the 2014 NFL Draft results a day early!

Well almost a day early... it's 2 am here right now. I started this earlier, I swear!

It's everybody's favourite time of year, well, except grumpy old owl.... That's right. Not only is it playoff hockey time, it's also NFL draft time. Why they delayed it two weeks is beyond me... but it's finally time.
And like every year, I'm back with my pal Jamie to prognosticate and generally just have fun by putting out there the proof that neither of us knows what we're doing.
But it's good conversation.

Let me say this before we begin. I expect a LOT of trades this year. A lot of teams have specific needs.... needs that won't necessarily be filled by the time their pick comes.
We'll see if it's a buyer's or seller's market.

 #1
Canuck - Jadeveon Clowney DE  Jamie - Jadeveon Clowney DE

Make no mistake. Houston is trying to trade down. They want Khalil Mack. Whether anyone (Atlanta?) bites only time will tell. I think the price will be too steep, and the Texans will be forced to take Clowney.

 #2
Canuck - Greg Robinson OT  Jamie - Greg Robinson OT

I know Jake Matthews has a connection with Jeff Fisher, but Robinson is a lock LT for the next 10 years. A monster run blocker, he'll have to improve his pass blocking.
The Rams are also looking to trade down. I think this is where the action starts. Especially if Houston selects Mack.

 #3
Canuck - Khalil Mack LB  Jamie - Khalil Mack LB

Jacksonville needs so much. Mack is the best 'right now' player in the draft. And he fits the Jags scheme. No way they trade out.
Could surprise.... Johnny Manziel or Sammy Watkins

 #4
Canuck - Sammy Watkins WR  Jamie - Johnny Manziel QB

I really thought about plugging in Manziel here.... it's a good fit. But with the Browns having two first round picks, I'll take the weapon here, and give them a QB at #26

 #5
Canuck - Jake Matthews OT  Jamie - Sammy Watkins WR

I'm giving the Raiders some credit here that they will make the smart pick and grab a tackle that will improve their line for the next decade. But if Cleveland passes on Watkins, they'll trip over themselves racing to select him.

 #6
Canuck - Taylor Lewan OT  Jamie - Jake Matthews OT

I really think Atlanta moves up to grab either Clowney or Mack. But if they can't, let's protect Matt Ryan, shall we? And Lewan can. An instant starter.

 #7
Canuck - Mike Evans WR  Jamie - Mike Evans WR

Another team trying to move up. The GM wants Manziel. The new coach wants Aaron Donald DT. Who's going to win the power struggle?
I'll compromise and give them the wide out they desperately need.

 #8
Canuck - Justin Gilbert CB  Jamie - Blake Bortles QB

Minnesota would like to trade down for more picks. A new coaching staff, and the re-signing of Matt Cassell moves me away from QB here and into improving their horrid pass defence. I say they trade down however. With... the Jets?

 #9
Canuck - Eric Ebron TE  Jamie - Taylor Lewan OT

The Bills need 'backers, and there are a couple of good ones available. But it's not great value at #9. So I'm breaking Baltimore's heart and giving them Ebron.

 #10
Canuck - Darqueze Dennard  CB  Jamie - Justin Gilbert CB

If Detroit doesn't trade up to get Watkins, they'll go corner.

 #11
Canuck - Blake Bortles QB  Jamie - Anthony Barr LB

New coach Ken Whisenhunt gets his guy. Jake Locker can play this year while Bortles learns.

 #12
Canuck - Anthony Barr LB  Jamie - Aaron Donald DT

The G Men need help on an aging team. Barr is an instant starter on a sub par LB core.

 #13
Canuck - Calvin Pryor FS  Jamie - Calvin Pryor FS

I like Pryor. He's a violent hitter. However, if the Rams do trade down from #2 and miss out on a tackle, look for it here... one of the three or maybe Zack Martin.

 #14
Canuck - Aaron Donald DT  Jamie - Darqueze Dennard CB

If Donald is still there (Dallas may move up to grab him) the Bears will snag him and be happy.

 #15
Canuck - Zack Martin OT  Jamie - Bradley Robey CB

The Steelers' line is atrocious. And Big Ben isn't getting any more mobile with age. Nabbing a starting tackle is a no brainer.

 #16
Canuck - CJ Mosley LB  Jamie - Timmy Jernigan DT

Lots of talk about Dallas trying to move up. Hopefully no. They don't need flash, they need depth. Injuries killed them last year. Take as many defencive players as you can.

 #17
Canuck - Marquise Lee WR  Jamie - Zack Martin OT

If the Ravens don't move up to get Ebron, they'll take a weapon of a different kind.

 #18
Canuck - Odell Beckham WR  Jamie - Eric Ebron TE

I predict the Jets will move up to get Beckham. But in my draft, they won't have to.

