2014 NFL Draft

Chucky the tree

malistheman wrote: »

Two guys from NFL.com just did a live mock draft for the first round. Some interesting variations. Both agreeing that we will have 3 QB's gone in the top 10 though. I haven't heard an awful lot about Blake Bortles before now, (although I didn't watch a lot of college ball this year). Kiper has him going ahead of Bridgewater. What's the story with him, anyone studied up on him?

NFL.com mock here

For me there is nothing elite or #1 pick about him apart from his height and build. I mean he doesn't have amazing arm strength, accuracy, footwork, pocket presence, ball placement, athletic ability or anything else you'd hope from a QB prospect. In saying that there isn't main glaring weaknesses about him either, only thing I dislike about him is that the ball can come of his hand pretty slow and he can struggle to generate good zip on it. Personally have no idea why anyone would take him above Teddy. I think he'll need a lot of time to develop.

Pudsy33

Paully D wrote: »

Jesus, if Sammy Watkins falls to us at #16 I'll need a new pair of underpants. Very little chance of it happening though IMO. Jeremiah pencils him in to the Rams at #2, which is what Matt Miller also did in his mock draft, and I'd imagine that will be closer to his landing spot.

Lee would be a canny pick up too. I think he'll still be on the board for us with Watkins and Evans gone.

I think Lee is our best bet too, not a snowballs Watkins will be there. Wonder would the Ravens take Clinton-Dix if he's still there.

Pudsy33

Having had very little CFB this year, I just checked out some Bridgewater footage. Great pocket presence, big arm and nice action. Very impressed.

johnmcdnl

malistheman wrote: »

Two guys from NFL.com just did a live mock draft for the first round. Some interesting variations. Both agreeing that we will have 3 QB's gone in the top 10 though. I haven't heard an awful lot about Blake Bortles before now, (although I didn't watch a lot of college ball this year). Kiper has him going ahead of Bridgewater. What's the story with him, anyone studied up on him?

NFL.com mock here

The bloke yoke is Bortles missus - draft him now and make sure we see more of her. :cool:


As a football player - only 2 years starting in an average conference at best doesn't help him. He's been solid but definitely needs another year in college to refine some of his problems. He doesn't always look comfortable in the pocket and is a bit slow getting passes of by times. His stock is as high as it's going to be though with UCF's best ever season and a bowl win against Baylor in the Fiesta bowl this year. Can't argue with him declaring but I'd be surprised if he went before Bridgewater or in the top 5. I'd see him as a perfect example of a player with a bit of development and sitting behind a good solid starter with a good QB coach who could turn into a good QB down the line but I really wouldn't like to see my team draft him that early or too see him starting next season.
I'd take someone like McCarron ahead of him in all honesty, while McCarron has never been the amazing game changer and has his own problems at least he's faced top defenses and beat them time and time again (let's ignore the Iron Bowl). Bortles has showed his skills against behemoths like Temple, Connecticut, Memphis, Akron, South Florida and Houston.

It's a pity he declared this year though as well because I'd have loved to see him next year in Croker but that's the way she goes.

Syferus

johnmcdnl wrote: »

The bloke yoke is Bortles missus - draft him now and make sure we see more of her. :cool:


As a football player - only 2 years starting in an average conference at best doesn't help him. He's been solid but definitely needs another year in college to refine some of his problems. He doesn't always look comfortable in the pocket and is a bit slow getting passes of by times. His stock is as high as it's going to be though with UCF's best ever season and a bowl win against Baylor in the Fiesta bowl this year. Can't argue with him declaring but I'd be surprised if he went before Bridgewater or in the top 5. I'd see him as a perfect example of a player with a bit of development and sitting behind a good solid starter with a good QB coach who could turn into a good QB down the line but I really wouldn't like to see my team draft him that early or too see him starting next season.
I'd take someone like McCarron ahead of him in all honesty, while McCarron has never been the amazing game changer and has his own problems at least he's faced top defenses and beat them time and time again (let's ignore the Iron Bowl). Bortles has showed his skills against behemoths like Temple, Connecticut, Memphis, Akron, South Florida and Houston.

It's a pity he declared this year though as well because I'd have loved to see him next year in Croker but that's the way she goes.

