Top ten picks are great, because the talent level is typically so high. But the scrutiny and required salary are also very high, and for these reasons I'm typically risk-averse with top ten picks.
With the 7th pick in the 2014 MHR Community Mock Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select...
Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Matthews is simply the safest pick in the draft: a four-year starter on a top college O-line with impeccable bloodlines. He manned the right tackle spot for the Aggies before Luke Joeckel was drafted No. 2 by the Jags last year. This season Matthews slid over to LT and protected Johnny Manziel's blind side with ease. He's not as bull-strong as Greg Robinson or Joeckel, but he's an able run blocker. You'd expect the son of a Hall of Fame tackle (current Titan O-line coach Bruce) to display great technique and leverage, and Matthews develops ample space versus edge rushers and maintains great feet on inside moves. Jake Matthews is a no-brainer plug-and-play starter, and he could easily add the horsepower necessary to be a top-echelon LT in a year or two.
The other player I considered strongly was Matthews' college teammate Mike Evans. WR is a bigger position of need for Tampa Bay, but this draft is very deep at the spot. After going safe with Matthews, I can look for later-round receiving prospects like Jarvis Landry, Jordan Matthews or Martavis Bryant.
- Houston Texans (ten_fiver) - Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
- St. Louis Rams (3amigosriseagain) - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
- Jacksonville Jaguars (Jon Heath) - Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
- Cleveland Browns (Mad Mel) - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
- Oakland Raiders (Mancar) - Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
- Atlanta Falcons (DeBroGermany) - Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Old Numero 7) - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
- Minnesota Vikings (WYOrangeCrush)
- Buffalo Bills (Arimaris)
- Detroit Lions (OregonBronco)
- Tennessee Titans (C-Pain)
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