2014 NFL Draft Results and Grades for Each Team for Round 1

2014 NFL Mock Draft Results and Grades-Round 1

The first day of the draft is a wrap and we see some surprises and some teams trading picks but nothing earth shattering. My top 10 players drafted prediction was almost 100% accurate except for which teams chose which player. The big surprise for me was the Jacksonville Jaguars choosing QB Blake Bortles. In my opinion this was the worst draft pick in the top 10, but considering it’s GM Dave Caldwell and the Jags, I’m not surprised they blew the third pick. I had the my top 13 players going in the top 12, makes me happy.

Refer to articles below for a further explanation of why a player was predicted

• 2014 NFL MOCK DRAFT Top 10
• The 2014 NFL MOCK DRAFT Picks 11-21
• 2014 NFL MOCK DRAFT Part 3 Picks 22-32

2014 NFL Draft-round 1

1. The Houston Texans–Jadeveon Clowney, DE University of South Carolina Draft Grade: A+Little Risky maybe but worth it. Clowney IS the #1 pick and every talking head should kill themselves for saying he wasn’t.My Mock Pick: Jadeveon Clowney, DE University of South Carolina
2. St. Louis Rams–Greg Robinson, OT Auburn Draft Grade: A+The Rams prove that you can never have enough talent at the tackle position. Many heckled me for making this pick. There you go boys.

   My Mock Pick: Greg Robinson, OT Auburn

3. Jacksonville Jaguars–Blake Bortles, QB UCF Draft Grade: F Overpaid!!!! What were they thinking. The worst use of a #3 pick in a long time. They had plenty of time to take Bortles. He was on no one’s radar in the top 10. They could have easily traded down, got some more picks and still got their man. GM Caldwell is a moron and that won’t change. And people wonder why this team is a perennial loser. I certainly don’t, the evidence is compelling when you screw up the #3 pick..My Mock Pick: Khalil Mack, OLB Buffalo
4. ***Cleveland Browns–Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson ***Trades pick***Buffalo Bills– Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson ***Drafted with trade pick Draft Grade: A++Great trade up. Bills move up here and take the best WR in the draft. Great move. With the addition of Mike Williams from The Bucs in the off season, the Bills have a good foundation for a strong passing game which should spell a big year and a revival of C.J.Spiller’s career. Great trade up.

   My Mock Pick: Cleveland Browns–Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson ** Traded Pick**

5. Oakland Raiders–Khalil Mack, OLB Buffalo Draft Grade: A+ Luck falling Oakland’s way. No argument here when a top dog OLB falls in your lap. Reggie McKenzie must be thanking the football Gods, He definitely is laughing at Dave Caldwell.My Mock Pick: Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M
6. Atlanta Falcons–Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M Draft Grade: A++ Falcons in the right place at the right time. No reason to pick a Tight End here with Jacksonville pushing top picks down the board. Great pick up for Atlanta giving them a future Pro Bowl Offensive tackle for the next decade.My Mock Pick: Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers–Mike Evans, WR Draft Grade: A++ Perfect fit in this offense. Gives Vincent Jackson a partner on the field and instantly give McCown a play making WR to play throw and catch with. Great pick as predicted.My Mock Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers–Mike Evans, WR
8. ***Minnesota Vikings–Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State ***Trades pick***Cleveland Browns–Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State ***Drafted with trade pick**Draft Grade: A Cleveland trading down surprised me, they could have taken Sammy and that would have really gave them a threat with Josh Gordon, they also could have taken Khalil Mack so I am really confused why they didn’t stay pat. Gilbert is a great pick and he gets drafted in the exact spot I predicted but Cleveland will regret this trade down.

