NFL: 2014 Draft Review

[Big Poppa Puck]

With the down time and everyone stuck in the house I thought we bring these back to past the time. A review for your teams draft from the given year.

A quick search tells me the last one we did was for the 2013 draft. So I'll start with 2014 today and over the next few days do one for 15 and 16 (should we do 17 too? It's been 3 seasons) as well.

I'll start in post #2 with my Vikings.

Click to read more...

 

[Big Poppa Puck]

Round 1 (pick 9): Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
-Has his ups and down, but still has played at a Pro Bowl level at times. Can't complain.
A-

Round 1 (pick 32): Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
-Looked like he was gonna be at least an above average QB, then his knee exploded. Finally getting a chance to start again in Carolina in 2020, but the Vikings just couldn't commit to him and moved on to Cousins by the time he was healthy.
B- (really INC due to injury)

Round 3 (pick 72): Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State
-Bust. Hung around a few years, mostly as a healthy scratch.
F

Round 3 (pick 96): Jerick McKinnon, RB, Georgia Southern
- The was the other Percy Harvin pick (Xavier Rhodes the year before being the other). Very good complementary piece and filled in admirably during Peterson's injury/suspension years and then after Cook got hurt in 2017. Moved on to SF for big money and hasn't played a snap for them in 2 years due to injury.
A

Round 5 (pick 145): David Yankey, G, Stanford
-scrub.
F

Round 6 (pick 182): Antone Exum, S, Virginia Tech
-Depth/Special Teams guy for a few years. Last seen this year with the Niners. Fine for a 6th rounder.
C

Round 6 (pick 184): Kendall James, CB, Maine
-Nothing.
F

Round 7 (pick 220): Shamar Stephen, DT, Connecticut
-This was a good pick, solid depth guy, left for a year in 2018 and came back this year. Out of place as a starter, but you can't ask for much more out of a 7th.
B

Round 7 (pick 223): Brandon Watts, LB, Georgia Tech
-Was on the roster for two years then gone.
C-

Round 7 (pick 225): Jabari Price, CB,North Carolina
-Practice squad fodder for a couple years.
F-


Overall I'd say this is a C+/B- draft. You got Barr, McKinnon and Stephen who are/were key contributers. Even Bridgewater was on his way to something until the unfortunate injury.

 

[BostonBob]

I'll take my Cowboys.

Round 1 ( 15th overall ) Zack Martin ( Guard ) Notre Dame
Generally considered one of the best Guards in the league Martin was part of arguably the best Offensive lines in Cowboys history. In 6 NFL seasons Martin has played in 6 Pro Bowls and has been named a 1st Team All-Pro 4 times. All I can add is this - thank God Jerry Jones was talked out of taking Johnny Manziel at this spot.

Round 2 ( 34th overall ) Demarcus Lawrence ( DE - Boise State )
The Cowboys traded their 2014 2nd round pick ( 47th overall ) and 2014 3rd round pick ( 78th overall ) to Washington for this pick. Has had a very good ( sometimes outstanding ) 6 years in Dallas with 39 sacks and 156 solo tackles in 80 career games. His best season was in 2017 when he had 14.5 sacks and followed that up the next season with 10.5 sacks. After signing a 5-year extension worth $105 million Lawrence had a very disappointing 2019 season with only 5 sacks and 30 solo tackles. Dallas desparately needs Lawrence to return to his 2017 form this upcoming season.

Round 4 ( 119th overall ) Anthony Hitchens ( LB - Iowa )
Due to injuries ( Sean Lee missed the entire 2014 season ) Hitchens actually started 11 games as a rookie. Lee returned for the 2015 season and Hitchens then became a valuable rotation player in Dallas until signing a 5-year $45 million deal with KC after the 2017 season.

Round 5 ( 146th overall ) Devin Street ( WR ) Pittsburgh
The Cowboys traded their 5th round pick ( 158th overall ) and 2014 7th round pick ( 229th overall ) to Detroit for this pick. As a rookie Street was used sparingly and only had 2 catches for 18 yards. The following season was only slightly better as he had 7 receptions for 144 yards and 1 TD while serving as the Cowboys 5th receiver. Street was cut by the Cowboys during training camp in 2016 and bounced around the league until retiring in 2017.

