Mock Draft 2.0: Clowney Reigns Supreme & Bridgewater Drops

With Chris Johnson signing with the New York Jets last week, it's safe to say that the free agent rush is now officially over. With big names like Johnson, Darelle Revis, Desean Jackson, Jared Allen, & Jared Veldheer finding new homes and others like Michael Bennett & Riley Cooper staying put, teams have addressed some of their positional needs heading into next month's draft. How does all this activity in free agency effect the 2014 NFL Draft? Here's my latest Mock Draft!

1. HOUSTON TEXANS - JADEVEON CLOWNEY (DE-SOUTH CAROLINA)
-Manziel mania seems to have taken over in Houston, but I still feel that the Texans would be making a mistake if they pass over Clowney at #1. This freak of nature will undoubtedly lead the line wherever he plays. If Houston really want Manziel, it would be wise for them to trade down a couple of spots, get Manziel & stock up on other assets. Since the Texans need to address the QB position (with T.J Yates, Case Keenum & Ryan Fitzpatrick signed) another possibility would be to take Clowney 1st overall & trade for a veteran (such as Kirk Cousins) & have an open competition at the quarterback position.

Nonetheless, I still think it would be foolish to take anybody other than Clowney here.

2. ST. LOUIS RAMS - GREG ROBINSON (OT-AUBURN)
-Keeping Sam Bradford on his feet will be key for St. Louis & using this pick on Robinson would be wise. The Rams don't know whether they will be getting back an All-Pro in Jake Long after his knee injury & while keeping Roger Saffold was big, the Rams still need to invest in their O-line. At 6'5 & 332 pounds with quick feet & the strength of an ox, Greg Robinson will be hard to turn down at #2. Robinson ran a 4.92 40 yard dash & bench pressed 225 pounds 32 times. Look for the Rams to stay the course & take the Auburn powerhouse.


3. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - BLAKE BORTLES (QB-UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA)
-The Jags could use help on the D-line, but the biggest need is definitely at QB. Everybody knows that Chad Henne is not the solution at the position, so it will be time for the Jags to invest at the pivot position. In Bortles, you have a guy that could go 1st overall to Texans or that could drop a few spots. I see the latter happening. The big QB could have Jags' fans salivating, resembling Pittsburgh Steelers' franchise pivot Ben Roethlisberger in size but with the arm strength of Andrew Luck (he doesn't have Luck's accuracy though, sorry Jags' fans). Bortles has a long way to go to reach those heights, but playing in his home state of Florida would likely ease the pressure.


4. CLEVELAND BROWNS - SAMMY WATKINS (WR-CLEMSON)
-It is no secret that the Browns need a QB. But I just don't see that happening here with Sammy Watkins available. As enticing as Johnny Manziel is, Watkins is a game breaker that every team needs. Coupling Watkins, who has been called a mix of Baltimore's Torrey Smith & Seattle Percy Harvin, with Josh Gordon & Jordan Cameron in the Browns' passing game could be lethal. What's missing? A quarterback. Look for the Browns to address that need with pick # 26.

5. OAKLAND RAIDERS - KHALIL MACK (OLB-BUFFALO)
-With the signings of Matt Shaub & Maurice Jones-Drew, the Raiders look to be respectable on the offensive side of the ball again. The defense still needs plenty of work though. Signing Justin Tuck was a good start, but the pass rush still needs new & younger faces. Khalil Mack, the draft's 2nd best pass rusher behind Jadeveon Clowney, is the long-term answer for the Raiders. The athletic linebacker from Buffalo can chase the QB, but can also makes play on the ball, something the Raiders have been horrendous at for the last couple of years.

6. ATLANTA FALCONS - JAKE MATTHEWS (OT-TEXAS A&M)
-The Falcons went from pre-season Super Bowl favorites to missing the playoffs last year. And it wasn't even close. The Falcons stunk, plain & simple. Losing their top play maker Julio Jones didn't help, but even with Jones, the Falcons looked flat.

While the Falcons defense needs major work, keeping Matt Ryan upright and giving the aging Steven Jackson running lanes will be just as important. So expect the Falcons to take Texas A&M's behemoth Jake Matthews. who will surprisingly drop to #6.

7. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - MIKE EVANS (WR-TEXAS A&M)
- After working on the defense the past 2 springs in free agency, look for the Bucs to focus on adding a key piece on offense in the 2014 draft. Tampa Bay has a solid foundation with Doug Martin, Vincent Jackson & Josh McCown going forward. In case McCown doesn't settle in the humid Tampa Bay weather, Mike Glennon is likely keen to take over. Even though Martin is coming back from a major injury, backup Bobby Rainey showed himself capable in the emergency fill-in role. Lovie Smith will need to improve his receiving group as the Bucs require a second option at receiver behind Vincent Jackson, particularly since they just traded away Mike Williams to the Buffalo Bills. With Sammy Watkins already off the board, look for the Bucs to select Johnny Manziel's favorite target, Mike Evans of Texas A&M. The 6'5 231lbs wide-out lining up next to Vincent Jackson would be a nightmare for NFL corners. Pick your poison.

