2014 NFL Draft Offensive All-Team

Quarterback: Teddy Bridgewater: Bridgewater may have dropped as a preseason favorite to be selected first overall, but in my opinion, he remains the best quarterback in this year's draft class. His arm strength, accuracy, and elusiveness in the pocket make him a dangerous offensive threat. Don't believe me? Just look at this play:



Running Back: Tre Mason: Mason served as Auburn's offensive superstar during their magical run to the BCS National Championship Game. Not only did Tre finish 3rd in the nation in rushing touchdowns (23), 5th in rushing yards (1,816), and 6th in the Heisman voting, but he also broke legendary running back Bo Jackson's single season rushing record at the school.

Wide Receiver: Sammy Watkins: Does this come as a surprise? Watkins is BY FAR my favorite offensive player int the draft, and quite possibly, the most talented prospect in the 2014 Draft Class, offense or defense. Watkins' final game against the Ohio State Buckeys in the Orange Bowl (16 catches for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns) further proved his incredible skill on the football field. Watkins is a guaranteed starter, and a Pro-Bowler within his first two seasons.

Tight End: The best characteristic of Eric Ebron from North Carolina is his incredible quickness. At 6'4", Ebron recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.56, second among tight ends, meaning it is a remarkable number for his position. Some have Ebron going as high as 12th overall (Giants), which is more than likely given Ebron's athletic talents.

Tackle: Jake Matthews: While protecting quarterback Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M over the course of his career, Jake Matthews, son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, did a great job protecting the dual threat quarterback. Matthews, along with Greg Robinson, is one of the bets offensive lineman in this year's draft class, and by attending a school within the SEC, NFL teams know that Matthews has faced serious competition in college.

Guard: Zack Martin: The main problem with Zack Martin of Notre Dame is that he played 50 of 52 games in college at the tackle position. NFL scouts say that he lacks the size necessary to become a pro tackle in the league, which is why they want him to adjust to the role of guard. If this transition is smooth, which is highly likely thanks to his athletic talents, Martin will be a dominant force in the NFL.

Center: Marcus Martin: Marcus Martin was named to the All-Pac 12 team back in 2013, but was also the first true freshman to start at guard at USC since 2004. Martin has great size, where at 6'3" he weighs 320 pounds. Martin is projected to go in the second round, but is certainly a solid pick for any team looking for young talent at center.

2014 NFL Mock Draft 4.0

1. Houston Texans: DE Jadeveon Clowney: There has now been movement atop our mock draft: instead of having a quarterback being selected first overall, we believe the Houston Texans will take Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds, the fastest of any defensive lineman. Plus, alongside former Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt, the Texans could have the best pair of defensive ends in recent memory.

2. St. Louis Rams: OT Greg Robinson: Everyone seems to have offensive tackle Greg Robinson penciled into the second spot in the draft ever since his team made it's way to the National Championship. Scouts saw the holes he created for star running back Tre Mason at Auburn, and this skill set will certainly help in the NFL.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Blake Bortles: The Jacksonville Jaguars have not had an above average quarterback since their last playoff appearance in 2007 under David Garrard. The Jaguars passing game ranked 2nd to last in the league last season, and they are definitely going to be looking for a quarterback other than Chad Henne and Blaine Gabbert.

4. Cleveland Browns: QB Johnny Manziel: The debate taking place among football fans throughout the country is who is the better quarterback: Johnny Football, or Blake Bortles. We believe Bortles will end up being taken ahead of Manziel, but it's not like the Browns will be getting a mediocre quarterback with Manziel. After a great combine and pro-day, it would not come as a surprise if Manziel was even taken first overall in the draft.

5. Oakland Raiders: WR Sammy Watkins: Sammy Watkins is the most talented player in the NFL Draft. His combination of speed, height, hands, and jumping abilities makes him the most lethal offensive weapon of this draft class. Also, it has been reported that the Oakland Raiders will not draft a quarterback in the first round, even though last year's quarterback, Terrelle Pryor, left the team.