 #19
Canuck - Cyrus Kouandjio OT  Jamie - CJ Mosley LB

My reach pick so far. Miami needs a tackle, and the top ones are gone, so they take the 6'7" 325lb monster out of Alabama.

 #20
Canuck - Derek Carr QB  Jamie - Kony Early DE

Carson Palmer can't play forever. The Cardinals take their QB of the future.
Could surprise - if they think they can win now with Palmer, then look for Ryan Shazier LB or Bradley Robey CB.

 #21
Canuck - Ryan Shazier LB  Jamie - Ryan Shazier LB

The Pack suffered a lot of injuries last year that left them thin on D. Ryan steps in both on D and special teams.

 #22
Canuck - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix FS  Jamie - Odell Beckham WR

I'm giving Philly the safety rumoured to be picked by the Cowboys. The Eagles need to step up on D to compensate for being on the field so much due to their no huddle speed offence.

#23
Canuck - Kelvin Benjamin WR  Jamie - Brandin Cooks WR

Let's give Alex Smith another target. The walrus loves his offence.

 #24
Canuck - Bradley Robey CB  Jamie - Jason Verrett CB

The Bengals continue to build their impressive defence.
Now if only they spent some time on their offence.

 #25
Canuck - Kyle Fuller CB  Jamie - Louis Nix DT

The Chargers need help. Alex Smith and Peyton Manning four times a year... Good luck Mr Fuller.

 #26
Canuck - Johnny Manziel  QB  Jamie - Kelvin Benjamin WR

I really think Manziel is Cleveland bound, but do I really think he'll last to #26? No, I don't.

 #27
Canuck - Xavier Su'a-filo OG  Jamie - Dee Ford DE

Drew Brees spent waaaay too much time running around last season. Time to build him a wall.

#28
Canuck - Brandin Cooks WR  Jamie - Marqise Lee WR

Anyone who thinks the Panthers aren't drafting a receiver here needs to look at their roster. That kid from Play 60 who's loosening up his arm is now their top WR.

#29
Canuck - Jace Amaro TE  Jamie - Ra'Shede Hageman DT

I say Bill needs a TE so he'll reach and get one here. Both Hernandez (in prison) and Gronkowski (made of glass) aren't reliable.
Who are we kidding? The Pats will trade down into the second round for someone's first next year, and then they'll pick a TE.

 #30
Canuck - Ra'Shede Hageman DT  Jamie - Stephon Tuitt DE

The Niners don't need a lot. And what they do need isn't available at #30.

 #31
Canuck - DeMarcus Lawrence DE  Jamie - Joel Bitonio OT

The Broncs are still reeling from the Super Bowl. While O-line is a need, a revamped defence is a must.

#32
Canuck - Donte Moncrief WR  Jamie - Jace Amaro TE

The Seahawks don't need much help on D, (except maybe during all of their drug suspensions) so Russell Wilson gets a new toy.





There you have it, for all it's worth. (don't forget to subtract tax)
Hope everyone has a good draft party to go to... eat lots, stay safe, and Go Cowboys!

Your long awaited 2013 NFL Mock Draft...

 

 

 

The Chiefs need help everywhere. Thankfully in the NFL, you start at the lines, and build out. And in this year's draft, top quality linemen are everywhere. We'll give Kansas City the best of the bunch. From Central Michigan, OT Eric Fisher. 6'8" 305 lbs.

Rumour has it the Jags want to move down for multiple picks. We aren't a live blog cast, (yet), so here they stay. If they really think Blaine Gabbert is their guy, they need to keep him alive. Luke Joeckel OT from Texas A&M 6'6" 310 lbs will help with that immediately.

In the words of the immortal Al Davis, "The other team's quarterback must go down.... and he must go down hard." And that's exactly why they select DL Sharrif Floyd from Florida. 6'3" 305 lbs.

The new look Eagles where  witness protection candidate Chip Kelly is hiding from multiple violation accusations from his time at Oregon. With the new up tempo offence, he'll need faster lineman. Lane Johnson OT from Oklahoma. 6'7" 303 lbs.

The Lions have had the worst secondary in the NFL for four years. Despite their need on the O-line and with Chance Wormack available, they take the top corner, CB Dee Milner from Alabama. 6'1" 199 lbs.

Cleveland. Ah Cleveland. Here we go again. I have a feeling that despite what the new people in charge are saying... going into the year with Brandon Wheedon, Jason Campbell, and Thaddeus Lewis as their QB's scares the hell out of them. Look for a reach pick here and QB Geno Smith from West Virginia. 6'3" 214 lbs

Folks, have your kids grow up to be lineman. Another team with issues here. The tackles aren't horrible, so the Cardinals go Guard with Jonathan Cooper 6'3" 310 lbs out of North Carolina.

