We've reached the point in our Phinsider #MockMonday schedule where it's not up to either myself or Duke to make a mock draft. Instead, it's on both of us. We complete our first consensus mock today.
Our Phinsider #MockMonday schedule carries on today, reaching the first of our consensus 2014 NFL Mock Drafts. To do this, Chris Early (aka Duke) and I will take turns making a pick, running through the entire first round. With a roll of a die, Duke comes up with the first pick, meaning he will have odds, while I will take evens.
Nogle: The Rams can do anything they want with this pick, especially given the second first round pick they still have. WIth the health of Jake Long always a question, adding the top tackle in the Draft provides the team with some security on Sam Bradford's blind side.
Duke: Jacksonville needs a QB and Manziel will give them a potential star. Plus, his presence will help sell tickets, which has been an issue for them in recent seasons.
Nogle: Brian Hoyer and Alex Tanney are the only two quarterbacks on the roster at this point for Cleveland, so picking one in the first round seems almost a guarantee. With Manziel off the board, Bortles seems like the right fit.
Duke: The Raiders traded for Matt Schaub, which is by no means a long term answer for them. But it does allow them to take the best player available in round one. Watkins gives Schaub a dynamic threat at WR the Raiders lack.
Nogle: The Falcons need a top notch pass rusher. Mack is that answer. He's actually been discussed as a potential number one overall pick, even jumping Clowney as the best player in the Draft. While I don't see that happening, the Falcons should be ecstatic that he's sitting on the board for them.
Duke: New HC Lovie Smith claimed that free agent acquisition Josh McCown was his QB. I'm sure that was a smokescreen created to generate a trade market for Mike Glennon. McCown may be the guy 'right now'. That will change when they decide to add Bridgewater.
Nogle: Duke really messed me up with selecting Bridgewater to the Buccaneers. I really considered Jake Matthews and Anthony Barr with this selection, but I simply came down to the idea that, if I can't upgrade the quarterback, I may as well select someone who the quarterback can target.
Duke: The Bills continue to beef up their O-line with one of the best players in the draft. Matthews can play either tackle spot, but will likely take over the left tackle spot, moving Cordy Glenn to the right side.
Nogle: The Lions secondary was brutal in 2013. They start rebuilding it with the pick of Gilbert here, who comes into the Draft as a playmaker on defense and special teams.
Duke: The Titans are moving to the 3-4 defense and need to add pass rushers. Barr could give them a dynamic rusher off the edge and best fits the 3-4 scheme.
Duke: The Rams need a free safety and Clinton-Dix is a good fit. With their pass rush, a rangy free safety could be set up to make plenty of big plays.
Nogle: Is there any way that adding a top notch middle linebacker for the Bears defense does not make sense? Mosley could be the next in the line of Bronko Nagurski-Clyde Turner-Bill George-Dick Butkus-Mike Singletary-Brian Urlacher
Nogle: The Cowboys need to restock their defensive line, so adding a playmaking safety is the right move here. Really, though, Dallas can use the safety help, and Pryor definitely ends that need.
Duke: The Ravens like to run various fronts with their defensive line. Terrence Cody hasn't made an impact, while Arthur Jones left in free agency. A defensive front with Ngata and Nix would be tough to block.
Nogle: The Jets could use this pick to address their secondary, and no one would question that move. With the move to bring in Michael Vick, and the development of Gen Smith still a consideration, adding a pass catching tight end is too good to pass up.
Duke: This would be a surprise pick for the Dolphins, but it makes sense. The Dolphins were reportedly disappointed in the play of Philip Wheeler. There has been talk of switching positions for Misi and Ellerbe. With Mosley off the board, the Dolphins opt to just draft Wheeler's replacement, leaving Ellerbe at MLB. One scouting report compares Shazier to Lavonte David. Guess who helped draft David? An unconventional choice for sure, but it makes sense.
Nogle: Carson Palmer cannot last forever, and the Cardinals need to address the future of the position. Knowing the Vikings passed on a quarterback in the first round and will likely be looking to pick one in the second, the Cardinals go ahead and pull the trigger on Carr here.
Duke: The Packers add a versatile defensive lineman who can play 5-tech, or could be used as a nose tackle. He can move inside on nickel packages and generate a pass rush from any of those positions.
Nogle: Ideally, the Eagles are able to select a safety in this spot, but Pryor and Dix are both gone already. Instead, they turn to an undersized but athletic cornerback to give the secondary a boost.
Duke: The Chiefs lost 3 offensive linemen in free agency. Last year's #1 overall pick Eric Fisher will move to left tackle. They still need help at guard and right tackle. Martin can fill any of those voids immediately.
Nogle: Any position along the defensive line would be a good pick for the Bengals this year. Donald is an undersized defensive tackle who can kick out to defensive end, meaning with one pick, Cincinnati picks up a versatile player who can fill any role on their defensive line. Sounds like a win.
Duke: The Chargers like them some big, slow offensive tackles from Alabama. They continue that trend adding Kouandjio in the hope he can fill the left tackle they have.
Nogle: There's just some symmetry about this pick that makes a lot of sense. The Browns need a running back after trading away former first round Draft pick Trent Richardson. They then use the first round pick they received from the Colts to replace him with Mason.
Duke: The Saints lost several players this offseason. Marques Colston will be 31 at the start of the season. They keep it in state and add another weapon to the offense as well as the return game.
Nogle: The Panthers can use any person who has any sort of ability to catch a ball thrown toward him. Lee is a crisp route-runner who can fight for the ball.
Nogle: The 49ers have to be happy to see Jernigan sitting on the board this late in the first round. A defensive tackle with agility and good hand- and foot-work, he should have been selected before now. Instead, he will head across the country to go join the 49ers.
Duke: With the free agency spending spree Denver had this offseason, they have made it clear they are going all in on the next 2 years. That means 2 things: they aren't as concerned about building for the future right now and they need draft picks that can contribute immediately. Su'a-Filo gives them a plug-and-play offensive lineman who will help keep Manning protected.
Nogle: The defending Super Bowl champs need to reload their wide receiver corps this season. They simply go best player available at the position with this selection and bring in an explosive receiver with great hands and a toughness despite his size.