6. Atlanta Falcons: OLB Khalil Mack: Even though Mack is coming from a college with absolutely no reputation for producing solid football players, Mack's draft stock has been soaring upwards. His 10 sacks, 100 tackles, as well as 2.5 sacks in the season opener against Ohio State attracted attention from NFL scouts, and his 40-yard dash time (4.65), broad jump distance (10'8"), vertical jump (40.0), and 20-yard shuttle time (4.18) all ranked within the top 5 among linebackers. Mack is the real deal.



7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans: We believe that for the first time since 2011, two wide receivers will be taken within the top 10 picks of the draft: the last time it happened, AJ Green and Julio Jones were taken 4th and 6th overall, and both became Pro-Bowl wide receivers. Evans was Manziel's primary wide receiver last season at Texas A&M thanks to his size (6'5"), speed (4.53), and jumping ability (37.0 inch vertical). Evans is an incredible red-zone target, and the Buccaneers are looking to enhance their offensive unit.

8. Minnesota Vikings: QB Teddy Bridgewater: If I was the Houston Texans, I would spend my first overall pick on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater; however, for whatever reason, Bridgewater's stock has quickly fallen ever since he was the early favorite to be selected first overall at the beginning of the season. Bridgewater's arm strength, elusiveness, and ability to throw on the run would be a great way to take some pressure off of Adrian Peterson offensively.

9. Buffalo Bills: OT Jake Matthews: Even though Jake Matthews is projected to be taken ninth overall in this mock draft, it is possible that he is selected as high as the first overall pick. The Buffalo Bills are in need of young talent on the offensive line, seeing that they ranked 28th overall in sacks allowed last season.

10. Detroit Lions: CB Darqueze Dennard: It seems apparent that the Detroit Lions will draft a cornerback with the 10th overall pick, but there is a question of what cornerback will be selected by the Lions: Darqueze Dennard or Justin Gilbert? Gilbert may have recorded the fastest combine of any cornerback in this year's draft class, but Dennard served as one of Michigan State's key defensive leaders in their quest for a national title. 

College Football-NFL Comparisons: Teddy Bridgewater

        Teddy Bridgewater has been on everyone's minds for two full seasons now, as a couple of years ago he went on a tear and rose to national prominence. Since then, people expected a Heisman out of him (not really close) and definitely a high draft pick, perhaps even first overall (much closer). Bridgewater's is a slight frame by NFL standards, at a combine 6'2" and 214 lbs. Other than this however, (a weakness easily remedied by an NFL strength program which could probably add 10 or 15 solid pounds to his collegiate frame) Bridgewater does not have many things going against him. While there is no stand out quarterback in this draft, Bridgewater is widely accepted to come closest to an Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin type player this year. He is by no means at their level, but he is closest. He, for one, believes that "I'm the best quarterback in the NFL draft."  He won't go first overall in all probability, but he will likely be taken top 5. Potential suitors definitely include the Jaguars who are looking for a quarterback and are intrigued by the former Cardinal. Obviously Houston at the top of the draft could spring for him as well, but most agree that in a relatively bad quarterback year the Texans might wait on that position. 

        I have seen one intriguing comparison this year, and it is certainly generous to a fault, but NFL.com holds that Bridgewater reminds us of an Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was picked late in the first round, and is 6'2" 225 lbs. Beyond similar size, when he is at the top of his game Bridgewater absolutely reminds me of an elite quarterback. Like a Rodgers, he has an impressive ability to move up in the pocket and extend plays with his feet, keeping his eyes downfield. He throws a great long ball, (sometimes it is nothing short of stunning) and his accuracy, especially into tight windows on quick plays, is excellent. Bridgewater also limits his picks very effectively, with a grand total of 4 last season. Not only does Bridgewater make for a great highlight reel, but he has a consistently high level of play and manages games well. All this is not to say that Bridgewater will enjoy the NFL success of Aaron Rodgers, but rather that that is his ceiling. He promises to be an exciting NFL player, at the least. 