Given Bortles has established himself as a top three QB pick he's totally right to declare this year. Nothing else makes any sense.

And given the Iron Bowl was lost on a missed field goal it's hard to blame any of it on McCarron, who had hit a near 100-yard TD pass minutes earlier. Would love to see McCarron succeed but he still has to prove he's more than a very good Bama system QB, too many times he's been asked to just dump the ball off on screens for my liking. Bortles was the heart of a very good UCF side.

AJ not accepting his Senior Bowl invite (which is played in Mobile in the heart of Alabama) was a strange decision and has only made scouts openly question him more.

johnmcdnl

Syferus wrote: »

Given Bortles has established himself as a top three QB pick he's totally right to declare this year. Nothing else makes any sense.

And given the Iron Bowl was lost on a missed field goal it's hard to blame any of it on McCarron, who had hit a near 100-yard TD pass minutes earlier. Would love to see McCarron succeed but he still has to prove he's more than a very good Bama system QB, too many times he's been asked to just dump the ball off on screens for my liking. Bortles was the heart of a very good UCF side.

Fully agree that it's the best time for him to declare. It's just a bit unfortunate for him in a sense that this year couldn't have happened to him in his senior year. The extra year's experience could only have helped him. As it is it's hard to see how he can top this years performance with UCF and the risk in his stock dropping or far to much for him to consider anything else but declaring this year.

ChicagoJoe

If/When the Bears let Peppers go there will be a huge void there reguardless of what defense the Bears use. Bottom line is Bears are going to need to fill the position. Bears would need to move up in the draft to get Clowney. If the Bears do their homework and feel he is worth moving up, I am sure they will at least make some sort of "feeler".

LuckyLloyd

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Kiper with his mock draft.....

Wow Kiper, just wow.

kennyb3

ChicagoJoe wrote: »

If/When the Bears let Peppers go there will be a huge void there reguardless of what defense the Bears use. Bottom line is Bears are going to need to fill the position. Bears would need to move up in the draft to get Clowney. If the Bears do their homework and feel he is worth moving up, I am sure they will at least make some sort of "feeler".

Bears way way more likely to move down then up, we need picks and we need players. There are way too many holes on defense to invest so heavily trading up for Clowney.

They'll fill the Peppers gap via free agency if it arises (hopefully Michael Bennett) - it may not arise if he takes a massive paycut and comes in under/just over the dead money amount.

Dublin Red Devil

It I'm Texas I'm taking Jadeveon Clowney 1st, No doubt.

SameOleJay

ChicagoJoe wrote: »

If/When the Bears let Peppers go there will be a huge void there reguardless of what defense the Bears use. Bottom line is Bears are going to need to fill the position. Bears would need to move up in the draft to get Clowney. If the Bears do their homework and feel he is worth moving up, I am sure they will at least make some sort of "feeler".

The void is already there with Peppers- it’s a chasm at this stage. Trading up for Clowney would be crazy.

Two more showings like last week and we can forget Bennett though.

mikemac1

A third thumbs up for Lee to the Ravens at 16

Get it done Ozzie

Ravens don't get into the top half of the 1st round round often, just twice in the last eleven years. Those picks were Suggs and Ngata, not bad, not bad

Dublin Red Devil

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

It I'm Texas I'm taking Jadeveon Clowney 1st, No doubt.

I'm glad your not my teams gm texans need a qb they have most of the pieces for around him and additionally clowney has state that he does not like the 3-4 d

Dublin Red Devil

Gerald Polite Smallpox wrote: »

I'm glad your not my teams gm texans need a qb they have most of the pieces for around him and additionally clowney has state that he does not like the 3-4 d

You have to take Clowney. Put him together with JJ Watt and you have an outstanding Defensive unit.

Texas should wait for the 2nd round to draft a QB. You could still get Blake Bortles or Derek Carr. Other guys like Brett Smith or David Fales are underated prospects

Dublin Red Devil

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

You have to take Clowney. Put him together with JJ Watt and you have an outstanding Defensive unit.

