The Dallas Cowboys Two Days Away Mock Draft
Sep 7, 2013; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Donte Moncrief (12) catches the ball and carries it in for a touchdown during the first half against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Why do I have Donte Moncrief’s picture at the top of this mock? Well keep reading to find out.
So here we are, two days away from the 2014 NFL Draft and the rumors and smokescreens are in full strength.I think it is time for my last two stabs at the draft. I will have one more tomorrow after I sleep on this one and will include all seven rounds for the Cowboys, maybe an UDFA or two to look for as well. So without further delay, here we go.
1. Houston Texans
Jadaveon Clowney
DE, SC
I could see the Texans trying to get out of the top spot. I think they will go Clowney and look for a QB in the second round. I don’t see this as a strong QB class so the difference between a first round QB and a second round QB is marginal. Clowney can make a difference and the Texans agree.
2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)
Greg Robinson
OT, Auburn
This pick could be between Robinson and Watkins. If I am the Rams I am going Robinson, as this is a deep draft for WR and playing in the NFC West you need OL. I think they play it smart and get Robinson.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Khalil Mack
LB, Buffalo
I know what everyone is thinking, “What about a QB?” Look the fact is Mack has a chance to go number 1, yes, I said it, but the Jags have so many issues, fixing the defense first isn’t a bad idea. They can look for a QB in the 2nd or 3rd. Maybe Tajh Boyd.
4. Cleveland Browns
Blake Bortles
QB, UCF
Cleveland is surprised to have him fall to them. I think Bortles is the best QB in the draft with the highest ceiling. While Watkins might tempt them, they need a QB in the worst way.
5. Oakland Raiders
Sammy Watkins
WR, Clemson
I think if Cleveland goes Watkins this pick could get quite interesting. I think my friend Tim Fitzgerald at Raider’s Finest Hour Radio Show would be okay with this pick, but if Watkins isn’t there? Let the fun begin.
6. Atlanta Falcons
Jake Matthews
OT, Texas A&M
The offensive line in Atlanta is…well…offensive. They need to get more protection and while I think Lewan would be thought about here they go the safer route and take Matthews.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans
WR, Texas A&M
Somewhere Johnny Manziel is wondering how two players from his team could go before him, but here we are. Evans is a huge need for the Buccs and I just can’t see them going any other direction unless he isn’t there.
8. Minnesota Vikings
Johnny Manziel
QB, Texas A&M
I am struggling here as I think the Vikings would rather have Bortles, and I know they would also consider Bridgewater here. At this point the Vikings need a QB and they will pick whichever one they have higher on the board. In this mock it is Manziel.
9. Buffalo Bills
Eric Ebron
TE, UNC
I really wanted to go WR here, but then I thought about it. Most great QBs have that safety valve and Ebron would give the Bills a threat and a safety valve for Manuel. This would be the smarter pick in my opinion, I think.
10. Detroit Lions
Justin Gilbert
CB, OK St.
I really want to go either Clinton-Dix or instate Dennard. I still think these are options, but a lot of people are saying Gilbert is too good to pass on. This is one of those ones I will sleep on, but Gilbert just feels right for the Lions.
11. Tennessee Titans
Darqueze Dennard
CB, Mich St.
If Gilbert is there, he will be the pick. I had the choice of Dennard and Fuller here, Dennard is a little more physical and I think the Titans need that on defense.
12. New York Giants
Taylor Lewan
OT, Michigan
I know I had Donald here forever, but somewhere last week I thought about the NFC East. We know the Dallas will look to improve their D, the Eagles are doing the same, and the Redskins are pretty physical. Lewan fits with that line of thinking in protecting Eli.
13. St. Louis Rams
Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix
S, Alabama
It will probably be between Ha-Ha and Pryor. Greg Williams is the D coordinator and loves physical safeties which is why I went with Ha-Ha. Don’t rule out a WR if one of the top two should fall though.
14. Chicago Bears
Aaron Donald
DT, Pitt
The Bears need D line help in the worst way. Donald is the most disruptive DT in the draft and fits with how the Bears view linemen. My Bear fan friends will be smiling and saying “Da Bears” to each other.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kyle Fuller
CB, VA Tech
Somewhat of a surprise pick here. I think the Steelers could go in a multitude of directions depending on who is left at this point. They need help on the outside and with all the other CBs gone they go Fuller.