8. MINNESOTA VIKINGS - ANTHONY BARR (OLB-UCLA)
- With Clowney and Khalil Mack off the board, the next best edge rusher is UCLA's Barr. An explosive tackler in the open field and a developing rusher, Barr is the most logical choice for the Vikings at #8. After cutting Jared Allen, the Vikings are in the market to re-stock on the defensive side of the ball. One weakness for Barr is that he is not an effective run stopper at this point, but new Vikings Head Coach & defensive guru Mike Zimmer can certainly help Barr improve on that.

9. BUFFALO BILLS - ERIC EBRON (TE-UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA)
-2nd year quarterback E.J Manuel will need some new weapons to play with in 2014. Stevie Johnson, Scott Chandler & C.J Spiller have proven to be too inconsistent over the past 2 years. As Manuel develops, the Bills need to get him a dynamic weapon who can provide the young QB with a safe pair of hands & plenty of YAC.

Enter Eric Ebron. The UNC product is this year's most dynamic tight-end & will likely be able to make an impact right away as a safe pair of hands for Manuel. Ebron has been compared to 49ers' tight-end Vernon Davis, and has speed to burn for a big man.

10. DETROIT LIONS - JUSTIN GILBERT (CB-OKLAHOMA STATE)
-The Detroit Lions were arguably the NFL's biggest bust last year. A team that possessed scary talent on the offensive side of the ball with Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush & Matthew Stafford, & a defensive line led by Ndamukong Suh, who strikes fear in the heart's of offensive lines, the team was expected to win the NFC North. Instead they finished 2nd to last in the league's most storied division.

With new coach Jim Caldwell taking the driver's seat in the Motor City after the dismissal of Jim Schwartz, look for the Lions to address the weakest part of their team in the 2014 draft: the secondary. The Lions allowed the 9th most passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks (247) in the NFL. The Lions secondary has been their Achilles' heel for the past 2 years & it is time to address it in this draft. Gilbert, seen by many as the top corner back in this draft, would bring instant athleticism, confidence & speed to Detroit's secondary.

11. TENNESSEE TITANS - JOHNNY MANZIEL (QB-TEXAS A&M)
-Yes, I think Manziel will drop to #11. His marketing value is high & teams would make plenty of money from jersey sales. No question. But the big question: can Manziel's style cut it in the NFL? Nobody knows the answer to that yet. Given the amount of talent in this draft, I don't think "Johnny Football" is worth the risk until at least pick #8, and even then I think he drops to the Titans.

The Titans need a long-term solution at QB as it looks like Jake Locker is not the answer. The Titans are starting a re-build & they should draft a potential franchise quarterback in Manziel to build around. Manziel would be given a fair chance to succeed in Tennessee with time to develop.


12. NEW YORK GIANTS - TAYLOR LEWAN (OT-MICHIGAN)
-The Giant's O-line was in shambles last year. As a result Eli Manning played some of the worst football of his career in 2013. Manning was hit 83 times (which ranked 15th in the NFL), & the O-line also had little success blocking for the Giants' multiple running backs. Time to build up the offensive line in the Big Apple.

At #12, look for the Giants to take Michigan's Taylor Lewan. The 6'7 309lb Arizonan has a nasty streak & plays with an edge, something the Giants are in dire need of.


13. ST. LOUIS RAMS - DARQUEZE DENNARD (CB-MICHIGAN STATE)
-The Rams front seven on defense is one of the best with Chris Long & Robert Quinn. But the secondary needs plenty of work, particularly since Cortland Finnegan has now moved onto the Miami Dolphins. And while few can match Finnegan's physicality, Darqueze Dennard might come close. An aggressive man on man defender, who can stuff the run, Dennard would be a smart pick for the Rams with their 2nd pick in the 1st round.

14. CHICAGO BEARS - AARON DONALD (DT-PITTSBURGH)

-The Bears need help on defense to stop the run & put pressure on opposing QBs. While Pittburgh's Aaron Donald isn't the biggest of defensive tackles in this draft, he is the most talented. Donald is athletic & can get to the quarterback & in the backfield in a hurry. With the loss of Henry Melton, the Bears need a man in the middle and Aaron Donald is that guy.


15. PITTSBURGH STEELERS - ZACK MARTIN (OT/OG-NOTRE DAME)
-Simply the best player available in a position of need for the Steelers. Martin has traditionally played tackle in university but lacks the foot & hand speed to play the position in the NFL and is better suited at guard.

