The NFL Combine is just weeks away so here is my Pre-Combine Mock Draft! I went four rounds deep this time, and made the picks based on a combination of each team's needs, the strength of the draft at those respective positions and each team's drafting strategy. 

The 2014 NFL Draft is highlighted by a trio of pass rushers (JaDeveon Clowney, Anthony Barr and Khalil Mack) that I project will be Pro Bowlers and disruptive forces for years to come. 


Previous Edition (Mock Draft 1.0) can be found here

1. Houston: QB Blake Bortles, UCF – I am not as high on Bortles as some, so I would not endorse this move; however, Bortles has the size teams look for in NFL quarterbacks and is a solid athlete, which makes him very difficult to bring down in the pocket. In addition to moving well, the former tight end has a big arm, but is very raw. Another concern I have is I do not think he has the accuracy to make throws in tight windows, which is vital at the next level. Bortles is too much of a boom-bust prospect for me to take him with this pick. I think the rumors of Bortles to the Texans is a smokescreen more than anything. 
    
2. St. Louis (via Washington): T Greg Robinson, Auburn – The Rams need a tackle; current LT Jake Long tore his ACL & MCL & RT Rodger Saffold is a free agent. Robinson has the highest ceiling of any tackle prospect from the past few years.   
    
3. Jacksonville: DE JaDeveon Clowney, South Carolina – Clowney is the best prospect in in the draft and a 6'6" physical specimen. This pick would make sense for a Jaguars defense that needs to generate more pressure coming off a season that saw them finish last in the league in sacks. I worry about Clowney's dedication to the game, but his Combine performance will make him the consensus top pick.
    
4. Cleveland: QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M – Browns seem to be enamored with Johnny Football, but before I would feel comfortable taking him he would need to prove he is willing to put in the necessary time off the field to be a NFL QB. Manziel is excellent at eluding pass rushers with his feet and making throws on the run, but I wonder how effective he will be if teams can contain him to the pocket.
    
5. Oakland: QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville – Safest QB prospect in this class. Bridgewater is very accurate passer and truly dedicated to his craft. At worst, I envision Bridgewater as a serviceable starter for years to come. Great value pick for the Raiders.
    
6. Atlanta: T Jake Matthews, Texas A&M – Atlanta needs help in the trenches on both sides of the ball, so drafting a tackle with Matthews’ bloodline and pedigree would be a perfect fit.
    
7. Tampa Bay: OLB/DE Khalil Mack, Buffalo – Bucs need to generate more pressure and Mack is truly a beast. He is an explosive pass rusher who amassed a whopping 75 tackles for loss and 16 forced fumbles. Those are gaudy college numbers, regardless of the level of competition.
    
8. *MOCK TRADE* San Francisco via Minnesota: WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson – The arms race between the Seahawks and Niners is full-blown, at this point. So, I project the Niners will move up to land the top playmaker in this year’s draft since they are only really a piece away from a Championship. A threat like Watkins is just what the Niners need to push them over the top.
   
   *TRADE DETAILS*
   
   Niners trade picks #30, #56, #62 and #77 for the Vikings picks #8, #136 and #200 
    
9. Buffalo: OLB/DE Anthony Barr, UCLA – The Bills can go in several directions with this pick. They can grab a WR1 or TE to give second year QB E.J. Manuel some better options in the passing game, or they can address their defense which has holes at all three levels, but I am going to go in the Best Player Available route. Barr’s speed off the edge paired with Mario Williams on the opposite side will make this Bills defense very dangerous for years to come.  
    
10. Detroit: CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State – Lions need to improve their pass defense, and Gilbert projects as the best corner in this class. Gilbert has the speed to stay with NFL wide outs and the playmaking ability coaches dream of from cornerbacks. Gilbert is a dynamic threat in the return game, as well.
     
11. Tennessee: LB CJ Mosley, Alabama – The Titans need to improve their line backing corps. Mosley flies around the field making plays and will start immediately in Tennessee.
     
