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2014 NFL Mock Draft: Post regular season edition

At the midway point of the season most of us just wanted it to be mercifully over. By the end we were crushed by Ryan Succup. Now that our season is over (who cares about the post season if the Steelers aren't in it right?) it's time to move on to draft season.

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1. Houston Texans - Teddy Bridgewater QB, Louisville

Team needs: QB/RT/OLB/ILB/RB

This pick will come down to Teddy Bridgewater or Jadeveon Clowney, with an outside chance of Anthony Barr. If Gary Kubiak were still the head coach it would've likely been Clowney with the Texans taking a QB in the second round, but a new head coach, likely to be Bill O'Brien, will want to draft "his guy" at QB. Of course it's also likely that the Texans will make a run at Jay Cutler should the Bears not resign him.

2. St. Louis Rams - Jake Matthews OT, Texas A&M

Team needs: OT/S/RG/DT/#3CB

The Rams will most likely not keep this pick. They will auction it off to someone looking to draft Teddy Bridgewater or Jadeveon Clowney, whichever the Texans do not draft. Offensive tackle is a big need and Jake Matthews is currently the only flawless player at his position in this draft class. With Houston taking Bridgewater the likely trade up candidates for Clowney will be the Falcons and Bucs. With so many teams in the top ten looking for either a QB or a pass-rusher the Rams should still be able to trade back and get Jake Matthews.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Blake Bortles QB, Central Florida

Team needs: QB/DE/RB/OT/LB/LG/DT/OC

Jacksonville needs a quarterback plain and simple. They will be able to get either Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles, or Johnny Manziel here. If they decide the talent level between the top QB's is negligent they could wait until the second round to address the QB position and take care of their second biggest need and draft a pass-rusher like Anthony Barr.

4. Cleveland Browns - Johnny Manziel QB, Texas A&M

Team needs: QB/RB/ILB/#2CB

The Browns are rumored to be enamored with Johnny Manziel so as long as he's available, which he should be, he will be the pick. With their second first round pick the Browns will most likely be looking for an offensive weapon to aide Manziel.

5. Oakland Raiders - Brett Hundley QB, UCLA

Team needs: RB/WR/DE/DT/OG

Oakland has a lot of so-so QB's on the roster, Matt McGloin and Terrelle Pryor, but neither are franchise quality. Drafting someone like Brett Hundley could finally right the ship. With so many needs it's also likely that the Raiders could trade back to accumulate more picks in which case they should be looking for help on the defensive line. If the Raiders get inspired by the ghost of Al Davis they could draft Anthony Barr or Sammy Watkins here, or Ra'Shede Hageman if they do trade back.

6. Atlanta Falcons - Anthony Barr DE/OLB, UCLA

Team needs: DE/OT/RB/DT/LB/TE

The Falcons need an impact pass-rusher or an offensive tackle with this pick and will hope that Clowney, Matthews or Anthony Barr is available. Barr is a perfect fit for the Falcons defense and would assume the hybrid DE/OLB role that Kroy Biermann was playing before he tore his Achilles.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jadeveon Clowney DE, South Carolina

Team needs: DE/TE/SLB/DT/OT

Mike Glennon has shown enough flashes that regardless of who their new head coach will be probably wouldn't take a quarterback here. Tampa Bay has shown a willingness to make moves on draft day before so they are a prime candidate to trade up for Jadeveon Clowney. The Bucs keep swinging and missing on pass-rushers in the draft so it is still a big need for them.

8. Minnesota Vikings - Derek Carr QB, Fresno State

Team needs: QB/DE/OG/SS

The Vikings should be taking the highest rated QB still on the board and should also be in contention for a trade up with St. Louis if Teddy Bridgewater is still available. There is an outside chance that the Vikings would take a pass-rusher given that they may let Jared Allen go in free agency but whoever the new head coach will be will want his own guy at QB.

9. Buffalo Bills - Khalil Mack OLB, Buffalo

Team needs: RDE/FS/OG/TE/WLB/#3CB

Having the Buffalo Bills draft Khalil Mack would be a match made in heaven. Aside from being an instant fan favorite he would fill an immediate position of need, either at RDE or playing a hybrid DE/OLB role. Mack is the NCAA career leader in forced fumbles with 16.