   My Mock Pick: Minnesota Vikings–Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State ** Traded Pick**

9. ***Buffalo Bills–Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan ***Trades pick***Minnesota Vikings–Anthony Barr, OLB UCLA ***Drafted with trade pick** Draft Grade: B-Needed secondary help badly. 28^th in pass defense, 31^st in opposing QBR and they choose a OLB. Amazing! But not surprising in the least. I can’t figure out Rick Spielman so I will just sit here dumbfounded as usual. Could have stayed pat and rocked with the Justin Gilbert pick. Easily, the worst GM in football besides Dave Caldwell in Jacksonville and should have stayed at NFL live.

   My Mock Pick: ***Buffalo Bills–Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan ** Traded Pick**

10. Detroit Lions–Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina Draft Grade: B Had more pressing needs. Kinda shocked Lions went Tight End here but I guess it makes sense paying Stafford all that money and needing a red zone target so can’t argue the pick.My Mock Pick: Anthony Barr, OLB UCLA
11. Tennessee Titan–Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan Draft Grade: A Maybe Locker will stay healthy now. Really thought they would give Jake Locker some competition with a QB, but with Bortles gone, I guess protecting Locker is the next best thing. Good pick, considering no QB works using a draft pick on.My Mock Pick: Blake Bortles, QB UCF
12. New York Giants–Odell Beckham, WR LSU Draft Grade: B+ Could have traded down and still gotten Beckham Jr. Overpaid. The Giants picking WR Odell Beckham Jr was shocking. I had Beckham Jr. drafted by Jets at #18. Giants are a weird team and never seem to do what anyone expects. They filled a WR need after losing Hakeem Nicks to free agency, which wasn’t much of a loss anyways.My Mock Pick: Aaron Donald, DT Pitt
13. St; Louis Ram–Aaron Donald, DT Pitt Draft Grade: A Fell into Snead’s lap. GM Snead of the Rams, who had next pick, must have fell off his seat when Donald landed in his lap and quickly took him.My Mock Pick: Calvin Pryor, FS
14. Chicago Bears–Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech Draft Grade:C Could have done better drafting Dennard. Da Bears had a need for a CB or a Safety, they went safety with Kyle Fuller which to me is a bit of a shock as I didn’t have him ranked higher than Dennard, but it was a good pick by the Bears and filled a need. Look for Da Bears to address the Safety position in later rounds.My Mock Pick: HaSean Clinton-Dix, FS Alabama
15. Pittsburgh Steelers–Ryan Shazier OLB Ohio State Draft Grade: C- Steelers need a top rated CB first. Pittsburgh shocks me here drafting Ryan Shazier OLB Ohio State, I really thought they would try and upgrade a corner position since Ike Taylor was toasted so often last year he looked like a favorite cereal, Toasted Taylor. I didn’t project Shazier in the first round..my bad.My Mock Pick: Darqueze Dennard, CB Michigan
16. Dallas Cowboy–Zack Martin, OT Notre Dame Draft Grade: B- So many other positions needed. Would be a D grade but Martin is the real deal, thus I give the B-.Dallas confuses me totally with this pick. They have so many positions to fill defensively and they choose an Offensive lineman. I am speechless. Good player but they had bigger needs.

    My Mock Pick: Timmy Jernigan, DT Florida State

17. Baltimore Ravens–C.J. Mosley, ILB Alabama Draft Grade: A Can’t argue with Ozzie, If he says he fits, he does. With Zack Martin off the board, GM Ozzie Newsome picks a ILB and that’s not a shock to me at all. I am surprised they didn’t jump on Pryor or Clinton-Dix at free Safety but Ozzie is the best GM in the league building a team and I wouldn’t dream of arguing any move he makes.My Mock Pick: Zack Martin, OT Notre Dame
18. New York Jet–Calvin Pryor, FS Louisville Draft Grade: C Should have taken Brandin Cooks. Would be a F grade but Pryor elevates the grade two levels.Man, it’s hard being a Jet fan. A free Safety here is a disaster. Free Safety don’t change lose records to winning ones. Jets needed a WR and blew it. They should have taken Brandin Cooks with Beckham Jr. off the board. Really crushed here even if Pryor is a top ranked safety.

