2014 NFL MOCK DRAFT-Pre Senior Bowl

The college season is over , the NFL playoffs are done, The Super & Senior Bowls are next . That means the first 30 picks (except for a possible Baltimore/Dallas coin flip) are set now. A record number of underclassmen(98) has made this draft special . Unlike last season the 2014 draft has the potential to be great . With anywhere from 2 to 5 potential franchise QB's , 3 possible top 10 OT's, and 3 pass rushers with top 5 ability, and a few possible # 1 WR's . Many of those players would probably have been more worthy of the # 1 pick than any player from the 2013 draft .NFL Player comparisons have been added .So next to each player is the NFL player we feel they will most resemble in their prime if they are a hit. The comp is for on the field play only ,and the higher they are ranked the more likely we think they will reach that comparison. This is not a ranking of top picks though. This is how we see the draft going whether we agree with the picks or not. This draft is really deep at RB  ,WR ,and O-line . So if your team needs any of those there should be plenty of quality players throughout the top 2 rounds at those positions . After all the medicals & background checks are done by teams.I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with over 40 players with a 1rst round grade this season. Last year we only had 19 players rated as 1rst round picks .Jacksonville did everything it could to screw up their chance at the best possible franchise QB.  The Jags double wuppin of Houston has cost themselves Bridgewater ,and the Texans are now in the driver seat. They should take him and we believe their new coach will feel the same . Now that both Marcus Mariota and Brett Hundley are going back to school QB's are at even more of a premium.

* Is for a player with possible injury issues now or in his past.
 

#Is for a player with possible character or maturity issues now or in his past.

1.HOUSTON-TEDDY BRIDGEWATER-QB-NFL COMP-LOUISVILLE-AARON RODGERS-GB- yep... they lost twice to the jags...okay? Anyway, it helps them a ton so their fans should be happy as Teddy officially declared for the draft on new years day. They are now getting the clear cut #1 QB in the draft and a guy who has what Matt Schaub doesn't . Schaub's guaranteed portion of his contract is about done. The Texans didn't win this season, and although they were kind enough to let him start the final after he had already lost his job, his time as a Texan is probably up . Bridgewater not only has the high football IQ and accuracy that Schaub showed in his prime, but he also has the strong arm, quick eyes, pocket presence, poise,  and foot speed that Schaub has always lacked. If this happens I expect the talented Texans to get healthy and make a quick turnaround like the Chiefs did this year. Bridgewater is younger and has a higher upside  than Alex Smith though. To be clear I see Teddy as a clear cut franchise QB that ANY team should be falling all over themselves to pick.  I bet coach O'brien (and QB guru) will take Teddy if the choice is up to him .This could be the pick that finally puts their franchise over the top.


***TRADE*** The BROWNS trade both of their #1 picks(#4 and #26) for the RAMS #2 overall pick***


2.BROWNS-(stl,wash)-*JOHNNY MANZIEL-QB-TEXAS A&M-NFL COMP-FRAN TARKENTON-(ret)- Since they let pocket passing QB guru Norv Turner leave for Minnesota I will play along with the Johnny Manziel rumors for now, but I still think this is just one big smoke screen . Or at least I will play along until they hire a coach to give us some idea of what they are looking for. Personally I think it's a great idea even though it contradicts everything we previously knew about GM Mike Lombardi. Maybe Mike has woken up and seen that athletic passers are the next evolution of the NFL. Love him or hate him (and I have found myself feeling both from time to time) Manziel makes big plays at the best times . "JOHNNY FOOTBALL" is a proven winner in big games in college, and he doesn't turn the ball over. His lack of height (reportedly (6 foot 1 or 6 feet ) and potential off the field troubles make it a certainty he goes behind the reliable Bridgewater . If he stays out of trouble his leadership, poise, almost supernatural ability to extend plays & avoid the rush make me think he could be a winner in the NFL too. That was before this seasons improvements. Already this year he has shown improved mechanics, an improved ability at reading defenses , and a stronger arm . Even more surprising is his new willingness to buy time with his feet, and then throw the ball, instead of just taking off running like last season. He will ignite the fan base and spearhead a quick turnaround for a talented team. If he stays out of trouble and stays healthy this gamble could pay off long term.


