2014 NFL Draft: Final Mock, the first 100 picks

Round 3

65. Houston Texans
Zack Mettenberger
Quarterback, LSU
Analysis: Bill O’Brien is supposed to prefer the more classic, prototype quarterback of the past few decades.  Big, strong armed quarterback that can operate from the pocket.  Mettenberger has all of the tools to be a quality quarterback but there are questions off the field as well as how much he was the reason LSU’s offense improved as opposed to his receivers.

 66. Washington Redskins
Jack Mewhort
Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
Analysis: Anything the Redskins can do to improve their protection for Robert Griffin III is a smart move.  Mewhort can slide well, does a nice job in pass protection and is athletic in the running game.  Better leverage and increased power will only allow him to get better and better.

67. Oakland Raiders
Jordan Tripp
Inside Linebacker, Montana
Analysis: The Raiders did well getting Sio Moore last year, but Nick Road is really not in a good spot at middle linebacker.  Tripp was effectively the FCS version of C.J. Mosley.  He is able to help in coverage and play the run well and did it from several different spots depending on the formation and situation.  And if the team is ambitious enough, Tripp can be their long snapper as well.

68. Atlanta Falcons
Ryan Carrethers
Defensive Tackle, Arkansas State
Analysis: The Falcons have made their move to the 3-4 and signed Paul Solai as the team’s nose tackle.  They could use another nose to keep him fresh and provide depth.  Carrethers is an intriguing talent, but the aspect that stands out the most is just how many snaps he can play with high effort.

69. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Marcus Martin
Center, USC
Analysis: Martin played center this past year, but he also has a couple years of experience at guard.  The Bucs signed Evan Dietrich-Smith, so Martin can be depth for him, but could end up starting at guard as well, which could be important as doubts continue to show up regarding Carl Nicks’ NFL career after their issues with MRSA.

70. Jacksonville Jaguars
Bryan Stork
Center, Florida State
Analysis: The Jaguars tried to sign Alex Mack and they still need to address the center position to keep building a strong offensive line.  They have a couple talented, young tackles and just signed Zane Beadles to play a guard spot.

71. Cleveland Browns
Bashaud Breeland
Cornerback, Clemson
Analysis: The Browns defense has made a commitment to toughness and Breeland is not afraid to attack the run and make a hit.  He is still developing in coverage, but he should be able to come in and push Buster Skrine inside on nickel packages with the long term goal of having him be the full time starter across from Joe Haden.

72. Minnesota Vikings
Lache Seastrunk
Running Back, Baylor
Analysis: While continuing to build the offense around newly drafted Blake Bortles, the Vikings try to bring in some youth to give Adrian Peterson a break.  Seastrunk is an impressive, pure runner and coming in for Peterson, gives them a dynamic and somewhat chaotic running threat.

73. Buffalo Bills
Brett Smith
Quarterback, Wyoming
Analysis: Brett Smith is uniquely capable of playing in Buffalo, having played in Laramie, Wyoming.  He is also extremely athletic and a talented passer that just needs time to develop.  Given that Jeff Tuel ended up having to play snaps last year, getting another young, talented quarterback along with E.J. Manuel and Thad Lewis would be a smart play.

74. New York Giants
Chris Kirksey
Outside Linebacker, Iowa
Analysis: The Giants currently have Spencer Paysinger as their weak side linebacker as it stands now.  Maybe they are fine with that, but Kirksey is an outstanding WILL that can help in coverage, play the run and add to their pass rush.  Kirksey should be able to step in almost immediately and be a huge upgrade.

75. St. Louis Rams
Michael Campanaro
Wide Receiver, Wake Forest
Analysis: For all of the receivers the Rams have and have brought in, they really do not have someone that can be relied upon to make tough catches on third downs.  Campanaro is an outstanding route runner and reliable pass catcher that can fit in the Rams spread style system and be someone Manziel can consistently count on to get the ball.

76. Detroit Lions
Bruce Ellington
Wide Receiver, South Carolina
Analysis: Much has been made of the Lions’ reported attempts to trade up for Sammy Watkins.  Should they not go that route, they have plenty of great options later on to help their receiving core.  Ellington is a terrific athlete and a ridiculous overachiever that could come in and be the third option behind Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate.

