2014 Mock Drafts

[jaimeg]

don't like Bridgewater, like Bortles

[barrett]

Originally Posted by jaimeg

don't like Bridgewater, like Bortles

Have you followed Bortles? All I saw was the one game against UH and he was pretty bad. Strangely, Bridgewater was pretty average against them too. And obviously UH is not Alabama on defense. They turn people over at an awesome rate but don't really stop people (but did against Bortles and Bridgewater).

I keep seeing his name and wondered if anyone else had seen him play more. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How has he climbed to a potentially high draft pick? etc?

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by jaimeg

don't like Bridgewater, like Bortles

Never heard of him, but then I never heard of OT Eric Fisher of Central Michigan this time last year and he ended up being the #1 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
So whoever goes #1 in the 2014 Draft may also be a complete unknown to many NFL fans at this point in time.

[Nconroe]

Did a search on Bortles, quite a few recent articles on him. Underclassmen who hasn't decided yet to enter draft. Found a Raiders blog where they had analysis and quoted ESPN Todd McShay-

In fact, it wouldn't shock me if he ends up going ahead of Bridgewater.

Bortles has good size, arm strength and accuracy, and has proved he can win from inside the pocket. He also possesses good character and a strong football IQ. A nice bonus is that he's built to last in the NFL because he's big and mobile enough to move around. He isn't Cam Newton, but more of a cross between Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger.

[jaimeg]

I did see the end of the Louisville game, but didn't see the UH game. Heard an analyst on either espn radio or nfl radio saying he was probably the most "clutch" along with Stanford qb. He also mentioned smarts or IQ. Since that point Ive tried to research (draft sites, youtube, etc). I seem to remember liking his pocket presence and the fact that he throws the ball well with pressure around him. I can't name specifics but that is what I came away with. But there is still a long time and Im sure the Texans won't be asking for my opinion.

[HPF Bob]

It's a been awhile and they've made some changes with the lower rounds:

1. 1. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

I wrote this in my NFL Power Rankings a few weeks ago regarding the No. 1 pick: Mel Kiper appeared on Sunday NFL Countdown and said that the No. 1 overall pick will come down to three players: Jadeveon Clowney, Anthony Barr and Jake Matthews. If the 2014 NFL Draft were held today, Clowney would probably be the pick. But this reminds me of the 2011 NFL Draft. Both Kiper and Todd McShay thought a defensive lineman would be the top choice (Kiper said Nick Fairley, while McShay suggested Da'Quan Bowers), yet the Panthers ultimately fell in love with Cam Newton.

With Jay Cutler re-signed, the same thing will almost certainly happen to the Texans, who will have four months to become smitten with Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles or Johnny Manziel. One of those signal-callers will probably be the No. 1 pick.

Given how important the quarterback position is, Bridgewater or another signal-caller will the No. 1 selection in the 2014 NFL Draft. There's really no discussion. Clowney, Barr and Matthews wouldn't get Houston's franchise back into the playoffs. A franchise quarterback would. The Texans will talk themselves into drafting one of them.

So, which one will it be? Bridgewater is considered the favorite right now, but Bortles might be a better fit for Bill O'Brien's offense. I may slot him here in the near future. Then, there's Manziel, whom owner Bob McNair seems smitten with. He can't be counted out.

2. 33. Kyle Van Noy, DE/OLB, BYU

The Texans would kill two stones with one bird with this pick, as Emmitt would say. They need to upgrade their pass rush and find some help at inside linebacker. Kyle Van Noy would satisfy the former, which would allow Brooks Reed to move inside.

3. 65. Joel Bitonio, OT/G, Nevada

As mentioned earlier, teams that spend early picks on quarterbacks often double up on offense. If the Texans decide to do that, they could certainly upgrade the right tackle position, which is a big problem area for them.

4. 97. E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri

Brice McCain was a huge disappointment in 2013, so the Texans will want to add a cornerback at some point during the middle rounds.

The 1-1 choice will be picked apart so no point rehashing it here. Van Noy is an interesting choice as he is an impact player but a tad undersized for the next level. He can defenitely rush the QB and we need that and, as a bonus, has some pass coverage skills so he can definitely be a three-down player. He makes plays. As with anybody from BYU, check the birth certificate.

Drafting OL in the third round makes sense except we seem to do that every year and mostly have wound up with crap. Help at RT is definitely needed but I'm leaning towards finding a veteran in free agency rather than fooling around with more rookies. CB in the 4th round is another smart get. I wonder if/when we might look for a RB to give us depth and insurance in case Foster/Tate aren't ready. Your thoughts?

