Weekly Friday FoS 2014 NFL Mock Draft: 1st Round

Feb 22, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Buffalo linebacker

speaks at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

6. Atlanta Falcons
Khalil Mack, OLB

The Falcons pick up the other premier edge player in Mack. Matthews is an option here as well. For the Falcons they know they need to improve in the trenches and with Mack’s performance he beats out the solid Matthews. Anthony Barr could rise here with a good pro day but is a more long term prospect then Mack.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Anthony Barr, OLB

With Mack off the board the Bucs go with Barr to start to build Lovie Smith’s defense. Barr will take some time but Smith has time as he comes into a new situation. The Bucs may have some interest in a QB but Manziel’s risky style doesn’t fit Lovie’s history. Matthews could help shore up their line but Barr is a defensive dynamo who was compared to Clowney at the end of the college season.

8. Minnesota Vikings
Mike Evans, WR

The Vikings will look at both Manziel and Derek Carr here. Manziel is dynamic but could struggle in the cold Minnesota winters. The team will now play outside which impacts this pick as they look to make long term decisions. Mike Zimmer saw what a big receiver in AJ Green could do against defenses while with the Bengals. Evans fits the big receiver role opposite Patterson as the fast WR. Adrian Peterson will benefit from another outside weapon to open up the defenses.

9. Buffalo Bills
Jake Matthews, OT

The Bills have their QB of the future but need to protect him. Matthews might be the best tackle in the draft and falls all the way down to #9. The Bills could look to their secondary or to add another weapon for Manuel but in the end decide to build from the inside out, also helping CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson have bigger holes.

10. Detroit Lions
Justin Gilbert, CB

Gilbert stole the show among DBs at the Combine. The Lions have had needs in the secondary for years. If they lose Brandon Pettigrew they may have interest in Eric Ebron here but Gilbert’s upside and fit make this a perfect pairing. A receiver to compliment Megatron would also fit but with Watkins and Evans off the board and Marqise Lee disappointing at the Combine they pass until the second round.