The 2014 NFL Nation mock draft is well underway on ESPN.com right now as all of the team beat writers are taking part in the first-round exercise.
Scott Brown, who covers the Steelers for the site, selected UCLA outside linebacker Anthony Barr with the 15th overall selection.
Brown writes in the online chat:
This team needs pass rushers and they’re not sold on Jason Worilds as a long-term fit in Pittsburgh. I love Barr’s upside and playmaking ability. I realize he has to get better against the run but the Steelers will coach him up.
As you can clearly see by the list of the picks below, Brown passed up cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and Justin Gilbert in order to draft Barr. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was also still on the board as well.
Brown writes in the online chat:
I seriously considered Fuller and Beckham but I will get my cornerback and wide receiver later in he draft.
I understand Brown’s reasoning here, but think he should have grabbed either Fuller or Gilbert with the pick.
I will update this post with the rest of the picks as soon as the mock is over.
2014 NFL Nation mock draft
1. Buffalo Bills (via Houston): Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
2. St. Louis Rams: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
4. Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
5. Oakland Raiders: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
6. Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
8. Houston Texans (via Minnesota): Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
9. Minnesota Vikings (via Houston): Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
10. Detroit Lions: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
11. Tennessee Titans: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
12. New York Giants: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
13. St. Louis Rams: Aaron Donald, DT. Pittsburgh
14. Chicago Bears: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
16. Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
17. Baltimore Ravens: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
18. New York Jets: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
19. New Orleans Saints (via Miami): Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
20. Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