[Blitzwood]

I think we all need to(or have already come to) realize this team needs more than a new QB and new HC to get to the SB. We have needs at almost every position due to some bad draft picks and FA signings in recent years. With that said, this is a scenario I would do, although I know it's been over 10 years since a First overall pick has been traded.

Trade the 1 to the Browns for the 4, 26, and 35.
Trade the 26 to the 49ers for their 30 and 94.


1-1. Browns - J. Manziel. QB
1-2. Rams - G. Robinson. OT
1-3. Jags - J. Clowney. DE

1-4. Blake Bortles. QB, B.O.B. makes out like a bandit in his first draft as HC. He gets the proto type signal caller he most desires and many assumed he'd take 1st overall, and a hand full of additional picks to help reload the team. (Anthony Barr also gets a long look here)

1-30. Stephan Tuitt. 3-4DE, 1st Team All-American. A. Smith is not resigned.
2-33. David Yankey. OG, 1st Team All-American. W. Smith is not resigned.
2-35. Ed Reynolds. S, 1st Team All-American. Keo becomes expendable.
3-65. Bryan Stork. C, Consensus All-American. Ben Jones moves to the PS.
3-94. Jeremy Hill. RB, 1st Team All-SEC. Tate is all but gone.
4-97. Christian Jones. OLB, Brooks Reed is not resigned.
5.129. Stanley Jean-Baptiste. CB, Offers much needed depth.
6-161. JaWuan James. OT, Newton becomes the swing OT.
7-193. Spencer Shuey. ILB, Trevardo Williams and Shuey battle for the other ILB.

[HPF Bob]

The old trade chart from the 1990s is probably outdated now that there's a rookie salary cap but I seriously doubt the Browns would give up #4, #26 and #35 just to move up three spots. We'll be lucky to get #4 and #26 but your choice at #35 can be eliminated from the exercise without much impact in the overall design.

Then swapping #26 for #30 and #94 is very plausible if the 49ers target someone they want. The Niners have two picks in the second and third with #94 the lowest of them.

Bortles and Tuitt would seem like wasted opportunities to me. Yankey ought to be an anchor for the line. Stork I don't see as upgrade from Jones who was just as highly praised coming out of Georgia.

I'm not expecting Christian Jones or JaWaun Jones to be there where you have us choosing them. I do like the trade down ideas and if you can talk Cleveland into giving up their top three picks, give Rick Smith a call.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Blitzwood

I think we all need to(or have already come to) realize this team needs more than a new QB and new HC to get to the SB. We have needs at almost every position due to some bad draft picks and FA signings in recent years. With that said, this is a scenario I would do, although I know it's been over 10 years since a First overall pick has been traded.

Trade the 1 to the Browns for the 4, 26, and 35.
Trade the 26 to the 49ers for their 30 and 94.


1-1. Browns - J. Manziel. QB
1-2. Rams - G. Robinson. OT
1-3. Jags - J. Clowney. DE

1-4. Blake Bortles. QB, B.O.B. makes out like a bandit in his first draft as HC. He gets the proto type signal caller he most desires and many assumed he'd take 1st overall, and a hand full of additional picks to help reload the team. (Anthony Barr also gets a long look here)

1-30. Stephan Tuitt. 3-4DE, 1st Team All-American. A. Smith is not resigned.
2-33. David Yankey. OG, 1st Team All-American. W. Smith is not resigned.
2-35. Ed Reynolds. S, 1st Team All-American. Keo becomes expendable.
3-65. Bryan Stork. C, Consensus All-American. Ben Jones moves to the PS.
3-94. Jeremy Hill. RB, 1st Team All-SEC. Tate is all but gone.
4-97. Christian Jones. OLB, Brooks Reed is not resigned.
5.129. Stanley Jean-Baptiste. CB, Offers much needed depth.
6-161. JaWuan James. OT, Newton becomes the swing OT.
7-193. Spencer Shuey. ILB, Trevardo Williams and Shuey battle for the other ILB.

I'll play along, but I am not doing the SF trade.

1-4 Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
1-26 Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
2-33 Stephon Tuitt, DE/DT, Notre Dame
2-35 Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
3-65 Cameron Fleming*, OT, Stanford
4-97 Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee
5 129 Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice

Mack is a high motor guy with off the chart skills. Mack and Mercilus become the speed guys on the outside, along with Trevardo Williams who can also be seen inside at times. Shazier is on the smallest side, but reports have the Texans meeting with him at the Combine. He has off the chart speed for the ILB. (What college did our new LB coach play at?)

Tuitt would be a monster DE to play the 5 tech for Crennel, along with McCullers at NT. To round out the defensive picks, local product Gaines from Rice has top end speed and plenty of upside.

Fleming is a junior that could be a RT. Lastly I have them taking Garoppolo, Roy and I both like him.