2014 Mock Draft: Eagles Get Southern Discomfort On Defense
By Bret Stuter
11. Tennessee Titans
Player Name: Calvin Pryor
Position, School: Free Safety, Louisville
New Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt knows offense, but he knows success happens when his teams defense is strong. He grabs defensive back help by selecting University of Louisville free safety Calvin Pryor.
12. New York Giants
Player Name: Justin Gilbert
Position, School: Cornerback, Oklahoma State
Despite signing multiple cornerbacks in free agency, the New York Giants continue to address this position. Not only do they face NFC East offenses who use multiple receiver sets frequently, they prefer to have critical positions on their roster who can step up if the need arises. Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert will be ready to start on day one, but the Giants are likely to ease him in by assigning him nickel and dime package coverages. His play will warrant more playing time.
13. St. Louis Rams
Player Name: Khalil Mack
Position, School: Outside Linebacker, Buffalo
The St Louis Rams go from offensive bookend to defensive edge rusher by selecting the University of Buffalo outside linebacker Khalil Mack. The Rams will have to decline several offers at this pick, but do so and grab an upgrade for their defense.
14. Chicago Bears
Player Name: Louis Nix
Position, School: Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame
Chicago Bears select Notre Dame defensive Tackle Louis Nix. Having just lost Henry Melton to free agency, the Bears fill a need with a very talented tackle, who will provide inside pressure as well as clog up blockers from reaching the linebackers.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Player Name: Zach Martin
Position, School: Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame
The Steelers are shopping for help on their offensive line here, and with questions surrounding University of Michigan’s offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, they select alternate Notre Dame offensive tackle Zach Martin.
16. Dallas Cowboys
Player Name: Kony Ealy
Position, School: Defensive End, University of Missouri
The loss of long-time defensive end / outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware will haunt the cowboys this year, but adding the University of Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy will exercise those ghosts by year end.
17. Baltimore Ravens
Player Name: Sammy Watkins
Position, School: Wide Receiver, Clemson
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was criticized for the 2013 season, but the Ravens had difficulty keeping offensive weapons healthy, and a solid offensive line together. By selecting University of Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins, the Baltimore Ravens add a skill player with huge upside to the sparse arsenal.
18. New York Jets
Player Name: Jeremiah Attaochu
Position, School: Defensive End/ Outside Linebacker, Georgia Tech
Rex Ryan never met a defensive player he didn’t like. With free agency losses , the Jets select Georgia Tech outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu. Although a 3-4 outside linebacker, Ryan has other ideas and will likely use Attaochu’s burst to outmatch offensive linemen by lining him up to rush from multiple slots.
19. Miami Dolphins
Player Name: Darqueze Dennard
Position, School: Cornerback, University of Michigan
Having lost cornerback Nolan Carroll to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dolphins will be motivated to seek a replacement at this spot in the draft. They find their man in selecting University of Michigan cornerback Darqueze Dennard. He specializes in press coverage, which is exactly what the Dolphins are looking for.