2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2
Time to find another receiving weapon to draw some of the pass coverage attention away from Josh Gordon's side of the field.
43. New York Giants -- Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
The Giants are always going to want to pound the rock in the running game, and Hyde gives them a highly-regarded rusher to pair with free-agent acquisition Rashad Jennings.
44. St. Louis Rams -- Lamarcus Joyner, CB, Florida State
With the lines getting the first-round love (Auburn OT Greg Robinson and Pitt DT Aaron Donald), the Rams turn their attention in Round 2 to finding talent for their secondary in an NFC West that has nothing but stellar defensive backfields.
45. Detroit Lions -- Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
After failing to move up for Sammy Watkins in the first round, the Lions could still be thinking receiver with Penn State's Allen Robinson and Indiana's Cody Latimer available. But the defensive end position had some defections this offseason and Ealy was one of the draft's top-rated pass rushers.
46. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Bashaud Breeland, CB, Clemson
The cornerback market has been raided, but Breeland is a mid-second-round-rated talent who continues the youth movement on defense in Pittsburgh.
47. Dallas Cowboys -- Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
An undeniable talent in the defensive interior, Hageman has the potential to be a force on a Cowboys line that suffered multiple defections this offseason.
48. Baltimore Ravens -- Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
The Ravens stuck to their board, as always, taking Alabama inside linebacker C.J. Mosley in the first round, even though they had bigger needs at safety and right offensive tackle. But in round two, their need to replace the departed Michael Oher and the availability of Moses line up nicely.
49. New York Jets -- Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
The Jets passed on Oregon State's elusive Brandin Cooks in favor of Louisville's top-rated safety Calvin Pryor in the first round, but they should have their choice between the intriguing Latimer and the productive Allen Robinson of Penn State in round two. While Robinson is steady, Latimer gets the check mark for a higher upside.
50. Miami Dolphins -- Gabe Jackson, G, Mississippi State
Given their well-chronicled offensive line needs, the Dolphins going in the direction of the huge road-grading guard from the SEC seems like a no-brainer to me.
51. Chicago Bears -- Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
The Bears, in need of youth and playmaking potential in their defensive interior, find the talented Jernigan still lingering midway through the second round.
52. Arizona Cardinals -- Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin
The Cardinals can't pass on the ex-Badger tackling machine, who always seems to be near the football.
53. Green Bay Packers -- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
This draft has been charmed so far for the Packers. First a safety prospect like Ha Ha Clinton-Dix falls to them in the first round, and now one of the top-three tight end prospects is still there for the taking in round two.
54. Philadelphia Eagles -- Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State
The Eagles have plenty of options and could easily take any number of available cornerbacks, but Robinson carries great value at 54 and helps offset the offseason losses Philly has suffered at receiver.
55. Cincinnati Bengals -- Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State
The Bengals are likely to choose between their highest-rated offensive tackle and an addition to their pass rush. Crichton consistently creates pressure off the edge and plays with energy that rarely wanes.
56. San Francisco 49ers (via Kansas City)-- Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State
A receiver like Fresno State's Davante Adams could get the nod, but with the first of their two second-round picks the 49ers would be wiser to look for defensive end Justin Smith's eventual replacement.
57. San Diego Chargers -- Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
The Chargers get the massive, run-stuffing nose tackle they were in the market for, and they do it a round later than many thought possible.
58. New Orleans Saints -- Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU
The Saints made the big move up for a receiving weapon in Brandin Cooks in the first round, and now it's time to acquire another edge rusher to beef up the pressure Rob Ryan's defense can apply.
59. Indianapolis Colts -- Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State
The surprise retirement of newly signed free-agent center Phil Costa puts the Colts in the market for help in their offensive line's interior. Richburg and USC center Marcus Martin figure to be their two highest-rated options.
60. Carolina Panthers -- Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
Receiver and offensive tackle were the obvious top two needs in Carolina, and with the Kelvin Benjamin pick at No. 28 in the first round, the offensive line gets attention in Round 2. At 6-6, 332, Richardson has the size the NFL loves.
61. San Francisco 49ers -- Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
The 49ers turn their attention to offense after two defensive picks, getting another receiving target to expand Colin Kaepernick's options beyond Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis.
62. New England Patriots -- Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh
Taking another non-first round quarterback named Tom wouldn't be the worst decision the Patriots could make. New England is high on Savage's skillset and on-field poise and demeanor, and if the Patriots are looking to trade backup Ryan Mallett to Houston as reported on Thursday, this is the move that sets up that deal.
63. Denver Broncos -- David Yankey, G, Stanford
The Broncos don't have a desperate need at the position, even with Zane Beadles' departure in free agency, but Yankey is too highly rated to pass up, and he gives Denver quality depth at one of its few weak areas.
64. Seattle Seahawks -- Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame
The rich get richer. The defending champs sit tight and pick off a versatile defensive lineman who had bottom-of-the-first-round buzz for most of the spring.