The Steelers are still improving & getting younger in 2014. Look for them to add O-line depth with Martin at #15.


16. DALLAS COWBOYS - HASEAN CLINTON-DIX (FS-ALABAMA)
17. BALTIMORE RAVENS - TIMMY JERNIGAN (DT-FLORIDA STATE)
18. NEW YORK JETS - BRANDIN COOKS (WR-OREGON STATE)
19. MIAMI DOLPHINS - CALVIN PRYOR (FS-LOUISVILLE)
20. ARIZONA CARDINALS - TEDDY BRIDGEWATER (QB-LOUISVILLE)
21. GREEN BAY PACKERS - C.J MOSELY (ILB-ALABAMA)
22. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - RYAN SHAZIER (OLB-OHIO STATE)
23. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - ODELL BECKHAM JR. (WR-LSU)
24. CINCINNATI BENGALS - DEE FORD (DE-AUBURN)
25. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS - KYLE FULLER (CB-VIRGINIA TECH)
26. CLEVELAND BROWNS - DEREK CARR (QB-FRESNO STATE)
27. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - LOUIS NIX (DT-NOTRE DAME)
28. CAROLINA PANTHERS - MARQISE LEE (WR-USC)
29. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - JASON VERRETT (CB-TCU)
30. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS - BRADLEY ROBY (CB-OHIO STATE)
31. DENVER BRONCOS - ALLEN ROBINSON (WR-PENN STATE)
32. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - CYRUS KOUANDJIO (OT-ALABAMA)

What do you think? Like your team's pick? One more Mock Draft to go before the draft! Stay tuned for the last Mock Draft in just under 2 weeks!

Saturday Morning Musings: FA Cup or the Exit for Wenger

Respect & admiration for an individual's achievements are one thing, but there are limits. Arsenal fans seem to have reached theirs. After today's 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea, which follows almost equally embarrassing results at Liverpool (5-1) & Manchester City (6-3) in past months, the Gunners, barring a miracle, are all but out of the title race. Today's match stuck to the script of recent away matches in which Arsenal has played its fiercest Premier League rivals: a very slow start, shoddy defending, early goals followed by poor & undisciplined decision making & a complete lack of confidence. The result? An embarrassing defeat in Arsene Wenger's 1000th match in charge of the club.

The team's performance was gutless. No question. After allowing the 1st goal, a superb left footed strike by Samuel Eto'o, Arsenal lost its shape & completely disappeared. Chelsea sensed their opponent's fear, tasted blood & went for the jugular. The team should be ashamed & embarrassed.

But a bigger responsibility for the loss & Arsenal dropping out of the title race lies with the man honored for managing his 1000th match for the club. The team sheet was flawed from the outset today. Wenger opted for a deep midfield pairing of Mikel Arteta & Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. While Chamberlain has been one of Arsenal's top players of late, Arteta has not been. His form has lagged from last year, he has been caught out of position regularly (matches against Manchester City & Everton stand out) and his pace is not what it used to be. Pairing an offensively inclined Chamberlain & a struggling Arteta was a recipe for disaster & that is what we saw. There was no cover in front of the Arsenal back four early in the match. Why wasn't Mathieu Flamini in the starting 11? He's the closest thing to a pit bull in the midfield for Arsenal. With Arteta in the line-up, Arsenal are an easy side to play against.

If we look at the season as a whole, Arsenal's biggest problem has been squad depth. Injuries to Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil & Jack Wilshere have troubled the Gunners lately & have undoubtedly had an effect on recent form. And, while Arsenal has one of the strongest midfield's in the Premier League, they are still short of high quality cover. But who controls the signing of players? Arsene Wenger. Arsenal's Board of Governors has repeatedly stated that the Gunners' boss has funds to use on signings but for whatever reason, he has chosen not to. The same script applies to depth at the striker position. Even though the most casual fan identified that there was no cover behind Olivier Giroud, Wenger still refused to sign anybody in January. We have seen that after a spectacular 1st half to season, Giroud has cooled off & Arsenal have no Plan B. Ultimately the fingers need to be pointed at Arsene Wenger, as he has full control of the operations at the club.

In the end, whatever sport you play, you play to win the game. Even if you are a cellar dweller & in the lowest position in the league, you play to win. It has been 9 years since won any trophy. Given the amount of money the club makes (8th richest club in soccer) & Arsenal's stature in England, that is really inexcusable to its fans. The fans need urgency from the club, to win trophies now. At any other club at this level, drastic changes would have been made prior to year 5, let alone 10.

