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The Sideline View/Zierlein/Harris 2014 Mocks

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OB's college teammate takes a unique stab at the draft...

JOHN HARRIS'S NFL 2014 MEGA MOCK DRAFT 1.0
John Harris breaks down the ultimate mega mock draft. What does your team need, and how will the address it? Harris weighs all the options.

1. Houston
Offensive Needs: QB, G, T
Defensive Needs: NT, DE, ILB, OLB, S
Options:

a. Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel
b. South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney
c. UCF QB Blake Bortles
d. Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater
e. Trade down

The last of the options makes the most sense for a team that doesn’t have as sufficient a roster as some want to believe. That said, trading down, in theory, is optimal but it’s take two to tango, so finding a desperate partner is necessary to execute that plan. Gut tells me that it’s Clowney here, but if it’s not, then any of the three quarterbacks works for me, to be honest.
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It's painfully slow around here even for a guy like me working 7 days a week, c'mon now plenty of good stuff to mention here, right?

Texans-
The last of the options makes the most sense for a team that doesn’t have as sufficient a roster as some want to believe. That said, trading down, in theory, is optimal but it’s take two to tango, so finding a desperate partner is necessary to execute that plan. Gut tells me that it’s Clowney here, but if it’s not, then any of the three quarterbacks works for me, to be honest.
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One minute I agree 100% next minute not so much. Teams will wait & see who Texans select, then the trading begins. Clowney just doesn't fit in my gut or a Crennel 3-4 scheme, IMO. They have tried to build up value for both Bridgewater & Clowney, take it for what's it worth, any takers? Manziel

Rams-
can’t honestly see the Rams sitting still in this spot, considering the fact that under GM Les Snead they didn’t stay static in either of the last two drafts. They seem to want to ride the right arm of Sam Bradford, so we’ll leave QB out of this mix for now. Watkins is intriguing as can be, but the Rams, at least, have options at WR in house, not to mention this WR draft class is loa-ded. If the Rams re-sign T Rodger Saffold, then perhaps Watkins makes much more sense. If not, Jeff Fisher has known Jake Matthews since he was a baby, but it’s hard to not think about Robinson’s potential as a road grader in the run game. I believe it’ll be Atlanta here IF the Texans pass on Clowney and the Rams will move to six and take…Matthews or Robinson.
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Rams only decision should be take the best WR or best OT in this class & it's not even close.

Jaguars-
The Blaine Gabbert experiment MUST be over, right? Chad Henne is an unrestricted free agent. Jacksonville HAS to come out of this draft with a QB, no? Well, if Henne signs and they draft one at top of the second (Derek Carr? AJ McCarron?), then the Jaguars can fire on one of the two most dynamic players on either side of the ball if Clowney and/or Watkins are/is still on the board. GM David Caldwell was in Atlanta when the Falcons took Matt Ryan at No. 3 in 2008, so perhaps UCF QB Blake Bortles makes a ton of sense at this spot, regardless of Henne’s decision. But, if for some reason, Clowney is still on the board, expect the Falcons to get in Caldwell’s ear. Keep in mind, both Les Snead and David Caldwell worked for Thomas Dimitroff in Atlanta, the team thought to be most enamored with Clowney.
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All excellent points but maybe the Falcons are not all that eager to cough up high picks again so soon (Julio Jones trade) with depth being a problem especially on the OL. Three excellent OT's just wait your turn kitty cats.

Browns-
New GM Ray Farmer may want to make a splash by making a move up or down the draft board, but as it looks currently, the options on the board at No. 4 should keep him from moving unless he’s just way in lust with a player. The thought a few weeks ago was that the Browns loved Manziel and that may still be the case. But, Watkins would be a great asset in this offense as he could get some touches in the run game and improve that aspect, as well as teaming with star WR Josh Gordon and opening up the airways for whatever QB lines up under center.
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Browns will take bqba. Most likely Bortles since he is the most prototypical.

Raiders-
GM Reggie McKenzie has been scrubbing this roster for two years and now he has a house full of unrestricted free agents. What the Raiders decide to do with Jared Veldheer, Darren McFadden, Rashad Jennings, Khalif Barnes, Jacoby Ford etc…will determine the strategy at No. 5. Ultimately, I have to think the Raiders aren’t enamored with either Terrelle Pryor or Matt McGloin. But, there will be massive holes on both lines of scrimmage if the Raiders are unable to bring back key OL/DL UFA. That might force the Raiders to look at T or DE no matter what QB are still on the board.
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Even if it's Bridgewater? I think they hurl themselves at him :vincepalm:

Someone else can take the next five & so on let's discuss :ahhaha:
 
I'd want to know more about Mosley's medical concerns as I haven't heard anything current/definitive -- sometimes 'Bama guys come out of that program beat up they way Saban runs them.


