2014 NFL Draft Preview and Predictions Part 1: AFC

The 2014 NFL Draft is shaping up as one of the most interesting in recent years. With a talent-laden pool of NFL applicants, this could be a draft that fills significant holes on winners and loseres alike.

Today we look at the NFL Draft’s storylines in the AFC, in an effort to get you set to bet on the 2014 NFL Super Bowl odds before, during, and after the most important day of the 2014 offseason.

Will teams like the Houston Texans address their need on QB or take the best talent available? Will the Browns bring Johnny Football to Cleveland? How will Bill Bellichek manage to steal the best players from the rest of the league like he has for so many years?
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2014 NFL Draft Preview and Predictions – AFC

1. Will the Houston Texas go for need or talent?

We know the Texans have the first overall pick, but how they’ll use it is far from clear.

[sc:NFL240banner ]Matt Schaub did everything in his power last season to warrant the rage of the entire Houston populace. So before the team’s fans show up at the stadium with pitchforks looking for the quarterback, the Texans’ front office exiled Schaub to Oakland in exchange for a 6th round pick. This move only strengthened the speculations that the teams is looking to fish a QB from the draft pool. But while the quarterback position is definitely a big question mark, the prospect of drafting a once-in-a-generation talent in Jadeveon Clowney gives the Texans a dilemma.

First Round Draft Pick Prediction: DE Jadeveon Clowney

The key phrase here is “once in a generation talent”. Clowney is the type of prospect that makes a team feel guilty of passing him in the draft when he’s available to be picked. Pairing him with J.J. Watt would be a nightmare in the pass rush and should certainly help the Texans to deliver on their price of +1,600 to win the AFC title.

2. Will the Cleveland Browns draft Johnny Football?

Cleveland will pick fourth, barring a last-minute trade, and they too are in the QB discussion.

Brian Hoyer is not going to be the answer for the Browns, despite miraculously leading Cleveland to the top of the AFC North at one point last season in lieu of Brandon Weeden. But then of course, Hoyer was injured and the Browns went back to being the Browns.

In the offseason, Cleveland made a good move signing Andrew Hawkins from Cincinnati, which should make more room for the already-dominant Josh Gordon (1,646 receiving yards in 2013). With a pair of quality wide receivers, the Browns’ chances for a brighter future might hinge on drafting a future franchise QB.

First Round Draft Pick Prediction: QB Johnny Manziel

Manziel has been a polarizing figure among NFL draft experts but his attitude and playmaking abilities were proven over and over again at College Station. With Hawkins and Gordon on the wings, and tight end Jordan Cameron (917 yards and 7 TDs in 2013) up the middle, the Browns have a young receiving crew ready to develop into a peak threat alongside the talented Manziel.

3. Which need will the Oakland Raiders prioritize?

There are so many holes in the Raiders’ roster, it’s particularly hard to anticipate which way they might go with their fifth overall pick.

Oakland’s front office impressed no one when it traded for Matt Schaub. If anything, the move made it clear the Raiders will likely not be spending their first round pick on a franchise slinger. Schaub is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career and at 33 years old, only has little (if any) gas left in his tank. If the Raiders would like to maximize Schaub, it would be logical for Oakland to land a stud wide receiver in the first round.

First Round Draft Pick Prediction: WR Sammy Watkins

The Clemson product fits the bill for the Raiders. Watkins could make immediate impact on the team and maybe, just maybe, make Schaub look good again.

4. Will the New England Patriots draft a QB in the first round?

Believe it or not, there will come a time Tom Brady will no longer be the quarterback of the New England Patriots. Brady is about to celebrate his 37th birthday in August and the possibility of a decline is growing. So is it time for Bill Belichick to find his next Brady this year, with the team’s 29th-overall pick?

Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater have been invited to workouts with the team, fanning the flames of speculations that should either player remain undrafted until the Pats gets their chance, then slide into what would be a great team to learn the biz with under one of the best field generals in the NFL.

However, a QB isn’t really an urgent need for the Patriots, who are currently priced +290 to win the AFC championship. What they’re looking for could be depth at tight end to support their clinical offensive style that was hindered without Aaron Hernandez.

First Round Draft Pick Prediction: TE Jace Amaro

Amaro would be a welcome addition to Tom Brady’s arsenal, especially if Gronk misses more time recovering from his ACL injury.

5. Will the San Diego Chargers address their secondary?

The answer is definitely yes.  The Chargers finished with a 9-7 record last season but could easily have finished higher had their pass defense not allowed opponents to burn them for an average of 258.7 passing yards per game, 29th in the league last season.  The Chargers are to pick 25th in the first round and also have the no. 57 pick overall.

First Round Draft Pick Prediction: CB Jason Verrett

Expert projections have the TCU alum still available this late in the first round. His only drawback is his height as he stands 5-9, but the talent and smarts are all there to help the Chargers get to the next level in 2014.
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