NFL Draft 2014: Round 1

It's time to step up to the big leagues for the college athletes

The NFL Draft, a once-a-year spectacular where all teams converge on Radio City Music Hall, New York City. Each team is allocated at least 7 picks in the Draft. They may do with those picks what they wish, which includes: picking players, trading them to other teams for some of their players, or trading them for a better draft pick. Other picks can be acquired by letting important players leave during Free Agency (which I will explain in a later blog). The first round of the draft is obviously the most important, as teams look to address their most pressing needs with the most impressive players. The players coming "off the board" in the first round are usually those who were the best at college level, generally from the most well known universities. I'll be recording who is picked where, and what they're likely to bring to their new teams.

Pick 1 - Houston Texans: JaDeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
An explosive edge rusher, who is capable of getting to the QB and stopping the run. Easily the most electrifying player in the draft, except possibly Johnny Manziel. Definitely deserves to be the first overall pick in the draft.




Pick 2- St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins): Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
A large man, capable of filling a hole on the Rams O-Line either at Tackle or at Guard. He will be able to blow holes open at the line of scrimmage, which is important, especially in the NFC West, where the battle is won and lost in the trenches.

Pick 3 - Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
At 6'5", Bortles is a QB who shows prototypical size, along with good arm strength. Expect Bortles to become a solid starter in his first two years before developing beyond that depending on what the Jaguars manage to do in the next few years in terms of recruitment in the draft and free agency.

Pick 4 - Buffalo Bills (from Cleveland Browns): Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
An electric WR capable of coming across the middle and not afraid of taking a hit. Shows incredible speed and mobility, as well as brilliant hands. Rarely drops a catch, and is able to take any sort of throw for a touchdown.

Pick 5 - Oakland Raiders: Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
Some people argue that Mack is a better defender than Clowney. A very fast player, good in coverage and exceptional at rushing the passer and setting the edge against the run. Also produced what NFL Expert Mike Mayock described as "the best game tape against Ohio State by any defensive player I've ever seen."

Pick 6 - Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Just the latest in a long line of Matthews to come into the NFL, including cousin Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers. His pass protection is arguably better than Robinson's, and he will be a pivotal player in keeping Matt Ryan upright. Fills one of the only holes on a very strong Falcons offensive roster. According to a Falcons fan friend of mine "A safe pick that shores up the O-Line for years to come!"

Pick 7 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
At the start of the pre-draft process, this man was scheduled to drop as far as the Ravens at no.17, however a ridiculous Pro Day, and size and speed to boot, this man is capable of going up and getting any ball thrown in his direction, regardless of who is throwing it. Personally, I think he will be better than Sammy Watkins as a pro.

Pick 8 - Cleveland Browns (from Minnesota Vikings): Justin Gilbert, DB, Oklahoma State
The first of the picks from the AFC North, having traded back to no.9 and then back up to 8, the Browns got Justin Gilbert, a 6'0" cornerback. The sort of man who you would draw up on paper if you were asked to draw your prototypical CB. His return game is also a big plus as the Browns have struggled to do much on special teams since Josh Cribbs left. My only question would be if he is physical enough to play in the AFC North. Teaming him with Joe Haden, however, could prove interesting, potentially throwing a blanket over the top 2 receivers of each team they face.

Pick 9 - Minnesota Vikings (from Buffalo Bills & Cleveland Browns): Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
Although maybe a touch below Clowney and Mack, Barr is still an electric pass rusher, who is as raw as they come, having only played OLB/DE for 2 years. He's still good enough to warrant this selection, and will be an interesting pick for the staff of the Minnesota Vikings to develop into what could well become a very good edge rusher. However, don't be surprised if his skills don't translate to the NFL.

Pick 10 - Detroit Lions: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Another of the players I was hoping would fall to the Ravens, Ebron provides Matthew Stafford with another massive target as well as Calvin Johnson. These two together could in the future be capable of putting up 3,000 yards between them. Realistically, teams can only choose to double cover one of the two, it's just up to the teams against the Lions who they target. Expectation is that Ebron becomes a very talented Tight End in the NFL, although his blocking needs to be worked on, for sure.