12. NY Giants: OL Zach Martin, Notre Dame – The Giants offensive line needs help all over and Martin can play nearly every position across the line.
     
13. St. Louis: FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama – The Rams need help all across their secondary, and Clinton-Dix is the most well-rounded safety in this year's class.
     
14. Chicago: CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State – The Bears need help everywhere on defense and Dennard’s physical play and lockdown ability in coverage will be a perfect replacement for free agent and long term starter Charles “Peanut” Tillman. Dennard's 40-time may hurt his stock though.
     
15. Pittsburgh: NT Louis Nix III, Notre Dame – Steelers need an anchor to their 3-4 D, something that has been missing since the departure of Casey Hampton.
     
16. Baltimore: WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M – A big-bodied WR like Evans will be perfect complement to Torrey Smith. Evans would be a huge upgrade over current starter Marlon Brown. Evans has long arms, but may not test great at the Combine.
     
17. Dallas: DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh - The line was a big problem last year due to injuries and the player who produced consistently is a free agent, Pro Bowler Jason Hatcher. The Cowboys do not appear to be bringing him back in 2014 due to their lack of financial flexibility. Enter the most dominate defensive player from a year ago. Donald was unstoppable last season, winning almost every award imagineable for a defensive player, but is questioned by some scouts for his size (6'0) and short arms (31.75") for a interior defensive lineman. I'm not as concerned. He is quick off the snap and stronger than he appears. Over the past three seasons, Donald has recorded 63 tackles for loss and 27.5 sacks. In his first year in the ACC, Donald racked up 21 tackles for loss, 7 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in nine conference games then went on to dominate the Senior Bowl practices. Dallas needs to take him if he is available.     
     
18. NY Jets: TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina – Ebron is a great athlete and the best TE prospect in the class. He is a huge target (6'5") with big play ability, Vernon Davis being a natural comparison. The Jets starting tight ends last year, Jeff Cumberland and Kellen Winslow are both free agents, and unlikely to return next year. There are reports Ebron has gained some weight to help him as a blocker in the NFL, which may hurt his draft stock if the added weight slows him down. Ebron's greatest appeal is his speed/size combo, so keep an eye for how he runs at the Combine.
     
19. Miami: T Taylor Lewan, Michigan – Jon Martin/Richie Incognito debacle caused huge hole along the left side of the Dolphins offensive line, so Lewan should be able to come in and help out immediately.
     
20. Arizona: T Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama – Cards need to replace Eric Winston; Kouandjio can pair w/ last year’s first round pick, Jonathan Cooper, to form solid foundation for the Cards line for the foreseeable future.   
     
21. Green Bay: DL Timmy Jernigan, Florida State – Packers have several big free agents (literally and figuratively) along their D-line (Mike Neal, BJ Raji, John Jolly, Ryan Pickett). So, depending on who the Pack brings back in 2014, Jernigan may be a vital cog along the front line in Green Bay.
     
22. Philadelphia: FS Calvin Pryor, Louisville – The Eagles have holes all over their secondary, and Pryor is a playmaker from the safety position. 
     
23. Kansas City: WR Marquise Lee, USC – Lee is as dynamic as they get in this draft, and would make an immediate impact and upgrade to the Chiefs receiving corps. 
     
24. Cincinnati: LB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State – Shazier is the ideal LB in today’s pass-happy NFL. Shazier has the speed to cover significant ground in coverage, but is also solid at the point of attack in the running game. 
     
25. San Diego: OLB Dee Ford, Auburn – Ford really put himself on the map at the Senior Bowl where he played like a man amongst boys. The Chargers need to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and that’s exactly what Ford will come in and provide off the edge.
     
26. Cleveland (via Indianapolis): G David Yankey, Stanford – Browns desperately need to improve the guard position, and Yankey is best in the draft. Thank you Jim Irsay and the Indianapolis Colts.
     