10. Detroit Lions - Sammy Watkins WR, Clemson

Team needs: #2WR/CB/SLB/TE

Detroit has been looking for another presence in the passing game to take the pressure off of Calvin Johnson. They've drafted a few wide receiver busts in the middle rounds in the past. With Brandon Pettigrew a free agent the Lions are in the market for a tight end as well. Mike Adams has the size that Detroit seems to prefer in their WR's but Sammy Watkins is the clear favorite as the first WR to be drafted. Jace Amaro could play the hybrid TE/WR role and has the Gronk/Jimmy Graham ability to take over the passing game from the tight end position if they do not resign Pettigrew.

11. Tennessee Titans - Greg Robinson OT, Auburn

Team needs: QB/ILB/S/CB/OT

This pick will largely hinge on what the Titans future plans are for Michael Roos and David Stewart. Stewart is a free agent this offseason while Roos is a free agent next year. If the Titans plan to let either of them go they could draft a replacement here. Another free agency issue is with Alterraun Verner. He's likely to have priced himself out of Tennessee and the Titans will need to replace him with someone like Justin Gilbert.

12. New York Giants - Mike Evans WR, Texas A&M

Team needs: RT/LB/CB/S

Unfortunately for the Giants there aren't any pass-rushers available who fit the mold of what they typically look for but if he were to fall the Giants would take Khalil Mack, especially given Justin Tuck's free agent status. This should be about the starting range for C.J. Mosley but time and time again the Giants have ignored their issues at linebacker. They should draft the highest rated offensive tackle and move Justin Pugh to guard. Their history would suggest that they could take Louis Nix or Ra'Shede Hageman as well, especially Hageman whose athletic prowess would be very enticing to the Giants. Another free agency issue is with WR Hakeem Nicks.

13. St. Louis Rams - Ha'Sean "Ha Ha" Clinton-Dix

Team needs: OT/S/RG/DT/#3CB

The Rams biggest need after having already drafted an offensive tackle is at safety as they need one to pair with T.J. McDonald. They could take Louis Nix to replace Kendall Langford but Clinton-Dix is the perfect center fielder to pair with T.J. McDonald.

14. Chicago Bears - Ra'Shede Hageman DT, Minnesota

Team needs: DT/CB/S/SLB

Chicago will definitely need a QB if they fail to resign Jay Cutler. Elsewhere their biggest issue is at DT. Henry Melton is a free agent coming back from a serious injury. If he isn't resigned or if the Bears think he can't come back from injury they will definitely need to replace him. It would come down to Louis Nix or Ra'Shede Hageman. Nix is more in line with what Melton brings to the table but he doesn't have the pass-rushing upside that comes with Hageman.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Louis Nix lll NT, Notre Dame

Team needs: OT/NT/CB/S/WR

Offensively this team came alive towards the end of the year. The offensive line, which at one point was probably the worst in the league, formed some cohesion by the end of the season. Even still the Steelers could draft a tackle at some point. Kelvin Beachum played well on the left side but it was still a small sample size. Barring a trade up, which is unlikely, the Steelers will have no shot at Jake Matthews but would have a plethora of other OT prospects to choose from. They will also likely be parting ways with Emanuel Sanders in the offseason, who will be looking to cash in like Mike Wallace did the year before, so the Steelers could get a fantastic replacement in Marqise Lee.

The biggest problems facing this team are on defense. They are certainly not lacking in talent but there are a few keys area which must be improved upon. That starts up front at nose tackles. After averaging in the top 5 in run defense for what seems like an eternity the Steelers slipped to 21st and I'm sure it's no coincidence that this is the first season since 2001 that Casey Hampton has not been the primary starter at nose tackle. Steve McLendon is a decent pass-rusher but would be better served moving to DE to replace either Brett Keisel or Ziggy Hood. Drafting someone like Louis Nix, who is a more athletic version of "Big Snack", could be the medicine the Steelers defense needs to right the ship.

At outside linebacker the Steelers are committed to developing Jarvis Jones at one spot while they'll be committed to either Jason Worilds or LaMarr Woodley on the other side. Either they keep Woodley and let Worilds walk, or they cut Woodley and resign Worilds. Either way the Steelers will most likely select a developmental prospect late in the draft.