16. Dallas Cowboys
Anthony Barr
OLB, UCLA
Here is what it interesting about this pick. Most Cowboy fans want DL upgraded in the first and Barr could be a DE. However, depending on how the draft goes and who the Cowboys get in the 2nd round they could easily move him to OLB and improve that spot as well, or they will move him around during the season.
17. Baltimore Ravens
Calvin Pryor
S, Louisville
Surprise pick here for the most part. The Ravens need secondary help and if Pryor falls this far I think they will take him. My daughter will text me to ask who her team just got and I will let her know he is one of the best safeties in the draft. She will send back a smiley face.
18. New York Jets
Odell Beckham
WR, LSU
Boy do the Jets need someone to throw the ball to in the worst way. Mike Greenburg at ESPN will be all over this pick on Friday morning and saying how they will now win the Super Bowl because of him.
19. Miami Dolphins
Zack Martin
OT, Notre Dame
If there is a quality OT at this point in the draft like Martin there is almost no other way the Dolphins will go. Martin can play any spot on the line and fills probably the biggest need in Miami.
20. Arizona Cardinals
Derek Carr
QB, Fresno St.
I know Bridgewater will be thought about, but the arm of Carr in Arian’s vertical attack makes more sense to me. The Cards need to find some answer for the long term at QB, Carr will be that guy they hope.
21. Green Bay Packers
C.J. Mosley
ILB, Alabama
The Packers need LB help and Shazier might be the pick as well. Mosley is the better player and fills a need. I would imagine the Packers could do something crazy like go for a TE or WR, but Mosley makes more sense.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Bradley Roby
CB, Ohio St.
The Eagles are a candidate for trading up if they can get a safety. If they stay put I think Roby makes more sense than going WR here. Now, this is another pick I will sleep on, but for now Roby helps their terrible secondary.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Brandin Cooks
WR, OR St.
I actually think if one of the QBs should fall this far there is a chance the Chiefs make a play. In the long run it wouldn’t matter as they need speed on the outside and Cooks fits.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Jason Varrett
CB, TCU
With Roby gone they pick probably the most skilled CB in the draft. His height scares a lot of people, but I think the Bengals would happily take him.
25. San Diego Chargers
Louis Nix
DT, Notre Dame
This is another team that could try to move up for a CB. The Chargers also need help on the DL so with Nix being available I think if they stay put Nix will be a Charger.
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis)
Marquise Lee
WR, USC
Bortles to Lee is looking pretty good to the Browns. While I think if they Browns don’t go QB with their first pick they will go for one here. They could even trade this pick out and pick up an early second and a late rounder.
27. New Orleans Saints
Marcus Martin
C, USC
A little bit of a surprise, but I know the Saints really like Martin and protecting Brees is really important to the Saints winning. This will make more sense once the pick happens.
28. Carolina Panthers
Morgan Moses
OT, Virginia
With all of the really top flight WRs off the board and it being such a deep draft I think the Panthers go OL. Now while there are a few guys here they could go, Moses is a pretty smart pick.
29. New England Patriots
Ra’Shede Hageman
DT, Minn.
Louis Nix is the real target I think, with him off the board the Patriots are happy to see which one of the DTs fall to them. Hageman falls and Bill smirks.
30. San Francisco 49ers
Donte Moncrief
WR, Ole Miss.
Surprise! I really think with all of the top guys gone the 49ers will either be a trade up or down candidate. That being said Moncrief makes sense. He is a 6’2” 220 lbs WR with sub 4.4 speed, all things that would fit well in San Fran.
31. Denver Broncos
Timmy Jernigan
DT, FL St.
I think Sua-Filo could go here, but with Jernigan being there they can’t say no. What bothers me about this pick is that Jernigan fell this far, such is the NFL draft.
32. Seattle Seahawks
Xavier Sua-Filo
G, UCLA
Just what the Seahawks need and just the guy to fill that need. It bothers me the draft fell this way, the Super Bowl champs getting exactly what they need, but again, such is the NFL draft.
So there it is. The let me sleep on it two days away draft. What do you all think? Let me know.