By: Marques Eversoll

Mock drafts are funny. People who are plugged into the draft treat mocks like gospel; People who aren’t as invested in the draft eschew their very existence. The anti-draft crowd is quick to point out that no projection turns out to be correct, so therefore, all mock drafts are worthless.

Well, sure. But then, why do you watch sports?

Do you wish sports were predictable?

The unpredictability of the NFL Draft – and sports, for that matter – is what makes it interesting. On any given Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars can beat the New England Patriots. And on any given Draft Day – whether it’s on a Thursday or Saturday in April or March – anything can happen.

I’ve never projected trades in past mock drafts because it gets tricky. One trade-up flips the entire projection upside-down. At the same time, one wrong prediction can alter the rest of the mock, so I figured I’d throw some trades in there for the first time.

I can’t remember a draft with more uncertainties. The trades make sense to me. Obviously, they won’t all happen, and there will undoubtedly be trades that I did not project. But either way—expect the unexpected. Draft day 2014 will be fun.

1. Houston Texans – DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina

Less than 24 hours away from the draft, I’m about 50/50 on whether or not the Texans make the No. 1 pick. Khalil Mack may be the better fit, schematically, but two things make this decision easy – Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt.

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

If I were making the pick, it’d be Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins. The Rams spent an early first-round pick on Tavon Austin last year and took his college teammate Stedman Bailey in the third round. They’ve invested heavily at wideout, so they opt for O-Line.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars – WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson

It’s hard to win games when you can’t score points. And while Khalil Mack would be phenomenal in Gus Bradley’s versatile defense, Watkins is the best receiver prospect since A.J. Green. Help out Chad Henne – or whoever is playing quarterback.

4. Cleveland Browns – WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M

Many people will expect a Texas A&M player to come off the board here, but it smells like the Browns would prefer Evans to Manziel. Having Josh Gordon on one side and Evans on the other would make life easier for whoever is taking snaps.

5. Atlanta Falcons – OLB Khalil Mack, Buffalo (Trade / OAK)

This is a prime trade spot. The Raiders only have four picks in the Top 200, so they’ll look to move down and acquire more picks. Atlanta’s had discussions about moving up to No. 1, so it’s clear trading up is an option. They can swap picks with the Raiders, surrendering only a mid-round pick to guarantee they get Mack.

6. Oakland Raiders – OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M (Trade / ATL)

The Falcons can swap picks with the Raiders, surrendering only a mid-round pick to guarantee they get Mack. Oakland, starving for more picks, would be happy with either Mack or a top offensive tackle in that situation. This works out nicely.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

Reports suggest head coach Lovie Smith would prefer his team draft Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald, but if management wants Manziel, then Manziel it’ll be. He may win the starting job, but he wouldn’t be forced into the lineup with Josh McCown around.

8. New York Giants – DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh (Trade / MIN)

If the board falls like this, the Vikings would do everything they could to move down. Minnesota could use Donald or Anthony Barr, but a cornerback several picks later makes more sense, considering the additional picks they’d get in return. The Giants’ defensive front would get back to its dominant ways by adding Donald to the rotation.

9. Buffalo Bills – OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan

There’s been talk about Eric Ebron going in the Top 10, either to the Bills at No. 9 or the Lions at 10, but I can’t see Buffalo neglecting its needs on the offensive line with a young quarterback like E.J. Manuel. Lewan is nasty, and that’s what the Bills need.

10. Detroit Lions – OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA

He’s raw, but he’ll only get better as he’s still getting his feet wet on the defensive side of the ball after starting his college career as a fullback. Detroit needs serious help in the secondary, and despite being tempted by Eric Ebron, the Lions need to go defense.

11. San Francisco 49ers – WR Odell Beckham Jr., LSU (Trade / TEN)

Whoa. It’s been rumored that the 49ers were looking to move into the Top 5 to take Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans, but Beckham would be a more realistic option, while still adding another dimension to the offense. The 49ers are loaded with picks, so they certainly have what it takes to make this happen, if they so choose.

12. Minnesota Vikings – CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State (Trade / NYG)

The Vikings may very well consider Gilbert at No. 8, although I would not, but moving down four spots and getting him here would be a nice move. Competing against Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery and Calvin Johnson and whoever is a tall order. The Vikings need people who can cover.

13. Baltimore Ravens – S Calvin Pryor, Louisville (Trade / STL)
A rare move by the Ravens, who typically stand pat at their spot or move down to add more picks. Baltimore moves up to grab another fast, hard-hitting safety to pair with last year’s top pick Matt Elam. Fines may keep coming, but Elam and Pryor would strike fear into opponents.

14. Chicago Bears – S HaHa Clinton-Dix, Alabama

The safety play in the NFC North was atrocious last year, and the Bears may have been the worst of the worst. While I, personally, am not sold on Clinton-Dix as a first-round pick, most don’t share that opinion. If he’s on the board at No. 14, look for the Bears to take Clinton-Dix. But for some reason, I smell Kyle Fuller interest.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers – TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina

Doesn’t it seem like this happens every year? The Steelers – a team with not many holes – ends the draft-day slide for a top prospect. Yes, they still have Heath Miller in the fold, and yes, they could certainly use a cornerback, but Ebron suddenly makes the offense a more complete unit.

16. Miami Dolphins – G Zack Martin, Notre Dame (Trade / MIA)

If Martin falls into the teens, it’s only a matter of time before the Dolphins move up to grab him. There will be jokes about another offensive lineman named Martin being drafted by Miami, but he’s what the Dolphins need. Moving up a few spots makes sense.

