Sports World News’ official mock draft starts today with the 2014 NFL Draft 55 days away in Radio City Music Hall. We will be updating the mock draft every Friday and will be in three parts. Part one will be 1-10, part two will be 11-20 and part three will be 21-32. Here is part one:
Mel Kiper Jr.'s Mock Draft 3.0 Analysis
1) Houston Texans: Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo
Against my better judgement, I agree with Mel Kiper Jr. on this pick. Mack has been a workout warrior on top of his incredible senior season. He fits the 3-4 much better than Jadeveon Clowney and would serve the same purpose in the pass rush. The Texans will find their QB in Round 2 with Jimmy Garoppolo.
2) St. Louis Rams (via Redskins): Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
I want the Rams to trade out of this selection and stock pile more picks, but for the sake of the mock they fix their receiver problems. Watkins will be a beast at the next level and is having as good a offseason as any WR. If they match him with Tavon Austin... then the Rams are building the new Greatest Show on Turf.
3) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
This is a great spot for Clowney and head coach Gus Bradley gets the DE of his dreams. Now it will all be up to Clowney to make us believe the hype and become the next Reggie White. I see more Julius Peppers in his game. The Jaguars have done weirder things and will look for a QB in free agency and later in the draft.
4) Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
The Browns are building an offense that will be able to help it’s already great defense, but they are missing the main piece. I like Blake Bortles much more than Manziel, but the Browns have been rumored to want Manziel for awhile now. If the Browns take Bortles, or anyone else, only then will I believe they are moving forward as a franchise.
5) Oakland Raiders: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
The Raiders capitalize on their free-agency mulligan again by getting the top OT in the class. Robinson shot up draft boards due to his amazing workout at the combine and the Raiders love players that destroy the combine. I like Jake Matthews and Taylor Lewan better, but it’s the Raiders
6) Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Atlanta needs to improve it’s pass rush and if Mack or Clowney is available, that is the choice. However, they are not and they will miss out barring a trade into the Top 3. What Atlanta does get is a OT that will be amazing for 10 years on the blindside. Much like his father Bruce, Matthews will be the loyal centerpiece every team craves on the offensive line.
7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
Lovie Smith hinted at drafting a QB even after signing Josh McCown and with the top one still on the board, he makes his move. Bortles is the prototypical QB and will find himself in a franchise improving quickly with established weapons on offense. Bortles also won't have to start immediately.
8) Minnesota Vikings: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
The Vikings find their next QB and Norv Turner will do wonders with Bridgewater. Bridgewater has suffered from draft fatigue due to being the consensus No. 1 pick for so long. Bridgewater finds a nice fit in the Vikings and has a OC who specializes in making QBs.
9) Buffalo Bills: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Buffalo lands the third of the top three OTs. The top three guys this year are ranked higher than the top three OT last year, including the first two overall picks. That speaks to how much better this draft class is. Lewan will keep E.J. Manuel clean for years to come and will even outlive Manuels' stay in Buffalo.
10) Detroit Lions: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Lions find the No. 2 receiver they always wanted for Calvin Johnson. Matthew Stafford must be giddy with all the new weapons the Lions supplied him with. The Lions have the scariest pass attack in the league with Evans, Johnson, Golden Tate and Reggie Bush.
How does your Top 10 unfold? Tell us @SportsWN
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