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Combine

1. Houston Texans: QB Teddy Bridgewater: Throughout the college football season, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater seemed like the clear first overall pick, even when he was no longer a part of the Heisman race. Now, Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles are both becoming legitimate contenders for the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. The NFL Combine will be a clear sign of who will be drafted by the Texans this year, but as of right now, Teddy Bridgewater remains the favorite.

2. St. Louis Rams: OT Jake Matthews: The offensive line is not a major problem for the St. Louis Rams, and I would think that the Rams will trade this pick away seeing that they will likely stick with quarterback Sam Bradford, therefore are in no need of drafting a quarterback. If they were to keep this pick, an improved offensive line would be a good idea in order to protect the healing quarterback.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Blake Bortles: Blake Bortles is quickly rocketing up mock draft boards, and may be giving Teddy Bridgewater a run for his money as the first overall pick. Bortles' size, standing at 6'4", 230 pounds, is comparable to that of Colts' quarterback Andrew Luck. Not only can Bortles throw the ball (163.4 passer rating in 2013), but he rushed for 15 touchdowns while at UCF.

4. Cleveland Browns: QB Johnny Manziel: Looking at Johnny Manziel's passing statistics, it is obvious that Manziel had a better year passing the ball. Manziel had career highs this past season in completions (300), completion percentage (69.9), passing yards (4,114), touchdowns (37), and passer rating (172.9). The Browns are a mess, and Brandon Weeden has made it clear that he wants out of Cleveland. In the words of Johnny Manziel, "If something happens, and it's the Cleveland Browns, I'm going to pour my heart out for the Dawg Pound and try to win a Super Bowl for Cleveland."



5. Oakland Raiders: DE Jadeveon Clowney: Clowney is bound to have an excellent performance in the combine, and his well-rounded numbers are sure to attract an abundance of NFL teams; however, his draft stock has fallen since the start of the season due to a relatively disappointing year in 2013. His three sacks in 2013 is a huge drop-off from his spectacular sophomore season in 2012. Clowney's inconsistency may even drop him out of the top 5 considering all of the talented quarterbacks.

6. Atlanta Falcons: OLB Khalil Mack: Khalil Mack is coming out of a small school, where he recorded 10.5 sacks with 100 combined tackles in 2013. His most important accomplishment in 2013 was the 9 tackles with 2.5 sacks in the season opener against Ohio State. The Atlanta Falcons ranked 29th in the league in defensive sacks, so a skilled pass rusher is an absolute must for the Falcons.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OT Greg Robinson: Throughout Auburn's incredible run in the 2013 season, offensive tackle Greg Robinson gained a lot of attention, especially by creating excellent holes for star running back Tre Mason. Standing at 6'5" and 320 pounds, Greg Robinson shut down some of the best defensive players in college football, which is why Robinson will be one of the first offensive linemen to be drafted in this year's draft.

8. Minnesota Vikings: WR Sammy Watkins: Last year, the Minnesota Vikings signed Greg Jennings to a 5 year deal, but in his first season with the Vikings, he recorded just 804 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. Greg Jennings is on the wrong side of 30, so in order to take pressure off of Adrian Peterson and the running game, Sammy Watkins would be the best option for Minnesota.

Sammy Watkins ran a faster 100m & 200m than Chris Johnson.
— Christopher Hansen (@ChrisHansenNFL) February 13, 2014

9. Buffalo Bills: OT Taylor Lewan: Buffalo's offensive line allowed 48 sacks in 2013, which ranked 28th overall in the league. Offensive tackle Erik Pears will be 32 at the start of next season, and his contract will expire in 2015. Meanwhile, Taylor Lewan is a large, powerful offensive tackle who played four years at Michigan, and was named to two All American teams. Most importantly, Lewan won back to back Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year Awards, which is awarded to the best offensive lineman in the Big Ten.