 3.JACKSONVILLE-#*JADAVIAN CLOWNEY-DE/OLB-S.CAROLINA-NFL COMP-MARIO WILLIAMS-BUFF-I no longer have any faith in Blaine Gabbert to be a NFL starter. If  you brought in Tebow they would have at least won games and sold tickets. This year they had a golden chance at the #1 pick and the  franchise QB they needed, but they beat the Texans twice and pissed the dream away . With the only 2 QB's worth a pick this high off the board the Jags  take the once a decade DE for coach Bradley's defense. With Jason Babin having a down year this season , turning 34 next year, and having a 6 million dollar salary as well, this makes even more sense. Barring one of them screwing the pooch in the pre-draft process I feel confident that Bridgewater ,Manziel, and Clowney will be the first 3 players off the board . The only question it what teams they end up on.


4.RAMS-(clev)-JAKE MATTHEWS-OT-TEX A&M-NFL COMP-DUANE BROWN-HOU-
The rams have made it clear they are willing to move back and get even more picks. If they can pull it off and still get Mathews(that means just Jacksonville , Cleveland or Oakland) that would be a coup . In this case it worked and they now have 3 first round picks this year.Roger Saffold will probably sign for more money with a team that's willing to pay him more to play tackle. If Jake Long isn't fully healed from his torn ACL by next season Matthews can fill that void and he has the ability to play every O-line position but center, and then slide over full time when Long is done. After the 2015 season they can cut Jake with very little dead money anyway, and right tackle Joe Barksdale is a free agent after this season as well .This son of a Hall of Famer was better than any of the tackles in last years draft in our opinion, and they went 1rst, 2nd and 4th in the overall. He would be an upgrade at every spot on the O-line considering the uncertainty of Longs health . With Sam Bradford knocked out for the season again it's about time protecting him became their top priority.


5.OAKLAND-ANTHONY BARR-DE/OLB-UCLA-NFL COMP-DeMARCUS WARE-DALL- Hopefully by now the raiders have realized Terrell Pryor is a great athlete that could be the next MEGATRON with some coaching, time, and effort. However in this scenario the only 2 QB's worth picking at #5 are gone so the raiders should sign a veteran (Vick, McCown,Orton,Schaub may all be available)to run things. The raiders finally have the cap room to make some positive off season moves  . Resigning DE Lamar Houston and Tackle Jared Veldheer should be their first priorities. Taking the best player available with the #5 pick should be next , although taking a QB in the second round could work. Either the versatile Anthony Barr or Khalil Mack could give their defense and pass rush a new dimension. I like Barr better and I am guessing the raiders will as well.
 

