The 2014 NFL draft is coming and that means final mock draft picks from experts like Mel Kiper and Todd McShay from ESPN and with the draft days away from starting on Thursday night, here are some predictions and projections for the first round and second round from the experts, as names like Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack, Sammy Watkins, Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles are expected to go among the first 10 picks.
Mel Kiper picked Manziel to the Texans for his first mock draft in the winter, but now that it's spring time and teams have had the chance to work out players and get their boards set, he sees Houston picking either Jadeveon Clowney or Khalil Mack with that pick. The Texans have said they already know who the pick will be and that if they do not trade the pick, that is the player they are going with, but so far there have been no leaks about the selection.
The Texans were rumored to be interested in trading back, but so far no team has stepped up to the plate and some options include the Atlanta Falcons and the Buccaneers. Clowney looks like he will be the number one pick and this comes after he easily would have been first overall had he been able to come out of college before last season. The Texans need a QB after trading away Matt Schaub and they could wait until later in the draft to make that move, as there are names like Aaron Murray, AJ McCarron and Zach Mettenberger that could be had in the later rounds.
Manziel, Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater are considered to be the top three quarterbacks in the draft, while Derek Carr has been moving up draft boards and he could be a first round selection as well. Some experts have speculated that three QBs could be taken in the first 10 picks --- or zero will be taken in the first 10 picks - as the Vikings are looked at as the border between falling and the first round. Manziel could get past some teams in the top 10 like the Browns and Raiders, but it's hard to see him out of the top 10.
The Browns, Jaguars and Raiders are all teams that could realistically take a QB in the top five, but if they pass on those names expect at least one team to jump in and draft one of them. Manziel comes in with a great college career behind him, but many have wondered whether he can be a legit NFL quarterback and some other names that are getting attention in the top 10 are Watkins, Jake Matthews and Greg Robinson. Matthews and Robinson are looked at as the best offensive linemen, while Watkins should be the first receiver off the board over Mike Evans.
Manziel and Bortles are the top two quarterbacks and if they slip out of the top 10, teams will be jumping up to grab them. Manziel is the star of the draft and while some have questions about his future, he will be an attention grabber in the league and a team like the Cowboys or the Eagles would love to snag him.
