The closer it gets to the 2014 NFL Draft, the more and more likely it appears that the Houston Texans will select Jadeveon Clowney first overall. That’s the blueprint for the XN Sports Mock Draft 2.0.
Houston Chronicle NFL beat reporter John McClain remains steadfast the Texans will draft a quarterback with the top pick, though. His logic: it’s the team’s more glaring need.
The Texans have a desperate need for a quarterback. They’re coming off a 2-14 season, and they must generate some life into a carcass that’s been picked apart. Nothing revitalizes an organization like a quarterback drafted in the first round.
I don’t think the Texans will reach on a quarterback. I believe by the time the first round starts on May 8, they’ll have one of the quarterbacks ranked high enough to justify the pick.
McClain added the team may take a page out of the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers draft strategy and pick a quarterback backed on potential. Neither Russell Wilson or Colin Kaepernick were hyped as first-round picks, but both now engineer title-contending offenses.
Who fits that mold this year? McClain suggests either Blake Bortles or Johnny Manziel.
Onto the second overall pick, where there is uncertainty as well.
According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the Rams could still draft Jake Matthews with the No. 2 pick. Most mock drafts, including XN Sports, project the team to take fast-rising Greg Robinson at that spot, as his stock has increased while Matthews’ has fallen off.
There’s still a chance St. Louis makes a trade out of that spot, with a lot riding on what Houston does. The market is expected to develop quickly if the Texans nab a quarterback and Clowney is still on the board.
According to Sports Illustrated, St. Louis has had “flirtatious calls” from teams that would are entertaining the notion of making into the second spot. Per the report, calls have gone like this:  “Hey, if our player is there at 2, this is what we’re going to offer.’ I think it will get more serious.'”
A pair of wide receivers have scheduled visits for the week ahead. USC’s Marqise Lee visited with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday and will travel to meet with the Carolina Panthers. He has two more private workouts scheduled, but refused to name the teams.
USC WR Marqise Lee tells PFT Live he’ll be visiting the Panthers and Saints. He has had two private workouts but declined to name teams.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 4, 2014
LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr. will meet a pair of AFC East sqauds in the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets this week.
#Bills (No.9 pick) and #Jets (18) to host LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr. next week. #NFLDraft
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 4, 2014
Lee is expected to fall to the Jets at No. 18 and Beckham is expected to land with the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 23 in the latest XN Sports Mock Draft.
