2014 NFL Mock Draft Picks 11-20 by John
11. Tennessee Titans: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
While I personally believe that the Titans should give Jake Locker one more year to prove he can stay healthy and be the franchise quarterback that they expect him to be. But this offseason the new ownership may not want to keep Mike Munchack and his coaching staff around, and new regime means new quarterbacks.
12. New York Giants: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
The Giants probably will not finish the season with a top ten pick as they are playing themselves out of a premier draft spot. The Giants need offensive line help badly as they have been dealing with inept play at left tackle for far too long. Even though they drafted Justin Pugh last year he is only a fit at either right tackle or guard. Lewan has the ability to come in and be effective at left tackle right away for the Giants.
13. St. Louis Rams: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
Yes, the Rams did just draft Alec Ogeltree last year and they do also have James Lauranitis, but they do have a need at the third linebacker spot, and C.J. Mosley is too good of a player for them to pass up. He really only falls in this draft due to other teams not having a need at linebacker that super cedes their other needs.
14. Chicago Bears: Ra’shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
Henry Melton is going to be a free agent this coming offseason, and he tore his ACL so the Bears may be hesitant to pay him the money he is likely to want, so he may end up elsewhere. Hageman has been a dominant force on the Minnesota defensive line this year, and is a large contributor to the team being successful this year, he would be able to come in and be a nice piece on the Bears defensive line.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
The Steelers, much like the Giants, are also playing themselves out of a better draft spot, but get lucky in this mock and end up with one of the most explosive playmakers in this year’s draft. Drafting Sammy Watkins would give Ben Roethlisberger a playmaker he hasn’t had for a couple years, really since when Mike Wallace had his breakout year for the Steelers. Watkins is more physical than many give him credit for, so he could really be even better than some of the weapons Pittsburgh has used over the past decade.
16. Dallas Cowboys: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
The Cowboys have needed interior defensive linemen for what seems like forever and Jerry Jones has refused to address this position for whatever dumb reason, choosing to trade down and take a third round guard instead of Sharriff Floyd in last year’s draft. Maybe Jones will have some sort of revelation this year and draft Jernigan, who would be a nice fit in Dallas’ new 4-3 defense.
17. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
The Ravens offense has just looked downright pitiful at times this year, even in a win over the Jets this past week, the Ravens were only able to score one touchdown. Joe Flacco’s play has declined this year, but he is also without two of his top weapons from last year, Anquan Boldin and Dennis Pitta. Mike Evans would be a great fit in the Ravens offense to give them that tall physical wideout who Flacco would be able to just throw the ball up in the air at his direction.
18. New York Jets: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Yes, the Jets haven’t exactly had luck with USC prospects in the past, but Lee is too good of a player for the Jets to pass up. Geno Smith has been up and down this season, but really hasn’t had a legitimate #1 wideout to throw to either, so that has to be a top need for the Jets going into the offseason. Lee would make a very nice explosive playmaker for Geno Smith.
19. Miami Dolphins: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
The Dolphins need offensive line help really bad and really have no choice but to reach for Kouandjio here. Kouandjio is a versatile player who could probably play either right or left tackle at the pro level. He is a blue chip pass blocker which is what the Dolphins really want at this point.
20. Arizona Cardinals: Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
The Cardinals are another team that is going to have to address their offensive line this coming offseason, they have a few good pieces to build on in Bobby Massie and Johnathan Cooper, but a solid left tackle is needed for this offense to reach its potential. Antonio Richardson is a bit raw in terms of his footwork, but that is something that can be coached up on the next level.