Arsene Wenger without a doubt is one of the most respected & brilliant minds of the Premier League. He revolutionized the Premier League with his tactics, has helped to produced some of the most breathtaking football & amazing talents in the EPL's history (Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, & Robert Pires, to name just a few) & guided an unbeaten team in 2003-04. He has helped Arsenal become a financial powerhouse through difficult times of having to pay off a pricey new stadium. But in the end, you play to win & patience is now wearing thin. With Arsenal all but out of the title race, their only real chance of winning silverware this year is the FA Cup. If Arsenal somehow lose to Wigan in the semi-final or in the final, will Wenger return for a 10th season of trophy less football?

Arsene Wenger has repeatedly talked about belief in the past. He has said the key component to his team's success is having a belief in themselves. While there have been moments in the last 2 years where Arsenal's young squad have looked confident & full of pride, there have been moments like today, where the Gunners looked as they had had no belief whatsoever in their abilities. It seems as though belief in the abilities of the legendary manager is also dwindling at the moment. Wenger needs to win the FA Cup to restore that belief in the club's fans. Otherwise this could & probably should be a sad end to a legendary run at the club.

The Calm Before the Storm: 2014 NFL Pre-Free Agency Mock Draft 1.0

The free agent signing period officially kicks off on Tuesday in the NFL. Last year the Miami Dolphins splashed the most cash, & while Philip Wheeler, Mike Wallace & Danell Ellerbe had decent seasons, the team struggled miserably. Free agency is important but it can be argued that the NFL draft is the most important part of the off season, in which franchises search for the best collegiate players who will form their team's foundation for years to come.

This year's draft brings another solid group of prospects, who are likely to become the face of the league in a few short years. But before that happens, they need to be drafted first. Who will end up where? My pre-free agency mock draft is below. Do you agree? Make sure to let me know what you think!   

1. HOUSTON TEXANS - JADEVEON CLOWNEY (DE-SOUTH CAROLINA)

-The Texans need a new quarterback after Matt Schaub's dismal 10 TD, 14 INT 2013 season. In a normal year Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles or even Johnny Manziel would go #1. But this is no normal year. Despite having an off year, compiling only 3 sacks, & with questions about his work ethic raised, Jadeveon Clowney remains college football's most enticing player. With freakish athleticism, showcased by running a 4.74 40 yard dash at the Combine. If the Texans were to select the South Carolina product, Clowney & J.J. Watt would make life miserable for NFL quarterbacks.

That scenario is too good to ignore. Expect Houston to take Clowney with this pick & trade for a QB like Kirk Cousins or take a quarterback in the 2nd round.

　
2. ST. LOUIS RAMS - GREG ROBINSON (OT-AUBURN)

-Going from one freak athlete to the next. At 6'5 & 332 pounds, Greg Robinson is no small man, but if you watched his Combine workout, you definitely noticed that he is both powerful & agile. Robinson ran a 4.92 40 yard dash & bench pressed 225 pounds 32 times. This exhibition of strength & speed once again highlighted why many scouts & observers see Robinson as the draft's top tackle.

The Rams need a top tackle, particularly since Jake Long tore his ACL last year. Keeping Sam Bradford upright will be key for St. Louis & using this pick on Robinson would be wise. Look for the Rams to pass on Sammy Watkins here & pick a wide-out with their 2nd pick in the draft (pick 13).


3. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - BLAKE BORTLES (QB-UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA)

-Most people have the Jacksonville Jaguars taking Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M here, but I think the Jags make a smart football decision with their 1st pick in 2014 & go with the Florida product Bortles. At 6'5 & 232 pounds, Blake Bortles is a linebacker sized quarterback in the mould of Ben Roethlisberger. Bortles is an efficient & accurate passer, who runs well for his size & can pass when outside the pocket. Bridgewater & Manziel are much smaller quarterbacks compared to Bortles.

The Jags need a franchise player at quarterback, which they haven't had since Mark Brunell. With time, Bortles could develop into a solid NFL quarterback. By signing Chad Henne to an extension, the Jaguars are providing time & patience to whoever they draft in this position at quarterback.


4. CLEVELAND BROWNS - TEDDY BRIDGEWATER (QB-LOUISVILLE)

-A new coach & GM brings new hope in Cleveland, as the Browns try to start afresh yet again. Unlike previous years, the Browns will have a legitimate shot at drafting a young franchise quarterback at the #4 spot. The choice will be between Bridgewater & Manziel here. While Manziel will give the lonesome Browns a big personality in the dressing room & plenty of media & marketing buzz, Bridgewater will be give them the type of player they need right now. The Louisville quarterback is a smart, accurate passer, who makes the right decisions & has been compared to Russell Wilson (but physically bigger). If the Browns pick Bridgewater, pairing him with Josh Gordon & Jordan Cameron could make Cleveland an exciting team to watch in the coming years.