77. San Francisco 49ers
Logan Thomas
Quarterback, Virginia Tech
Analysis: There are a couple of things at work here.  The 49ers want Colin Kaepernick long term, but they will want to protect themselves in the long term as well.  Thomas has some of the same impressive physical attributes but needs a while to develop.  There may not be a better place for him and he has as much upside as anyone in the draft.  The 49ers also have the picks to spend on this type of player.

78. Dallas Cowboys
Michael Schofield
Offensive Tackle, Michigan
Analysis: The Cowboys have the makings of a talented offensive line, but there is always this issue with Doug Free at right tackle.  He is good enough to beat the guys he is up against, but not great in terms of being an answer there.  Schofield is an experienced right tackle that was overshadowed by Taylor Lewan at Michigan, but was a good player in his own right.  At worst, he is great depth as a swing tackle but as he gets stronger, he should be able to become a starter.

79. Baltimore Ravens
Tre Mason
Running Back, Auburn
Analysis: On and off the field, Ray Rice has given the Ravens plenty of reason to bring in additional running back help to flank Bernard Pierce.  Mason would give them a different look from Pierce, being a good runner.  If Rice can come back from his current legal entanglements as well as his hip fully recovering, they would have three talented backs.

80. New York Jets
Jarvis Landry
Wide Receiver, LSU
Analysis: The Jets collect both LSU receivers from this year’s class.  Landry gives them a unique option as a slot option, because he can play like a joker tight end.  Landry has outstanding hands, but he is also a head hunter as a blocking threat, giving a team a lot of options in how they want to run the ball and different formations.

81. Miami Dolphins
Chris Watt
Offensive Guard, Notre Dame
Analysis: The Dolphins continue to revamp their offensive line by reuniting Watt with Martin.  They could end up both manning the guard spots or Martin playing on the right side.  In either case, both bring a tough mindset that allows them to be effective without any off field issues to distract or potentially cause an issue for a team that cannot afford them.

82. Chicago Bears
Trent Murphy
Defensive End, Stanford
Analysis: The Bears were able to do a nice job replacing Julius Peppers by bringing in both Jared Allen and Lamar Houston.  That is a great starting unit, but the depth behind them is virtually non existent.  Murphy is an impressive rusher with his hand in the ground and with added strength in his legs, he could be a great third rusher that can come in as a situational rusher and eventually inherit a starting job.

83. Cleveland Browns
C.J. Fiedorowicz
Tight End, Iowa
Analysis: The Browns signed Jim Dray, but there were also reports they tried to make a play for Scott Chandler before he resigned with Buffalo.  For Shanahan’s system, having multiple tight ends is important and having someone that can be a terrific inline blocker is incredibly valuable.  Fiedorowicz is a terrific blocker but he has an intriguing amount of athleticism and potential as a pass catcher as well.

84. Arizona Cardinals
Brent Urban
Defensive Tackle, Virginia
Analysis: Urban might be as pure of a 5-technique defensive end as there is in this class.  He is a terrific run defender that can hold the point of attack, use his arms to keep opponents at bay and enable teammates to make plays.  Urban has a great deal of talent but has to basically learn how to rush the passer.

85. Green Bay Packers
Allen Robinson
Wide Receiver, Penn State
Analysis: The Packers always seem to find these talented receivers that Aaron Rodgers maximizes at the next level.  Robinson is a bit of a project from the waist up, but he is a great runner with the ball in his hands.  With the Packers where he will not be rushed, he can finish his development and be the next big weapon there.

86. Philadelphia Eagles
Trevor Reilly
Outside Linebacker, Utah
Analysis: The Eagles continue picking up players from the PAC-12 and grab Reilly, who is an explosive athlete with height.  He shows great burst and overall speed and really does a nice job when dropping into coverage.  Reilly can do a better job when it comes to being physical at the point of contact but he does glide around the field like a basketball player.

87. Kansas City Chiefs
Davante Adams
Wide Receiver, Fresno State
Analysis: The Kansas City Chiefs need weapons, whether it is Alex Smith or anyone else.  With the high likelihood that it will be Smith, they need weapons that fit where he excels.  Adams can high point the football, but he shows strength and agility after the catch as well.  He needs to become a more refined route runner, but he can excel in the red zone.

