2014 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Combine Top 5 Picks – Blake Bortles #1 to the Houston Texans

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Combine Top 5 Picks – Blake Bortles #1 to the Houston Texans: The 2014 NFL Draft is slowly inching closer, and with the scouting combine now in the books, general managers have some concrete data to analyze and help them make decisions about which players to target. With a pecking order slowly beginning to be established among the top prospects, it is time to update my mock draft. This time around, I am including potential trades that I see happening. Individual pro days will further impact things, but for now, here is how I see the top five picks shaping up in the 2014 NFL Draft.

1.      Houston Texans: Blake Bortles, Quarterback, Central Florida Knights

Jadeveon Clowney is in play after a stellar 40-yard dash time, but even adding another dominant pass-rusher across from J.J. Watt isn’t going to fix the Texans. Houston needs a quarterback, and Bortles was the only top prospect to throw at the combine. More importantly, he was solid in all his drills. Of all the QB prospects, Bortles has the best physical tools, and for now, he has answered the most questions. He is the top pick heading into individual pro days.

2.      Atlanta Falcons (from St. Louis): Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End, South Carolina Gamecocks

Injuries completely derailed Atlanta’s season a year ago, but even at full strength, the Falcons desperately need a dominant pass-rusher. By trading their first two picks, they should be able to move up and snag arguably the best prospect in the draft in Clowney. Meanwhile, the Rams can still grab one of the top offensive linemen that they need at the No. 6 spot while picking up an extra second-round pick.

3.      Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnny Manziel, Quarterback, Texas A&M Aggies

Opinions vary widely on Manziel, but there is no denying his “box-office” personality and style of play. At the very least, adding Manziel will sell a few tickets in the short run and give Jacksonville a centerpiece to build around down the road, After all, the Jaguars’ franchise is completely lacking talent at just about every position, but Manziel has the instincts and dual-threat capability to be a one-man show on offense. The Jaguars need a spark, and Manziel can be just that.

4.      Cleveland Browns: Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback, Louisville Cardinals

His stock has slipped a bit after deciding not to run or throw at the combine. However, Bridgewater is still regarded as the most pro-ready QB given his accuracy and the system he played in at Louisville. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s offense is exactly lacking in weapons with receiver Josh Gordon and tight end Jordan Cameron. Adding a QB that can actually get them the ball consistently would go a long way to fixing the Browns’ scoring woes. Bridgewater’s stock largely depends on his upcoming pro day, but if he is left at this point, Cleveland will likely jump on the chance to draft him.

5.      Oakland Raiders: Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver, Clemson Tigers

Oakland also needs a quarterback, but with the three top prospects off the board, adding a potential No. 1 receiver makes a lot of sense, especially for a team that has no dangerous weapons to throw to at this point. Watkins impressed at the combine and solidified himself as the top prospect at the position. He has the size, speed and explosive to make big plays whenever he touches the ball, and whenever the Raiders do find a legit franchise QB, Watkins will be there to help.

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