5. OAKLAND RAIDERS - JAKE MATTHEWS (OT-TEXAS A&M)

-There are 2 elite tackles in this draft. Greg Robinson is the first and Jake Matthews is not too far behind. The 6'5 Texan who protected Johnny Manziel's blindside is a legitimate top 5 pick, just like Auburn's Robinson. What differentiates the two is that while Robinson may have the higher ceiling, being a once in a decade type of talent & athlete, Matthews is probably more NFL ready at the moment. Matthews possesses a great mix of talent & is extremely agile.

Put simply, the Raiders are a mess. They need help at almost all positions. A quarterback & defensive help is required, but I think they go with the best player on the board in Matthews to address a broken offensive line.


6. ATLANTA FALCONS - KHALIL MACK (OLB-BUFFALO)

-The loss of Julio Jones to injury was a major reason for the Falcons pathetic 2013-2014 season, but there were other major deficiencies in the team's play as well. Atlanta's Achilles' heel over the past 3 years has been their poor defensive play. With a lack of play makers on the defensive side of the ball & almost no pass rush, it is clear that the Falcons need to address defense in free agency & the draft.

Enter Buffalo's Khalil Mack. Behind Clowney, Mack is the draft's top pass rusher. The athletic outside linebacker from Florida is explosive, & makes plays on the ball. He can provide an edge rush like Denver's Von Miller or line up in coverage.

　
7. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - SAMMY WATKINS (WR-CLEMSON)

-After the Bucs roller coaster 2013 season, which saw them go 4-12 with plenty of locker room drama, Greg Schiano was handed the pink slip. Former Bears coach Lovie Smith is now calling the shots, so expect to see professionalism & class back at Raymond James Stadium.

After working on the defense last year in free agency, look for the Bucs to focus on adding a key piece on offense in the 2014 draft. Tampa Bay has a solid foundation with Doug Martin, Vincent Jackson & Mike Glennon going forward. Even though Martin is coming back from a major injury, backup Bobby Rainey showed himself to be capable in the emergency fill in role. Lovie Smith will need to improve his receiving corps though. The Bucs require a second option at receiver behind Vincent Jackson, and Clemson's Sammy Watkins is just the guy to grab at #7. He may not be the tallest of receivers at 6'1, but Watkins possesses the leaping ability of Torrey Smith & the acceleration of a healthy Percy Harvin. The Bucs would be foolish to pass on the draft's #1 receiver!


8. MINNESOTA VIKINGS - JOHNNY MANZIEL (QB-TEXAS A&M)

- "Johnny Football" is a high octane QB, who showed in his 2 years at Texas A&M that he is a big play quarterback. He can use his legs & arm to hurt you & has an element of risk & excitement in his style of play. Time will tell if he can translate his college success into the NFL. One thing is for sure, Manziel's skill & marketing power will be hard to pass up for a team in the top 10 of the draft.

That being said, I think Maniel drops to #8 & the Vikings. Manziel is too big of a risk for teams in the top 5, plus Bortles & Bridgewater are better NFL ready quarterbacks at this point. Minnesota have needed a quarterback for sometime. Matt Cassel & Christian Ponder may suffice for another year or two, but it's time for a change in Minny.


9. BUFFALO BILLS - ANTHONY BARR (OLB-UCLA)

-Barr is ranked by many as the #2 outside linebacker in this draft behind Khalil Mack of Buffalo. An explosive pass rusher & open field hitter, Barr is a difference maker on the defensive side of the ball.

Buffalo's much improved defense in 2013 was due to the emergence of rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso. The University of Oregon product racked up 159 tackles, 2 sacks & 4 interceptions in his rookie campaign. Lining Barr up next to Alonso could make the Bills already improved defense one to fear in 2014 & beyond.


10. DETROIT LIONS - DARQUEZE DENNARD (CB-MICHIGAN STATE)

-The Detroit Lions were arguably the NFL's biggest bust last year. With scary talent on the offensive side of the ball with Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush & the inconsistent Matthew Stafford, & a defensive line led by Ndamukong Suh, which strikes fear in the hearts of offensive lines, the team was expected to win the NFC North. Instead they finished 2nd to last in the league's most storied division.

With new coach Jim Caldwell taking the driver's seat in the Motor City after the dismissal of Jim Schwartz, look for the Lions to address the weakest part of their team in the 2014 draft: the secondary. The Lions allowed the 9th most passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks (247) in the NFL. The Lions secondary has been their Achilles' heel for the past 2 years & it is time to address it in this draft. Dennard, the top corner back in this draft, would bring instant athleticism, confidence & a physical style to Detroit.


11. TENNESSEE TITANS - TAYLOR LEWAN (OT-MICHIGAN)

-The Titans have plenty of needs, but none more than at the tackle position. After releasing right David Stewart in recently, the Titans are in the market to re-stock the O line.

