2014 NFL Mock Draft Picks 21-32 by John
21. Green Bay Packers: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
It appears as if Jermichael Finley’s football career is in jeopardy, as he had a very serious spinal cord injury and recently had surgery to help repair it. Even if Finley is able to come back next season, he is a free agent and Green Bay could use another weapon anyways. Eric Ebron had an average 2012, but has really burst onto the scene in 2013, and had one of his best games in an 8 catch, 199 yard performance against Miami a few weeks ago.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
Philadelphia really will be an interesting team to watch this coming draft season to see what they will do, as they have a variety of needs, but they are all somewhat debatable. If Nick Foles continues his outstanding play it is unlikely that Chip Kelly would decide to go with a quarterback, but then we don’t really know what Chip truly feels about Foles. The Eagles do have a need at cornerback though, and Ekpre-Olomu has played in Chip Kelly’s system before and would be a nice fit in the Eagle’s secondary.
23.Kansas City Chiefs: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
While the Chiefs have had a really nice start to the year, it is very apparent that to be legitimate contenders, they are going to have to get some more offensive playmakers. Enter Jace Amaro, who is a very athletic tight end who has been a dominant playmaker for Texas Tech all year and would be a nice addition to Kansas City’s receiving core.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: De’Anthony Thomas, WR/RB, Oregon
Yes, you could argue that Thomas is a similar player to Giovani Bernard who the Bengals took last year, but really Thomas is in more of a Tavon Austin role, as he can be used in a variety of places all over the field. The Bengals have solid depth at a lot of positions so they have a nice ability to choose just about whoever they want that falls to them. Thomas would make a nice weapon to compliment AJ Green.
25. San Diego Chargers: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
I thought about giving the Chargers C.J. Mosley, but being that they did just draft Manti Teo so they wouldn’t be likely to double dip on inside linebackers. The Chargers do have a need at cornerback, as they are currently ranked 27th in the league in pass defense. Verrett is a tough and physical cornerback and would be a nice fit in the aggressive 3-4 system that the Chargers run.
26. Cleveland Browns (via Indianapolis Colts): Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
And the Browns find another playmaker for their new quarterback. They have a decent number one wideout in Josh Gordon and a solid TE in Jordan Cameron, but they have a need at the second wideout position. Greg Little has been up and down throughout his entire career, but has rreally just shown that he is pretty awful at just purely catching the ball. The good thing for the Browns is that one of Matthew’s best traits is catching the ball, and he is also a very physical receiver who will fight for the ball in tight coverage.
27. New Orleans Saints: Kyle Van Noy, DE/OLB, BYU
The Saints have multiple options here with this pick but choose to help improve the pass rush by getting one of the more explosive players in this year’s draft. There are varying opinions about Van Noy as an NFL prospect, but I believe he would be a nice fit in Rob Ryan’s defense.
28. Carolina Panthers: Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
Carolina has been in need of a weapon across from Steve Smith for what seems like ages, and maybe this is the year that they finally fill that need. Landry is a very good route runner, but also has the speed to burn a defense, and has very reliable hands. He would be a nice target for Cam to throw to from the slot.
29. San Francisco 49ers: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
The 49ers really have to fix their secondary this offseason as it has been one of the weak links on a formidable defense for the 49ers this season. They are likely to cut Carlos Rogers as he hasn’t played very well, and although they did sign Tramaine Brock to an extension they need to bring in some more cornerback help.
30.New England Panthers: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
The Patriots are really missing having a compliment TE to Rob Gronkowski, and Aaron Hernandez in gone forever so they need to find someone to take that role. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a dynamic athlete, and would be another matchup nightmare for the Patriots to use to confuse opposing defenses.
31. Denver Broncos: Michael Sam, DE, Missouri
Denver has a very loaded roster and few needs, but they could use some help at defensive end. Shaun Phillips hasn’t been terrible this season, but he is getting older and could stand to be upgraded anyway. Michael Sam has an incredible motor and a nose for the quarterback and would be a nice addition to the Denver pass rush along with Von Miller and Derek Wolfe.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State
The Seahawks also have a loaded roster and don’t have a lot of needs, but one of the few is a need at right tackle. The play at tackle has been awful this season, even when the starters have been healthy. Cameron Erving has played extremely well at left tackle for the Seminoles this year, showing good athleticism and footwork, he could come in and play at right tackle right away for the Seahawks and could even play left tackle if Russell Okung keeps getting injured.