The Official 8th Maxim 2014 NFL Mock Draft

Pick #20 - Arizona Cardinals

Team needs: OLB, CB


This would have been more difficult if their spot came up prior to free agency. The Cardinals took care of one of their needs this week when they signed OT Jared Veldheer. The Cardinals were a middle of the road team in terms of sacks allowed, but they will need to continue to protect Carson Palmer as he was near the top in hits taken. They also were near the bottom of the league in terms of YPC. Their tackle of the future will help out with both. It should be noted that Ted Ginn Jr. joined the team today as well. A few mock drafts have Arizona taking a CB in this spot, despite their top flight secondary, and their defense was already very good last year. In fact, it almost got them into the playoffs. That said, they'll need to look to replace John Abraham sooner than later, and I think the guy who can do that is an easy choice at this spot.

The Pick:

Dee Ford - Auburn


While Ford had a break out year at DE for Auburn this year (including first-team All-SEC honors), he appears to be undersized for that spot on Sundays. A move to OLB seems likely. While an early projection had him in the 2nd or 3rd round, his red hot Senior Bowl week (complete with an MVP), has now cemented him as first round material. And in a division with Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson, containing the QB is crucial. The Saints are licking their chops at the thought of getting him at 27. They won't get that chance.

 

Pick #21- Green Bay Packers

Needs- CB, OL, DL, LB

The Packers somehow managed to earn a playoff bid with injuries galore and a tie as a result against the Eagles. The team is set at QB with Aaron Rodgers, and appears to be fine at RB and WR as well. (Short analysis because I am so behind.)

The pick- CJ Moseley LB Alabama

 

Pick #22 -- Philadelphia Eagles

Team Needs: S, WR, DL, LB

In the land of cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and Yuengling lager, the Philadelphia Eagles had a surprising first season in Chip Kelly's first year, and look to build on that success in year two with Kelly at the helm. Snagging a safety in free agency in Malcolm Jenkins, the Eagles still need help on the defensive side. But Kelly is an offensive mind, and one piece away from putting up some video game-type numbers on that side of the ball. Kelly -- ever the gambler -- is looking at what could be long-term NFL pro and potential steal of the first round.

The pick -- Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

Sure, Benjamin might be considered a reach in the first round because he lacks speed and has been criticized as a route-runner. And the Eagles have a triumvirate of talented receivers in Jackson, Maclin, and Cooper. Moreover, TE Zach Ertz looks to be a future star. But the Eagles are a perfect place for Benjamin to fall, as he can orient himself in the league, and settle into a role as a combo WR/TE in one of the NFL's most creative offenses. Eagles fans -- never easy to please -- will love this pick, as they run down Broad Street cheering on the "Iggles" to victory, with future stud Kelvin Benjamin leading the way.

 

Pick Number 23 - Kansas City Chiefs

Team Needs - WR, TE, LB, S

Andy Reid did an amazing job turning around a team that was a constant in the depths of the NFL. The Chiefs were probably the NFL's biggest surprise team last season and look to continue their success into this year. With their first round pick last draft, the decided on Eric Fisher. Alex Smith needs some help on the outside to progress the passing game outside of Dwayne Bowe and dumping down to Jamaal Charles.

The Pick - Odell Beckham Jr

Strengths: Quick hands, fluid, fast, climbs the ladder for the ball, creates plays after the catch, and was a productive three-year starter.

 

Pick #24- Cincinnati Bengals- Jason Verrett, CB -TCU

Needs- CB, DE, OT

Verrett gives Marvin Lewis the best possible option at corner. What Verrett lacks in overall size, he's 5'10" he does overcompensate well with his aggressive style of play. Not to mention his intangibles are very, very good. His 4.38 40 at the combine was second best, and may even give the Bengals a boost in special teams. With most of the best pass rushing options already off the board at this time, as well as a few offensive line options, Verrett can be seen as a solid pick. Some may question taking him in the first round as early as 24th, but most of the knocks will be directed at his height.

 

Pick #25 -- San Diego Chargers

Team needs: DT, CB, WR

The San Diego Chargers backed into the playoffs and caught many teams off-guard, including eventual AFC champion Denver. Advancing in their Wild Card game over the Bengals, San Diego fans had to be pleased with the direction of the team under Mike McCoy. The team has a number of areas of concern, including pass defense, pass rush, and finding a receiving weapon opposite Kennan Allen.

The Pick: Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

Hageman has been working his way up the DT chart, and made a huge splash in the Big 10 last year. An athletic DT who transitioned in college from TE, Hageman creates a mismatch problem for many offensive lineman. A team leader with a lot of room to grow, this could be the missing piece to an improved San Diego defense.

 

Cleveland Browns again. Going to need some good lineman to keep JFF off the ground.


The pick- Xavier Su'a-Filo -OL UCLA

 

The New Orleans Saints select CB Lamarcus Joyner from FSU.

Rob Ryan hasn't taken many CBs in the draft since taking Stanford Routt and Fabian Washington in the first two rounds of 2005's draft. Joyner isn't their top choice but with Dennard and others already off the board, Joyner is the best they can do at this position of need.

 

The Panthers are facing some glaring needs on offense with the retirement of OT Jordan Gross and the departure of WR Steve Smith in the off season. It is fortunate for them, then, that this loaded draft is deep at both positions.

The Pick

Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia

In the grand scheme of things, the Panthers are going to be more of a run based offense. Newton is a fine NFL QB, but defense and the ground game made them a formidable squad last year, and when he does step back to throw, he needs someone to help him stay upright. Moses is a well rounded tackle that can open up holes for Carolina's stable of backs and match up against elite, next-level pass rushers. A receiver can wait until the next round, when a bevy of talent will still be available. While there will still be some future star tackles available well into the second, jumping on one of Moses' talent and ability in the late first should be a slam dunk pick for the Panthers' front office.

 

I support this pick.

 

New England Patriots - Troy Niklas -TE

The Patriots are in dire need of not only a TE, but a TE they can trust on and off the field. Troy Niklas of Notre Dame can do both of those. His 6'6 260+ frame allows him to be an asset on running plays as well as a big athletic target in NE's multiple sets.

 

It's no secret the 49ers need secondary help, and if Kyle Fuller is at this spot, he's as good as gone.

You could also add a pass rusher to the list with Aldon Smith remaining a wild card. They will also look to bolster the roster at WR as well, at some point.

I wouldn't be surprised if they trade up.

 

Pick #31- Denver Broncos

Needs: ILB, OL, pass rusher

The pick: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State

Shazier played outside and inside linebacker at OSU and defensive end in high school, but he has the speed and agility the Broncos have so obviously been searching for at their mike linebacker position. At 6'1 and 237 lbs, he is a little undersized but with the way offenses are playing these days he can get by with just a few extra lbs of bulk. He has the speed to hold coverage in nickel packages if he can learn not to initiate contact before the ball arrives.


*an alternative pick would have been to trade this one. Again, deep draft but not a top-heavy draft.

 

Joel Bitonia OG Nevada

Bitonia fills an obvious need on the O-line for Seattle, a player who can challenge for the starting job at either guard spot.