The secondary is a big issue with the age and decline in play of Ryan Clark, Ike Taylor, and Troy Polamalu. Unless the Steelers trade back the only players at safety and cornerback that should get consideration would be Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix and Justin Gilbert. If "HaHa" were available he might be an option, as he would make a great center fielder to Shamarko Thomas' in-the-box style of play, but the Steelers tend to use middle round picks on their CB's.

Given the needs of the team plus Colbert and Co's drafting tendencies it's likely that with the players available they would select Louis Nix. Nose tackle is the linchpin of any good 3-4 defense and Colbert tends to use most of his early picks on front seven defensive players and offensive linemen.

16. Dallas Cowboys - C.J. Mosley LB, Alabama

Team needs: DT/LDE/SS/RT/WLB

Dallas needs to upgrade their defense. If Monte Kiffin survives another season as defensive coordinator Timmy Jernigan would be a perfect fit as a 3 technique DT. They could also draft C.J. Mosley as an upgrade over Bruce Carter. If Jerry Jones fires Kiffin and Dallas reverts back to a 3-4 defense than Vic Beasley would be a good compliment to DeMarcus Ware on the outside.

17. Baltimore Ravens - Marqise Lee WR, USC

Team needs: OT/#2WR/TE/SS

Baltimore should go in one of three directions with this pick. Both Dennis Pitta and Michael Oher are free agents this offseason and they could take advantage of a deep crop of tackles and tight ends. They have also been looking for a compliment to Torrey Smith as well and could take Marqise Lee. As long as one of the top three WR's are available they should get preference over Taylor Lewan or Cyrus Kouandjio at OT then Jace Amaro or Eric Ebron at TE. It also wouldn't be surprising if they coveted HaHA Clinton-Dix to pair with Matt Elam at safety.

18. New York Jets - Jace Amaro TE, Texas Tech

Team needs: ROLB/WR/TE/S/RT

The Jets needs weapons for Geno Smith and should be targeting the highest rated TE or WR. Drafting Vic Beasley would fill the hole at ROLB but the Jets have spent so many first round picks on defense that to save his job Rex Ryan must do everything in his power so that Geno Smith succeeds at QB.

19. Miami Dolphins - Cameron Erving OT, Florida State

Team needs: OT/DT/TE/CB

Miami's offensive line is a mess. Jonathan Martin was shut down for the season because of the Richie Incognito fiasco and could be moved in the offseason. Cameron Irving would be a great fit for their blocking scheme. Given what a disappointment Mike Wallace has been the Dolphins could be shopping for another wide receiver. They'll also need at least one defensive tackle because Paul Soliai and Randy Starks are both free agents and Miami will only most likely be able to afford to resign one of them.

20. Arizona Cardinals - Taylor Lewan OT, Michigan

Team needs: QB/OT/OLB

Arizona has needed to upgrade the offensive tackle position for years, even before trading Levi Brown to the Steelers. Defensively they need to upgrade their outside linebackers. John Abraham has played very well but he'll be 36 years old next season. Taylor Lewan is a native of Scottsdale Arizona and would be a steal here.

21. Green Bay Packers - Eric Ebron TE, North Carolina

Team needs: ILB/OC/OT

The Packers have issues at inside linebacker and could take C.J. Mosley here as he would be a perfect fit for their 3-4 defense. Offensively their biggest issue is at tight end. Jermichael Finley is an injury-prone free agent. Eric Ebron was already a very gifted receiver but has become a three-down player with his improved blocking this past season.

22. San Diego Chargers - Vic Beasley DE/OLB, Clemson

Team needs: LOLB/LT/CB/OG/RB/TE/SS

The Chargers could use another offensive tackle, perhaps D.J. Fluker's Alabama teammate Cyrus Kouandjio, but they simply have to do something about their defense. They need to upgrade the pass-rush especially if Melvin Ingram takes some time to come back from injury. Their secondary is an even greater issue so they could go with a cornerback here.

23. New Orleans Saints - Kyle Van Noy DE/OLB, BYU

Team needs: OLB/CB/FS/ILB

Rob Ryan has done wonders transforming the Saints defense this past season but more needs to be done to continue the upward trend, primarily at OLB. As such the Saints should be looking to draft the highest rated rusher which should be Kyle Van Noy, Scott Crichton, and Trent Murphy.

