Expected contract totals are courtesy of
overthecap.com. All 1st round
contracts are over the course of 4 years.
Houston Texans:
Jadeveon Clowney
- After weeks and weeks of rumors that had Houston trading out of the no. 1 spot, ultimately they decide to stay home and take Clowney.
- In Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 base defense, he will inherit a rush linebacker role early on, perhaps even on the same side as JJ Watt.
- Brooks Reed and Whitney Mercilus – the incumbent OLB’s – will battle it out for the other spot.
Expected Contract Total Value: $24.27 Million
Signing Bonus: $15.97 Million
St. Louis Rams:
Greg Robinson
- No surprises at the top 2 spots.
- The Rams grab a mauling run blocker who could play both LT/RT in 2014.
- Jake Long’s return from a torn ACL/MCL (suffered in December) will eventually determine Robinson’s short-term position.
- He projects as the future at left tackle.
Expected Contract Total Value: $23.19 Million
Signing Bonus: $15.18
Million
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Blake Bortles:
- First surprise of the night.
- GM David Caldwell gets his franchise QB and can finally put the Chad Henne/Blaine Gabbert era behind him and his fan base.
- It could be argued that Bortles would still be on the board heading into day 2 but you never know where Cleveland or Minnesota had him on their wish lists.
- Jacksonville needs to surround this kid with talent – Cecil Shorts and Ace Sanders are JAX’s projected starting WRs.
Expected Contract Total Value: $22.49 Million
Signing Bonus: $14.68
Million
Buffalo Bills:
(traded with Cleveland)
Sammy Watkins:
- Cleveland gets a 2015 1st and 5th rounder plus the Bills 2014 1st round pick (no. 9 overall) in exchange for the 4th pick.
- The Bills spent a 2nd and 3rd round pick in ’13 on receivers Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin respectively so this one comes as a surprise to me.
- With that being said, the Bills were 29th in yards after the catch last year so Watkins specialty will be put to good use.
- Stevie Johnson could have played his last game as a Bill.
Expected Contract Total Value: $21.7 Million
Signing Bonus: $14.1
Million
Oakland Raiders:
Khalil Mack
- At 5, and with a ton of needs, the Raiders stay true to their board and take the best player available in Mack.
- Mack will compete with Kevin Burnett for the weak-side linebacker role in the 4-3 base D.
- Sio Moore operates on the strong side.
Expected Contract Total Value: $20.32 Million
Signing Bonus: $13.1 Million
Atlanta Falcons:
Jake Matthews:
- Falcons “most likely” would have preferred to get their hands on Mack or Robinson but Matthews is a fine consolation prize.
- His versatility across the offensive line suits the Falcons well giving them multiple options with the young tackle.
- The best bet is Matthews will push Lamar Holmes (struggled mightily in ’13) for the starting RT spot in ’14.
Signing Bonus: $11.3 Million
Tampa Bay Bucs:
Mike Evans
- Bucs now have a dynamic double-threat on the outside with V-Jax and Evans (both 6 foot 5 inches) and a decent tight end in Brandon Myers for Josh McCown to work with.
- Don’t be surprised if the Bucs go WR again this weekend; they don’t have a legit no. 3 receiver on this roster.
Expected Contract Total Value: $15.87 Million
Signing Bonus: $9.86 Million
Cleveland
Browns: (traded with Minnesota)
Justin Gilbert
- MIN moves from no. 8 to no. 9 spot.
- Minnesota receives a 2014 5th round pick from Cleveland.
- No. 2 corner spot, opposite of Joe Haden, was huge need for Browns.
- Gilbert most athletic corner in draft but not a finished product.
- Should benefit from working with HC Mike Pettine, who has coached some of the better corners in the NFL – Revis. Antonio Cromartie, Stephon Gilmore, Leodis McKelvin.
- Should be no. 2 corner on opening day.
Expected Contract Total Value: $13.89 Million
Signing Bonus: $8.42 Million
Minnesota Vikings
Anthony Barr
- Vikings 5.8 sack % was 22nd in NFL in 2013.
- Barr brings 10 plus sack potential to the table year 1.
- Somewhat raw, seems to be one-trick pony rushing the passer.
- Could start as hybrid DE in 4-3 base or take over as SAM LB.
Expected Contract Total Value: $13.79 Million
Signing Bonus: $8.35 Million
Detroit Lions
Eric Ebron
- Even after signing tight end Brandon Pettigrew to a 4-yr, $16 million extension, the Lions go tight end at 10.
- Former Saints QB coach, Joe Lombardi, is now OC in Detriot – could be looking to replicate Jimmy Graham role for Ebron.
- Ebron not a polished blocker - will most likely line up in the slot and surrender early down snaps to Pettigrew.
Expected Contract Total Value: $13.25 Million
Signing Bonus: $7.95 Million
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