QUICK HITS

  • Word around league circles is that the Cleveland Browns have a great deal of interest in Derek Carr. While this may be true, I'm hearing they are also high on Teddy Bridgewater who is a safer option. The Browns need a safe selection at QB who can take care of the ball and get the ball down the field to Josh Gordon and Bridgewater fits.
  • You might be surprised by the Jets taking Blake Bortles and I was surprised I ended up putting him there, but keep in mind that the Jets just fell into Geno Smith in the second round and they might not be married to him after watching him for a year. It’s all about getting the QB position right and if the Jets like Bortles they could take him over one of their primary need positions.
  • The Eagles love speed and with Trent Cole getting up there in age, I could see Chip Kelly and the Eagles locking in on one of the quickest pass rushers off the edge in this year’s draft – Dee Ford.
  • The more I dig around on the CB position with scouts and front office men around the league, the more I’m hearing that Darqueze Dennard could fall much further than most people think. I put him with the Saints in that spot, but that could easily be Kyle Fuller there with Dennard falling to the back end of the first or even out of the first round.
  • The Broncos might be thrilled to see C.J. Mosley fall to them at 31. However, with some medical concerns out there surrounding Mosley, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him fall out of the first round into the early part of the second. In this scenario, I’ve got the Broncos going with a huge need selection at CB with Kyle Fuller.
  • The Seattle Seahawks really don’t care how you do things because they have their own way of drafting. While I wouldn’t take Joel Bitonio this highly, he is a good athlete with outstanding tenacity who can likely fit into the RT or LG positions for the Seahawks. The Seahawks need to improve their pass-blocking and overall consistency on the offensive line and Bitonio might be their kind of fit.
  • I ended up having some “name” players fall out of the first round. Alabama LT Cyrus Kouandjio has medical concerns and didn’t play as well in 2013 as he did in 2012. I’ve already covered C.J. Mosley’s potential fall out of the first. I was told by a source inside the league that Florida State DT Timmy Jernigan could “fall like a rock”. I didn’t question the source, I just left him out of the first round. Missouri DE Kony Ealy could end up going in the first round, but he doesn’t have the strength to make it as a 3-4 DE yet and I don’t see the edge speed that would excite teams looking for a first round DE.
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Thank you mods for moving this! Didn't see the other one.

PapaL said:
That would be tough. Guess it depends on who OB has tabbed as the QB. Unless trading into the 2nd and grabbing said QB is an option.
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Fair enough. Hopefully we'd be willing to trade back up.

Playoffs said:
http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2311893#post2311893

I'd want to know more about Mosley's medical concerns as I haven't heard anything current/definitive -- sometimes 'Bama guys come out of that program beat up they way Saban runs them.
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Injury concerns are valid, but he looked good all 2013 and the end of 2012. Would love a CND comment on this though.

The idea of having two 'backers that can cover though is just too exciting.
 
beerlover said:
One minute I agree 100% next minute not so much. Teams will wait & see who Texans select, then the trading begins. Clowney just doesn't fit in my gut or a Crennel 3-4 scheme, IMO.
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just like Willie McGinest doesn't...both have very similar body types and skill sets. McGinest is a HOF'er in that defense.
 
Another mock with Derrick Carr going to Oakland, and LZ also has Matthews as the first OT off the Board.
 
Vinny said:
just like Willie McGinest doesn't...both have very similar body types and skill sets. McGinest is a HOF'er in that defense.
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First, I would much rather see Romeo adjust schematically for Aaron Donald than for Clowney... Barring catastrophic injury, I would be shocked if Aaron Donald isn't a much better player than Clowney....


To address your point comparing McGinest with Clowney, you are right. However, I would be shocked if Romeo even considered a defensive scheme centered around 1 gap principles because that would be counter to his philosophy. He maintained his 2 gap principles but gave freedom to McGinest by moving him to LB situationally (and eventually permanently). The real question to answer is not whether Romeo could make defensive adjustments to highlight Clowney's talents, but could he run any defensive system he believed in with 2 McGinest-style players: Clowney and Watt? I don't see that happening.
 
dalemurphy said:
First, I would much rather see Romeo adjust schematically for Aaron Donald than for Clowney... Barring catastrophic injury, I would be shocked if Aaron Donald isn't a much better player than Clowney....


To address your point comparing McGinest with Clowney, you are right. However, I would be shocked if Romeo even considered a defensive scheme centered around 1 gap principles because that would be counter to his philosophy. He maintained his 2 gap principles but gave freedom to McGinest by moving him to LB situationally (and eventually permanently). The real question to answer is not whether Romeo could make defensive adjustments to highlight Clowney's talents, but could he run any defensive system he believed in with 2 McGinest-style players: Clowney and Watt? I don't see that happening.
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Watt is a McGinest-style player now?
 
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