NFL Mock Draft 2014: Saints, Drew Brees Get Another Weapon

Not much has occurred since my second mock draft was posted and therefore not many changes have been made. However if the Cleveland Browns end up losing center Alex Mack (they just matched an offer from the Jacksonville Jaguars), then a good-sized domino effect starting from the top of the draft could occur. But for now, here are my latest predictions for the first round of the NFL draft.

1. Houston Texans - Jadaveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

2. St. Louis Rams - Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

4. Cleveland Browns - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

5. Oakland Raiders - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

6. Atlanta Falcons - Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

8. Minnesota Vikings - Blake Bortles, QB, UCF

9. Buffalo Bills - Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

10. Detroit Lions - Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

11. Tennessee Titans - Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

12. New York Giants - Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

13. St. Louis Rams - Darqueze Denard, CB, Michigan State

14. Chicago Bears - Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State

16. Dallas Cowboys - Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

17. Baltimore Ravens - Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

18. New York Jets - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU

19. Miami Dolphins - Zach Martin, OT, Notre Dame

20. Arizona Cardinals - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

21. Philadelphia Eagles - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

22. Green Bay Packers - C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama

23. Kansas City Chiefs - Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville

24. Cincinnati Bengals - Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State

25. San Diego Chargers - Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

26. Cleveland Browns - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

27. New Orleans Saints - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

While I would rather the Saints take a top-level cornerback in the first round, I don't believe any of the "best" corners will be available. No matter though because either Kelvin Benjamin or Marqise Lee (or both) very well could be sitting around for the taking.

Between the two, I prefer Benjamin because he is a monstrous receiver with an unreal catch radius. His 4.61 40-yard time at 6'5", 240 lbs isn't too shabby either. In his final year at Florida State, Benjamin caught 54 passes for 1011 yards (18.7 yards per catch) and had 15 touchdowns. He was Jameis Winston's top target and would certainly coincide well with Jimmy Graham on the Saints.

My other top options for the Saints at this pick are Dee Ford, Marqise Lee, and Ryan Shazier.

28. Carolina Panthers - Marqise Lee, WR, USC

29. New England Patriots - Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

30. San Francisco 49ers - Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame

31. Denver Broncos - Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn

32. Seattle Seahawks - Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State