2014 NFL Free Agency: Value Players That May Be Targeted by Buccaneers’ GM Jason Licht by Leo Howell

Aug 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley (32) tries on the trophy after defeating Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2013 Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome. Alabama won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 NFL Draft is just a few months away, so with Senior Bowl reports filling the headlines and rumors of players coming and going during the offseason starting to pick up, it’s time to start thinking about mock drafts.

There are two different ways to do mock drafts. A mock drafter can predict what he thinks will happen, or he can draft as if he were the GM. In this mock, I did the latter. That means you won’t see Johnny Manziel, who I believe is a day three talent in the draft.

I provided a bit of background on the first ten picks, but I am always happy to explain any of my picks. Post any questions or comments in the comment section under the article, and I’ll respond. I follow the Buccaneers more closely than I do any other team, so my knowledge of other teams isn’t as strong, so if your team is listed with a questionable pick, just let me know.

For any players I wasn’t familiar with, I referred to the scouting reports and rankings found at CBS Sports.

1. Houston Texans

Teddy Bridgewater

Quarterback, Louisville

Matt Schaub and Case Keenum are not the answer for a new coach looking to make a positive first impression.

2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)

Sammy Watkins

Wide Receiver, Clemson

Watkins is everything the Rams wanted to get from Tavon Austin and then some. He’s got very good hands in space and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. The short passing game with Sam Bradford adds another weapon.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jadeveon Clowney

Defensive End, South Carolina

There are more holes in Jacksonville than just the QB position. Clowney is the best player in this draft, and the Jaguars are a smart team, building for the long-term.

4. Cleveland Browns

Blake Bortles

Quarterback, UCF

I know most people believe Johnny Manziel will be the pick here, but I am drafting as if I was the GM. I believe Bortles is a much better quarterback than Manziel, and he’s the pick for the Browns.

5. Oakland Raiders

Jake Matthews

Tackle, Texas A&M

The Raiders need to start laying a foundation for what their team will be when it’s hopefully successful in the future. A franchise player at tackle is a key part of that foundation.

6. Atlanta Falcons

Anthony Barr

Linebacker, UCLA

The Falcons were a mess on defense this season, so Mike Smith looks to save his defensive reputation by adding an electric athlete as a pass rusher.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

C.J. Mosley

Linebacker, Alabama

Mason Foster was the right fit for Greg Schiano’s aggressive, downhill defense in 2012 and 2013, but he’ll struggle if he’s asked to do anything resembling what Lovie Smith has asked of his MLBs in the past. Foster remains a contributor at SLB while Mosley roams the middle of the field.

8. Minnesota Vikings

Kony Ealy

Defensive End, Missouri

Ealy has shot up lots of draft boards recently, and he may be the right man to replace Jared Allen for a new regime in Minnesota.

9. Buffalo Bills

Mike Evans

Wide Receiver, Texas A&M

The weapons in Buffalo all seem like secondary options waiting for a top wide receiver to complete the set. Mike Evans is that guy.

10. Detroit Lions

Darqueze Dennard

Cornerback, Michigan State

The Lions need to solidify their defensive backfield, so they add the best corner in this class.

11. Tennessee Titans

Khalil Mack

Linebacker, Buffalo

12. New York Giants

Greg Robinson

Tackle, Auburn

13. St. Louis Rams

Taylor Lewan

Tackle, Michigan

14. Chicago Bears

Hasean Clinton-Dix

Safety, Alabama

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Justin Gilbert

Cornerback, Oklahoma State

16. Baltimore Ravens

Marqise Lee

Wide Receiver, USC

17. Dallas Cowboys

RaShede Hageman

Defensive Tackle, Minnesota

18. New York Jets

Eric Ebron

Tight End, UNC

19. Miami Dolphins

Zach Martin

Offensive Lineman, Notre Dame

20. Arizona Cardinals

Cyrus Kouandjio

Tackle, Alabama

21. Green Bay Packers

Louis Nix III

Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame

22. Philadelphia Eagles

Trent Murphy

Linebacker, Stanford

23. Kansas City Chiefs

Allen Robinson

Wide Receiver, Penn State

24. Cincinnati Bengals

Ryan Shazier

Linebacker, Ohio State

25. San Diego Chargers

Jason Verrett

Cornerback, TCU

26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis)

David Yankey

Guard, Stanford

27. New Orleans Saints

Scott Crichton

Defensive End, Oregon State

28. Carolina Panthers

Kelvin Benjamin

Wide Receiver, Florida State

29. New England Patriots

Stephon Tuitt

Defensive Tackle, Norte Dame

30. San Francisco 49ers

Marcus Roberson

Cornerback, Florida

31. Denver Broncos

Louchiez Purifoy

Cornerback, Florida

32. Seattle Seahawks

Jace Amaro

Tight End, Texas Tech

For more mock drafts, check out the following sites:

SportsJabber

Walter Football

Hail Redskins Mock Draft Database