88. Cincinnati Bengals
Telvin Smith
Outside Linebacker, Florida State
Analysis: The Bengals take a player that is designed largely to improve their pass defense in nickle and dime.  Smith is undersized but has range and can help in coverage.  He can potentially also help as a weak side linebacker as well, but the Bengals have to eliminate the holes in their coverage in passing situations.

89. San Diego Chargers
Shaq Evans
Wide Receiver, UCLA
Analysis: Last year, the Chargers hit it big when they took Keenan Allen in round 3 amid knee concerns.  Like Allen, Evans is an extremely polished, professional looking receiver that could hit the ground running in a similar manner and give them another dynamic weapon across from Allen.

90. Indianapolis Colts
Zack Kerr
Defensive Tackle, Delaware
Analysis: The Colts have Josh Chapman anchoring the middle of the defense but they could use depth behind him that would allow him to stay fresh.  Kerr gives them a good amount of size as well as athleticism and could end up surpassing Chapman at some point.

91. New Orleans Saints
Aaron Murray
Quarterback, Georgia
Analysis: Drew Brees is great, but he is 35 years old, so while they do not need to shove him out the door, they might want to find someone to groom behind him.  And as it would happen, Murray might be the ideal candidate to put behind Brees to groom to be a quarterback like him.  This is the perfect spot for Murray to sit and learn.

92. Carolina Panthers
Donte Moncrief
Wide Receiver, Ole Miss
Analysis: The Panthers continue to attack the wide receiver position and much like they did with Latimer, they bet on talent and upside with Moncrief.  Moncrief has displayed first round talent at times, but a combination of bad quarterback play and losing, Moncrief’s effort has wavered at times.  If it is simply a matter of being tired of losing, the Panthers could cash in big time.

93. New England Patriots
Wesley Johnson
Offensive Tackle, Vanderbilt
Analysis: Johnson has played a long, great career in the SEC and played at a high level.  He just seems like the type of player that sticks around for a decade or more and has a great career.  Johnson also gives the Patriots someone that can play all five spots, which may come earliest at the center spot.

94. San Francisco 49ers
Aaron Lynch
Defensive End, South Florida
Analysis: Lynch is one of the more bizarre prospects in this draft.  On tape, he is impressive, showing a lot of playmaking potential and talent.  He basically took a year off from football in any form and lost a year of development, which really hurt him between Notre Dame and South Florida.  He needs time to catch up physically, but in the right situation where he can develop, he could blossom and be a star pass rusher off of the edge.

95. Denver Broncos
Jared Abbrederis
Wide Receiver, Wisconsin
Analysis: The Broncos lost Decker to the Jets in free agency and opt to replace him in the lineup by bringing in a great route runner that shows good speed and agility after the catch.  Abbrederis seems to be a great fit for what the Broncos like to do and could have a big impact right out of the gate.

96. Minnesota Vikings
Chris Borland
Inside Linebacker, Wisconsin
Analysis: The Vikings are thin at middle linebacker and if he can stay healthy, Mike Mauti would be a tremendous story there.  However, Borland fits the type of mentality and toughness that Mike Zimmer likes for the position that can come in and help plug the run.

97. Pittsburgh Steelers
Billy Turner
Offensive Tackle, North Dakota State
Analysis: The Steelers need to continue to improve their offensive line play, but they also have had trouble with injuries along the offensive line.  Turner is a great fit for what the Steelers like in terms of linemen and could be a swing tackle or potentially contribute as a guard.

98. Green Bay Packers
Arthur Lynch
Tight End, Georgia
Analysis: With Jermichael Finley’s done with the Packers, they are left with Andrew Quarless as the projected starter.  They might want to upgrade that spot and get a player in Lynch that can contribute as a blocker and a receiving threat.  He is also someone that is able to get yards after the catch.

99. Baltimore Ravens
Brandon Thomas
Offensive Tackle, Clemson
Analysis: The Ravens take a talented offensive lineman that unfortunate had an ACL tear that will require him to miss the season.  Next year, when he comes back, he could compete for a starting job at a few different spots or be valuable depth.

100. San Francisco 49ers
Aaron Colvin
Cornerback, Oklahoma
Analysis: Every year, Trent Baalke does two things.  He acquires more picks to stock his war chest for the following year and he takes talented but injured players he can stash because the 49ers roster is just so stocked they cannot fit them.  Colvin is a talented corner that unfortunately had suffered an ACL injury at the Senior Bowl, but could be a valuable addition next year.