Complete NFL Mock Draft – All 7 Rounds
Round 4
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
97. Texans: RB Lache Seastrunk, Baylor (5’9, 210) – With Ben Tate possibly leaving as a free agent, the Texans need insurance for Arian Foster’s inevitable injury. Seastrunk can fly, but bounces too many runs outside and might not be sturdy enough for a big workload.
98. Redskins: WR Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss (6’2, 226) – The Redskins receiving core is really weak after Garcon. Moncreif has great size and uses it well to shield defenders. He has great hands, runs good routes, and even run blocks a bit. There is a lot to like here, but his speed is a concern and how he runs at the combine next weekend could land him anywhere between the 2nd and 5th round.
99. Falcons: TE Arthur Lynch, Georgia (6’5, 258) – The Falcons get their Tony Gonzalez replacement in local product Lynch. He was primarily a blocker in college, but showed better than expected speed, hands, and agility at the Senior Bowl. Good value in the 4th round.
100. Buccaaneers: QB David Fales, San Diego St (6’2, 220) – Current Bucs QB Mike Glennon was decent as a rookie, but I don’t think Lovie and the rest of the Bucs staff are sold on his long-term potential. Fales throws an accurate ball, has good pocket awareness, and all the intangibles you look for in a QB. What he doesn’t have is a big arm. Either way, drafting Fales gives the Bucs another option if Glennon doesn’t improve next year.
101. Jaguars: DE/OLB Marcus Smith, Louisville (6’4, 258) – Smith is a good fit for Gus Bradley’s LEO position. Smith can get to the QB (14.5 sacks in 2013) and is a solid tackler against the run. Smith got by mostly on athleticism and his quick first step in college, I doubt that’s going to be enough in the pros and Smith will need to get stronger and develop some pass rush moves to be anything more than a 3rd down pass rush specialist.
102. Browns: G Anthony Steen, Alabama (6’2, 310) – Underrated member of Bama’s dominant O-line. Steen is a very good run blocker and decent in pass pro, but was beaten occasionally by some of the elite pass rushers in the SEC. He should push for a starting job early in his career and at worst will be provide solid interior line depth.
John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
103. Raiders: WR Brandon Coleman, Rutgers (6’6,220) – Like Moncrief in that his 40-time at the combine could result in a 2-3 round swing. He isn’t as physical as he should be, but Coleman is so much taller than DBs that he’s going to win his share of jump balls in the NFL. Coleman looked like a 1st rounder after his sophomore year (43, 718, 10) but had a disappointing junior year (34, 538, 4). He was hindered a bit by a run first offense, so it’s hard to tell what Coleman could do in an NFL passing attack. There are plenty of question marks here, but 6’6 receivers with great hands don’t grow on trees and Coleman’s upside is easily worth a 4th round pick.
104. Vikings: S Craig Loston, LSU (6’1, 214) – Great athlete and big hitter, who is a little raw technique wise but has a ton of potential. Loston will be a force against the run from day 1 and would be a great fit next to coverage safety Harrison Smith.
105. Bills: S Tre Boston, North Carolina (6’0, 198) – Jarious Byrd isn’t happy in Buffalo and even if they franchise him again this year he’s eventually leaving town. Boston has great ball skills (9 INTs last two seasons) and improved every year at NC. If he continues to develop, Boston has the potential to be a starting NFL free safety.
106. Rams: OLB Christian Kirksey, Iowa (6’2. 234) – Improved his stock at the Senior Bowl with a borderline dominant performance during the practice week. Kirksey was a solid run stopper in college, but showed great fluidity in coverage and surprising pass rush skills during Senior Bowl practice. Kirksey is just a natural football player who is competent in all aspects and has no glaring flaws. The Rams need a replacement for Jo-Lonn Dunbar at OLB and I wouldn’t be surprised if Kirksey took the job and ran with it as a rookie.
107. Lions: DE Kareem Martin, North Carolina (6’6, 272) – Staring DE Willie Young is a free agent and the Lions already have a ton of money tied up in their D-line. They need some depth and Martin could provide that. He was productive as a senior (11.5 sacks), but most of his sacks came against non-NFL talent or busted plays that he was unblocked on. I didn’t see any above average rush moves from Martin and he got handled easily in Senior Bowl practices by just about everybody that lined up against him. The size, speed, and strength are there, so I’m not giving up on Martin, I just haven’t seen anything to get excited about on film.
108. Titans: OT Billy Turner, North Dakota St (6’5, 313) – Turner dominated for 4 years at ND St, but that is a long ways from the NFL. Even the Senior Bowl was a huge step up in competition for Turner, but he more than held his own. He had a little trouble with speed rushers, but was never overpowered. His best chance to play early is at RT or even Guard, but Turner has enough potential to eventually become a starting LT.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
109. Giants: TE Xavier Grimble, USC (6’5, 255) – Brandon Myers was a bust free agent signing last year and Eli Manning needs a reliable option between the hashes. Grimble is raw, but has the size, hands, and straight-line speed to be a weapon in the passing game. CBS compared him to Kellen Davis, which is cruel and the worst insult I can think of for a tight end.