6.ATLANTA-(clev)-GREG ROBINSON-OT-AUBURN-NFL COMP-JOE STALEY-SF-The Falcons were replacing the entire right side of their line at the start of the season . RT Tyson Clabo was their best lineman and they cut him before the season in a salary cap move . LT Sam Baker is inconsistent, injury prone, and after week 10 he was put on season ending IR. Baker's replacement Lamar Holmes was much worse. Add the fact that 2 rookie corners were counted on to be key players this year and the falcons weren't too good this year . Quite frankly, I was surprised that Matt Ryan survived the year without missing any serious time due to injury after watching that line . Robinson is a mauler that will  help keep Ryan upright and greatly improve their push in the run game. Robinson has had a great year ,but in a really run heavy offense ,and until recently he wasn't someone I saw as a threat to enter this years draft. After the rumors of him coming out this year started circulating I started doing my due diligence on him, but I only had 3 games of his still left on my Tivo plus the upcoming National championship game. The first game film of his that I broke down forced me to give him the nick name of "pancake". That's how brutal a finisher he can be  when run blocking, especially when he is collapsing down from the side or going up field.  He has played pretty well when I have seen him pass block ,but at less than 20 pass snaps a game I am not as confident about him starting out well in the NFL on the blind side . Both of the guys I currently have ranked ahead of him would be better left tackles out of the gate to me . I wouldn't be surprised if he started out at right tackle . After the national championship game I still feel the same ,although I am sure that NFL O-line coaches are lining up to man crush on a player that plays with his physicality , athleticism , and mean streak . I need to find the rest of his earlier game tape to fully flesh out more of his evaluation , but I am pretty comfortable that he will still be what I see now. Robinson is a elite athlete for his size that can anchor this O-line for a long time if he can fulfill his potential, but he is not all there yet . At the very least he will probably be a dominant run blocker at whatever position they put him at if he is blocking down , up field, or on the move.  Keep this in mind though -he was straight up overpowered heads up in-line blocking against Florida states Mario Edwards in the National championship game on  multiple occasions . Against stronger DE's he may struggle to get a push heads up. Plus Robinson can start the season at right tackle if Sam Baker is healthy and switch over to the left side if Bakers hurt or plays badly again . The falcons badly need pass rush help ,multiple O-lineman, and a new TE. Don't be surprised if they trade back to gather more picks to fill those needs.


7.TAMPA BAY-KHALIL MACK-OLB-BUFFALO-NFL COMP-BRIAN ORAPKO-WASH-Tampa Bay internally imploded this season . Their talented roster and once promising season went down the drain .  Josh Freeman seems to have lost it and was let go. Rookie 3rd rounder Mike Glennon got a shot to start and actually played OK . Glennon has a strong arm , but he is also thin and immobile . Right now he may be better than Freeman but that's not saying a lot since Josh seems to have lost it . He played a lot better than Freeman though. As of now we are betting that Glennon gets at least one shot at a full season as the QB. The best player available is Mack.  Since the bucs have gotten nothing but subpar to horrible play from their DE's this season a bulked up Mack would also fill a big need. Khalil is an elite athlete who has the strength, frame, and agility to play in either 4-3 or 3-4. Mack also has the athleticism to play a similar role to the one Von Miller does in Denver. He has the size and speed to play the strong-side in a 4-3 and move down as a DE in obvious passing downs. When a guy from a smaller school is the best player on the field against a powerhouse like Ohio St. everyone takes notice.

8.VIKINGS-VIKINGS-BLAKE BORTLES-QB-UCF-NFL COMP-STEVE McNAIR-retired-I want to start by saying if for any reason Bridgewater or Manziel falls to here they should take run to he podium and take either  .Christian Ponders injury history and fragile psyche worries me. He missed significant time this year, the Vikes had a bad record, and he didn't play that well anyway . Matt Cassel and Josh Freeman both got a shot this season too and neither did anything to win the long term job . The Vikes need a QB badly but their isn't another one worth this pick right now. At least not with current coaching staff ... , but with Mike Zimmer  hiring QB guru Norv Turner I would be okay with them taking Blake Bortles with this pick. The Vikes have a strong O-Line and running game and you know Zimmer will make their defense better.  Those are things that give a young developing QB have a chance at success . I admit I had never even heard of Blake until they played S. Carolina , and while he was up & down on that day, it was more his tools that impressed me.  I have watched every game since. He is built like a LB and because of that you won't worry about him so much when he takes off running. In addition to his scrambling ability he also has a strong arm ,was the main reason UCF beat Bridgewater-lead Louisville, just led his team to a victory over Baylor in another up and down game . In the end despite some mistakes his intangibles are those of a winner and he did lead his team to the victory. He needs polish in many areas but his skill set under Norv Turner is a gamble I would take in this case.

9.BUFFALO-TAYLOR LEWAN-OT-MICHIGAN-NFL COMP-JAKE LONG-RAMS- Right tackle Erik Pears is a serviceable as a pass blocker but in this run first offense you need a push he just doesn't give. Lewan would be an upgrade in both areas and protecting EJ Manuel and opening holes for CJ Spiller/Fred Jackson should be this franchises main concern. They also might want to trade back and acquire more picks , because they really need help at guard and TE .


