2014 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

I would not be surprised to see the Houston Texans trade this pick, but for new Texans head coach Bill O’Brien he would welcome the idea of beginning his regime with a new quarterback.

Like the Texans, the St. Louis Rams could trade this pick, but if they decide to keep it, then they will have a themselves a stud outside linebacker.

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley attempted to get his feet wet as a first-year head coach without a franchise quarterback last season. Bradley and the Jags will attempt address their problems at quarterback very early at next month’s National Football League Draft.

The Cleveland Browns need a franchise changing quarterback and Johnny Manziel has something to prove. It sounds like a match made in football heaven.

The Oakland Raiders will miss out on the first round quarterback rush this year, but they can still get a hard-hitting, physical safety.

Jadeveon Clowney might be the best athlete available in the draft and he will go to a team in the Atlanta Falcons that is desperate for a dominant edge rusher.

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith is going to build this team in the same mold that he did during his time as the head coach of the Chicago Bears which means defense first.

Once again the Minnesota Vikings could be shopping for a quarterback and if there isn’t one available they could trade down.

Last year Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone drafted his franchise quarterback in EJ Manuel. This year Marrone will draft a left tackle than can protect his young quarterback.

In a division that features wide receivers such as Cordarrelle Patterson and Brandon Marshall, the Detroit Lions need all of the help in the secondary that they can get.

Last season the Tennessee Titans defensive line was pourous at best and new Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt is out to change that.

Last year the New York Giants used their first-round pick on offensive tackle Justin Pugh. This year the Giants could use their first-round choice on Taylor Lewan to give quarterback Eli Manning protection on both sides of the line.

The St. Louis Rams have the heart to contend in the NFC West, but for them to actually win the division they will need more skilled athletes.

In the last four seasons Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has not started all 16 regular season games once and Bears head coach Marc Trestman knows that he must protect his franchise quarterback if the Bears are going to win.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are spending this off-season getting back to their identity which is being a tough football team in the trenches.

The Dallas Cowboys cut defensive end DeMarcus Ware and they will be in play for another edge rusher.

Last season Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was sacked 48 which was second in the NFL. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome must protect his franchise quarterback if Baltimore is going to get back to the playoffs.

New York Jets general manager John Idzik is attempting to build this team in the mold of his former NFL employer in the Seattle Seahawks which means athletes and playmakers at every position.

The Miami Dolphins have several needs, but more than anything they need a leader on defense.

The Arizona Cardinals are not desperate for a cornerback, but at this point Justin Gilbert is the best athlete available.

Lately too much has been asked of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and he needs more talent around him.

Dee Ford is a hybrid that could be an edge rusher in either the 4-3 or 3-4 defenses which bodes well for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Kansas City Chiefs enter the NFL Draft with several needs, but they have glaring weakness on their offensive line.

The Cincinnati Bengals will enter the NFL Draft with the luxury of selecting the best athlete available.

If the San Diego Chargers are going to keep up with the high-powered offenses in the AFC West they must improve their secondary.

A few years ago the Cleveland Browns had multiple first-round draft picks and they proceeded to drop the ball and they cannot afford another misstep in 2014.

The championship window has not closed on the New Orleans Saints, but for it to stay open, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis must provide protection to the blindside of his quarterback in Drew Brees.

For the past few years the Carolina Panthers have missed the opportunity to upgrade their offense and put more talent around quarterback Cam Newton. After releasing wide receiver Steve Smith and letting Brandon LaFell walk in free agency this off-season, the Panthers cannot allow another chance to go by without bringing in more skill players.

With the injuries mounting for New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick must find another option at tight end.

In
the past few off-seasons the San Francisco 49ers secondary has been decimated by departures via free agency and it is time for Niners general manager Trent Baalke to get new skill players on the back end of the defense.

The Denver Broncos signed defensive end DeMarcus Ware this off-season but his signing alone will not be enough for the Broncos to get back to the Super Bowl.

The richer get richer as the Seattle Seahawks get another tremendous athlete to end the first round.