Pick 11 - Tennessee Titans: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Lewan comes in to a franchise that is built on having a strong O-Line. Michael Roos is 32 now, and probably coming in to his last few years in the league. Lewan will probably either play inside at guard, or at RT for the first year or two, before kicking across to his more natural LT position.

Pick 12 - New York Giants: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
A typical size wide receiver who knows how to run routes, and how to run them fast. Compares farvourably to Reggie Wayne, an all-time great who plays for the Indianapolis Colts. His route running is accomplished, as is his catching. Teams up with Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle and Mario Manningham to form a formidable receiving corps in the Big Apple, capable of scaring every secondary in the NFC East.

Pick 13 - St. Louis Rams: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
A slightly undersized DT who is capable of shooting gaps on the O-Line to either get to the QB or stop the run. Mike Mayock compared him to Gino Atkins of the Bengals in terms of speed. Certainly, the Rams will be hoping that Donald becomes even half the player that Atkins is. By picking Donald, they've managed to strengthen both sides of the line of scrimmage, which, as I said earlier, is pivotal in the NFC West.

Pick 14 - Chicago Bears: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
The Browns, uncharacteristically, were straight up AWFUL on defense last season, and by putting Fuller in the secondary with Jennings and Tillman, especially against the receiving corps of the Lions and Packers, the Bears immediately get better on the defensive side of the ball. One thing you can be sure of is that Fuller is going to learn a lot, very quickly in that division.

Pick 15 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State
An aging Pittsburgh defense gets quicker with a versatile linebacker who is capable of doing everything necessary to succeed at the next level. A man capable of playing inside and outside, playing in coverage and rushing the passer, Shazier has been flying up draft boards in the last few weeks, and with good reason. Maybe slightly undersized, but still more than good enough to make it in the NFL.

Pick 16 - Dallas Cowboys: Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
A very safe pick as a tackle, capable of starting at all 5 positions on the O-Line. Not only that, but this man is incredibly durable, having played over 50 games in his college career. Keeping Tony Romo upright in the NFC East is going to be key for the Cowboys who are looking to make the playoffs, and make a push as one of the biggest franchises in the NFL.

Pick 17 - Baltimore Ravens: CJ Mosley, ILB, Alabama
Unsurprisingly, Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens General Manager, goes for a man from his alma mater. Mosley can play inside and outside, which points to the fact that Daryl Smith doesn't have many years left, or that Courtney Upshaw isn't developing as well as they would have hoped. Either way, Mosley makes the linebacker position a lot safer for the Ravens, which is important in the smash-mouth AFC North. That said, I'm very surprised that the Ravens chose not to address a glaring need at Free Safety in Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix.

Pick 18 - New York Jets: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
A big hitting safety, the Louisville Slugger is not afraid to lay the timber on anyone coming towards him. Somewhat of a combo safety, in that he can play in the box as a strong safety, or further back in the secondary as a rangy free safety, Pryor will be given the unenviable task of stopping Tom Brady from wreaking havoc against the usually defensively stout Jets.

Pick 19 - Miami Dolphins: JaWuan James, OT, Tennessee
A tackle capable of playing guard, James is a stout run blocker, and a good pass blocker, although generally considered to be a bit of a reach at no.19, as most teams had him down as a 2nd round selection. Miami have, however, ensured that their O-Line is good enough to open up holes for Knowshon Moreno, as well as giving Ryan Tannehill time to find the right pass.

Pick 20 - New Orleans Saints (from Arizona Cardinals): Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Cooks is a small guy, but he has wheels and moves. He's able to come across the middle of the field, and with Sean Payton and Drew Brees working with him, he'll no doubt come good early in his career in that gunslinging offense in New Orleans. Cooks could be that slot receiver that the Saints have been missing for a while, and with advanced route running and great hands, he could well develop into a 1,000 yard receiver.

Pick 21 - Green Bay Packers: Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix
A rangy free safety, capable of getting across the field make a hit or get the interception. The man I really wanted the Ravens to take fills a massive hole for the Packers, who need someone playing back there in the secondary to ensure that Jeffrey and Marshall of the Bears don't burn them for too many points or yards, as well as making sure to stop Calvin Johnson and fellow 1st round draft pick Eric Ebron in Detroit.