10.LIONS-#SAMMY WATKINS-WR-CLEM-NFL COMP-PIERRE GARCON-WASH- Back before the Lions finally found their long term #1 WR in Calvin Johnson in the 2007 draft they had already taken three other guys in first round with very little success. From 2003 #2 overall Charles Rogers, 2004 #7 Overall Roy Williams , and 2005 #10 overall Mike Williams they got the equivalent of 2 good seasons and a whole lot of pissed off fans. Although in addition to being the one guy who gave them 2 good seasons Roy Williams at least brought them a haul of draft picks when Jerry Jones foolishly gave them way too much for his disappointing talents. Since Calvin came along they have struggled to find a #2 wide receiver. Whether its through free agency or the draft no one has measured up for a myriad of reasons. Johnson has routinely been double/ triple teamed by anyone with a brain because no other Lions receiver has been successful enough to make them back off him. New coach Jim Caldwell will see the same thing and this is the best way to remedy the situation. Watkins is also a true # 1 receiver ,who can also help in the return game ,and the chances of stopping them both is a really tall order.


11.TITANS-CJ MOSLEY-ILB-ALABAMA-NFL COMP-DERRICK JOHNSON-KC- Between often injured Colin McCarthy & subpar Moisee Fokou the titans have a gaping hole at ILB that CJ can fill. LB's that can cover or rush the passer are the only ones worth drafting in the 1rst round in todays pass happy NFL. CJ can also play the middle or the weakside . While I am not a big fan of Jake Locker as a QB, they were winning before Jake got hurt and that probably buys him another season.


12.NYG-ZACK MARTIN-T/G-N.DAME-NFL COMP-JORDAN GROSS-TB-The giants O-line was abysmal last season. Even former perennial all-pro Chris Snee played badly , although injury was a part of that , and he ended up missing most of the season .Still he will be 32 next season and is on the decline .  LT William Beatty played well enough to get a new contract in 2012, but played like crap after he got it. 1rst round draft pick Justin Pugh played right tackle poorly for the 1rst half of the season but he did improve in the second half . His short arms make me think he would be a better fit inside anyway .With David Diehl finally put out to pasture and Kevin Boothe  shuffled between LG and center they need at least 1 new O-lineman . Considering that they have questions at every position a versatile one would be the best fit . Martins positional flexibility would give them a better chance at getting their best 5 lineman on the field at the same time. Martin pulled off a amazing feat this bowl season ; he actually won the MVP award of a bowl game ! Thats right! An O-lineman was acknowledged as the main man of the new era pinstripe bowl ! Being a former O-lineman and coach of O-lineman myself, I must admit Zach is now my favorite player in the draft. I saw him as more of a second rounder who might be a better fit at guard, but after this I say let him play tackle and see if he can hang with quicker guys outside. Either way he can start for them. I would feel better if this pick was one of the 3 tackles ranked ahead of him .   A receiver to replace Hakeem Nicks  or a pass rusher is also a good idea .


13.RAMS-HA'HA CLINTON DIX-S-ALABAMA-NFL COMP-HARRISON SMITH-S-MINN-In the last 2 years under Jeff Fisher the rams have made a large jump in talent thanks to the RG3 trade and a few free agent deals. The area they have neglected is safety with only the injured TJ McDonald being brought in through the draft. Why they cut Quintin Mikel is beyond me and this will probably be a need . Dix has been a great player, in a great conference, against top competition. We doubt his little suspension for taking a short term loan will hurt him with NFL teams.


14.CHICAGO-TIMMY JERNIGAN-DT-FLA.ST-NFL COMP-JURRELL CASEY-TENN-
-Henry Melton was playing this year under the franchise tag before an ACL tear, and who knows if he will be brought back next year . Even if he is resigned they are still running the Tampa 2 ,and front four pass rush is crucial to that defense. Another pass rushing DT next to Melton is a huge need even if they do keep him . Jernigan is strong enough to play the one technique next to Melton . He also is quick and athletic enough to blossom into an elite 3 technique . If his knee(injury was from 2012) checks out for the long term he could go a lot higher.