17. St. Louis Rams – CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State (Trade / BAL)

After hitting on the Janoris Jenkins pick a year ago, the Rams continue to address the secondary by adding another cornerback in the first round this year. I’d rather have Dennard, Fuller and Gilbert over Bradley Roby, but I’ve heard (which certainly could be a smokescreen) that the Rams like Roby. After moving down, it makes more sense. Although, Wisconsin receiver Jared Abbrederis may shake his head at this pick.

18. New York Jets – CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State

Rex Ryan is desperate – desperate – for a cornerback after losing Antonio Cromartie in free agency and failing to sign a replacement. Dennard is the best man-to-man cover corner in the draft, and he’s used to wearing green. That’s called logic.

19. Dallas Cowboys – LB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State (Trade / MIA)

After moving down a few spots and adding a pick or two in the process, the Cowboys are able to add Shazier – who will play a Derrick Brooks-type role with Dallas. Adding Shazier to a linebacker corps featuring Sean Lee would give the Cowboys – who were atrocious on defense in 2013 – a much better and more athletic defensive front.

20. Arizona Cardinals – QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida

Do the Cardinals need a quarterback? Not necessarily; at least not as long as Carson Palmer is still playing at a slightly above-average level. However, Blake Bortles is everything you want in a quarterback from a height-weight-arm strength aspect, and Bruce Arians could mold him into another Ben Roethlisberger. Bortles’ slide ends here.

21. Green Bay Packers – LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama

Way back when, Mosley was seen as one of the safest picks in the draft. He’s a football-savvy three-down linebacker that ran the show for one for one of the nation’s best defenses at Alabama. But concerns about his durability and size cause him to slide into the 20s. There were similar concerns about Eddie Lacy last year, but the Packers ended his slide at No. 61. Mosley would be a Day 1 starter in Green Bay. If Mosley is off the board, look for the Packers to look to the secondary or moving down a bit. If the Packers move down to the late first or early second round, keep an eye on Northern Illinois safety Jimmie Ward — who is probably the best cover safety in the draft.

22. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech

As the draft process has gone on, Fuller has really grown on me. Probably the most physical cornerback in the draft and capable of lining up all over the formation, the Eagles would do well to add Fuller at No. 22. It’s him or receiver Brandin Cooks.

23. Kansas City Chiefs – WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State

Head coach Andy Reid still needs to bring his version of DeSean Jackson to Kansas City. Dwayne Bowe is a shell of his former self, and the Chiefs don’t have many other options at receiver. If Cooks is on the board, I bet it takes all of 15 seconds (sarcasm) for Kansas City to make the pick.

24. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Jason Verrett, TCU

It seems like the Bengals always have a hundred cornerbacks on the roster. Terence Newman’s days may be numbered, and the same goes for PacMan Jones. Moving forward, Verrett would combine with Leon Hall and Dre Kirkpatrick to give the Bengals a solid trio of cover men.

25. San Diego Chargers – OLB Kyle Van Noy, BYU

In what will be a surprise pick to most, Van Noy is one of the most versatile players in the entire draft. He fits naturally into the 3-4 outside linebacker role, but has the sideline-to-sideline range to bump inside as well. With aging veterans Jarrett Johnson and Dwight Freeney on the edge, Van Noy would likely see the field plenty as a rookie.

26. Cleveland Browns – QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville

And here’s where Bridgewater’s Aaron Rodgers-style fall ends. With Josh Gordon and Mike Evans at receiver, Jordan Cameron at tight end and Ben Tate anchoring an improved running game, Bridgewater makes a ton of sense at this point. This could be – you never know, because it’s Cleveland – but this could be the draft that turns things around for the Browns.

27. New Orleans Saints – WR Cody Latimer, Indiana

Obviously, the Saints could use a receiver or two, as Kenny Stills is currently penciled in as the No. 2 guy. Cody Latimer isn’t exactly from a football powerhouse, but he’s got more star potential than Marqise Lee, in my opinion. Latimer and Marques Colston with Stills in the slot would be tough to match up with.

28. Carolina Panthers – WR Marqise Lee, USC

The sixth wide receiver off the board immediately steps in as the No. 1 receiver in Carolina, who lost Brandon LaFell and Steve Smith in free agency. Apparently, they think Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant will fill those holes, but they’ll likely use an early pick (or three) on the position. Lee has good value in the late first round.

29. Oakland Raiders – QB Derek Carr, Fresno State (Trade / NE)

This would be a big day for the Raiders. There’s talk that the Raiders could target Carr if they move down from No. 5. And after already adding a franchise left tackle in Jake Matthews, the Raiders hope they’ve landed their quarterback of the future by moving up for Derek Carr.

30. Tennessee Titans – DE Kony Ealy, Missouri (Trade / SF)

Most Titans fans would likely be disappointed in their team moving down 19 spots in the first round. But seeing as they’ll add several picks in the process, fans should feel lucky if they’re still able to add a potential game-changer like Ealy. Cornerback is a need, but Ealy has better value at No. 30.

31. Denver Broncos – DL Ra’Shede Hageman, Minnesota

If the Broncos – a team in win-now mode without many weaknesses – don’t see value at a position of need, they’ll look to move down and add more picks. They need a linebacker, but the value isn’t here. Despite adding Sylvester Williams last year to strengthen the interior of the line, Hageman is too good to pass up.

32. Seattle Seahawks – OT Morgan Moses, Virginia

After losing right tackle Breno Giacomini to the New York Jets in free agency, the Seahawks have a need at right tackle. Moses could go mid to late-first round, so he’d be a great pick at No. 32. There are a couple guards that could merit consideration, but Moses makes the most sense.