Pick 22 - Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia Eagles): Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
One of the most polarizing players in this years draft, Johnny Football is the most electrifying player on the offensive side of the ball. If a play breaks down, he has the ability to do absolutely anything necessary to get the ball across the first down line. Playing with Josh Gordon could be very interesting, as Gordon is developing into an elite WR in the NFL. Manziel could struggle in the AFC North, and durability could be an issue if he keeps getting hit. Will undoubtedly improve the morale of the city of Cleveland, as well as the quality of their football team.

Pick 23 - Kansas City Chiefs: Dee Ford, DE, Auburn
A standard sized defensive end with questions over which scheme he fits into, as well as worries about his run-stopping abilities. Claims to be better than Jadeveon Clowney, but I think that was just talk. Certainly a disruptive pass rusher, but definitely a man to try and develop behind both Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, both very very good edge rushers.

Pick 24 - Cincinnati Bengals: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
The best press cornerback in the draft at 5'11", Dennard will be pushed straight into battle in the AFC North in an improving Bengals secondary. Will definitely have enough time to develop under some aging defensive backs, and will see good playing time in his first season.

Pick 25 - San Diego Chargers: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Only 5'9", but this man is competitive and willing to fight against anybody he's put up against, even if it means he has to get hands-on with the receiver opposite him. Almost certainly willing to play in the slot, lining up against Wes Welker when the Chargers face the Broncos twice a year. Verrett could well develop into one of the best nickel-package cornerbacks.

Pick 26 - Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns): Marcus Smith, OLB, Louisville
I'll be honest, I don't know masses about Smith. He seems to be a developmental pick behind Conor Barwin and Trent Cole, and Smith could be the man to bolster that pass rush, which would force QBs like Manning and Romo to force throws into receivers that aren't open, leading to more opportunities for the Eagles' secondary to force turnovers.

Pick 27 - Arizona Cardinals (from New Orleans Saints): Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State
Bucannon is bigger and faster than the two safeties selected before him. Teaming him up with last year's 3rd round selection Tyrann Mathieu in the secondary could mean that the Cardinals really mean business in the NFC West, where defense is the order of the day

Pick 28 - Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Benjamin brings to a barren Panthers receiving corps an insane catching radius and an unbelievable raw talent capable of developing into Cam Newton's new no.1 receiver. Although he won't have anyone to learn from in Carolina, he'll catch a lot of balls, and probably score a lot of touchdowns as well, as the Panthers aim to get to the top of the very competitive NFC South. For a glimpse of how good Benjamin could be, have a look at his game winning catch in the BCS title game against Auburn.

Pick 29 - New England Patriots: Dominique Easley, DT, Florida
This quick defensive tackle has dropped down draft boards due to a recent ACL injury, raising questions as to his durability, but that won't matter to the Patriots, who run a "next man up" policy. If Wilfork goes down again, expect Easley to step in, and having learnt from Wilfork, he will be very likely to know what's going on when he gets there.

Pick 30 - San Francisco 49ers: Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois
A smaller safety/slot corner who is likely to come up big for the 49ers, who really know how to make the defensive side of the ball work to their advantage. San Francisco will teach Ward to hit, to cover, and will probably ask him to put on some weight and get to 205/210lbs so that he isn't so injury prone. Definitely a developmental pick, who could become a starter towards the end of the first year or maybe even the beginning of the second.

Pick 31 - Denver Broncos: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
With cornerbacks leaving Denver and getting injured all over the place, Roby brings strength, attitude, and skills, although his football tracking skills do come into question. Physically, he's one of the most talented corners in the draft, but his ball skills leave something to be desired.

Pick 32 - Minnesota Vikings (from Seattle Seahawks): Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
A month and a half ago, Teddy Bridgewater was being considered a possible no.1 overall pick, however after a number of poor workouts, he fell to the back end of the first round. Bridgewater doesn't have to start in Week 1 because Matt Cassell is a serviceable starter who is capable of managing the game while Bridgewater learns the playbook. Could well develop into at least a decent level NFL quarterback.