2014 NFL Mock Draft: Post Super Bowl Mock has Pittsburgh Steelers looking WR
By Matt Shetler
17. Dallas Cowboys
Player Name: Aaron Donald
Position, School: DT, Pitt
Donald had a dominant Senior Bowl and although he undersized is a very good fit for a Cowboys’ defense that ranked last in the NFL a season ago. Donald might be the perfect addition to a line that’s charged with creating pressure without much blitz help in Dallas’ Tampa-2 scheme. Donald is skyrocketing up draft boards and his quickness and pass-rushing tools are exactly what the Cowboys lacked in 2013.
Dec 28, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Eric Ebron (85) runs after a catch during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Cincinnati 39-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
18. New York Jets
Player Name: Eric Ebron
Position, School: TE, North Carolina
Ebron is an athletic tight end who excels at working the hashes. Ebron has the speed of a wide receiver in a tight end’s body, and showed improvement as a blocker and route-runner last season. The Jets had a strong draft last year and must add some talent around quarterback Geno Smith. Ebron is a Vernon Davis clone who could do big things in the Big Apple.
19. Miami Dolphins
Player Name: Zack Martin
Position, School: OT/OG, Notre Dame
The Dolphins need to upgrade on the offensive line and Martin is a good fit coming off an outstanding Senior Bowl. He has short arms but could be used at left tackle, but even if not he could be a stud guard for years.
20. Arizona Cardinals
Player Name: Louis Nix III
Position, School: DT, Notre Dame
Bruce Arians’ Cardinals were a surprise last season and to build on that they could target the offensive or defensive line. Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio is a possibility, but I like the Cards to look on the defensive line here. Darnell Dockett is 33 and no longer the pass-rusher he once was, and Arizona lacks a long-term replacement for him. Nix is a steal this late.
21. Green Bay Packers
Player Name: Timmy Jernigan
Position, School: DT, Florida State
Jernigan’s play was inconsistent at times during the season, but his play in the national championship game has his stock rising and he could turn into a steal here for the Packers. The Packers spent last year’s first-round pick on a defensive lineman, but that doesn’t mean they won’t do so again, especially with the fact that B.J. Raji happens to be a free agent.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Player Name: Darqueze Dennard
Position, School: CB, Michigan State
Chip Kelly would probably like some new toys on offense, but the league’s worst pass defense needs to be fixed first. Dennard is NFL-ready coming out of Michigan State and he’ll come into the league with the technique to play immediately and has the physical coverage style the Eagles should love. He fills an immediate need and Dennard makes the most sense for Philadelphia.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Player Name: Cyrus Kouandjio
Position, School: OT, Alabama
The Chiefs could use another receiver or another rush end, but I look for them to continue to beef up the offensive line. They could also try and trade down with no second-round pick this season (Alex Smith trade). Branden Albert is a free agent and the Dolphins are expected to go hard after him. Even though Kansas City drafted Eric Fischer No. 1 overall last season, it makes some sense to double dip and come back with Kouandjio this year to give the Chiefs a solid pair of bookends for the foreseeable future. He has a high upside and could turn into a very good NFL tackle right off the bat.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Player Name: Stephon Tuitt
Position, School: DE, Notre Dame
After franchise DE Michael Johnson‘s disappointing 2013 campaign, the Bengals could be in search for a replacement. Tuitt is a guy that is NFL ready and could help improve a decent Bengals defense right off the bat.