While the Titans have a good interior to their offensive line (Chance Warmack & Andy Levitre at the guard positions), tackle needs to be addressed. The best pick at #11 would be Michigan's massive Taylor Lewan. At 6'7 & 309 lbs, Lewan possesses good foot speed & a mean streak, which is needed at the tackle position. There's no shame in being ranked the #3 OT in this draft behind Greg Robinson & Jake Matthews.

12. NEW YORK GIANTS - ZACK MARTIN (OT-NOTRE DAME)

-The Giant's O-line was in shambles last year. As a result Eli Manning played some of the worst football of his career in 2013. Manning was hit 83 times (which ranked 15th in the NFL), & the O-line also had little success blocking for the Giants' multiple running backs. Time to build up the offensive line in the Big Apple.

At #12, look for the Giants to take Notre Dame senior Zack Martin. Martin is a quick & effective blocker who can also play at guard. The one downside to Martin is that at 6'4 he is on the smaller side for offensive lineman & that does not provide him with height & arm length that Taylor Lewan possesses.


13. ST. LOUIS RAMS - MIKE EVANS (WR-TEXAS A&M)

-The Rams picked up an important piece of their offense in last year's draft with Tavon Austin. Austin showed why he was highly touted coming out of the college, by proving to be big play maker for the Rams both on offense & special teams. While the Rams have needs on the defensive side of the ball in their secondary, look for Jeff Fisher & his team to land another play making wide out.

Texas A&M's Mike Evans is the perfect complementary receiver for Austin. At 6'5 & a solid 231 lbs Evans is a huge target for quarterbacks & one Sam Bradford desperately needs in his offense. Evans is compared to Tampa Bay's Vincent Jackson, & is a physical receiver who can bully corners. One downside to Evans skill set is that he lacks an explosive burst off the snap. Evans & Austin could be a classic thunder & lightning threat in the Rams' play calling scheme.


14. CHICAGO BEARS - C.J MOSLEY (ILB-ALABAMA)

-After a superb start to the season, the Bears fizzled away yet again. While the trials & tribulations of the Bears offense always get the headlines, the Bears defense is the area that needs addressing.

With Charles Tillman testing free agency & likely to land with a NFC rival, the Bears could opt to take Oklahoma State corner back Justin Gilbert here, but I think they select C.J. Mosley, the best defensive player on the board at this point. Mosley is a very athletic linebacker, with great instinct who can play either inside or outside. Mosley would be great pick to rejuvenate the heart of the Bears' defense.


15. PITTSBURGH STEELERS - MARQISE LEE (WR-USC)

-It's safe to say that the Pittsburgh Steelers offense was anaemic last year. Le'veon Bell's preseason injury effected the running game & with Big Ben getting older & his mobility now limited, the Steelers cannot call the same bootlegs/run plays that they used to with their star quarterback. Bell looks like the real deal at running back, but the Steelers are still in dire need of play makers on offense.

With Emmanuel Sanders testing the free agent market, look for the Steelers to draft a wide out in the 1st round. At this point Marqise Lee from USC would be the best the fit. Lee, who was bothered by injuries this past year, is a tall, slender & athletic receiver (produced a 38" vertical jump at the Combine). As speed is Lee's biggest asset, he & Antonio Brown could stretch AFC secondaries thin in 2014.


16. DALLAS COWBOYS - KONY EALY (DE-MISSOURI)

　
17. BALTIMORE RAVENS - JUSTIN GILBERT (CB-OKLAHOMA STATE)

　
18. NEW YORK JETS - ERIC EBRON (TE-NORTH CAROLINA)

　
19. MIAMI DOLPHINS - LOUIS NIX (DT-NOTRE DAME)

　
20. ARIZONA CARDINALS - CYRUS KOUANDJIO (OT-ALABAMA)

　
21. GREEN BAY PACKERS - HASEAN CLINTON-DIX (FS-ALABAMA)

　
22. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - DEE FORD (DE-AUBURN)

　
23. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - KELVIN BENJAMIN (WR-FLORIDA STATE)

　
24. CINCINNATI BENGALS - CALVIN PRYOR (FS-LOUISVILLE)

　
25. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS - ODELL BECKHAM JR. (WR-LSU)

　
26. CLEVELAND BROWNS - DAVID YANKEY (OG-STANFORD)

　
27. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - JASON VERRETT (CB-TCU)

　
28. CAROLINA PANTHERS - ALLEN ROBINSON (WR-PENN STATE)

　
29. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - MORGAN MOSES (OT-VIRGINA)

　
30. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS - AARON DONALD (DT-PITTSBURGH)

　
31. DENVER BRONCOS - RYAN SHAZIER (OLB-OHIO STATE)

　
32. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - JACE AMARO (TE-TEXAS TECH)


Now let's see what Free Agency has in store! Stay tuned for the next installment of my Mock Draft!

