2014 NFL Draft Redo


By: Jonathan Janas, KCOU Sports
“With the first pick of the 2014 NFL Draft… The Houston Texans select… An overrated defensive end that will at most play in a quarter of the games this season.” I think Hannah Montana said it best, “Everybody makes mistakes.” Now by no means was drafting Jadeveon Clowney the wrong decision. He was the reigning SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, a physical beast, and a raw talent that was ready to make a storm in the pros. The only problem is… he didn’t. The Texans weren’t trying to rebuild, they were looking for an immediate impact to get back to the playoffs. If every top 5 team could just do it over and get an immediate impact, I believe the draft would look a little something like this.
#1 Houston Texans – Jadeveon Clowney DE
Redo – Khalil Mack OLB
Mack has been a quiet star in Oakland. While that sounds like an easy thing to do, Mack has proven that he has the skillset to provide an immediate impact as an outside linebacker in the NFL. And the best part about Mack is that I believe he has the most room to grow. After the draft everyone was scared about the Watt-Clowney duo, but every team would be just as scared of the Cushing-Mack duo.
#2 St. Louis Rams – Greg Robinson OT
Redo – Jake Matthews OT
The Atlanta Falcons at pick No. 6 drafted Matthews after he was in talks for being No. 1. Matt Ryan has been sacked 26 times as of week 13 the 15th most in the NFL. If you were to look at every single sack, you’d find Ryan on the ground, and Matthews still holding his block. Matthews has been near flawless protecting his quarterback’s blindside. Greg Robinson has been solid, I’ll give him that, but there’s no doubt in my mind Matthews is the best tackle in this draft class.
#3 Jacksonville Jaguars – Blake Bortles QB
Redo – Teddy Bridgewater QB
Teddy Bridgewater has proven again and again this season that he has the stuff to make it in this league and be the face of a franchise one day. He’s mobile, but doesn’t get happy feet. He can make the throws, but doesn’t force anything. He’s without a doubt the most comfortable looking rookie quarterback. However, he still makes rookie mistakes. The Jags would love to have Teddy under center because he can do everything Bortles can, but just a little bit better. Bortles would find a home soon after Teddy (probably with the Buccaneers or the Browns), but Bridgewater would still be the gunslinger down in Jacksonville.
#4 Buffalo Bills – Sammy Watkins WR
Redo – Watkins
The Bills made the right choice here. It may have taken Watkins a bit to fully come to form; he has exploded in the middle of the season and is still performing at a high level. It could be said that Watkins is the front man of potentially the best class of wide receivers in NFL history, and I would agree with that. The Bills don’t need a redo this time.
#5 Oakland Raiders – Khalil Mack OLB
Redo – Kelvin Benjamin WR
I like Mack, but sadly he was taken No 1 in the 2014 NFL Draft Redo. Regardless of whether or not The Raiders re-take Derek Carr, Oakland needs someone to catch the ball. Kelvin Benjamin has blown up in Carolina, becoming the favorite target of Cam Newton. Benjamin leads this phenomenal rookie WR class in receptions and touchdowns and sits 2nd in receiving yards, and considering the accompanying talent in Oakland, similar (or better) stats would be seen with Benjamin as an Oakland Raider.

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