Round 6 ( 193rd overall )
Dallas traded this pick to KC for LB Edgar Jones ( who only had 5 solo tackles in 7 games with Dallas ) and 2014 7th round pick ( 238th overall )

Round 7 ( multiple picks )
( 231st overall ) Ben Gardner ( DE ) Stanford )
( 238th overall ) Will Smith ( LB ) Texas Tech

Compensatory Picks
( 248th overall )Ahmad Dixon ( S ) Baylor
( 251st overall ) Ken Bishop ( DT ) Northern Illinois - played 5 games in Dallas in 2014 and 2015
( 254th overall ) Terrance Mitchell ( CB ) Oregon



The Cowboys struck gold with their first 2 picks in this draft and overall I would give them an A- grade for the entire draft. Most 2014 re-drafts would have both Martin and Lawrence going in the top 10 or top 15 picks so it's hard to argue too much with what Jerrah and his team did in 2014.

 

[Pestilence]

Lets try Jaguars

Round 1 (pick 3): Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
- Stuck around as the starter for five seasons, but he was still a bust even if he showed promise at times. Took the Jaguars to a Championship game at least.

Round 2 (pick 39): Marqise Lee, WR, USC
- Was good option at receiver for his rookie contract and signed an extension with Jags, but for the last few years he's been struggling with serious injuries. Likely to be cut.

Round 2 (pick 61): Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State
- Was a really good pick and performed well, highlight being 1400 yards and Pro Bowl in 2015, but had a serious injury in his contract year and after that he was gone.

Round 3 (pick 93): Brandon Linder, G (C), Miami
- Has been the starting center for quite long time now and got paid quite well for it. Still with the Jaguars as well, was definitely a hit for a 3rd round pick.

Round 4 (pick 114): Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma
- Started at times but was mostly a backup player for Jags. After his rookie contract has managed to stay in the league but is a replacement-level player, no contract in place for the next year.

Round 5 (pick 144): Telvin Smith, LB, Florida State
- Starter for the Jaguars for a long time, really good pick from the fifth round. Was away last season due to personal issues, which was a big blow for the Jaguars,
and I guess he's not likely to return.

Round 5 (pick 159): Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas
- Backup DE for most of his life, was traded to Cincinnati after a few years. Still bouncing around in the league though.

Round 6 (pick 184): Luke Bowanko, C, Virginia
- Actually started most of his rookie seasons for the Jags, but after that he has mostly been a backup and later a practice squad player, who made some rosters at times because of injuries. Didn't play last year after getting cut in August by Lions.

Round 7 (pick 222): Storm Johnson, RB, UCF
- Joined Bortles from UCF and spent one season on the roster, and after that was cut. Been on some practice squads and in CFL/AAF after that.

Bortles was a disappointment and there are no game changers otherwise, but there are some good picks in the middle.

 

[Kel Varnson]

Round 1 (pick 25): Jason Verrett, CB - TCU
Very talented player with excellent coverage ability. Had a breakout year in 2015 but since then has only managed to play 6 games in 3 seasons. Body has fully given up on him likely done for good unfortunately.

Round 2 (pick 50): Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB - Georgia Tech
Another player who looked poised to be a long-term contributor after a strong sophomore year. Battled injuries himself and fell out of favor when the new coaching staff came in. I believe he signed an extension with the Broncos after signing a prove it deal there last season.

Round 3 (pick 89): Chris Watt, G - Notre Dame
Drafted as a guard was suppose to be our new starting center but the problem was he sucked. Seen as a reach in the 3rd at the time never looked capable of starting in the NFL. Only lasted 2 years on the roster, hasn't found a spot around the league since.

Round 5 (pick 165): Ryan Carrethers, DT - Arkansas State
Looked like a decent find in the 5th as he flashed some ability to get after the passer but wasn't really given a proper chance at a starring role. I believe he had done off field issues which would explain why nobody picked him up after he was cut in 2016.

Round 6 (pick 201): Marion Grice, RB - Arizona State
Didn't even make the team out of camp. Was picked up by the Cardinals and played a depth role for a season. 15 career carries for 41 yards and a score.

Round 7 (pick 240): Tevin Reece, WR - Baylor
Another guy cut out of camp. Never dressed for a game in the NFL.

