2014 Rookie Mock Draft

Ryan McDowell Posted On June 5, 2013

The 2012 NFL Draft has come and gone – that means many of us dynasty fanatics have also already participated in our rookie drafts. With those drafts now in our rearview mirror, let’s waste no time in getting to know the class of 2014.

For the past several months, anyone in the know has been saying the same thing, be it on Twitter, the DLF Forums or just in general conversations…stock up on 2014 rookie picks. Part of the reason for that sentiment is the perceived weakness of this current rookie class, but the main reason is the legitimacy of the players who could make up 2014 rookie drafts. We’ll take a look at what a 2014 first round rookie draft might look like, while taking a deeper look at each position along the way.

Quarterback

The time a year ago, many considered the 2013 quarterback class to be very deep, while having some big names at the top as well. Now, we know that many of those players faltered along the way, while others opted to stay in school an additional year. So, while the quarterback class of 2014 looks very strong, dynasty owners must realize many things can change over the course of the next year. With that in mind, next year’s class of throwers looks top heavy with a handful of quarterbacks likely to hear their name called on day one of the draft. As usual, being a first round pick in the NFL draft is not enough to earn the status as an equally high pick in dynasty rookie drafts, but it can’t hurt. In 2014 rookie drafts, expect a year similar to 2012 when we saw quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III routinely being selected among the top five picks.

Running Back

Many experts are already declaring the running back class of 2014 to be fairly weak, especially in comparison to the depth of the current class. While this may end up being true, it is always a lock that nearly half of the first round of a dynasty rookie draft will be made up of running backs. The class may lack depth, but there are a variety of backs, some with the potential to be a traditional three down backs, while others act as wide receivers out of the backfield.

Wide Receiver

The wide receiver class of 2014 looks very deep, even after one of the top wide receiver prospects, Arizona’s Austin Hill suffered a torn ACL, which will keep him out for much (if not all) of the 2013 season. The wide receiver group features a strong top two players who some are already comparing to the class of 2011 which featured the Bengals AJ Green and the Falcons Julio Jones coming off the board in the top three selections of nearly every rookie draft. The wideout group also has plenty of depth.

Tight End

When planning out options on how to use a first round rookie pick, most dynasty owners rarely consider the tight end position. That will change, at least for the 2014 rookie draft as there will be two elite tight end options likely available in rookie drafts. While the overall tight end class currently seems to lack depth, that is often the case, quite possibly because dynasty owners and draft experts spend more time focusing on other skill positions. There seem to be quality sleeper tight ends emerging every season who can be acquired in the later rounds of rookie drafts.

It is a difficult task to predict what a rookie draft may look like a year out, but that is just what I have attempted. At this point, I see a strong top tier six players deep. After those six, I could see any of the players in the latter half of this mock being exchanged for players found in the honorable mention list.

1.01 Marqise Lee, WR USC

Dynasty owners are salivating about the chance to draft Southern Cal wide receiver Marqise Lee for their dynasty team. If you are one of those owners, you’d better have the top overall pick. There is a good chance Lee will be the top pick is nearly every league, especially in PPR formats. Lee is somewhat undersized compared to other top wide receivers in recent years. However, he also possesses elite speed and athleticism to go along with his 6 foot, 195 pound frame. Like elite prospects AJ Green and Calvin Johnson before him, expect Lee to be ranked among the top ten to fifteen dynasty wide receivers before he plays a down in the NFL.

1.02 Sammy Watkins, WR CLEM

After an impressive freshman campaign that landed him at the top of the list of 2014 draft prospects, Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins endured a tumultuous 2013 season. Watkins was arrested on a drug possession charge and, as a result, was suspended for the Tigers first two games. Watkins later dealt with some minor injuries that cost him game time. In the end, Watkins gained 57 catches for just over 700 yards and three scores – all were down from his freshman season. Even with all those negatives, Watkins remains an elite prospect, especially considering he has quarterback Tahj Boyd back for another season and DeAndre Hopkins’ targets available now that he has moved on to the Houston Texans.

1.03 Lache Seastrunk, RB BAY

Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk had a rough beginning to his college career. As a five star recruit, he landed at Oregon but was the focus of an NCAA investigation surrounding his recruitment. Seastrunk left the team amid the controversy and transferred to Baylor. In his first year with the Bears, Seastrunk had a phenomenal year, in which he was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. He finished with just under 1,000 total yards and already made claims he will win the Heisman Trophy in 2013. Seastrunk’s measurables are off the charts, including a 44.2 inch vertical jump and a 4.36 40 time.

1.04 Jeremy Hill, RB LSU

LSU running back Jeremy Hill is another talented player who has had a brush with the law. Hill was involved in a bar fight and has been indefinitely suspended from the team. He has had other legal trouble in the past and is already on probation prior to the altercation in the Baton Rouge bar. Hill took over as the starter midway through his freshman season and the Tiger offense really took off. In the season’s final seven games Hill started, he amassed nearly 700 rushing yards and ten touchdowns. Obviously, this is a situation to monitor to be sure Hill will even be reinstated to the team.

