Houston – Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville QB
Houston will draft a quarterback in 2014. Keenum and Schaub have thoroughly demonstrated their incompetence at the position to warrant Houston’s pulling the trigger. Teddy Bridgewater is the consensus number one quarterback eligible for the draft. The only question that remains regards whether or not Bridgewater wants to stay in school one more year, or be the 1st overall pick of the draft.
St. Louis (through Washington) – Sammy Watkins, Clemson WR
St. Louis is one of the most enigmatic clubs in the NFL. The defense is rich with talent. The offense has some promising pieces, but needs a kickstart. Unless Jeff Fisher wants to take Derek Carr or Johnny Manziel, they need a player that will bring a spark to their offense. Like Tavon Austin was supposed to. They have the running back position seemingly locked up with impressive Vanderbilt rookie Zac Stacy. Sammy Watkins will have every opportunity to emerge as a true number one for Bradford to throw to. Austin Pettis, Chris Givens, and Lance Kendricks have been exciting in flashes, but Fisher needs an offense with a true go to guy.
Jacksonville – Derek Carr, Fresno State QB
A franchise cannot be built around Blaine Gabbert or Chad Henne. Derek Carr has shown the production of a true franchise QB. Carr threw for 48 touchdowns and led the Bulldogs to a 11-1 record, with their only loss coming late in the season against San Jose State led by David Fales, another Senior high production passer. Carr threw for over 4,800 yards, completed 70% of his passes with 48 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions. At 6’ 3” and 213, Carr has acceptable size at his position. Cecil Shorts, Marcedes Lewis and young Justin Blackmon have been waiting for an arm like Derek Carr’s to open up the offense.
Oakland – Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M QB
Johnny Manziel’s second time around at Texas A&M is in some ways more impressive than his rookie, Heisman winning season. Manziel brings a fiercely competitive and youthful zeal with him, something the Raiders need badly. Raiders’ QB Matt McGloin has shown promise, but a chance to take a flyer on a talent like Manziel’s can’t be ignored. Oakland has lots of holes to fill, the most glaring one at QB. Manziel is a threat on the ground, but also possesses a strong arm and a penchant for making something out of nothing. Oakland will need a QB with brilliant play in a suddenly competitive AFC West.
Cleveland – Brett Hundley, UCLA QB
Cleveland may elect to skip on a quarterback here and lean on Brian Hoyer while waiting for Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston next season. If they don’t, Brett Hundley has progressed as a passer at UCLA and looks immediately ready to help drive a franchise towards success. Cleveland has young weapons in the passing game including the mind blowing Josh Gordon and USC tight end Jordan Cameron. Cleveland has a need at running back with a swing and a miss at Trent Richardson, but they need to take a quarterback while they can.
Atlanta – Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina DE
The first team that doesn’t need a quarterback or an offensive player will take possibly the most talented player in the draft. Atlanta sorely needs a boost on a defense that is all around terrible. Atlanta, like Cleveland needs a running back as well. But the opportunity to take a weapon like Clowney is too great to pass on. Clowney’s down junior season has been well documented, but barring a disastrous NFL combine, Clowney will not last past the first ten teams. Clowney has monstrous physical talent, drawing comparisons to Julius Peppers in his college years.
Tampa Bay – Anthony Barr, UCLA OLB
Anthony Barr has developed into a consistent and effective pass rusher in his time at UCLA. Tampa may actually have greater need for a wide receiver at this spot, but any receiver outside of Sammy Watkins seems like too much of a reach for Tampa at number six overall. The Buccaneers have found success in a dominating defense, and Barr will help continue that tradition by getting after the quarterback in a division with three of the most talented passers in football.
Minnesota – Khalil Mack, Buffalo OLB
The well of top tier quarterbacks is beginning to run dry at this point, and Minnesota has learned not to reach for a quarterback simply because they need one. If Tajh Boyd, David Fales, or Aaron Murray are available in the second round, they might be wise to pick one of them up.
Minnesota cannot stop anyone from scoring. With a division with Aaron Rodgers, Matt Stafford, and the offense-happy Marc Trestman-led Bears, getting a pass rusher is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. Khalil Mack’s most convincing stat line might be Buffalo’s opening game against Ohio State. Mack recorded 2.5 sacks against Ohio State’s elusive Braxton Miller and intercepted him for a 45 yard touchdown. Mack’s emergence at Buffalo shows he’s ready for the pros.
Tennessee – CJ Mosley, Alabama ILB
Yet again, Tennessee faces the quarterback dilemma. Do they keep Jake Locker? Tennessee may wait until round two or try to draw Jay Cutler out of Chicago with promises of ridiculously fast wide receivers. Assuming the Titans want to give Locker one more shot to keep his job with a 16 game performance, C.J. Mosley will help Tennessee defend against the run. The Titans sit at #23 against the run in the NFL. Mosley will bring elite talent from Alabama to help Tennessee stop the run and in the middle of the field. Mosley is a value pick on a defense that needs help against the run.
Buffalo – HaHa Clinton-Dix, Alabama FS
Buffalo actually has a borderline star-studded defense. Unfortunately for them one of their brightest stars, Jairus Byrd, wants out of Buffalo. If Byrd flies the coop (he he) Buffalo will need at least an adequate defensive back to step up in his place. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is the top rated safety out of College. In his 2012 season, Clinton-Dix totalled five interceptions, one forced fumble and nine passes defended. Clinton-Dix should be just as ready as any to step in and play DB in the National Football League.
Gridiron Seasonal 