The NIT Nati Mock Draft 2014
18. New York Jets – Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU. The Jets have a tough decision to make in this position. With Eric Decker in the fold from this off-season, New York needs to find a receiver-duo for the developing Geno Smith. On the other side of the ball, considerable secondary help is also needed. With the next best safety would be big reach, the top corner on the board is Darqueze Dennard. Despite a style of play indicative of a lock-down type defender the Jets love, Dennard had a rough combine, looking stiff in field drills. Further, tape shows that he has a lot of work to do before being effective in off-man coverage. Odell Beckham Jr. is a speeder split-end who will be able to stretch the field or move into the slot. Additionally, his after-the-catch ability makes him a tantalizing kick return option. Overall, selecting a wide out here is a safer option for the Jets.
19. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Su’a-Filo, G, UCLA. Su’a-Filo is projected lower in most camps because he was miscast as a left tackle for the Bruins last season. With one of the best forty times for a guard at this year’s combine, Su’a-Filo fits any blocking scheme in the NFL and was a road-grader for Johnathan Franklin last season. Displaying considerable speed and strength, Su’a-Filo projects as a quick starter, a top interior pass-protector, and one of the better guards in the league. Just what the doctor ordered for a Dolphin’s team who requires two starting guards after dumping Richie Incognito and John Jerry this offseason.
Dec 7, 2013; Fresno, CA, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks towards the crowd after the Bulldogs defeated the Utah State Aggies 24-17 at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
20. Arizona Cardinals – Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State. Let’s assume that rumor that the Cards are interested in taking a quarterback in the first round to groom is true and not white noise. Why not Derek Carr? While he is not the prototypical 6’5”, 240 lb behemoth quarterback that Head Coach Bruce Arian’s prefers, he is as big as they are going to come this year. Carr is tough, instinctive, strong-armed, and hyper-competitive. Additionally, with time behind Carson Palmer, Carr can elevate his game speed from what he experienced as a senior in the Mountain Conference. That being said, Carr completed 69% of his passes in 2013 for 5,083 yards, 50 TDs and only 8 interceptions in 2013.