Probably Tom Telesco's worst draft as a GM. Verrett was a gamble worth taking and looked like a baller for a brief period of time but just couldn't stay healthy. After once again being injured before the season started (this time with the Niners) he's likely done for good. That leaves Attaochu as the only player left in the league from this class.
Grade: D

 

[Halladay]

This is a fun exercise.

Pick 26. Marcus Smith DE/OLB- Not much to write. Terrible pick and barely played. Only played 3 seasons with the team.

F

Pick 42. Jordan Matthews WR - Not a terrible play but the other options there that went after him this is another bad pick. Played three seasons initially before coming back again twice.

D

Pick 84. Josh Huff WR - Couldn't catch but with the ball in his hands he was decent. Got released after getting caught speeding on the Ben Franklin Bridge with marijuana and a hand gun on him. Got released shortly after. Didn't last three seasons.

D

Pick 101 Jaylen Watkins S - Got cut after 1 season, then got brought back in 2015 and played another three seasons but didn't really play except on special teams.

D

Pick 141 Taylor Hart OT - Barely played. Lasted 4 seasons.

F

Pick 162 Ed Reynolds S - Was on the practice squad two years. Had an interception but that was about it.

F

Pick 224 Beau Allen DT - This was actually a great pick. He played 4 seasons for them and was really productive when he played as a rotational defensive tackle. The best pick that year.

A

Overall just a hideous draft by the Eagles.

 

[Finlandia WOAT]

Panthers

Kelvin Benjamin, WR
The best year the Panthers attained during his stint was contemporaneous with KB blowing out his knee in training camp. As it was later discovered this was not entirely coincidental.

Kony Ealy, DE
He played alright in the Super Bowl loss. Traded after a 2016 campaign that convinced Carolina he wasn't more than a serviceable backup.

Trai Turner, G

A crucial cog of Ron Rivera's run option with Cam Newton, Andrew Norwell (who they signed this year as an UDFA) at LG, Matt Kalil at center and Jonathan Stewart at running back. They were the best short yardage run team for a span of ~three years until Newton, Stewart and Kalil all succumbed to the injuries inherent in such a brutal game.

Tre Boston, S

Alright to mediocre, best known for being a crucial part of Carolina's awful secondary the last couple of years.

Bene Benwikere, CB

Another mediocre dback.

Those are the only notable entries.

 

[Voight]

That first round actually turned out pretty good.

Top 10 wise all are still in the league except Robinson (lol) and Gilbert.

 

[Bobby Orrtuzzo]

St. Louis Rams

Round 1 (Pick No. 2 overall): T Greg Robinson, Auburn: You all know how this played out

Round 1 (Pick No. 13 overall): DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh: Not much to say other than became (and still is) the best player from the draft.

Round 2 (Pick No. 41 overall) DB Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State: Was a very good slot corner/safety in his Rams tenure, now in Oakland

Round 3 (Pick No. 75 overall): RB Tre Mason, Auburn: Had a solid rookie year, not so great second year, and hasn’t been seen since

Round 4 (Pick No. 110 overall): S Maurice Alexander, Utah State: Was just ok for the Rams, went to Seattle and Buffalo last year.

Round 6 (Pick No. 188 overall): CB E.J. Gaines, Missouri: Was actually pretty good for the Rams for a few years, then bounced to Buffalo, Cleveland, and then back to Buffalo.

Round 6 (Pick No. 214 overall): QB Garrett Gilbert, SMU: Nothing really to report, was a backup and nothing much else.

Round 7 (Pick No. 226 overall): T Mitchell Van Dyk, Portland State: Bounced around time a few teams training camps, nothing of note

Round 7 (Pick No. 241 overall): S Christian Bryant, Ohio State: Same as Van Dyk, but managed to at least stay on a few practice squads.

Round 7 (Pick No. 249 overall): DE Michael Sam, Missouri: One of the most polarizing picks, was a practice squad guy for a year for the Rams and another year with the cowboys, hasn’t been seen since.

Round 7 (Pick No. 250 overall): C Demetrius Rhaney, Tennessee State: Rotational guy who stuck around a couple years, then bounced around between NFL practice squads, the AAF, CFL, and XFL.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Wow, what a wonderful exercise. Can’t wait to give the input on the rest of my Giants drafts being this was one of the better ones

Round 1 (12th): Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU - could have had Aaron Donald. Instead, drafted this headcase who despite all his accolades and fantasy numbers, led the Giants to only one playoff game in which he forgot to show up b/c the entire WR corps decided to go on a boat.

