Fansided Local & NFL Sites 2014 NFL Mock Draft (Picks 1 – 29)
Sep 7, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt (7) celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
#21 Green Bay Packers Select Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame, Defensive End – With four defensive linemen, including three starters, headed for free agency, Tuitt fills an immediate need on the defensive line for the Packers. Tuit is a rare talent. He’s got tremendous size at 6-6 and 310 pounds for a defensive end, and he’s a great mix of power and athleticism. Tuitt also has experience as a two-gap defensive end in Notre Dame’s 3-4 defense, and the Packers desperately need more defensive linemen that can hold up against the run in the base and get after the quarterback on passing downs. With safeties Clinton-Dix and Pryor and tight end Eric Ebron already off the board, the Packers would be happy to address their defensive line with a player of Stephon Tuitt’s caliber. The Packers could also select Alabama’s C.J. Mosley here. Their defense could use an impact player at inside linebacker; however, there will still be plenty of inside linebacker talent available in rounds 2-4, and the talent along the defensive line significantly drops off after the first couple of rounds.
Selection Made By Lombardi Ave: Check out their detailed write up on the Tuitt pick here.
#22 Philadelphia Eagles Select Bradley Roby, Ohio State, Cornerback – A year after picking fourth in the draft, the Eagles pick at 22, following an extremely successful first-season under Chip Kelly. Besides Kelly’s fast paced offense, lead by LeSean McCoy, first-year defensive coordinator Billy Davis’ defense, can largely be attributed to the Eagles massive turnaround. This defense embodied the “bend-but-don’t-break” philosophy, which was enough to win a weak NFC East, and make a playoff appearance. To go beyond that and become a Superbowl contender, the defense needs to bend even less, and just make stops. First-year Eagles’ Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher were physical corners, who played at a solid level, and were a drastic improvement over Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Still, they aren’t by any means elite corners, which is why I see the Eagles selecting Bradley Roby of Ohio State, to hopefully be a long-term shutdown corner. That is assuming guys like Darqueze Dennard and Justin Gilbert are off the board at this point (which they are in this mock-draft) and they Eagles don’t fall in love with another corner like LaMarcus Joyner. Expect the Eagles to go defensive with their first pick, but don’t be surprised if general manger Howie Roseman trades into the back-half of the first-round to select a physical receiver like Allen Robinson to compliment DeSean Jackson.
Selection Made By Section 215: Check out their site here for more information on the Eagles.