1.05 Teddy Bridgewater, QB UL

Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater wasted no time in claiming the starting position during his true freshman season. He followed that up by leading the Cardinals to a Sugar Bowl championship, while throwing for over 3,400 yards and 25 touchdowns. Bridgewater is already being hyped by some as the potential top overall draft choice in the 2014 NFL Draft, but unlike some other top players, he is downplaying a potential Heisman campaign in 2014, asking the school to focus all promotions on the team as a whole. Bridgewater has also displayed his toughness, playing through a broken wrist and a sprained ankle to lead the Cardinals to late season victories. Thanks to the quick success of quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, owners should not be concerned with spending a high rookie pick on the quarterback position.

1.06 Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE UW

The top tight end of the 2014 class is expected to be Washington’s Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but like many others on this list, he has had off the field troubles. In March, Seferian-Jenkins was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. The Huskies have suspended the huge tight end indefinitely, but head coach Steve Sarkisian has defended his top offensive weapon, pointing out this was his first off the field incident. Following the success of basketballers turned tight ends like Tony Gonzalez and Jimmy Graham, may dynasty owners are looking for the next power forward who could perform as a stud on the gridiron. Look no further as Seferian-Jenkins also plays hoops for the Huskies. Even with the blemish of a DUI, look for ASJ to be reinstated and be the top tight end off the board in 2014.

1.07 DeAnthony Thomas, RB ORE

For many years, there were college players of all shapes and sizes who had successful careers, but once the time came for these players to enter the NFL, there opportunity was not there. If a player did not fit the mold of an ideal running back, they were often not afforded a chance at all. Over the past few seasons, we have seen a change in the NFL. Teams seem to be more willing to install plays in their offense for these talented players. Saints running back Darren Sproles has become a PPR dynamo, despite tallying few carries. Just weeks ago, wide receiver Tavon Austin was a top ten draft pick, even at 5’9” and 175 pounds. All of this could lead to Oregon running back DeAnthony Thomas earning a spot early in the 2014 draft. Thomas is a 5’9” 178 pound playmaker, who is also a track star for the Ducks. If we see big things from Austin during his rookie season, expect Thomas to also be a top rookie pick as owners try to catch lightning in a bottle.

1.08 Tahj Boyd, QB CLEM

Following the down quarterback class of this season, many NFL teams (as well as dynasty teams) will be looking for new quarterbacks. Most draft analysts expected Clemson quarterback Tahj Boyd to enter the draft in 2013 and some even pegged him as the potential top overall pick. There will be more competition for that honor next year with Bridgewater and South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney currently the favorites, but Boyd will be a high draft pick if he has a repeat of his 2012 performance. Boyd accounted for 46 touchdowns for the Tigers, both through the air and as a runner. With the popularity of running quarterbacks, he will be an attractive rookie pick in dynasty leagues.

1.09 Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M

Redshirt freshman Mike Evans exploded onto the scene for the Texas A&M Aggies in 2012, though many might not be aware of him. This is because a fellow freshman teammate had an even better season, as quarterback Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy. Evans did lead the team with 75 receptions and over 1,000 receiving yards, both freshman records at the school. Evans is a huge target for Manziel, at 6’4” and 225 pounds. Expect the pair to form the top quarterback-wide receiver duo in the country in 2013, and both will likely take their talents to the NFL.

1.10 Jordan Matthews, WR VAN

Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews is a big target and the main offensive weapon for the Commodore offense. In 2012, he set the school record for receiving yardage on his way to being named first team All-SEC. Many expected Matthews to enter the draft, especially considering he was losing his teammate and quarterback, Jordan Rodgers. Instead, he is back and most rank him as the top senior wide receiver in the country. Although Matthews is not the fastest player, at 6’3” and weighing over 200 pounds, Matthews plays physical, not flashy – this could cause him to fall down the board and dynasty owners hope to hit a home run. Expect Matthews to be considered one of the safest rookie picks a year from now.

1.11 Ka’Deem Carey, RB ARI

This is becoming a trend I don’t like. Arizona running back Ka’Deem Carey is yet another player who had had run ins with the law, the most serious of which resulted in his arrest for domestic violence involving his pregnant girlfriend. In a much less serious situation, Carey was removed from a Wildcat basketball game after arguing with event staff and police. Carey is obviously talented, as he led the nation in rushing as a true sophomore, but these charges are serious. Hopefully, he can turn things around before his career is lost. Like the others before him, monitor this situation closely before you spend a developmental pick or a rookie pick on the dynamic runner.

1.12 Silas Redd, RB USC

Following his transfer from Penn State a year ago, running back Silas Redd took over as the Trojans go-to runner, gaining over 900 rushing yards and nine scores, despite dealing with a nagging ankle injury. Redd has also dealt with injuries this off-season, undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee. He is expected to be back to full strength by July and is the favorite to start at running back his senior season. If injuries continue to pile up, Redd’s stock will obviously be affected in this deep rookie class, but for now, he holds down the final spot in this first round mock.

Honorable Mention

Quarterbacks

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

Aaron Murray, UGA

AJ McCarron, ALA

Marcus Mariotta, ORE

David Fales, SJSU

Brett Hundley, UCLA

Logan Thomas, VAT

Running Backs

Joe Bergeron, TEX

Melvin Gordon, WISC

LaDarius Perkins, MSU

James Wilder Jr., FSU

James White, WISC

Bishop Sankey, UW

Jay Ajayi, BOI

Wide Receivers

Devin Street, PIT

Cody Hoffman, BYU

DeVante Parker, UL

Malcolm Mitchell, UGA

Paul Richardson, COL

Devante Adams, FRESNO

Tight Ends

Colt Lyeria, ORE

Author
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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.