Saturday Morning Musings

All it took was 20 minutes. In 1/3 of an hour Liverpool cemented themselves as one of the Premier League's most explosive offensive juggernauts, while in that same space of time Arsenal's title hopes were put into serious question. 4 goals by Liverpool in the first 20 minutes put the match & possibly Arsenal's title hopes to bed. The 5-1 result was damning enough, but the ruthlessness of the Liverpool attack & the limited fight back or resistance by Arsenal was especially surprising. This result could have a massive effect on how the rest of the season concludes. To sum up the early match this morning, here's The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

THE GOOD

Almost everything Liverpool did today was brilliant. Attacking Arsenal from the outset, superb service & finishing from set pieces to name just a few. But the part that stood out for me was the fact that Liverpool completely dominated the midfield. The play of Philippe Coutinho & Jordan Henderson disrupted an Arsenal midfield that has been unrivalled for the majority of the season. Henderson & Steven Gerrard masterfully quashed any Arsenal attacks, which were few & far between anyways.

Coutinho, on the other hand, pulled the strings in the midfield, dribbling past Arsenal's midfield & slicing through perfect passes behind the Arsenal back four. The Brazilian created 5 chances on his own in today's match. With more efforts like this Coutinho should be in serious consideration to make the Brazilian World Cup squad.

THE BAD

Despite being Arsenal's signature summer signing & making a dream start for the club, Mesut Ozil has been barely noticeable in the last month or so. It is undeniable that Ozil is one of the most talented players in the Premier League, but the physical nature of the Premier League may be taking its toll on the young German. In today's match Ozil looked unmotivated, lazy & was a root cause of one of the goals given up by the Gunners in the 1st half. Ozil hung on to the ball for far too long on the left flank & was eventually dispossessed by Jordan Henderson, which led to a Liverpool counter attack & Raheem Sterling goal only moments later.

With Aaron Ramsey missing due to injury until at least early March & Ozil in dreadful form, the once dominant Arsenal midfield is in serious trouble. Arsene Wenger needs his star signing to live up to his price tag.

THE UGLY

Following Liverpool's best performance in the Premier League this season, it may give Red's supporters added pleasure that a former Everton midfielder was one of the main reasons their team thrashed Arsenal today. Mikel Arteta, a former Toffees stalwart, plays for Arsenal but is turning into the club's weakest link. Arteta is in the squad to track back, provide cover for Arsenal's back four & break up passes in the midfield. He is doing very little of that currently. For the past 2 months or so, the Spaniard has been Arsenal's poorest performer despite the team sitting a top the league. Arteta's lack of pace have him chasing players in the midfield most of the time and not breaking up passes in front of him. Arteta is losing possession, which puts himself & his team mates in a poor position to defend. It looked like Arteta was playing in quick sand today.

With Mathieu Flamini suspended for the Manchester United fixture on Wednesday, Arsenal will need Arteta to occupy the same role in midfield. Poor Arsenal fans are asking when "star signing" Kim Kallstrom will be fit to play. Arsene Wenger's decision to not splash the cash in January could prove costly.

Until next time,

RJ

Saturday Morning Musings

Lewandowski Joins World Champs

The first domino has fallen. Borussia Dortmund's Polish striker Robert Lewandoski has joined German, European & World Champions Bayern Munich on a free transfer. While rumoured for the past year, Lewandowski's move to Munich was confirmed this morning by the Bavarians. The Pole will not join Bayern until the end of the season, but you can expect that this will put pressure on other European heavyweights to act quickly.

Lewandowski: Joining former team mate Gotze in Munich

With Lewandowski's arrival it seems that Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic will be a surplus to requirements at the Allianz Arena. Apparently Arsenal FC & Juventus are already lining up to sign the 27 year old.

Chelsea FC have been rumoured to be searching for a new star striker, since the triumvirate of Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto'o & Demba Ba are not quite setting the world alight. Despite Jose Mourinho insisting that the Blues will not dip into the transfer market for a new striker, Lewandowski joining a European rival may force the Blues to look for a goal scorer in January. One that is being linked with Chelsea is Athletico Madrid's hit man Diego Costa, who has scored 19 goals in 18 matches for his club. Arsenal, who are very thin at the striker position, are also rumoured to be interested in Costa as & said to be preparing a major bid.

4 days into the January transfer window and a big move is announced. But this may not be the last one. Get ready for some fireworks.

A Bone-headed Play Costs The Knicks.....Again

The New York Knicks currently sit at the bottom of the Atlantic division & are in the basement of the Eastern Conference with a winning percentage of 31.3%.  However if the league standings depended on the number of bad decisions, bone-headed and terribly executed plays attempted by a team, the New York Knicks would be running away with the league.