24. Kansas City Chiefs - Stephon Tuitt DE, Notre Dame

Team needs: WR/DE/OT/ILB/#2CB

Andy Reid likes drafting linemen, wide receivers, and cornerbacks early. He took took Eric Fisher number one overall last year but he has struggled and Brandon Albert will be a free agent so they could be looking to take another OT in the first round. They could take a TE or a WR given Dwayne Bowe's struggles. And defensively they may need to replace free agent to be Tyson Jackson. If Jackson leaves this pick should be Stephen Tuitt otherwise they could take Cyrus Kouandjio or Kelvin Benjamin.

25. Philadelphia Eagles - Justin Gilbert CB, Oklahoma State

Team needs: OLB/S/CB/WR

The Eagles will need to replace injury-prone free agent Jeremy Macklin but this pick should be devoted to the defense, either at outside linebacker or cornerback. If he's available Vic Beasley would be a perfect fit but the Eagles also really need to upgrade their secondary.

26. Cleveland Browns (via Indianapolis Colts) - Kelvin Benjamin WR, Florida State

Team needs: QB/RB/ILB/#2CB

When teams use their first pick on a quarterback they typically use their next pick on help for him, either in the form of a pass-catcher or an offensive lineman. Benjamin combines a 6-foot-5 frame with 4.4 speed and would draft coverage away from Josh Gordon.

27. Cincinnati Bengals - Darqueze Dennard CB, Michigan State

Team needs: CB/LB/RDE/OC/LT

If the Bengals fails to resign Anthony Collins this pick will likely be the top rated OT. Defensively the Bengals could have a lot of issues at cornerback. Leon Hall will be coming back from a second Achilles tear while Dre Kirkpatrick has had an up but mostly down career so far while Terrence Newman and Adam Jones are only getting older.

28. San Francisco 49ers - Marcus Roberson CB, Florida

Team needs: CB/#2WR

San Francisco is a prime candidate for a trade back. They don't have any pressing needs but could use another wide receiver and they need to think about the long-term future at cornerback. Carlos Rogers is 32 years old and the 49ers need someone to groom behind him.

29. Carolina Panthers - Cyrus Kouandjio OT, Alabama

Team needs: OT/WR/CB/S/WLB/RG

Left tackle Jordan Gross is a free agent who is contemplating retirement. Even if he does resign to a short-term deal the Panthers need to find a successor at left tackle. They also need a long-term successor for Steve Smith and need to continue overhauling their secondary.

30. New England Patriots - Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE, Washington

Team needs: TE/DT/S/CB/WR

New England picking Austin Seferian-Jenkins fits like a glove. With Aaron Hernandez rotting in prison and Gronk's extensive injury history the Pats need another tight end.

31. Denver Broncos - Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State

Team needs: CB/LG/DT/RDE/ILB/S

Left guard is the Broncos only need on offense so this pick will likely be used on defense. They need upgrades all along the interior of their defense and may have issues at cornerback as will. Champ Bailey and Quentin Jammer are only getting older while DRC is a free agent. If one of the top CB's falls they would be the likely pick but a pass-rushing 3 technique like Timmy Jernigan is too good to pass up.

32. Seattle Seahawks - Antonio Richardson OT, Tennessee

Team needs: RT/OG/LDE/WR

Seattle must upgrade the right side of their offensive line and will need to replace free agent Michael Bennett at LDE. Antonio Richardson falls because of such a deep class of offensive tackles.

Round 2:

33. Houston Texans - Trent Murphy OLB, Stanford

The Texans need to upgrade their pass-rush or replace Ben Tate here.

34. Washington Redskins - Ryan Shazier LB, Ohio State

London Fletcher is finally retiring.

35. Cleveland Browns - Cyril Richardson OG/OT, Baylor

Cleveland may draft a RB here if they don't sign Ben Tate, who they are rumored to like, otherwise it should be an OG or an ILB.

36. Oakland Raiders - Lache Seastrunk RB, Baylor

If they don't resign Jared Veldheer this should be an OT otherwise they'll need to replace injury-prone FA Darren McFadden.

37. Atlanta Falcons - Zach Martin OG/OT, Notre Dame

The Falcons are an offensive-based team that can't block for Matt Ryan.

38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Anthony Johnson DT, LSU

T.B. would love for Ryan Shazier, an OT, or a TE to be available here. They need another DT to pair with Gerald McCoy.

39. Jacksonville Jaguars - Bishop Sankey RB, Washington

MJD is a free agent.

40. Minnesota Vikings - Scott Crichton DE, Oregon State

Jared Allen is a free agent.