Texas should wait for the 2nd round to draft a QB. You could still get Blake Bortles or Derek Carr. Other guys like Brett Smith or David Fales are underated prospects

D-lines do not win superbowls qbs do and
1. there is no garintee he will work to the same level in a 3-4
2. He does not like playing 3-4 and is apparently known for taking plays off as is so you want him on his preferred formation to avoid a fat Albert situation

Most importantly when you have a team this talented but your missing a qb and there is a talented qb there you have to take him look at what Andrew luck/can Newton have done as opposed to say mario Williams

TO.

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

You have to take Clowney. Put him together with JJ Watt and you have an outstanding Defensive unit.

Texas should wait for the 2nd round to draft a QB. You could still get Blake Bortles or Derek Carr. Other guys like Brett Smith or David Fales are underated prospects

I can't see Bortles or Carr drop that far. There is too many teams who will take a punt on QBs this year. Fales or Smith I don't think are guys you would want to start right away either. You would probably have a better shot at throwing Bortles or Carr into the deep end than most of the other guys in the draft.

TO.

Clowney right now is not a 3-4 player. He is too light to play down on the line for a 3-4 and too heavy and not quick enough to play as an edge rushing OLB. Add to the fact as Gerald Polite Smallpox is Clowney will probably become a big baby if asked to play in a 3-4.

Dublin Red Devil

Gerald Polite Smallpox wrote: »

D-lines do not win superbowls qbs do and
1. there is no garintee he will work to the same level in a 3-4
2. He does not like playing 3-4 and is apparently known for taking plays off as is so you want him on his preferred formation to avoid a fat Albert situation

Most importantly when you have a team this talented but your missing a qb and there is a talented qb there you have to take him look at what Andrew luck/can Newton have done as opposed to say mario Williams

But you're not getting an elite QB worth a 1st overall pick in his draft. In my opinion Bridgewater is highly overrated and the QB with the most upside is Johnny Football.

With the first pick in the next round you could still have a good selectin of QBs to choose from. And you have Clowney too

davyjose

HigginsJ wrote: »

I think no way does Manziel go 1 ( & I love Johnny F) With that being said there is no way that if Bridgewater was there that the Raaaaaiders would pass on him.

As a Colts fan I would love Manziel to go #1. Texans become a legit AFC South favourite with Teddy. Not with Johnny Football.

TO.

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

But you're not getting an elite QB worth a 1st overall pick in his draft.

To be fair you can't even make that statement for any draft. Tom Brady 6th round pick and nobody said he would be "Elite". Most scouts now will look at QB's with the potential to be the next big thing. Most teams bar a few will not jump on a guy because he is Elite in their eyes already.

Having said that you want to take the best QB that fits your team and passing over the best 3 in the draft would be stupid if you really need a QB unless you are really confident every QB after them has the same upside as the top 3 guys.

Dublin Red Devil

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

But you're not getting an elite QB worth a 1st overall pick in his draft. In my opinion Bridgewater is highly overrated and the QB with the most upside is Johnny Football.

With the first pick in the next round you could still have a good selectin of QBs to choose from. And you have Clowney too

the qbs selected in the second will be projects the texans cant afford this as they have a team that can win now

its a crap shoot trying to get a franchise qb after the first for every wilson/kap/foles you have far more failures

heres a list of 2nd round qbs taken since 2006

Andy Dalton (Bengals), 2011
Colin Kaepernick (49ers), 2011
Jimmy Clausen (Panthers), 2010
Pat White (Dolphins), 2009
Brian Brohm (Packers), 2008
Chad Henne (Dolphins), 2008
Kevin Kolb (Eagles), 2007
John Beck (Dolphins), 2007
Drew Stanton (Lions), 2007
Kellen Clemens (Jets), 2006
Tarvaris Jackson (Vikings), 2006

you have maby 1 franchis guy there and maby 1 or 2 game managers

TO.

TO. wrote: »

To be fair you can't even make that statement for any draft. Tom Brady 6th round pick and nobody said he would be "Elite". Most scouts now will look at QB's with the potential to be the next big thing. Most teams bar a few will not jump on a guy because he is Elite in their eyes already.

Having said that you want to take the best QB that fits your team and passing over the best 3 in the draft would be stupid if you really need a QB unless you are really confident every QB after them has the same upside as the top 3 guys.

beyond that there is always qbs who become golden boys after the nfl season ends

Dublin Red Devil

You just can't pass up on Clowney. He's the best player in the draft by a country mile. Take him first and sort out you QB need later. There will still be good QB at the start of the 2nd.