110. Jaguars: G Brandon Thomas, Clemson (6’4, 316) – There is some talk that Thomas could play tackle at the next level but he got roasted by speed rushers at the Senior Bowl and is probably better off at guard. Thomas has good size and adequate strength and at worst he will provide good depth inside.
111. Jets: OLB Trevor Reilly, Utah (6’5, 255) – Athletic pass rusher whose production finally caught up with his tools as a senior (9.5 sacks). He’s a little slow for LB and a little small for DE, so he will need the right scheme to have success at the next level. Rex Ryan has been pretty good at putting defensive players in optimal situations so the Jets would be a good place for Reilly to end up.
112. Dolphins: CB Victor Hampton, South Carolina (5’10, 202) – Top corner Brent Grimes is a free agent and the rest of the Dolphin corners aren’t very good. Even if Grimes stays, they need an upgrade in talent. Hampton has enough potential to go a few rounds higher, but he’s a little short which isn’t popular right now. Hampton is very strong for a DB, but won’t get away with muscling receivers at the next level. He’s athletic enough to adapt, but will need some time and coaching before he can contribute in the NFL.
Gregory Payan/Associated Pres
113. Bears: DT Caruan Reid, Princeton (6’2, 301) – This would be the highest a player from Princeton has ever been drafted and Reid would be the Bears first Ivy leaguer since Gary “Hitman” Fencik. Reid is extremely quick for a 300 pounder with already polished pass rush moves and the strength to hold the point against the run. The ivy-league competition was weak, but Reid put up 168 tackles, 41 TFLs, 20.5 sacks, and 7 blocked kicks (!) in his three years as a starter and was Princeton’s first two-time All-American. The lack of competition is a legit concern, but when you consider that he put up those numbers against double and sometimes triple teams, it’s pretty impressive. Reid also took a big step towards erasing those concerns at the Senior Bowl; Against future NFL players, Reid dominated 1-1 drills and made an impact in the game with two sacks on consecutive plays, beating two different guards (Cyril Richardson, Brandon Linder) with two different pass rush moves. Reid also impressed at the Senior Bowl weigh-in, weighing 301 with no visible fat on his frame. He might be maxed out weight-wise, but he is already big enough to play DT in the Bears scheme and has the quickness, strength, and closing speed to be a force against both the run and pass. He is probably pretty smart too (Princeton!). Reid would be a steal this late in the draft.
114. Steelers: DE Josh Mauro, Stanford (6’6, 276) – Not the most explosive DE in the draft, but has good size and strength to hold up against the run and the Steelers need some younger legs at the position. Mauro is high-effort player and at worst will provide reliable depth.
115. Cowboys: S Ahmad Dixon, Baylor, (6’0, 205) – The Cowboys safeties caught a lot of flak for the teams 32nd ranked defense but in reality there were a lot worse safety combos in the NFL than Barry Church & Orlando Scandrick. I’m sure Bears fans can think of one. Either way, there is little to no depth behind those two and Dixon is a great value in the 4th round. He’s a sure tackler and has the speed and instincts to eventually be solid in coverage. Dixon likes to hit and with a little refinement of both his tackling and coverage techniques, he could be a solid NFL starter. In the short-term he should excel on special teams.
116. Cardinals: RB Jeremy Hill, LSU (6’1, 235) – Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is literally the only man on earth who thinks Rashad Mendenhall should be getting 20 carries a game. I get that he hoped for a thunder & lighting combo, but what he got was more like snaps & lightning. Drafting Hill would give the Cards a legit thunder back. Hill was used in a platoon in his two years at LSU, so he has very little mileage on his legs. He was dominant in his limited carries averaging 6.9 ypc, which is ridiculous for a between the tackles back. Hill also scored 28 TDs in two seasons and excels in short yardage situations. Hill seemed to get better as last season wore on and he might just be scratching the surface of his potential. If the Bears are going to draft a RB this year, I hope it’s Hill.
117. Packers: S Kenny Ladler, Vanderbilt, (6’0, 200) – Instinctive coverage safety and leader in the secondary. Ladler showed a knack for big plays his senior year with 5 INTs and 5 forced fumbles. The Packers safeties were a major weak spot last season and Ladler should make an immediate impact.