10. Detroit Lions: DE/OLB Anthony Barr: Detroit's front seven sure has plenty of talent, and yet they  ranked 28th overall in terms of sacks. Detroit's outside linebackers have combined for 2 career sacks, even though both have played for 5 seasons. Anthony Barr is the most talented linebacker in this year's draft, but he is talented enough to play defensive end as well. In two seasons at UCLA, Barr recorded 23.5 sacks, which is why the Detroit Lions need to draft him in order to improve the pass rush.

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Bowl Game Edition

1. Houston Texans: QB Teddy Bridgewater: Despite his many talents, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was not even in contention for the Heisman Trophy. But even though Bridgewater is coming from a weak football school, as well as the fact that his team was not involved in the BCS Championship discussion, NFL teams are eager to draft Bridgewater first overall. Bridgewater is absolutely incredible in the pocket, and his ability to throw on the run makes it difficult for defenses to contain him even when they bring the blitz.

2. St. Louis (via Washington): OT Jake Matthews: Jake Matthews, by far the best lineman in this year's draft, would be be a great new addition to the Rams' offensive line. With Jake Matthews on one side of the offensive line, and Jake Long on the other, the St Louis Rams might be able to have the most talented O-Line in the National Football League. Apart from improving the offensive line, St. Louis may be tempted to draft a quarterback with the second pick in the draft; however, assuming that Sam Bradford can return from his injury by the start of next season, the offensive line must be upgraded as soon as possible.

3. Oakland Raiders: DE Jadeveon Clowney: The Oakland Raiders' defensive line has definitely improved since last season, but it will be extremely difficult to pass on the highly talented defensive end out of South Carolina, Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney's skill set will earn him extroidanary numbers at the NFL combine, so his draft stock will sky rocket upwards despite his sub-par play in 2013.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Derek Carr: This quarterback out of Fresno State flew under the radar throughout the 2013 regular season, and by the end of the year, Carr led the entire nation in both passing yards (4,866) and passing touchdowns (48). Similarly to Teddy Bridgewater, Derek Carr is coming from a relatively small football school, Fresno State, which may hurt his draft stock slightly.

5. Atlanta Falcons: LB Anthony Barr: After losing to San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game in 2012, many injuries in 2013 caused the Falcons to go 4-10 as of Week 15. Atlanta's defense, ranking 29th in total yards allowed, needs help with both their run and pass defense, and an athletic linebacker/defensive end like Anthony Barr will surely benefit this struggling team.

6. Cleveland Browns: QB Blake Bortles: After Marcus Mariota announced to the football world that he would be staying at Oregon for his senior year, Blake Bortles has rocketed upwards in the draft boards. Bortles, standing at 6'3" and 240 pounds, has been compared to the likes of Ben Roethlisberger, where both of them are similar in size yet very athletic quarterbacks. It is time for Cleveland to give up on second year quarterback Brandon Weeden.

7. New York Giants: OLB Khalil Mack: Not many players from the University at Buffalo are drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, but Khalil Mack is an extraordinary talent. This season, Mack posted 100 tackles and 10.5 sacks, where 2.5 of those sacks came against Ohio State in the season opener. The New York Giants ranked 26th overall in defensive sacks, so Khalil Mack would be a great addition to this team.

8. Buffalo Bills: WR Samy Watkins: If the Buffalo Bills wish to build their offense around EJ Manuel, then a new wide receiver should be the first new addition in the offseason. Sammy Watkins from Clemson caught 83 passes for 1,237 yards and 10 scores in 2013, and he is clearly the best wide receiver in this year's draft. The Bills are still one or two years away from making the playoffs, and in order to turn around their game immediately, they must make a huge splash in free agency.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Johnny Manziel: There is no disputing that Johnny Manziel is an incredibly talented quarterbacks, but his lack of size and off the field troubles may cause several teams to pass. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a team that will be willing to take the risk, hoping that Manziel can rescue their franchise.