 15.STEELERS-JUSTIN GILBERT-CB-OKLA.ST-NFL COMP-PATRICK PETERSEN-AZ-Ike Taylor has had a great career for Pittsburgh but his once great speed is fading . Add that he had a horrible year , that this defense desperately needs to get younger,  that the Steelers can save 7 million by cutting him , and I doubt he will be back neat season. Gilbert would give them a new tall ,young, healthy, physical corner to cover the AJ Greens & Josh Gordons of the division . Gilberts improvements this year is staggering. Throw his kick returning ability in the mix and Pittsburgh has a new # 1 corner. 


16.*DALLAS-LOUIS NIX-NT-N.DAME-NFL COMP-VINCE WILFORK-NE--With the injury prone and bitter Jay Ratliff finally cut & free agent to be ( who says he will go wherever the most money is) Jason Hatcher over thirty , and Dallas sticking with the Tampa 2 defense DT is a huge need. Pressure from the front 4 is essential in this defense  and Dallas has a horrible cap situation .It's on the D-Line where the cowboys have had an unprecedented rash of injuries so it should be somewhere on the D-line that they use multiple picks in this draft. A replacement for coming off a franchise tag (and almost completely lost season )Anthony Spencer might also be a possibility . It is even possible future HOFer Demarcus Ware could be cut in a salary cap move. He is still very good ,but after back-to-back injury riddled down seasons can they afford to pay him a 12 million plus base salary , or push that money farther into the future ? Even though they had a historically bad defense under Monte Kiffin Dallas is keeping him around to see if they can make it work with a healthy D-line. Nix is a better fit as a 3-4 nose tackle but I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas goes back to the 3-4 if they don't do a lot better this season. Even if Dallas sticks with the Tampa 2 long term Nix gets enough of a pass rush to play the one technique in this defense .After watching Nick Hayden get pushed around in that spot all year I am sure Dallas has a group of linebackers who would love a one technique who can hold his ground and keep them clean. This pick is contingent on his knee being healed up(he had meniscus surgery late in the season) and being in shape for the combine . In a draft this deep a cap strapped team with a lot of needs might want to trade down. Dallas is a prime candidate.


17.RAVENS-#MIKE EVANS-WR-TEXAS A&M-NFL COMP-VINCENT JACKSON-TB---It's obvious that the ravens offense really misses Anquan Boldin. Evans can give Flacco a new big possession WR that can win jump balls, move the chains, give the team 2 deep threats on the outside, and team with Torrey Smith to spread out the defense. Center Travis Swanson would fill a bigger need and Ozzie Newsome is always a threat to trade back as well .


18.NYJ-ERIC EBRON-TE-N.CAR-NFL COMP-DWAYNE ALLEN-INDY-If you want Geno Smith to succeed it stands to reason that he will need better receivers. While young Stephen Hill is immensely talented,  he is still very raw . The only dependable receiver the Jets currently have is the injury prone, soon to be 30, high priced ,one more failed drug test away from a long suspension Santonio Holmes. Ebron can give Geno a big target that's hard to miss. Ebron would also give them an elite athlete that would be a mismatch for opposing defenses ,and a young TE who shown the willingness to block in those rare snaps when he will be lined up as an inline blocker. Sky's the limit for this kid if he wants it  


 19.MIAMI-CYRUS KOUANDJIO-OT-ALA-NFL COMP-JASON PETERS-PHIL-Miami was already getting subpar play from their OT's before the Richie Incognito scandal. Now they need a guard too. Cyrus had a up and down season this year but I still believe in his long term potential as a left tackle.


