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We're back for the 53rd pick of the 2014 Niners Nation Community Mock Draft. You can see previous picks below in the draft table. You can also follow the mock draft board through this story stream.
With the 53rd pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, Rowingdave and the Green Bay Packers select Joel Bitonio, OL, Nevada. He also considered Notre Dame defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt, USC center Marcus Martin, Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Here are his thoughts on the pick:
Marcus Martin was a close second to Bitonio, but Bitonio's versatility edges him out. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see the Packers go 3-4 end with Tuitt as a consolation prize for missing out on Hageman, but his injury concerns bump him down a notch. Lastly, Seferian-Jenkins is a very tempting selection as well, but ultimately the Packers decide protecting their franchise is more important than selecting another weapon for Rodgers, as #12 was able to make Andrew Quarless look pretty good. Look for the Pack to address TE in the third round. While many Packer rans are pounding the table for safety, the value simply isn't there in the second round.
The Packers really wanted Hageman there, but they'll still rush to the podium with this pick. All three alternates are tempting, however none offer the versatility that Bitonio provides as an OL that can play all three positions. Although they invested a fourth round selection in center in 2013, there's no guarantee that they're going to settle with Tretter as their starter with Evan Dietrich-Smith unlikely to re-sign. Bakhtiari seems entrenched at LT, but I don't believe the Packers are content with their depth at OL with Bulaga's injury still a question mark and Don Barclay failing to impress at any position. Derek Sherrod is allegedly coming back, but there are questions with his health as well.
The Packers have been playing musical chairs on their OL for the last several years, and this pick gives them flexibility, depth and great value in the mid to late second round; Bitonio will probably go much earlier than this; I'd be shocked to see him get past Seattle at 32 or the Raiders at 36. Many Packers fans claim that this is not a position of need, but I'm sure Aaron Rodgers's clavicle would argue otherwise. This isn't just an insurance pick, it's a smart selection of a player who is incredibly athletic, smart and has been very durable. Projected to play guard or center, he could easily put on some more weight and be a more than serviceable tackle/swing tackle in case of injury along the line.
Nick Chiamardas: Protecting Aaron Rodgers will always be at or near the top of the list for the Packers. Bitonio could come in a compete for the starting center job right away. He's also versatile enough to line up at either guard spot and maybe tackle in a pinch.
Round 1
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1. |
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wiseguy545 |
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina [Full Story] |
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2. |
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El Shorts | Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn [Full Story] |
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3. |
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9er4life22 | Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville [Full Story] |
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4. |
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Boss Clifford | Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson [Full Story] |
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5. |
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Mark Balliet | Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M [Full Story] |
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6. |
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CheekeeMunkee | Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo [Full Story] |
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7. |
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TopFlightSecurity | Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M [Full Story] |
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8. |
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Hoopers Judge | Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida [Full Story] |
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9. |
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jmart7 | Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina [Full Story] |
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10. |
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germinator | Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA [Full Story] |
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11. |
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49feelinfine | Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State [Full Story] |
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12. |
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superk0725 | Taylor Lewan, OL, Michigan [Full Story] |
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13. |
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El Shorts | Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama [Full Story] |
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14. |
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BryKno | Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh [Full Story] |
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15. |
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SigepPT49er | C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama [Full Story] |
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16. |
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Mira Loma Maulers | Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M [Full Story] |
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17. |
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JMichael39 | Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State [Full Story] |
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18. |
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Desert Dog Runner | Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State [Full Story] |
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19. |
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albert.55 | Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame [Full Story] |
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20. |
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MidnightSpecial | Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville [Full Story] |
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21. |
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Rowingdave | Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State [Full Story] |
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22. |
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MisterEclectic | Jason Verrett, CB, TCU [Full Story] |
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23. |
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Rowingdave | Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU [Full Story] |
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24. |
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BearAKA | Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech [Full Story] |
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25. |
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CraigRED&GOLD | Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame [Full Story] |
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26. |
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Boss Clifford | Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State [Full Story] |
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27. |
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Roy_from_Israel | Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri [Full Story] |
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28. |
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dave.bocchino | Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State [Full Story] |
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29. |
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49ersCusefan | Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State [Full Story] |
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30. |
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Tre9er | Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn [Full Story] |
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31. |
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ak4niner | Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA [Full Story] |
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32. |
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timmyg24 | Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia [Full Story] |
Round 2
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1. (33) |
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wiseguy545 | Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois [Full Story] |
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2. (34) |
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THETONY#1 | Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama [Full Story] |
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3. (35) |
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Boss Clifford | Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State [Full Story] |
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4. (36) |
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Mark Balliett | Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU [Full State] |
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5. (37) |
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CheekeeMunkee |
Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State [Full State] |
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6. (38) |
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TopFlightSecurity | Marqise Lee, WR, USC [Full Story] |
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7. (39) |
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9er4life22 | Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech [Full Story] |
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8. (40) |
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Hoopers Judge | Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois [Full Story] |
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9. (41) |
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jmart7 | Lamarcus Joyner, CB, Florida State [Full Story] |
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10. (42) |
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49feelinfine | Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech [Full Story] |
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11. (43) |
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superk0725 | Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State [Full Story] |
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12. (44) |
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El Shorts | Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt [Full Story] |
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13. (45) |
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germinator | Cody Latimer, WR, WR, Indiana [Full Story] |
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14. (46) |
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SigepPT49er | Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State [Full Story] |
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15. (47) |
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Mira Loma Maulers | Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State [Full Story] |
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16. (48) |
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JMichael39 | Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State [Full Story] |
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17. (49) |
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Desert Dog Runner | Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood [Full Story] |
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18. (50) |
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albert.55 | Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin [Full Story] |
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19. (51) |
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BryKno | Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska [Full Story] |
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20. (52) |
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MidnightSpecial | Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota [Full Story] |
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21. (53) |
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Rowingdave | Joel Bitonio, OL, Nevada [Full Story] |
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22. (54) |
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MisterEclectic | |
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23. (55) |
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BearAKA | |
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24. (56) |
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Tre9er | |
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25. (57) |
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CraigRED&GOLD | |
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26. (58) |
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Roy_from_Israel | |
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27. (59) |
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Cnnrvydt | |
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28. (60) |
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dave.bocchino | |
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29. (61) |
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Tre9er | |
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30. (62) |
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49ersCusefan | |
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31. (63) |
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ak4niner | |
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32. (64) |
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timmyg24 |
