The good, the bad, and the ugly of the 2014 NFL Draft

The 2014 NFL Draft was the highest viewed NFL Draft of all time with 32 Million viewers tuned in to ESPN’s first round draft coverage that saw a proclaimed once in a generation talent, Jadeveon Clowney kick off the night. Shocks like the Jacksonville Jaguars taking who they hope is their franchise quarterback in Blake Bortles. The viewers also watched one of the most polarizing prospects of all time, as Johnny Manziel, fell and fell some more before he was finally scooped up at No. 22 by the Cleveland Browns. As a self appointed draft expert, I will tell you what teams had the best draft, my thoughts on the others and what teams still have analysts and fans scratching their heads.

The Best of the 2014 NFL Draft

The St. Louis Rams 281px-St_Louis_Rams_logo.svg

Starting with the second overall pick that the Rams acquired from the Redskins in the RGIII trade, they selected Auburn offensive tackle, Greg Robinson. Robinson was the best offensive tackle in the draft and fills a need in helping protect quarterback Sam Bradford, who is in a make or break year. He has drawn comparisons to Hall of Fame players like Larry Allen and Orlando Pace. Their second first round pick, Aaron Donald is a 6’1 defensive tackle that compares to Cincinnati defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who is widely considered the best at his position in the league. Donald was one of my favorite players in the draft and is my prediction for the 2014 defensive rookie of the year. In the second round, versatile defensive back Lamarcus Joyner of the national championship winning Florida State Seminoles was selected. Joyner will join with two teammates he beat in the national championship game in Robinson and third round pick and Heisman finalist, Tre Mason. Football is  won in the trenches, and the Rams certainly helped themselves there. Robinson has sky high potential, and Donald instantly makes the defensive line the best in the league.

The Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars sent the Twitter world into shock after they stunned everyone and took Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles with the third overall pick. I believe Bortles was the best quarterback in the draft. The Jaguars really built this draft around Bortles and the Jaguar offense. In the second round they picked two wide receivers in Marqise Lee out of USC and Allen Robinson out of Penn State who had the chance to go in the first round. They also brought in Bortles’ running back from Central Florida in Storm Johnson. They have a young nucleus of offensive talent to nurture their rebuilding process and get out of the NFL’s cellar.

 

The Bad of the 2014 NFL Draft

The Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks have taken a noticeable step back this offseason. They were able to lock up much of their secondary to long term deals, including a deal that made Richard Sherman the highest paid defensive player in the NFL in terms of guaranteed money. The team lost many key players including wide receiver Golden Tate. Through the draft, they added second round receiver Paul Richardson from the University of Colorado. After that, their draftees are hardly recognizable. The Seahawks have a big reputation as being able to develop players better than anyone else in the league. This draft certainly looks unimpressive on paper, but never doubt head coach Pete Carroll.

 

The Confusing of the 2014 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns

The Browns actually had one of the better drafts in the league in terms of getting contributors and filling needs. They started the night with fourth overall pick before they swapped that in exchange for the ninth overall pick from the Bills as well as a fourth rounder and first rounder next year. The Bills are not contenders, and the Browns did themselves a solid by gaining a potential top 15 pick. The Browns were notified that Josh Gordon, the league’s leader in receiving yards, will potentially be banned for the 2014 season. With the draft’s most explosive playmaker, wide receiver Sammy Watkins, still on the board, the Browns elected to trade down and select cornerback Justin Gilbert out of Oklahoma State. After passing on Johnny Manziel, they finally drafted their potential franchise quarterback with the No. 22 pick. The last two quarterbacks that the Browns drafted in the first round have also been drafted No. 22 overall, Brady Quinn and Brandon Weeden. Both of those quarterbacks were complete flops for a franchise that hasn’t seen the playoffs since 2002.

 

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