27. New Orleans: T Morgan Moses, Virginia – The Saints are heading into free agency with last year’s starters at tackle, Zach Strief and Charles Brown, both as unrestricted free agents. One would think the team will look to re-sign Strief and will hope to trot out Terron Armstead as Drew Brees blindside protector, but with the lack of talent at the position on the market the Saints would be wise to draft Moses as insurance in case they cannot bring back Strief.
     
28. Carolina: WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State – Carolina needs to provide Cam Newton with better weapons in the passing game (Steve Smith will be 35 and Brandon LaFell is a FA). Benjamin is a huge target with plenty of room to improve as he continues to mature and come into his own.
     
29. New England: TE Jace Amaro, Texas Tech – Gronk’s banged up & Hernandez’s locked up, time to find another TE for Brady in New England. Amaro will thrive in New England, while catching passes from future Hall of Famer Tom Brady.  
     
30. *MOCK TRADE* Minnesota via San Francisco: QB Derek Carr, Fresno State – Carr is my top QB prospect in this class, though he does occasionally get happy feet in the pocket, which is a concern, but his quick release, strong arm and deceptive athleticism remind me a lot of Aaron Rodgers. Carr isn’t nearly as accurate as Rodgers though, particular on deep balls, but at this pick is Carr is a steal.
     
31. Denver: DE Kony Ealy, Missouri – The Broncos defense was riddled with injuries last year and really took a step back from what they had accomplished as a unit in 2012, particularly in the secondary. Their best corner is a free agent (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie), their second best corner partially tore his ACL in the AFC Championship game (Chris Harris) and Champ Bailey, who will be 36 at the start of next season, is a shell of himself, but I do not have a CB rated high enough to warrant a selection, at this spot. So, instead, I have the Broncos going the Best Player Available route and grabbing Ealy. Ealy and Von Miller should form a dangerous duo in the Mile High City for the foreseeable future.     
     
32. Seattle: G Xavier Su’a-Filo, UCLA – The Hawks do not have many holes, but one area they should attempt to improve is along their offensive line (guard and tackle). Su’a-Filo is a beast and will provide an immediate upgrade over Paul McQuistan who received significant snaps in 2013.
    
    
    ​​​ROUND TWO 
     
33. Houston: DL Ra’Shede Hageman, Minnesota
34. Washington: CB Jason Verrett, TCU
35. Cleveland: RB Carlos Hyde, Ohio State
36. Oakland: DE Scott Crichton, Oregon State
37. Atlanta: DL Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame 
38. Tampa Bay: WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State  
39. Jacksonville: DE Kyle Van Noy, BYU
40. Minnesota: CB Marcus Roberson, Florida  
41. Buffalo: G Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
42. Tennessee: RB Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona
43. NY Giants: RB Tre Mason, Auburn  
44. St. Louis: CB Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State  
45. Detroit: TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
46. Pittsburgh: WR Allen Robinson, Penn State
47. Dallas: DE Trevor Reilly, Utah  
48. Baltimore: T Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
49. NY Jets: WR Odell Beckam Jr., LSU
50. Miami: S Ed Reynolds, Stanford  
51. Chicago: DE Trent Murphy, Stanford
52. Arizona: SS Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois
53. Green Bay: DL Dominique Easley, Florida
54. Philadelphia: CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State
55. Cincinnati: T Jack Mewhort, Ohio State
56. *MOCK TRADE* Minnesota via San Francisco (via Kansas City): G Cyril Richardson, Baylor
57. San Diego: CB Louchiez Purifoy, Florida
58. Indianapolis: CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech   
59. New Orleans: WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
60. Carolina: CB Victor Hampton, South Carolina
61. New England: C Travis Swanson, Arkansas
62. *MOCK TRADE* Minnesota via San Francisco: LB Telvin Smith, Florida State
63. Denver: LB Yawin Smallwood, Connecticut
64. Seattle: DT Will Sutton, Arizona State
    