    My Mock Pick: Odell Beckham, WR

19. Miami Dolphin–Ja’Wuan James OT Tennessee Grade: B+ Makes sense, just never thought James would go so high. With Moseley off the board, Dennis Hickey had to switch gears. Even though they got Branden Albert in free agency, I can see Hickey’s thought process here that a RG would bolster the line and give Tannehill better protection since Miami led the league in getting their QB killed. I didn’t have J. James in the top 32 but I can’t argue the logic here. Have to say good pick.My Mock Pick: C.J. Mosley, ILB
20. ***Arizona Cardinals–Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M ***Trades pick*** New Orleans Saints– Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State ***Drafted with trade pick Draft Grade: A++ 10 TDs first year with Brees. With Green Bay just waiting to grab Cooks next, The Saints make a move and trade their pick to the Arizona Cardinals, Good move for both teams, as the Cardinals are in a weird position needing positions that should hold till later in the round. Cardinals still have a great chance at getting a QB and compensation with this trade. Good pick and good trade up.

    My Mock Pick: Arizona Cardinals–Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M ** Traded Pick**

21. Green Bay Packer–Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS Alabama Draft Grade: A Perfect fit for a much needed position. With the The Saints jumping ahead, the Packers are forced to switch gears, As I said, Packers had a need for a WR, TE and a Safety, and with The Saints screwing up their pick, they choose a definite play maker that can contribute immediately. Packers needed a quick lateral Free Safety and got him. Good Pick and I bet they try and stick it to the Saints at some point. Excellent pick getting such a talented Safety at a fairly cheap price.My Mock Pick: Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State
22. ***Philadelphia Eagle–Bradley Roby CB Ohio State ***Trades pick*** Cleveland Browns– Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M ***Drafted with trade pick Draft Grade: A- Not sold on Manziel but good move if the Browns are. The Browns trade up with Philadelphia here and grab their next “franchise” QB. Interesting trade, I guess they were afraid Cincinnati might jump at Johnny Manziel.

    My Mock Pick: Philadelphia Eagle–Bradley Roby CB Ohio State ** Traded Pick**

23. Kansas City Chiefs–Dee Ford DE Auburn Draft Grade: D- Would be an F grade except Dee Ford has awesome talent. Amazing, The Chiefs lose two guards and a left tackle. Arguably one of the better defenses in the league and they draft a pass rushing Defensive End. They pass on two WRs in Kelvin Benjamin and Marqise Lee. What is Andy Reid thinking? Bet against the Chiefs this year. Alex Smith better get a bodyguard and hope that he doesn’t get killed. Chiefs headed to a 4 win season now. Unreal, Who exactly is Alex going to pass to and poor Jamaal Charles going get stuffed when the defenses stack the box.My Mock Pick: Marqise Lee, WR Southern California
24. Cincinnati Bengals–Darqueze Dennard, CB Michigan Draft Grade: A Makes a strong defense even stronger. With top talent CB on the board, why wouldn’t Cincinnati forgo a QB draft and get this guy. An instant starter and a definite big time defender for the Bengals who already had a top defense. The good get better and they can get a QB in later rounds. Great pick.My Mock Pick: Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville
25. San Diego Chargers–Jason Verrett, CB TCU Draft Grade: A Filled their biggest need and Verrett is an exact match for the CB that fits into their schemes. As I wrote in my mock, Chargers biggest need was a CB. Can’t argue postponing a nose tackle draft and taking Jason Verrett. Excellent pick, maybe they move up in round #2 for Nix.My Mock Pick: Louis Nix, NT Notre Dame
26. ***Cleveland Browns–Derek Carr, QB Fresno State ***Trades pick***Philadelphia Eagle-Marcus Smith DE Louisville ***Drafted with trade pick Draft Grade: DI’d be lying if I had a clue what this pick was all about. Ignoring a real need at CB and WR for a Defensive End is confusing. With Benjamin and Lee on the board, Chip Kelly could have easily replaced DeSean Jackson here. Bradley Roby was out there but I guess his recent legal issue prevented that move considering Chip Kelly and the Eagles don’t want any issues on their team, besides racists. Weird stuff happening in Philadelphia this year.

