Weekly FoS 2014 NFL Mock Draft
Jan 1, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) runs off the field after the second quarter of the Capital One Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers held at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
We present our weekly 2014 NFL Mock Draft for you here. With all the changes made this week in the Front Office of the Cleveland Browns their decision making related to this all so important draft is somewhat unknown. Does Ray Farmer have the same love for Johnny Manziel? Is Blake Bortles a Franchise QB?, his college coach doesn’t think so. Is Teddy Bridgewater big enough with enough arm strength to win in the wind and cold of the Lake Shore?
Today we used Fanspeak’s Draft Simulator to make our draft. It is a fun tool where you decide what team you are drafting for and how many rounds and they run the rest. While some may disagree with where some of the players are drafted Fanspeak uses current understanding of teams’ needs and how they might value certain positions to come up with the selections for the other 31 teams. Today we draft 2 rounds for the Cleveland Browns. With our drafts you can expect a heavy emphasis on quarterback, offensive line, cornerback, wide receiver and running back, in no certain order. Lets see what we come up with:
#4 Jadeveon Clowney – DE – South Carolina
– With both Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater off the board we aren’t sold on Bortles enough to select him. Clowney is a once and a generation prospect. So much so that the Texans and Rams may look his way even though they have greater needs other places. Coach Mike Pettine and GM Farmer seem to value players over positions so Clowney slides in as a 3-4 defensive end. Don’t be surprised if the draft plays out this way that the Browns auction this pick off to someone moving up for Clowney. They would look to get a haul in that case, including another 1st next year in a more QB heavy draft class. Moving down they could pick up Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, a top cornerback or offensive lineman.
#26 Marqise Lee – WR – uSC
– Surprisingly Lee is still on the clock. The Browns pounce, as some have Lee ranked higher then Watkins at this point. His route running is stellar and should do well playing off Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron. Brian Hoyer gets a third weapon to help him make his case that he is the long term quarterback for the Browns. Cyrus Kouandjio is still available at this spot as well and there is a temptation to select him here but Lee’s upside and need for a #2 WR trumps the offensive line need.
#35 Calvin Pryor – FS – Lousiville
– Pryor was available high in the second and fills a need next to the hopefully resigned TJ Ward, minimally we expect him to be Franchised tagged. Pryor has the range at Free Safety that allows him to play all over the field. With the addition of Pryor and Clowney the Browns have only 2 holes left on the defensive side of the ball that could get filled later in the draft or in free agency, ILB and #2 CB.
This draft does not have the Browns taking a QB in the first round, and in fact has them going defense with 2 of their first 3 picks. Most Browns fans will hate this draft due to their desire for more offense, an obvious need. Would you have drafted Bortles? Does Lee stock your fire at all? Are you like many other Browns fans hoping to see Carlos Hyde’s name at #35?