118. Eagles: OLB Adrian Hubbard, Alabama (6’6, 255); Another tweener who looked too stiff and awkward in coverage at the Senior Bowl to be anything but a 3-4 OLB or 3rd down DE. On the plus side, Hubbard is very strong with long arms and good block shedding ability. He’s not very explosive but has good speed once he gets moving. Hubbard has his share of flaws, but he’s far from a finished product at 21 years old and could develop into a solid 3-4 OLB in time.
119. Bengals: T Joel Bitonio, Nevada (6’4, 307) – He’s too short for tackle, has t-rex arms, isn’t fast enough to pull, has a beer gut, he’s not strong enough… On paper Bitonio doesn’t sound like much of a prospect but when I watch him play, I see a well-rounded blocker who understands angles and plays with max effort all the time. Maybe I just caught the good days on tape, but he shut down UCLA’s Anthony Barr for no sacks in their match up earlier this year. The lack of height and arm length issues could ultimately land Bitonio at guard, but wherever he ends up he’s going to be pretty good.
120. Chiefs: CB Bashaud Breeland, Clemson (6’0, 185) – Might of had a shot at the first round if he had stayed at Clemson for another year of seasoning. Breeland has good size and speed, but only started for one season and is a bit raw. He did show pro-level athleticism and was a play-maker for Clemson (4 INTs, 10 pass breakups, 3rd team all-ACC). I don’t think he’s ready for anything more than special teams as a rookie, but the talent is there to be developed and this pick could pay off handsomely for the Chiefs in 2-3 years.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
121. Chargers: G Jon Halapio, Florida (6’4, 320) – I mentioned the Chargers being a bit soft in my round 2 mock, but Halapio will help change that. He’s one of the strongest guard prospects in the draft and in my opinion vastly underrated. I have him as my 5th rated guard with a 2nd round grade, but that’s higher then I have seen him anywhere. It could be due to his injury history which is extensive. He missed the first two games of the 2013 season and was on the injury report weekly with a number of minor ailments. If healthy, a big if, Halapio is one of the best guards in CFB; He moves DTs off the LOS with ease and shows enough bend and agility to be effective in pass pro. Could be a steal this late if he can stay on the field.
122. Saints: C Tyler Larson, Utah St (6’4, 317) – Smart, durable center who moves very well for a 317 pounder. Three time first-team all WAC. Lack of top competition in the WAC is a concern, but Larson had a strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Insurance for the Saints in case center De La Puente leaves in free agency.
123. Browns: ILB Lamin Barrow, LSU (6’1, 230) – Browns inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson is getting old (30) and did not play well in 2013 (-11.6 grade). Craig Robertson, the other stating inside backer, was even worse (-18.1 grade). The Browns need to start looking for replacements inside and Barrow is a good start. He’s far from a finished product and needs work on his tackling and block shedding technique, but is an elite athlete with good speed and strength.
124. Panthers: T James Hurst, North Carolina (6’6, 305) – Panthers LT Jordan Gross had a great season in 2013 (20.1 grade), but is 34 and the Panthers needs to start grooming a replacement. Hurst is recovering from a gruesome broken leg he suffered in the Belk Bowl and may not be at full strength in 2014. The Panthers don’t need Hurst to play right away, so this pick makes sense.
125. 49ers: DT Deandre Coleman, California (6’5, 315) – Not much of a pass rusher, but has the quickness to be one. Coleman has the ability to be more dominant than he was in college, so it could be a motor issue. He showed flashes of dominance at the Senior Bowl and could be a steal if a team can get him to play hard consistently. Coleman is already pretty good against the run, so worst case Coleman can provide good depth in the middle of the Niners D-line.
126. Patriots: CB Terrance Mitchell, Oregon (6’0, 190) – Pats #1 CB Aqib Talib is a free agent who probably won’t be back, so the Pats need some depth behind Alonzo Dennard and Kyle Arrington. Mitchell was a play-maker for the Ducks, but was inconsistent in coverage, dropped a lot of potential INTs, and doesn’t have great speed. He projects as a 3rd or 4th corner but with teams running more four receivers sets lately, defenses need as many decent corners as they can get.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
127. Broncos: LB Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA (6’4, 231) – Intense linebacker who was asked to tone it down by Senior Bowl coaches. Zumwalt had a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl, showing better than expected coverage ability, violent pass rush moves, and the aforementioned intensity. Zumwalt can play inside or out and was a solid run-stuffer at UCLA (91 tackles in 2013). The Broncos were thin at LB last season and are in danger of losing Wesley Woodyard to free agency this off-season.
128. Seahawks: G Dakota Dozier, Furman (6’4, 312) – The Seahawks got below average play from both of their starting guards last season and could use an upgrade at either spot. Dozier is an impressive athlete for his size and surprisingly light on his feet. He dominated as a left tackle at Furman, but the obvious lack of competition is a concern as is no experience at the guard position. Furman will need some coaching but his size and elite athleticism gives him more potential than almost any guard in the draft.