2014 NFL Mock Draft: Post Super Bowl Mock has Pittsburgh Steelers looking WR
By Matt Shetler
9. Buffalo Bills
Player Name: Greg Robinson
Position, School: OT, Auburn
The Bills could look at linebacker or cornerback here, but there isn’t real value at either position at No.9. Instead targeting Auburn’s big, nasty dominant run-blocker makes sense. Robinson is a jaw-dropping athlete coming off the ball. He may not be ready to start on the left side right away, but Cordy Glenn did a decent job there last year for the Bills. But Robinson could start on the right side right away and could make the switch to the left side when deemed ready. He’s likely the best player on the board at this point and one that fills a need for Buffalo.
Nov 9, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mike Evans (13) warms up before the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
10. Detroit Lions
Player Name: Mike Evans
Position, School: WR, Texas A&M
Evans is a player I would love to see fall to the Steelers at No. 15 and while the Lions have other needs, Evans is another big body (6’5″, 225) who would probably flourish in single coverage against second-tier corners. We all saw what happens to Detroit’s offense when Calvin Johnson is unavailable or drawing triple coverage. Adding a solid No. 2 in Evans will make the Lions’ offense even more explosive. If you are scoring at home, Evans becomes the third Texas A&M player selected among the Top 10 picks.
11. Tennessee Titans
Player Name: Anthony Barr
Position, School: DE/OLB, UCLA
Barr is an outstanding athlete who will fit very nicely into new Titans’ head coach Ken Whisenhunt‘s 3-4 scheme. He played defense for the first time in 2012, after being a former running back, and made an instant impact, recording 13 sacks. He had 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks this past season. Barr has the speed and strength to come off the edge and is also very good in coverage. The Titans can’t go wrong with this pick.
12. New York Giants
Player Name: Kony Ealy
Position, School: DE, Missouri
The Tigers have produced several stellar defensive linemen in recent years (Aldon Smith, Sheldon Richardson), and Ealy could be the next of the bunch. Two of the Giants biggest problems last season were pass protection and their pass rush. They could target either area with this pick. While Michigan’s Taylor Lewan is a possibility, I like them to focus on the defensive side of the ball. Ealy has the length, power and speed the team covets opposite Jason Pierre-Paul at defensive end. He has a rare combination of speed, power and length and could wreak havoc on the NFC East for years to come.
13. St. Louis Rams
Player Name: Justin Gilbert
Position, School: CB, Oklahoma State
Yes, the Rams need another wide receiver but they can hopefully target that in the second round. They also struggled big time with their secondary a season ago and have needs at both the safety and cornerback positions. Alabama’s HaHa Clinton-Dix is an option, but I like them targeting the best corner in the draft in Gilbert. He’s big at 6’0″ and 200 pounds but also plays with the closing speed to attack the ball. Gilbert could become a No.1 corner early in his career and is a safe pick here for the Rams.
14. Chicago Bears
Player Name: HaHa Clinton-Dix
Position, School: S, Alabama
Chicago has a huge void at the safety position; Major Wright is a free agent, while Chris Conte just wasn’t very good late in the season. Clinton-Dix has the size to be a hitter and the speed to play in coverage. He’s a dynamic three down player who has the talent to excel in any scheme right off the bat.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Player Name: Marqise Lee
Position, School: WR, USC
The Steelers need to target the defensive side of the ball and if Gilbert or Clinton-Dix were still on the board they would be my pick. But there is also a big need at the wide receiver position. Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert would probably love a bigger body like Evans on the other side of Antonio Brown, but the talented Lee is probably too good to pass up as a potential replacement for Emmanuel Sanders.
The team lost its deep threat this past offseason when Mike Wallace took the money and ran to Miami. The Steelers are definitely interested in bringing in a new top wide out and Lee has the tools to be a top playmaker for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. While Lee isn’t the biggest or most physical receiver, he has the ability to dominate. The junior is extremely fast and can burn defenses with speed that is too difficult to cover. He also is a very polished route runner and would be a great value pick here.
The Steelers could also look at the defensive line spot where Notre Dame’s Louis Nix III and Pitt’s Aaron Donald are both still available, but passing on a playmaker like Lee could prove to be difficult. For what it is worth, I do have the Steelers selecting Florida cornerback Marcus Roberson in the second round.
16. Baltimore Ravens
Player Name: Taylor Lewan
Position, School: OT, Michigan
Starting tackles Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher are ticketed for free agency. Even if the Ravens manage to re-sign one, they’ll probably need to draft another to protect Joe Flacco. Lewin is a prototypical left tackle who has the strength and long arms needed to hold the edge and protect Flacco’s blindside.