I you absolutely must go for a QB 1st. Take Johnny Football.

Dublin Red Devil

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

You just can't pass up on Clowney. He's the best player in the draft by a country mile. Take him first and sort out you QB need later. There will still be good QB at the start of the 2nd.

I you absolutely must go for a QB 1st. Take Johnny Football.

clowney could be great (he could end up average) but your overrating the position an over average qb has a bigger impact than a stud end

and you probably wont get a good qb at the start of the 2nd see my post above

HigginsJ

I think the combine is going to be massive for Clowney. If he comes in in football shape & interviews well he could go No. 1. Before then its very hard to judge Clowney for me.

Right now if I were Texans GM, I'd take Bridgewater no questions asked. He is a fantastic QB.

TO.

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

You just can't pass up on Clowney. He's the best player in the draft by a country mile. Take him first and sort out you QB need later. There will still be good QB at the start of the 2nd.
.

Well you can pass up on him if he doesn't fit your needs or defense or you think you can't convert him to fit your system. He is a beast of an athlete but taking him just for the sake of it could backfire on you.

Interestingly enough there was some talk about the Texans taking him and trying to adjust him and then trading for a QB. One of the names that came up was Ryan Mallett, obviously O'Brien knows the Pats inside out and knows Ryan Mallett. One of the many possibilities out there right now.

Syferus

With JJ Watt there and soon to be paid I don't know how interested the Texans would be in doubling up in an area of strength. QB is much more pressing a concern.

Son Of A Vidic

What's this years draft class like for TE's? Hopefully it's good because we could do with one or two this year.

Chucky the tree

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

What's this years draft class like for TE's? Hopefully it's good because we could do with one or two this year.

From what I've read it's stacked. No idea about the players myself but it seems Eric Ebron(North Carolina), Austin Seferian-Jenkins( Washington) and Jace Amaro( Texas Tech) are the highest rated.

Alfred Borden

Anyone here going to chance a mock draft?

Seferian-Jenkins is going to you guys in a few mocks. Jace Amaro and Eric Ebron are better TE's though.
Eric Ebron would be a great fit for the Pats imo but he misses big blocks sometimes so that would have to be improved.

Pudsy33

Raf32 wrote: »

Anyone here going to chance a mock draft?

There's generally a mock organised, I'm sure it'll be the same this year!

HigginsJ

CJ Fiedorowocz also has the looks of a solid TE. He is massive red-zone target & a solid run blocker.

Don't forget Colt Lyerla. He was a potential early round pick before leaving Oregon. I'd imagine he won't be drafted but could make a 53 man roster if he gets a chance

HigginsJ

CJ Fiedorowocz also has the looks of a solid TE. He is massive red-zone target & a solid run blocker.

Don't forget Colt Lyerla. He was a potential early round pick before leaving Oregon. I'd imagine he won't be drafted but could make a 53 man roster if he gets a chance

Son Of A Vidic

Cheers lads for that and good to hear the position is stacked. Must start checking up now on the guys ye mentioned. My finger is rarely on the pulse when it comes to draft talent so much appreciated.

Corvus Maximus

Corvus Maximus wrote: »

Cheers lads for that and good to hear the position is stacked. Must start checking up now on the guys ye mentioned. My finger is rarely on the pulse when it comes to draft talent so much appreciated.

Really is a great year to pick up offensive talent.

Paully D

Raf32 wrote: »

Anyone here going to chance a mock draft?

I'll definitely put one together whenever I get a chance but it won't be for while yet as I'd like to have a more detailed look at some players and view the combine first, which kicks off on the 18th of February. Towards the end of next month I think the forum will be buzzing with draft stuff, mocks etc.

My attempt from last year is here.

Molly

Paully D wrote: »

I'll definitely put one together whenever I get a chance but it won't be for while yet as I'd like to have a more detailed look at some players and view the combine first, which kicks off on the 18th of February. Towards the end of next month I think the forum will be buzzing with draft stuff, mocks etc.

My attempt from last year is here.

Chargers got 3 first round picks out of you, good stuff :P

mikemac1

Raf32 wrote: »

Anyone here going to chance a mock draft?

