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We're back for the 54th 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 54th pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, MisterEclectic and the Philadelphia Eagles select Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson. He also considered outside linebacker Marcus Smith, defensive lineman Kareem Martin, and defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt. Here are his thoughts on the pick:
Everyone who follows the NFL knows that wide receiver DeSean Jackson was released by the Philadelphia Eagles this off-season, flying the coop and landing with division rival Washington. In 2013, Jackson led all Eagles' receivers with 82 receptions for 1,332 yards and 9 touchdowns. The next two wide receivers, Riley Cooper and Jason Avant (who is also no longer with the team), combined for 85 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. That means that after Jackson's departure, the Eagles are left in an alarming position with Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin (who had to sit out the entirety of the 2013 season due to re-tearing his ACL) as their starting wideouts. The void left by DeSean Jackson needs to be addressed. Martavis Bryant is the best wide receiver left on the board, so he is the obvious choice here.
This mock draft has featured far too many wide receivers. As a point of comparison, in the last 8 NFL drafts, only one (2008) has featured as many as 10 wide receivers being selected in the first 2 rounds. After my selection, this community mock draft will feature 11 wide receivers being selected...by pick 54, nonetheless. Needless to say, I will be surprised if so many receivers wind up being picked through the first 2 rounds in the actual draft on May 8th. That being said, the Eagles truly have a need at wide receiver, so I must pick one. I do believe that several of the receivers already off the board by the time this pick came along will still be available for the Eagles in real life.
Martavis Bryant toiled in the shadow of WR Sammy Watkins last year at Clemson. At 6'4" 211# with 32 5/8" arms and 9 ½" hands, Bryant is a physical specimen. He posted a 4.42 second 40 and a 39" vertical at the combine. Bryant is the epitome of a deep threat as he is a very long strider gifted with uncommon speed. Speed was DeSean Jackson's calling card, so I believe Bryant will be a good replacement for Jackson. Bryant has the added benefit of being nearly 6'4" with an excellent vertical, so he is also a potent red zone threat. Martavis Bryant is still a work in progress, but this last season Chip Kelly and his staff showed that they can take previously average wide receivers (Riley Cooper) and make them productive in his system. I think that the Eagles' coaching staff will be able to tap into and hone Bryant's potential. If his route running becomes more nuanced and he continues to flash the play-making ability he showed at Clemson, the Eagles could wind up with great value here.
The choice at this spot was a very difficult one to make. I think that all three of the defensive ends I list as alternates to my pick are probably more comparatively NFL-ready talents than is Martavis Bryant, but the Eagles' wide receiver need here is just too great for me to pass on Bryant. As I said previously, I'll be very surprised if so many wide receivers wind up being picked in the first 53 selections in the real draft. I'll also be very surprised if DEs Stephon Tuitt and Kareem Martin make it all the way to #54. I really wanted to pick OLB/DE Marcus Smith here because I think he'd add some real pop to the Eagles' pass rush and could eventually replace the aging Trent Cole, but at the end of the day I just can't justify not selecting a wide receiver.
Nick Chiamardas: The Eagles land one of the more intriguing WR prospects in this class. Bryant was overshadowed at Clemson by Sammy Watkins but in many ways he fits that prototypical #1 WR mold. The tall, lanky speedster will need to refine his craft at the next level working on a complete route tree and adding bulk. His upside is tremendous and he seems like a perfect fit for Chip Kelley's offense.
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 | Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson [Full Story] |
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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 |