I'm going to give the Bills and their new QB a new toy here. WR Tavon Austin from West Virginia 5'9" 174 lbs. Although with OT Chance Wormack still available, they might be tempted.....

The J-E-T-S with the first of two picks in the 1st round. They need a LOT of help. And they need some players too.... Dion Jordan will help any defence. And he'll excell in the Jets 3-4 scheme at outside linebacker. From Oregon 6'7" 241 lbs.

Going off the board a bit here... The Titans will take Ezekiel Ansah. A DL from BYU 6'6" 270 lbs. There are corners on the board, but they'll be some available in the 2nd round as well.... Ansah is too good to pass up.

Finally. Chance Wormack OT from Alabama, 6'3" 320 lbs come on down. Look for the Bolts to plug him in at guard.

another need, another lineman. RT D.J. Fluker from Alabama. 6'6" 335 lbs. Can the Dolphins afford to feed him?

if Sanchez is your guy (snicker) then you gotta help him out. TE Tyler Eifert from Notre Dame 6'6" 251 lbs will help. Great hands and a nightmare for linebackers.

more line help. Sound familiar? This time on defence. DL Sheldon Richardson out of Missouri. 6'4" 295 lbs.

I'm just going to flat out say it. Barkevious Mingo. Yes. That's his name. LB from LSU, 6'5" 242 lbs. Not much against the run, but will find the QB.

The Rams first of two picks. Everything I've heard or read for the last two months say the Rams go safety here. And I agree. That probably means they draft a punter. What do I know, anyway? S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas. 6'1" 215 lbs.

For the first time in a long time, the Steelers need help at linebacker. With James Harrison let go, Jarvis Jones will step right in. Georgia. 6'3" 241 lbs.

Da Boys are thrilled to see DT Star Loyulelei fall to them at 18. Nose tackle is a key position in the NFC East, and Star will help Pro Bowler Jay Ratliff take a rest after an injury plagued year.  Utah. 6'4" 320 lbs. Besides.... where else did you think a guy named Star would end up?

another team with need of line help. The Giants O-line is old. Dallas Thomas, OT from Tennessee helps right away. Can also play guard. 6'5" 300 lbs. I love a guy named Dallas playing for the G-Men.

Here we go. Insert joke here. Urlacher? A memory. Mant Te'o. LB from Notre Dame. 6'2" 255 lbs. The Bears hope the hype is worth it.

One of the league's top defences gets better. Safety Eric Reid from LSU. 6'2" 208 lbs. Mike Zimmer is smiling.

with safety taken care of in their first pick, I'll continue to imrove their D by adding the top LB left... Alec Ogletree. Georgia. 6'3" 252 lbs. The Rams D is now a whole lot better.

The Vikes traded their top WR, so, they need to draft a top WR. This isn't as difficult as some people think. Cordarrelle Patterson out of Tennessee. 6'3" 205 lbs. A little immature, but Minnesota likes that. Just avoid boat rides.

the Colts have other needs, but when D.J. Hayden falls to 24, their grab him. Corners of theis quality are hard to find. An injury hurt his draft stock, but if anyone likes comeback stories, it's Inday nad Chuck Pagano. Out of Houston, 5'11" 195 lbs.

The Vikes will use their second pick of the round to help their defence. DT Sylvester Williams will plug in and stuff the run. Something the Vikings have forgotten about recently. North Carolina, 6'3" 320 lbs.

I wasn't going to do it, but what the heck. I'll draft a running back in the first round. And what better place than here? Green Bay hasn't had a number one back since Ahman Green. So we'll give them RB Eddy Lacy. Alabama 6'0" 220 lbs.

Houston needs someone to take pressure off of Andre Johnson. WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee 6'4" 205 lbs is that guy. He's fresh and needs coaching, but will turn into a beast with a little patience.

No way the Horse Heads figured on Bjoern Werner falling to 28. So strategy goes out the window as they select the 6'4" 255 lb linebacker from Florida State.  Elvis who?

The Pats nab the top rated corner left, Xavier Rhodes. 6'1" 215 lbs out of Florida State. Besides, he wears glasses, which means he's smart. And Belichek likes smart.

Atlanta helps their depleted defence with CB Desmond Trufont. 6'0" 185 lbs out of Washington. He'll start opposite of Asante Samuel and might evern return kicks.

More weapons for Kaepernick. TE Zach Ertz from Stanford. (the Harbaugh connection) 6'6" 245 lbs. With the addition of Ertz and Anquon Boldin.... look out NFC West.

With the last pick of the 1st round, Baltimore selects LB Arthur Brown. 6'1" 228 lbs from Kansas State. The Ravens 'backers are old and slow... Brown will help solve that.