That will be started in March a few weeks before the draft in late April. Of course there will be a mad rush to get it finished, happens every year!

Edit: draft is in May

Molly

Draft is May this year. Spreading out the off season :pac:

Just regarding Clowney, the Bob McNair has been talking him up the past couple days saying he's a once in a decade athlete and if he gets him he told JJ Watt to instill his work ethic into him, quite obviously trying to shop the first rounder and trade back to pick up a QB.
A. Why would you use a first rounder on a 4-3 DE that had 3 sacks this season when you run a 3-4?,
B. If he doesn't have a good work ethic why would you draft him at all?
If the Texans are picking then don't expect Clowney to be picked 1st.

Dublin Red Devil

Bridgewater is highly overrated. For me Johnny Football is the best at QB. Clowney is the best player overall by some distance.

davyjose

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

Bridgewater is highly overrated. For me Johnny Football is the best at QB. Clowney is the best player overall by some distance.

Bridgewater might be overrated, but he is a much more polished QB than Manziel. Manziel has some huge gaps in his repertoire as an NFL QB, must noticeably his ability to stay in the pocket and make reads. He also needs to run smarter. He has the chance to be a very good NFL QB, but it won't be for a few seasons yet. He won't come in like Luck or Wilson and succeed immediately. Brisgewater, on the other hand, has the chance to do that. Especially with a stacked team like Houston.

Squidgy Black

Who do people feel was the biggest bust of last years draft? I felt Dee Milliner was brutal this season for such a high pick.

davyjose

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Who do people feel was the biggest bust of last years draft? I felt Dee Milliner was brutal this season for such a high pick.

It's hard to say after one season, and maybe a bit unfair. Eric Fisher didn't blow anyone away, but then do you pick an OT for what they're going to bring in their very first season? He's nowhere near as good as Jake Long was, but then Jake Long sucks now.

I suppose Luke Joeckel would be the biggest disappointment for me. But that's down to injury.

Eit: FWIW I think drafting an offensive (or inside defensive) lineman with an early first round pick is fcuking madness anyway, but that's just me.

Paully D

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Who do people feel was the biggest bust of last years draft? I felt Dee Milliner was brutal this season for such a high pick.

He was very poor, but I generally give CB's a free pass in their rookie year as that position is the hardest to transition to from college to the NFL IMO.

Most of the tackles that went high have been poor too but to be fair to them they are mostly playing on the opposite side of the line that they did in college.

It's way too early (usually need to wait three seasons) but if I had to pick based on play so far I'd probably go for Mingo.

franglan

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Who do people feel was the biggest bust of last years draft? I felt Dee Milliner was brutal this season for such a high pick.

Agreed on Milliner as Revis left it was the right decision to draft a CB early in the draft, you tried to give him the benefit of the doubt as he was a rookie but he was so far off the pace for a good 13 games of the season.

Morrisseeee

davyjose wrote: »

Bridgewater might be overrated, but he is a much more polished QB than Manziel. Manziel has some huge gaps in his repertoire as an NFL QB, must noticeably his ability to stay in the pocket and make reads. He also needs to run smarter. He has the chance to be a very good NFL QB, but it won't be for a few seasons yet. He won't come in like Luck or Wilson and succeed immediately. Brisgewater, on the other hand, has the chance to do that. Especially with a stacked team like Houston.

What you're saying is: Manzielmania (following in the footsteps of........guess who? :pac:)

I saw a bit of him this year, he made some unbelievable plays, and he has an incredible arm, he made one 40+ yard throw look like a 10yard dump-off.

One commentator was hinting that he reminded him of Montana, if so he needs alot of coaching tho, as you say, pocket presence is at top of the list.

Syferus

The idea that Manziel can't be successful early is silly. He'll buy time with his feet and be productive his first year. The question with Manziel is whether he will be able to progress as defenses adjust to his play style in year two and so on. The other genuine concern is his size, not in terms of being a QB, but taking hits from man-mountain NFL players.

More prototypical QBs tend to find the going harder in their early years.

Paully D

Molly wrote: »

Chargers got 3 first round picks out of you, good stuff :P

Looking back I think the Packers and Texans would have been very happy to land Fluker and Allen respectively.