41. Buffalo Bills - Dion Bailey S, USC

Jairus Byrd is a free agent looking for a big contract.

42. Tennessee Titans - Christian Jones ILB, Florida State

An upgrade is needed at ILB.

43. New York Giants - Ego Ferguson DT, LSU

Linval Joseph is a free agent and the Giants need to improve their pass-rush.

44. St. Louis Rams - Gabe Jackson OG, Mississippi State

The Rams should be looking for an OG, DT, or a CB here.

45. Detroit Lions - Trevor Reilly DE, Utah

Detroit needs a third DE to rotate with Devin Taylor and Ezekiel Ansah. Plus they've been rumored to be looking at defensive-minded head coaches.

46. Pittsburgh Steelers - Odell Beckham Jr. WR, LSU

Given the fact that the Steelers do not have a third round pick, unless you count the likely third round comp pick for Mike Wallace which will still be at the end of the round and untradeable, it seems likely that they would trade back to recoup the third rounder traded in 2013 when they moved up for Shamarko Thomas.

The best players available who fit the Steelers needs at this point are wide receivers to replace the likely departed Emanuel Sanders. Markus Wheaton will hopefully move up and slip into the number two role leaving an opening for the next young wide receiver. The Steelers normally wait until the 3-5 rounds to address the WR position but they should take advantage of this deep but top heavy crop while they can. At this point it would really come down to a matter of taste with regards to which WR to draft. A fan favorite would be PSU's Allen Robinson, others may want some size like Jordan Matthews or Brandon Coleman, but a player like Odell Beckham Jr. fits the mold of the type of WR the Steelers seem to prefer now. He's a lightning quick speedster who will likely run a 4.4 or less 40 at the combine. He also an accomplished returner which would allow the Steelers to stop using their number one WR Antonio Brown in that role, reducing his risk of injury and keeping him fresher during the course of games.

47. Dallas Cowboys - Craig Loston S, LSU

Dallas' safety play is atrocious and they were rumored to have been very interested in Eric Reid in the 2013 draft.

48. Baltimore Ravens - Corey Robinson OT, South Carolina

The Ravens will likely resign Eugene Monroe and let Michael Oher walk.

49. New York Jets - Allen Robinson WR, Penn State

Santonio Holmes is injury-prone and Stephen Hill is a bust.

50. Miami Dolphins - Jason Verrett CB, TCU

Miami would like a DT here but Brent Grimes is a free agent.

51. Chicago Bears - Kyle Fuller CB, Virginia Tech

Chicago was considering taking Desmond Trufant in the first round in 2013.

52. Arizona Cardinals - Demarcus Lawrence DE/OLB, Boise State

John Abraham is just a short-term solution.

53. Green Bay Packers - David Yankey OG/OT, Stanford

Ted Thompson like drafting versatile offensive linemen early.

54. San Diego Chargers - Lamarcus Joyner S, Florida State

S.D. needs major help in the secondary.

55. San Fransisco 49ers (via Kansas City Chiefs) - Davante Adams WR, Fresno State

San Fran needs a long-term compliment to Michael Cabtree.

56. New Orleans Saints - A.J. Johnson ILB, Tennessee

N.O. continues to improve the defense by upgrading over David Hawthorne.

57. Philadelphia Eagles - Jeremiah Attaochu DE/OLB, Georgia Tech

The Eagles need pass-rushers who fit their 3-4 defense.

58. Cincinnati Bengals - Kareem Martin DE, North Carolina

Michael Johnson is a free agent.

59. Indianapolis Colts - Jordan Matthews WR, Vanderbilt

The Colts need a long-term replacement for Reggie Wayne.

60. New England Patriots - Bryan Stork OC, Florida State

Ryan Wendell is a free agent who needs to be replaced anyway.

61. San Fransisco 49ers - Dominique Easley DE, Florida

San Fran needs a successor to Justin Smith and with like Marcus Lattimore has the depth to let Easley sit and heal.

62. Carolina Panthers - Bradley Roby CB, Ohio State

This pick should be the highest rated CB or WR.

63. Denver Broncos - Yawin Smallwood ILB, Connecticut

Denver needs CB's, an ILB, and safeties.

64. Seattle Seahawks - Brandin Cooks WR, Oregon State

Percy Harvin is injury-prone.