20.ARIZONA-JACE AMARO-TE-TEXAS TECH -NFL COMP-JEREMY SHOCKEY-Their mane need is an offensive tackle but there isn't worth the pick in this scenario. The Cardinals have a bunch of different TE's who do different jobs , but none of them do them very well. Michael Floyd's rise helped out Larry Fitzgerald some but he still sees too many double teams . Jace would give them 3 big targets downfield that no secondary could match up with . Amaro caught over a 100 balls in college last year ,and his willingness to block when asked to makes me think he could do a good job of it with some more coaching. The only reason we think he lasts this long are some character concerns teams will be digging into.



21.PACKERS-(retired)-LaMARCUS JOYNER-CB/S-FLA.ST-NFL COMP-TYRANN MATHIEU-AZ-The Packers definitely need help at safety even if Morgan Burnettt returns to form . Add that CB Sam Shields is a free agent after the year and the Packers definitely need help in the secondary . The versatile Joyner can play both positions and he is the kind of guy that will push everyone around him to play better.


 22.EAGLES-CALVIN PRYOR-S-LVILLE-NFL COMP-KENNY PHILLIPS-NYG-No safety on the Eagles roster played worth a dam last year. Even once promising Nate Allen has never returned to form after the injury that sidelined him late in his rookie year. Chip Kelly likes to show a lot of looks and blitzes, but he can't do it without someone that he can depend on as the last line of defense. Pryor can not only save you in the back half he is a physical intimidator that offensive skill players should come to fear in the near future. If I were the eagles I would try bring in 2 new starting safety's. One in free agency and one in the draft. This might be a little high for Pryor but he is the second best player in the draft who was a full time safety  (don't rule out Lemarcus Joyner because he can play safety & CB) this season.


23.CHIEFS-*MARQUISE LEE-WR-USC-NFL COMP-TORRY HOLT-(retired)-The best thing about Dwayne Bowe is his blocking. His hands are suspect ,he is getting slower by the year, and he got arrested with weed last season. Although, as a #2 in a run first offense he is a good fit . Donnie Avery is injury prone and his best roll would be as a #3 in the slot. Add that Andy Reid has shown a willingness to draft WR's high and this is a good fit . Lee was the clear #1 WR going into this season. Due to Layne Kiffin's bad play calling, iffy QB play, and injuries Lee had a down year . He played (along with everyone else at USC)  a lot better after Kiffin''s departure . After a lot of silly drops early on he had his best games at the best times  . Lee can be the #1 WR this offense needs and also help out in the return game.


24.BENGALS-DARQUEZE DENNARD-CB-MICH.ST-NFL COMP-JOE HADEN-CLEV-Between Leon Halls injury, Terrence Newman's age(36 next season) , and Dre Kirkpatrick's failure to develop , Pac man Jones is the only reliable corner they have next year. When a guy with his track record is the guy you "can "count on that's scary. Don't be surprised if the Bengals take a QB here. The Bengals have one of the 3 most talented rosters from top to bottom in the league. They also have a top 5 O-line and a ton of talent at the skill positions. What they lack is a strong armed QB that can avoid turning the ball over too much. I truly believe if any of the other QB's in the playoffs were the Bengals starter they would be the AFC favorite to go the super bowl. They could also trade up for/sign a veteran QB to compete for the starting QB job , because Dalton does not make enough money to preclude them adding a more expensive QB. They could take the talented but unpolished Blake Bortles ,or recovering from injury Zach Mettenburger here if either falls that far. Bortles is certainly more talented than Dalton. After watching his team get a big win against Baylor I have to say I was less impressed with his immediate prospects. He looks like a talented guy that needs to sit , learn the pro game , and improve his mechanics for awhile . Mettenburgers injury would probably keep him from taking the job out of the gate, but it would also give him time to learn the offense and take over if Dalton faltered again .First round QB's are generally pushed to start right away though.


25.CHARGERS-JASON VERRET-CB-TCU-NFL COMP-TERRANCE NEWMAN-CINC-I believe the Chargers top 4 corners are the worst set in the league. Verret would give the Chargers the chance to have one corner play decent man to man against Denver. He's a playmaker that has played his best ball in the biggest games , has shut down the other teams top receiver multiple times, and is absolutely fearless anywhere on the field.


