2014 NFL Mock Draft: Projected Top 5 Picks – Teddy Bridgewater the Consensus #1 Pick

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Projected Top 5 Picks – Teddy Bridgewater the Consensus #1 Pick: The 2013-14 college football season is winding down, and with just a handful of bowl games remaining, it is time to take a quick look at the 2014 NFL Draft. Several big-name underclassmen have already declared for the draft, including a few that figure to be in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick. Speaking of which, the Houston Texans own the top pick after losing their final 14 games of the season. Quarterback figures to be the team’s biggest needs, and the same can be said for many teams picking near the top of this year’s draft. With that in mind, here is a first look at the potential top-five picks for the 2014 NFL Draft.

1.      Houston Texans: Teddy Bridegwater, Quarterback, Louisville Cardinals

Houston saw its season totally unravel as the Texans lost their final 14 games to land the No. 1 overall pick. Quarterback Matt Schaub completely fell apart this past season, and finding a franchise QB could quickly right the ship for a team that still has playmakers like Arian Foster and Andre Johnson on offense. Bridgewater may not have the highest ceiling of the QBs in this draft class, but he is accurate and efficient and used to running a pro-style offense. Bridgewater has the physical tools and knowledge of the game that should allow him to make an immediate transition to the NFL. Since Houston has the other pieces in place to be a factor, the NFL-ready Bridgewater seems like the likely pick.

2.      St. Louis Rams: Jake Matthews, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M Aggies

Thanks to last year’s trade with Washington, the Rams have the good fortune of owning the No. 2 pick. Ultimately, I think they will trade this pick to a team looking to snag a quarterback or pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney, but if St. Louis stays put, Matthews makes the most sense. Current tackle Rodger Saffold is set to become a free agent while fellow tackle Jake Long suffered a knee injury late in the year. Matthews has the strength and technique to play either left or right tackle, making him a versatile player that can start immediately. If the Rams keep this pick, they likely won’t pass on upgrading their offensive line with one of the safest picks in this draft.

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

The Jaguars may have not had the worst record in the NFL last year, but they are definitely the least-talented team in the league. They allowed the fifth-most points in the NFL this past season while scoring a league-worst 15.4 points per game. Jacksonville needs everything, especially a franchise quarterback, and Manziel’s playmaking ability makes him the best fit for a team totally bereft of talent. Sure, he has had some off the field issues and may be an injury risk given his playing style, but he can also be a one-man wrecking crew on offense thanks to his cannon arm and scrambling ability. A one-man offensive weapon is exactly what the Jaguars need, and his highlight-reel plays are just what the doctor ordered for an otherwise lifeless franchise.

4.      Cleveland Browns: Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End, South Carolina Gamecocks

Cleveland desperately needs a quarterback, but thanks to the Trent Richardson trade earlier in the year, the Browns also have the Colts’ first-round draft pick to work with to fill their signal-caller needs. As a result, Cleveland can go ahead and grab one of the best pass-rushing prospects in recent memory with the No. 4 pick. Sure, Clowney didn’t have the big season everyone was expecting, but his physical gifts are off the charts and his upside is incredible. Cleveland’s defense wasn’t terrible in 2013, but it could go from middle of the pack in several categories to inside the top 10 with a playmaker like Clowney coming off the edge.

5.      Oakland Raiders: Anthony Barr, Outside Linebacker, UCLA Bruins

The former running back has blossomed into one of the best pass-rushing linebackers in the country, recording 23.5 sacks in the past two seasons at UCLA. For a team like Oakland that allowed the third-most points in the NFL last year, adding one of the most explosive defensive playmakers isn’t a bad idea. Yes, there will be pressure on Oakland to find a franchise quarterback, but at some point reaching on potential rather than taking a more-proven commodity is just too risky. UCF quarterback Blake Bortles could also be in the mix, but Barr makes a little more sense.

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