    My Mock Pick: Cleveland Browns–Derek Carr, QB Fresno State ** Traded Pick**

27. ***New Orleans Saints-Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech ***Trades Pick ***Arizona Cardinals-Deone Bucannon Safety Washington State ***Drafted with trade pick Draft Grade: C Arizona’s top need was CB. Lots of CBs chosen so I get the pick as rational and safe. Problem I have is they got the a 4^th with a first round pick and that’s not a good strategy. They should have taken Benjamin or Teddy Bridgewater. Major mistake and they will regret not filling a different need.My Mock Pick: New Orleans Saints-Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech ** Traded Pick**
28. Carolina Panthers–Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State Draft Grade: A++ The healing begins. Can’t argue with Dave Gettleman here. He cut most of his receivers and drafted a huge target for Cam. Great pick and I am sure that hurts Seattle and their plan as he fits nicely in their offense.My Mock Pick: Morgan Moses, OT Virginia
29. New England Patriots–Dominique Easley DT Florida Draft Grade: B Just can’t give an A or a C grade here. Guess we know how Belichick feels about Vince Wilfork and his asking to be released. Patriots have always liked a guy who can play inside and Easley can definitely bring the heat. Good pick by the Patriots and again Belichick inspires to be the enigma when he drafts. We will see if his ACL tears in high school come back to haunt his career and Patriots first round pick.My Mock Pick: Jace Amaro, TE Texas
30. San Francisco 49ers–Jimmie Ward Safety North Illinois Draft Grade: B- Had more need for a WR or a CB. Verrett off the board so San Francisco switches gears. Would be a C- grade but Ward is a top rated Safety so they get a grade up. Why not. This is a need position for the 49ers. Little shocked they didn’t take Cooks here as he would have filled in nicely for Mannigham leaving and could have balanced the wide receiving corps and took some coverage off Michael Crabtree.My Mock Pick: Jason Verrett, CB TCU
31. Denver Broncos–Bradley Roby CB Ohio State Draft Grade: B- Maturity level is a definite issue now. With Roby sliding because of the legal trouble, Elway had to pull the trigger. Good pickup for the Broncos. They had a need and filled it with a guy who has great speed, plays tight coverage and brings a mental focus on to the field. This could be the last piece of Elway’s puzzle getting back to the Super Bowl.My Mock Pick: Xavier Su’a-Filo OG UCLA
32. ***Seattle Seahawks-Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State ***Trades Pick***Minnesota Viking–Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville ***Drafted with trade pick Draft Grade: B+ Would be an A+ but Vikings track record on QBs prevent that grade and Teddy had huge ups and downs at his pro days. Ok, now we see why Minnesota didn’t draft a QB early. They guessed right that he would be passed by all other 31 teams and made their move. Is it a good move. Hell yeah they got a QB that fell because of some uneven pro day workouts. But the college game film doesn’t lie. This kid is good. Played in an NFL system at Louisville and good get the start early in the season. Surprised that Seattle traded the pick, but they can still get who they are looking as their needs are still abundantly out there.

    My Mock Pick: Seattle Seahawks-Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State ** Traded Pick**

There you go football fans. We had been waiting for months for today and all and all it was a great day. Let me summarize with today’s 3 biggest winners and losers in the first round:

Winners:

• Buffalo Bills–Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson
• Oakland Raiders–Khalil Mack, OLB Buffalo
• New Orleans Saints– Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State

Losers:

• Jacksonville Jaguars–Blake Bortles, QB UCF
• New York Jet–Calvin Pryor, FS Louisville
• Kansas City Chiefs–Dee Ford DE Auburn