On Friday night against the Rockets, the Knicks flushed yet another game down the toilet when mere seconds earlier it looked like they would either win or at least take the game to overtime. This time after Tyson Chandler pulled in an offensive rebound with the game tied at 100-100, the ball worked its way to J.R. Smith and the guard propelled a 3-pointer that bounced off the rim. The problem? There were 17 seconds left on the clock & the shot clock had been turned off. Rather than hold for the final shot & possibly beat the Rockets with little or no time left on the clock for James Harden to reply, Smith took the game into his own hands. Wrong move. After the game, Smith stated that he thought the Knicks were down by 2, when the game was actually tied. Yes, he was actually serious.

But the Knicks weren't done there. Following Smith's miss, Beno Udrih immediately fouled Aaron Brooks. Albeit unintentional, Udrih's foul proved costly because the Knicks were already in the penalty which gifted the Brooks 2 free throws.

The Knicks got the ball back, but Iman Shumpert and Beno Udrih missed consecutive shots and just like that the New York Knicks fell to 10-22.

There's no shame in losing to the Houston Rockets. The Rockets are a dynamic team, who are clinical on offensive & solid defensively. But to lose THAT way is atrocious. This is not first time New York has coughed up a game that they should have probably won. Blowing a double digit lead in the 4th quarter against the Celtics on Dec. 13, Mike Woodson not taking a late game time-out to organize offensively against the Wizards on Dec. 17, and now this. Even the good teams get blown out every now and then, but New York's re-occurring late game collapses are baffling. Its clear that the Knicks lack veteran poise, particularly at the point guard position, to settle things down. The skill is there, and Thursday's win over the Spurs proves it. But the Knicks mettle between their ears is failing them.

No player personifies this year's Knicks like J.R. Smith. Throughout his entire career Smith has always been known as a player with a great skill set, but questionable basketball IQ and poise. This year is showing the latter of J.R Smith more than most. Last year's 6th Man of the Year is looking like Knicks weakest link this year.

While Smith and his mistakes have stood out, in the end it is the coach's job to compose the team and ensure that the players are prepared to execute effectively. The poise is supposed to come from the bench, but Mike Woodson has looked less than stellar on more than a few occasions this year as well. Whether it has been a time-out that was not called late in the game, not having the right players on the floor, or benching Pablo Prigioni, Woodson has made his fair share of mistakes along with his players.

While Friday's mistake was not made by Woodson on the floor, but by his players, you would have to think the fledgling New York Knicks will have to make a move at some point to try to resurrect this sinking ship. Pulling the plug on Woody may be the only realistic move they can make. That time may be coming very soon.

Saturday Morning Musings

MANCITY FLEX THEIR MUSCLE

The early Saturday match between Manchester City & Arsenal was seen by many as the 1st match of the season with REAL title implications. Arsenal, the league's gold standard so far this young season, against Manchester City, probably the most talented team in the Premier League that occasionally suffers from moments of severe inconsistency. A win for Arsenal would increase the Gunner's lead over City to 9 points, while a City win would decrease the lead to just 3 points.

In the end, City continued their torrid home form with a 6-3 win over the league leaders, closing the gap between them and Arsenal. Fernandinho's double and Manuel Pellegrini's team's lethal counter-attack overwhelmed the Arsenal. It is clear: if Manchester City can duplicate their home form on the road, the title will be theirs to lose. Manchester City have brave and smart defending, depth unlike any other team in England, and limitless creativity in attack in their squad.

For Arsenal, the story is not so optimistic at this moment. It's not all doom and gloom for the Gunners as they are still on top of the league. But it is time to worry. Manchester City beat Arsenal because they produced a display that Arsenal weren't able to match. But near the end of the match, you could tell that Arsenal were starting to tire when City was still fresh. Arsenal have a relatively small squad, particularly since they play in the Champions League. Consider that Manchester City rested 8 regular starters during the week when they played European champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and STILL won.

As the Premier League schedule heats up in the next 2 weeks, Arsenal will play 4 matches in 9 days against title challengers Chelsea and improving Newcastle. Will the squad hold up until the January transfer window opens? They better hope so, as depth at the striker and winger positions is needed as soon as possible.       

THROWBACK

Happy 34th birthday to one most prolific strikers the Premier League has ever seen!

On this day in 1979 star English striker Michael Owen was born. The Chester born striker rose through the ranks at Liverpool FC to become one of the club's most prolific scorers notching 118 goals in 216 appearances for the Reds. 2001-02 was Owen's best year as he scored 28 goals in 43 matches for Liverpool and also picked up the Ballon D'or award as European Footballer of Year.

In 2004 Owen moved to Real Madrid which saw his career stall, followed by a series of injuries. Owen continued on to play for Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City, eventually retiring in 2013.

For England, Owen played in 3 World Cups and amassed 40 goals in 89 matches.

Here's a look at Owen in his prime. Clinical!