Lost a fight against a kickers net, cried, changed his hair color, set a Giants record for consecutive unsportsmanlike penalties in a row, kicked field goals from 15 yards out during pregames, threw the QB and owner under the bus, was seen on film with a prostitute in bed with a white power substance and was misunderstood.

My awesome GM named Dave Gettleman didn’t resign him to trade him so resigned him to destroy our cap and then trade him.

Round 2 (43rd): Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State - he made a few blocks, got injured, left for San Fran and got hurt there

Round 3 (74th): Jay Bromley, DT, Syracuse - he said he was as good as Aaron Donald so backed his mouth up with 2 sacks over 5 years.

Round 4 (113th): Andre Williams, RB, Boston College - he couldn’t dodge a tree without running straight into it.

Round 5 (152nd): Nat Behre, S, San Diego State - he should have been given a handicap sticker from day one b/c he always hurt and limping around

Round 5 (174th, compensatory): Devon Kennard, LB, USC - this guy could actually play at times so we let him go to the Lions and have yet to replace him. The Giants might just play without linebackers this year.

Round 6 (187th): Bennett Jackson, CB, Notre Dame - we’re not sure if we ever gave him a helmet to practice with.

I look forward to reviewing more Giants classes.


Thanks

 

[HisIceness]

Kelvin Benjamin should have been a star player in the league, at the very least a pro-bowler. At first it looked like he would develop into that but then he got injured and missed a whole season, which just so happened to be the franchises best season ever, and then he came back and looked good at first but it was clear he was overweight and couldn't get separation despite being 6 foot 5. Then he got traded to Buffalo, talked shit about the Panthers and Cam, and fell out of the league.

Bene Benwikere was okay at first but then became the victim of Julio Jones in 2016. His Wikipedia page would often get edited to reflect that Jones was his father. He was supposed to be next man up after Josh Norman left but that game pretty much showed everyone what a disaster that decision had become. He got cut after that game and bounced around the league a few times.

Tre Boston is okay, nothing special. Kind of surprised the Panthers brought him back, but whatever.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Chicago Bears Draft Review

1st Round (14th overall) - CB Kyle Fuller
- A two time Pro Bowler and 2018 1st Team All Pro ,, Great success

2nd Round (51st overall) - DT Ego Ferguson
- Showed flashes of promise in year 1 but then did jackshit outside of getting suspended for PED's. Was out of NFL after just 3 years

3rd round (82nd overall - DT Will Sutton
- Showed nothing with Bears managing though to stick around as reserve for 3 years. Was out of NFL after that and played in AAF and XFL recently

4th round (117th overall) - RB Ka'Deem Carey
- Like Ferguson and Sutton lasted just 3 years in Chicago and in NFL. Was ok depth player (Mainly 3rd string RB) , Ended up in CFL

4th Round (131st overall) - SS Brock Vereen
- Started a few games as rookie and had some ok moments but quickly fell off depth chart and out of organization/league after sophmore season

6th Round (183rd overall) - QB David Fales
- Hasn't played much but has built career in NFL following Adam Gase around and is Jets current backup

6th Round (191st overall) - P Pat O'Donnell
- Has been the Bears punter for last 6 seasons

7th Round (246th overall) - LT Charles Leno
- Absolutely amazing value in 7th round as Leno has been starting LT for Bears for 5 years now and was Pro Bowler in 2018

Hit on 1st round , Struck out thru most of rest of draft before finding gem in Leno and stable punter in later rounds

 

[Roof Daddy]

Wow, what a wonderful exercise. Can’t wait to give the input on the rest of my Giants drafts being this was one of the better ones

Round 1 (12th): Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU -

Lost a fight against a kickers net, cried, changed his hair color, set a Giants record for consecutive unsportsmanlike penalties in a row, kicked field goals from 15 yards out during pregames, threw the QB and owner under the bus, was seen on film with a prostitute in bed with a white power substance and was misunderstood.

Dude’s got himself an interesting fetish. All I can think of is Clayton Bigsby.