26.STL-(clev ,indy)-JORDAN MATTHEWS-WR-VANDY-NFL COMP-JORDY NELSON-GB- In back to back years the rams have used 2 high picks on receivers. A 2nd and 4th in 2012 and a 1rst and a third in 2013. While all are still young none of them look like a #1 receiver to me .although Tavon Austin and Steadman Bailey do look like long term contributors to me. Jordan Matthews is the most polished receiver in this draft and could be the last piece the Rams need to give Sam Bradford a real shot at taking this team to the playoffs.

27.SAINTS- KONY EALY-DE/OLB-MIZZOU-NFL COMP-OSI UMENYIORA-ATL-The saints switched to a 3-4 this season and the out-for-the-year Victor Butler was their best fit as an OLB. Junior Gallete did have his moments this season, but I still think they need an upgrade on the outside. Pass rush is the entire key to the Saints defensive scheme and Ealy is the kind of versatile pass rusher that can play multiple roles in the Saints defense.


28.CAROLINA-ALLEN ROBINSON-WR-PENN ST-NFL COMP-DEZ BRYANT-DALLAS-
Like the Houston Texans before them the panthers seem destined to wait far too long to draft a top receiver. Steve Smith is past his prime & undersized, but he is still the best WR on this team . You would think they would want to do everything they can to help their young franchise QB succeed, but they sure are going about it in a weird way.  Robinson is like a more even tempered Dez Bryant and that is scary to a defense. If he runs well he could go much higher.



29.PATRIOTS-PATRIOTS-STEPHON TUITT-DE/DT-N.DAME-NFL COMP-RICHARD SEYMOUR-(fa)-It goes without saying that an elite TE to pair with perennially injured Rob Gronkowski would be their first choice. The only TE"s in this draft with a 1rst round grade are gone in this scenario. So are TE sized receivers Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin, but there is great value for them in this case . Bill Belichick has always preferred to run a 3-4 defense ,but has lacked the personnel to do so for the last couple of years. Tuitt is that rare prototype 5technique DE that can set the edge against the double team, but still provide a pass rush. Tuitt also has the size , length, and experience. in a 3-4 that Belichick would covet.  Add that he can slide inside and do the job when they go to nickel , and this pick makes a lot of sense if he's there when they are on the clock. Since they are they Patriots a trade back is likely if they don't have someone they really covet left on the board when their turn comes.

 

30.SAN FRANCISCO-BRANDIN COOKS-WR-ORE.ST-NFL COMP-PERCY HARVIN-SEA-Right now the best option the 49ers receiving core has to run by the defense is (30 years old next year) TE Vernon Davis. Boldin and Crabtree are more big bodied move the chains guys , and Boldin is a free agent after this season . Cooks would not only be lightning out of the slot, he could also open up their offense with reverses/end arounds, and give them a guy that can run right past the defense that it would be hard for even cannon-armed Kaeperneck to overthrow. With his explosive burst and jitterbug moves I would try to use him in the return game as well.

31.DENVER-SCOTT CRICHTON-DE-ORE.ST-NFL COMP-RYAN KERRIGAN-WASH-The 2 best pass rushers in Denver last season were Elvis Dumervill and Von Miller. Between Dumervill's agent making a mistake that cost him his spot in Denver and Von Miller's drug suspension , and now Millers tore up knee they have very little they can count on in this area. Will Miller be the same guy without the chemical help and coming off a major knee injury? Don't know .but even if he is they need someone else that can rush the passer off the edge. Crichton is a well rounded player who's motor is inspiring to those around him.


32.SEATTLE-DAVID YANKEY-T/G-STANFORD-NFL COMP- MARSHALL YANDA-Russell Wilson's mobility and pocket awareness save him from a lot of bad blocking. To really take their offense to the next level they are going to need to get better up front . As of now only Okung and Unger are above average pass blockers. Yankey can not only give them an upgrade at either guard spot,  he can also play tackle if their injury woes continue.