Sports World News’ official mock draft starts today with the 2014 NFL Draft 41 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. Heres part two:
11. Tennessee Titans: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
With the Titans making the switch to the 3-4, 4-3 hybrid scheme Barr will fit in perfectly. Barr has seen his stock drop in recent weeks, but had a stellar Pro Day and can be plugged right back into No. 11. The Titans are stocking up on 3-4 pieces that can play both schemes. The Titans have clearly made 3-4 players a priority this offseason and Barr is still their guy.
12. New York Giants: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
Still would love to mock Eric Ebron here, but the Giants are bare at DT. Jernigan will step in day one and be a starter and a solidify a line that has a reputation to hold up. The Giants might take multiple defensive lineman in the draft and Jernigan will be the first.
13. St. Louis Rams: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
The Rams gambled by moving back and getting Sammy Watkins and failed. They have to “settle” for Greg Robinson and then reach for Dennard. He isn’t very good value here, but will fit a need and be a force next to Janoris Jenkins. In the end Rams still get much better.
14. Minnesota Vikings (via Bears): Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Even after his impressive Pro Day, I believe Manziel will fall down the board. The problem with Manziel was never arm strength or accuracy, but how he handles pressure and his size. One cant be fixed and the other will depend on real game situations, not by seven on seven drills. Vikings need QB help and the established run game could help Manziel adjust.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
The Steelers get younger on defense and get a player that can play any position. Hageman is a big physical player that would fit in great with the Steeler style of play and can play the DT position when Brett Keisel moves on. Good value and great fit for the Steelers.
16. Dallas Cowboys: Louis Nix, NT, Notre Dame
Nix is the last of the potential first round DT’s and the Cowboys need him bad. The Cowboy line was destroyed by departing free agents and, even with Henry Melton, Dallas could use Nix’s services in the trenches and start the rebuild up front.
17. Baltimore Ravens: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
The Ravens have a Rams cast off as their starting safety right now and could use an upgrade. The fact that Dennis Pitta is staying in Baltimore sways my hand away from WR here. Clinton-Dix will have the chance to become the next big thing to the Ravens defense that missed the old Ed Reed in 2013 and would like him back.
18. New York Jets: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Jets land a star in the making in Ebron and fix a major problem at the TE position. I am very high on Ebron and think him the next big star at TE. The Jets get a average blocker and an incredible playmaker in Ebron. Cross two needs off the list in one pick.
19. Miami Dolphins: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
The Dolphins need more tackle help and benefit from Lewan’s drop down the board. Lewan is a top 15 talent that is falling for his off the field antics. The Dolphins have to walk a fine line with off the field issues at this point, but Lewan is a great talent at an incredible spot. The Dolphins need to pull the trigger.
20. Arizona Cardinals: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri:
The Cardinals signed Antonio Cromartie so the need at CB is gone, but they could use another pass rusher. John Abraham only has a year or two left in the tank and he could groom Ealy into a premier pass rusher. Ealy could go as early as top 15 and as low as second round, but his upside works for the Cardinals.
Check back next week for the updated mock. Tell us who you would change @SportsWN
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.