clay Matthews has been a big concern for the Packers. They drafted Nick Perry two years ago, but he has struggled to make the transition in the 3-4 and then was hurt. Add in that Eric Walden left via free agency and there continues to be a big need. They could do what a lot of teams have done lately and look towards the Alabama Crimson Tide and their 3-4 defense. Adrian Hubbard isn't a complete player yet, but he has the size and athletic ability needed to play the rush linebacker and most importantly, the experience. Something most players can't say they have.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Louis Nix NT Notre Dame
Very rarely do nose tackles go in the first round. Mainly because they only play a couple of downs and there really isn't much value in a part time player. But that won't apply here because Louis Nix isn't you average nose tackle. Nix is a lot like Vince Wilfork in that he has rare agility for a 330 pound person and he uses it control the line of scrimmage and create havoc. Pittsburgh desperately needs somebody to replace an aging Casey Hampton, and Nix might be the right guy to do it.
25. St. Louis Rams (From Washington): David Yankey G Stanford
Yankey started last year at left tackle when Jonathan Martin left. He played well there, but his NFL position will likely be at guard or possibly right tackle. St. Louis really helped out their offense this past off season by adding Jake Long at left tackle and drafting Barrett Jones. Adding those two to go with center Chris Meyers and the line is much better. However they still have a hole at the guard / right tackle spot. Roger Saffold will fill one of them, but the other is up in the air. This would be good for Yankey who could fill in at guard where Saffold could man the right tackle spot.
26. Houston Texans: Ryan Shazier LB Ohio State
Once Brian Cushing went down with an injury, the Texans defense was not the same. Bradie James was exposed and they didn't have anybody that could plug up the middle and stop the run. They were rumored to be looking at Kevin Minter, Alec Olgetree, and Manti Te'o but passed on those three and everybody else. They need to replace James who is nearing the end of his career and a perfect player for that is Ryan Shazier. Shazier is a tackling machine with great instincts. Shazier also has the ability to play in coverage which will make Phillips defense which likes to blitz even more dangerous.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Tim Jernigan DT Florida State
With Atlanta struggling to get to the quarterback they spent the off season adding Osi Umenyiora and drafted Malliciah Goodman and Stansly Maponga. However what they failed to do is address the defensive tackle spot and get somebody who could put pressure up the middle. Jernigan is your prototypical 3 technique tackle who uses his quickness to penetrate and disrupt. Adding him with what they did at defensive tackle will really help the team apply the pressure they need.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Brian Strock C Florida State
Matt Birk retiring took away one of the Raven's top offensive lineman. The Ravens were unable to sign a free agent to replace him and passed on the top centers in the draft. They'll have to rely on second year player Gino Gradkowski out of tiny Delaware. Gradkowski wasn't thought too highly coming into the NFL and has a lot to prove. The Ravens inactivity might signal that they are still high on him taking over. But it probably has more to do with them not seeing a great value in anybody in the draft.
29. New England Patriots: Jackson Jeffcoat DE Texas
Over the past few years the Patriots have spent a lot of draft picks looking to get younger and add more playmakers to the defense. The secondary tends to be an area that is in the most need of help, but they show no tendency to draft defensive backs in the first round. Instead Billicek likes to add lineman. Looking to add more pass rushers to the defense it could be too tempting to pass on Jackson Jeffcoat. Jeffcoat has a strong linage and is a relentless pass rusher. The Patriots could really use a full time end in their 4-3 defense.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Coleman WR Rutgers
Everybody was praising the 49ers acquisition of Anquan Boldin and what impact he'll have on their offense. However people are failing to realize that they lack a downfield threat that could really make this offense truly deadly. A player that could really help them out in that area is Brandon Coleman. Coleman has good size (6'5) and elite speed to take the top off the defense and take advantage of Kaepernick's strong arm. Could you imagine what that could do for their already strong running game?
31. Denver Broncos: Aaron Colvin CB Oklahoma
You would think that one of these years Champ Bailey is either going to retire or slow down. But he keeps going. However the Broncos can't just wait for that to happen and could really do themselves a favor by finding an eventual replacement. They added Domminque Rodgers-Cromartie but he has a lot to prove before we label him back. Taking the versatile Colvin would allow him to play the nickel spot before eventually taking over at one of the two starting spots.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Christian Jones LB Florida State
With their recent off season, the Seahawks loaded up and don't have hardly any weaknesses. However if there is one area that needs to be improved upon is the weakside linebacker. Leroy Hill has started the past few years, however he wasn't brought back. However even with him back, they needed an upgrade. Christian Jones is that rangy linebacker that the Seahawks like to have in their 4-3 under defense. Jones lead the Seminoles in tackles last year which is pretty impressive.
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