2014 NFL Mock Draft: Collaboration (Hanson/Beazley)
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Updated: Monday, April 21, 2014
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Our collaboration mock continues with picks 11 to 20 below:
11. (Sean) Tennessee Titans (draft history) - Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
[SB] The Titans are a team looking for a new identity. They got rid of CJ2K, and pretty much got free of what was left over under former head coach Jeff Fisher. The biggest addition in my mind was the hiring of DC Ray Horton. Horton is switching this team over to a 3-4 hybrid defense.
The Titans haven't used a first-round pick on defense since 2010, but I think this is the year they go this route with one of the top running backs being their targets in Round 2. The Titans biggest need on defense is finding someone who can get to the quarterback, and at this point in the draft, there is nobody on the board better than Barr.
12. (Kevin) New York Giants (draft history) - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
[KH] With Eli Manning having the worst season of his career, he threw a career-worst 27 interceptions and part of that was due to the line allowing him to be sacked a career-worst 39 times. Manning's 18 touchdowns and 69.4 passing rating were the lowest since his rookie season.
A four-year starter for the Wolverines, Lewan possesses the size (6-foot-7, 309 pounds), length (33 7/8-inch arms), athleticism (4.87 forty) and demeanor teams covet. If Lewan slips to this spot and the Giants select Lewan, they could always move Justin Pugh inside to guard.
13. (Kevin) St. Louis Rams (draft history) - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
[KH] Pairing Clinton-Dix at free safety with T.J. McDonald, their third-round pick from last year, at strong safety would make sense. As a playmaker on defense, Clinton-Dix has seven interceptions in 19 starts over his career. While it's unlikely that the Rams stay put with the second- and 13th-overall picks, they address two needs with offensive tackle (Robinson) and safety (Clinton-Dix) if this is how it unfolds.
14. (Kevin) Chicago Bears (draft history) - Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
[KH] More than likely, the Bears will use this pick on defense and specifically on the defensive line or defensive backfield. Only the Vikings (30.0) gave up more points per game than the Bears (29.9), who ranked 30th in total defense (394.6 yards allowed per game). In addition, the Bears were tied for last in the league in sacks (31).
Although he may bit a bit undersized (6-0 3/4, 285 pounds), Donald is extremely quick and explosive off the ball and he was highly productive for Pitt. The recipient of multiple offseason awards, Donald led the nation in tackles for loss (28.5) and had 11.0 sacks, which ranked 11th in the country. Over the past three seasons combined, Donald had 63.0 TFL and 27.5 sacks.
15. (Sean) Pittsburgh Steelers (draft history) - Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
[SB] The Steelers are in pretty desperate need at a few positions. I could see them reaching for a WR here as well if there is one on their board that they really like. Dennard reminds me a lot of former Titans CB Alterraun Verner. I think Dennard could be a very good starting CB in this league, but I don't think he will ever be an elite CB in this league. He is still worthy of a pick at this spot though.
16. (Kevin) Dallas Cowboys (draft history) - Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
[KH] I strongly considered Notre Dame's Zack Martin here and think that would be a very realistic possibility for the Cowboys. Not only is right tackle Doug Free scheduled to become a free agent in 2015, but Martin could play inside at guard, which were the Cowboys could really use upgrades.
That said, their defense was atrocious last year and they were equally bad against the run and pass. Pryor is a devastating hitter in run support, but he has range in defending the pass as well. If Donald slipped a couple of more picks, he would be the preferred pick.
17. (Sean) Baltimore Ravens (draft history) - Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
[SB] The Ravens can go a number of different ways here at No. 17. They have holes on each side of the ball, but I think the most pressing need is on the offensive line. Martin should be able to step right in and replace departed RT Michael Oher and eventually slide over to the left side. Ray Rice was one of the worst RBs in the NFL last year in regards to yards per carry so adding beef up front will be a big help.
18. (Sean) New York Jets (draft history) - Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, LSU
[SB] The New York Jets made a big move this offseason to sign ex-Denver receiver Eric Decker, but Decker alone is not going to turn this Jets' offense around. Decker is a good complement to a No. 1 WR, he isn't a true No. 1 himself. Of the remaining WRs left, I like Kelvin Benjamin, but he is too similar to what they already have (Decker, Hill). Beckham Jr. Is a smaller speed WR who could do a lot of damage over the middle a la Steve Smith or Desean Jackson.
19. (Sean) Miami Dolphins (draft history) - C.J. Mosely, LB, Alabama
[SB] The Dolphins already made a big push this offseason to sign D'Qwell Jackson but failed. Mosely is the best all-around linebacker in this class. He is a sideline-to-sideline defender with a knack for the ball. Mosely should fit right in and be that leader this Dolphins team has missed since Zach Thomas retired.
20. (Kevin) Arizona Cardinals (draft history) - Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
[KH] If Carr doesn't go within the top eight picks, it's certainly possible that he could slip all the way to No. 20 (or further). The Cardinals could take advantage of this opportunity to add a long-term replacement for Carson Palmer. With all of the physical and mental tools to be successful, Carr would benefit from sitting a year behind Palmer after coming out of the Fresno State's spread offense.
>> Continue to picks 21-32 here
>> Go back to picks 1-10 here
>> More NFL Mocks: 2014 NFL Mock Draft (Hanson) | NFL Mock Draft Database
>> NBA Mocks: 2014 NBA Mock Draft | NBA Mock Draft Database
>> Fantasy football rankings: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends
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