    
    ROUND THREE
     
65. Houston: LB Chris Borland, Wisconsin
66. Washington: LB Shayne Skov, Stanford
67. Oakland: G Dakota Dozier, Furman
68. Atlanta: DT Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina
69. NY Jets (via Tampa Bay): RB Bishop Sankey, Washington
70. Jacksonville: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois
71. Cleveland: WR Davante Adams, Fresno State
72. Minnesota: WR Jarvis Landry, LSU
73. Buffalo: S Deone Bucannon, Washington State
74. NY Giants: DE Marcus Smith, Louisville
75. St. Louis: OLB Carl Bradford, Arizona State
76. Detroit: WR Paul Richardson, Colorado
77. *MOCK TRADE* Minnesota via San Francisco (via Tennessee): CB Bashaud Breeland, Clemson
78. Dallas: DE Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
79. Baltimore: C Weston Richburg, Colorado State
80. NY Jets: G Anthony Steen, Alabama  
81. Miami: OL Joel Bitonio, Nevada 
82. Chicago: DT Anthony Johnson, LSU
83. Cleveland (via Pittsburgh): LB Christian Jones, Florida State  
84. Arizona: OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech
85. Green Bay: OLB Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State
86. Philadelphia: WR Martavis Bryant, Clemson
87. Kansas City: S Terrence Brooks, Florida State  
88. Cincinnati: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Nebraska  
89. San Diego: CB Keith McGill, Utah
90. Indianapolis: OT Billy Turner, North Dakota State
91. New Orleans: OLB Chris Smith, Arkansas
92. Carolina: S Craig Loston, LSU
93. New England: TE Troy Niklas, Notre Dame
94. San Francisco: CB Terrance Mitchell, Oregon
95. Denver: CB Pierre Desir, Lindenwood
96. Minnesota (via Seattle): DE Kareem Martin, North Carolina
    
    
    ROUND FOUR
     
97. Houston: T JaWaun James, Tennessee
98. Washington: LB Christian Kirksey, Iowa
99.  Atlanta: G Brandon Thomas, Clemson
100.  Tampa Bay: TE CJ Fiedorowicz, Iowa
101.  Jacksonville: RB Jeremy Hill, LSU
102.  Cleveland: WR Robert Herron, Wyoming
103.  Oakland: DL DaQuan Jones, Penn State
104.  Minnesota: QB AJ McCarron, Alabama
105.  Buffalo: WR Donte Moncrief, Mississippi
106.  St. Louis: QB Zach Mettenberger, LSU
107.  Detroit: RB Lache Seastrunk, Baylor
108.  Tennessee: QB Aaron Murray, Georgia
109.  NY Giants: CB Jaylen Watkins, Florida
110.  Jacksonville (via Baltimore): C Marcus Martin, USC
111.  NY Jets: CB E.J. Gaines, Missouri
112.  Miami: CB Ross Cockrell, Duke
113.  Chicago: SS Ahmad Dixon, Baylor 
114.  Pittsburgh: S Dion Bailey, USC
115.  Dallas: S Kenny Ladler, Vanderbilt
116.  Arizona: RB Terrance West, Towson
117.  Green Bay: LB Jordan Tripp, Montana
118.  Philadelphia: DT Ego Ferguson,  LSU
119.  Cincinnati: RB Charles Sims, West Virginia
120.  Kansas City: LB Lamin Barrow, LSU
121.  San Diego: WR Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin
122.  New Orleans: LB Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA
123.  Cleveland (via Indianapolis): RB Devonta Freeman, Florida State
124.  Carolina: DE Will Clarke, West Virginia
125.  San Francisco: NT Daniel McCullers, Tennessee
126.  New England: NT Justin Ellis, Louisiana Tech
127.  Denver: G Chris Watt, Notre Dame
128.  Seattle: WR Mike Davis, Texas

For more 2014 NFL Draft insight find me on Twitter @KayvonPadidar