10. Minnesota Vikings: CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu: As of Week 16, the Minnesota Vikings rank dead last in the NFL in passing yards allowed with 294.4 yards per game. The Vikings were hoping that rookie cornerback Xavier Rhodes could fix the problem with their pass defense in 2012, but obviously, there was no improvement. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is one of the best defenders in this draft class, and hopefully, he can team up with Xavier Rhodes to form one of the best pass defenses in the league.

2014 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Teddy Bridgewater: Even though Teddy Bridgewater is no longer the favorite to win the Heisman, his incredible skill set makes him the favorite to be drafted first overall, probably by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2013, Bridgewater has completed 72.0% of his passes as of  October 23rd, with 2,213 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and just 2 interceptions. Bridgewater is the real deal.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Marcus Mariota: Marcus Mariota, the starting quarterback for Oregon, has quickly become the front runner in the race for the Heisman Trophy. Marcus Mariota is a dual threat quarterbacks, who is just as talented at running the ball as he is at passing it. Mariota is incredibly quick, and his ability to make big plays earns him the second overall pick in the draft.

3. Oakland Raiders: OT Jake Matthews: The Oakland Raiders are ranked last in the league in sacks allowed with 28. Young quarterback Terrelle Pryor has the potential to be an above-average quarterback in the league, but before that happens, the Oakland Raiders must protect him the pocket. Jake Matthews is the best offensive lineman in the draft, so it makes sense for him to be drafted by Oakland.

4. Buffalo Bills: OT Taylor Lewan: Ever since the Bills lost Andy Levitre at tackle, they have been searching desperately for a solid replacement. Enter Taylor Lewan. After injuring his leg against Penn State earlier in the season, Lewan returned to play a week later against Indiana, and his performance was impeccable as usual. Lewan is still a solid pick behind Jake Matthews.

5. New York Giants: DE Jadeveon Clowney: Jadeveon Clowney's stock value has rapidly decreased over the course of a season due to injuries and inconsistent play. In 5 games, Clowney has recorded just two sacks with no forced fumbles. Clowney is still a very talented defensive end with size, speed, and power. The New York Giants would be thrilled to have Clowney resurrect their struggling pass rush.

6. Minnesota Vikings: DT Louis Nix III: Three of Minnesota's four offensive linemen will be free agents at the end of the 2013 season. The Vikings may have drafted defensive tackle Shariff Floyd in the 2012 draft, but there is no guarantee that fellow defensive tackle Kevin Williams will be re-signed. Louis Nix III is the best tackle in this draft, and is definitely worth a top 10 pick by the Vikings.

7. Arizona Cardinals: WR Sammy Watkins: We still believe that the Arizona Cardinals will select wide receiver Sammy Watkins with their seventh pick in the draft. Larry Fitzgerald turned 30 years old last August, so his days as one of the best receivers in the league are over. With Tajh Boyd as quarterback, Sammy Watkins has been averaging 14.8 yards per catch with 5 receiving touchdowns in 2013. Watkins is one of the most talented offensive weapons in this year's draft class.

8. Tennessee Titans: OLB Anthony Barr: Outside linebacker Zach Brown will likely leave Tennessee at the end of this season once his contract expires, so the Titans will look to fill this void in the draft. Anthony Barr is by far the best linebacker of this entire draft class, and is worth a first round draft pick by the Titans.

9. St. Louis Rams: QB Brett Hundley: In last Sunday's game, Sam Bradford tore his ACL, and sadly, he will be out for the rest of the season. In a draft class loaded with above-average quarterbacks, Brett Hundley may be their best option in the first round.

10. Houston Texans: QB AJ McCarron: McCarron, the starting quarterback for Alabama, has already won three National Championships, proving he is capable of winning big games. Sure, McCarron's supporting cast is the best of any football team in the nation, but I would say this senior is the most NFL-ready of any quarterback in the NFL.