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 21 to 32 below:
21. (Kevin) Green Bay Packers (draft history) - Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
[KH] Defensive tackle B.J. Raji was re-signed to a one-year deal, but the Packers ranked 26th in the NFL in rushing defense and 27th in yards per carry last season and can use reinforcements along their defensive line. Plus, Ted Thompson has a history of investing first-round picks on the defensive (and offensive) line. Five of his past six first-round picks have been on the lines with OLB Clay Matthews being the lone exception.
22. (Kevin) Philadelphia Eagles (draft history) - Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
[KH] No team had a worse pass defense than the Eagles last season as they allowed 289.8 passing yards per game in 2013. While they added Malcolm Jenkins at safety, I wouldn't be surprised if added depth to their defensive backfield and someone like Roby could certainly be off the board by this point.
After a terrific season in 2012, Roby followed that up with a disappointing and inconsistent season in 2013. Displaying elite athleticism (sub-4.4 forty and 38.5-inch vertical) at the combine, Roby is also a capable and willing tackler in run support.
23. (Sean) Kansas City Chiefs (draft history) - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
[SB] If the Chiefs want to make it to the next level in the AFC, they need to add some playmakers on offense to help out Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles. Cooks, the 2013 Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top WR, is a perfect fit for this team. Cooks is on the smallish side, unlike someone like Kelvin Benjamin, but I think a good elusive slot WR who can make plays after the catch is the perfect complement to Dwayne Bowe.
24. (Sean) Cincinnati Bengals (draft history) - Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
[SB] The Bengals could go a couple of different ways with this pick, and I think best-case scenario for a team with a few holes is the trading back. Kouandijo could be available at pick No. 33 or 35 if the Texans or Jags decide to move back into the first round for a QB. If the Bengals can't find a trade partner, they will take the player that fills the biggest need.
25. (Sean) San Diego Chargers (draft history) - Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
[SB] The Chargers ranked 29th in the NFL against the pass last year, so adding Fuller would be a huge shot in the arm to this defense. They say you don't draft based on other teams in your division, but I think that's ridiculous. San Diego saw what a good secondary did to Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl. Fuller is an easy choice here.
26. (Sean) Cleveland Browns (draft history) - Marqise Lee, WR, USC
[SB] This was probably the toughest pick for me. I honestly think the Browns are better off going Watkins with their first pick and then Bridgewater or whoever is leftover here. But for some reason, I think the Browns will draft Manziel. Lee is a good consolation prize though. Lee would replace the absolutely dreadful Greg Little as the teams No. 2 WR, giving their new QB another good target to work with.
27. (Kevin) New Orleans Saints (draft history) - Kony Ealy, DE/OLB, Missouri
[KH] Ealy is explosive athlete off the edge and had 9.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss at Mizzou last season. When asked who was the most difficult matchup to block, Texas A&M's Jake Matthews said it was Ealy. If my picks for the NFC teams play out how I've picked for them, Matthews would face Ealy at least twice per year.
28. (Kevin) Carolina Panthers (draft history) - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
[KH] Before the start of free agency, wide receiver was a position of weakness for the Panthers. Since free agency began, the Panthers have made it even worse. Not only did they release long-time veteran Steve Smith, but they allowed several others to leave via free agency.
Based on their current roster, the team's starters are likely to be free-agent additions Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant. Fortunately wide receiver is deep in this year's draft class and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Panthers add more receivers throughout the draft perhaps even double-dipping with their first two picks like they did last year with defensive tackles.
29. (Sean) New England Patriots (draft history) - Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn
[SB] The Patriots have loaded up on talent on the defensive side of the ball over the past few drafts, especially DE/LB who can get to the QB. Chandler Jones, and Rob Ninkovich combined themselves for 19.5 sacks last year, but you can never have too many guys to rush the QB. The Patriots are in a great position in my opinion where they can take a home run shot on Ford. I can also see them going the DT route, but I think an impact player like Ford is too good to pass up.
30. (Kevin) San Francisco 49ers (draft history) - Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
[KH] If there is a level of their defense that could use reinforcements, it's their defensive backfield. The 49ers lost Tarrell Brown in free agency and released Carlos Rogers while Chris Culliver is coming off a torn ACL injury. Even though they re-signed Eric Wright and added Chris Cook in free agency, drafting Verrett here would make sense.
31. (Sean) Denver Broncos (draft history) - Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
[SB] The Broncos actually have a few more holes than you would think for a team that is the defending AFC champion. They have a need for beef upfront on the D-line especially since Terrance Knighton is only under contract for this upcoming season. A repeat season for Knighton, and the Broncos are left in a sticky situation with a bunch of key free agents. Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, and Wes Welker are some vital pieces on the other side of the ball. Hageman provides immediate depth, and a possible replacement down the road.
32. (Kevin) Seattle Seahawks (draft history) - Xavier Su'a-Filo, G, UCLA
[KH] As the best guard prospect in this year's draft class, Su'a-Filo would address one of the areas of need for the defending Super Bowl champs. While he played left tackle last season, Su'a-Filo won the Morris Trophy, which is given to the Pac 12's best offensive lineman as voted by the league's defensive linemen.
>> Go back to picks 1-10 here
>> Go back to picks 11-20 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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