It’s taking interminably long for the 2014 NFL draft to arrive.
The NFL moved the draft from April to May this year to give teams even more time to attempt to smokescreen opposing teams by anonymously trashing prospects to the media. Jadeveon Clowney reportedly is lazy and spoiled, and Teddy Bridgewater’s hands are too small — oh, the joys of the NFL draft.
This is a particularly interesting draft class because it’s still unclear which quarterback, cornerback, defensive tackle and offensive tackle will come off the board first. It’s also unclear how many, and which, quarterbacks will be drafted in the first round.
The Patriots even could be in the market for a quarterback, but we have them staying put for a wide receiver.
Check out which wideout the Patriots could take No. 29 overall next month as NESN.com rolls out its latest mock draft.
1. Houston Texans (2-14):Â Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end, South Carolina
Clowney has question marks about his effort, but he’s still one of the safest players in the draft because of his high floor. He could rush from outside linebacker in the Texans’ “regular” defense and from defensive end in sub packages.
2. St. Louis Rams from Washington Redskins (3-13):Â Greg Robinson, offensive tackle, Auburn
The Rams just acquired Jake Long last season, but Robinson could be a Hall of Fame left tackle. He has the perfect size and athleticism to be a star at the position.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12):Â Khalil Mack, outside linebacker, Buffalo
Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley knows to build his team through defense. Mack can rush the passer, cover and defend the run.
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12):Â Sammy Watkins, wide receiver, Clemson
The Browns already have a top wide receiver in Josh Gordon, but his off-the-field issues are scary. The Browns would be wise to add another top-tier receiver in Watkins.
5. Oakland Raiders (4-12):Â Blake Bortles, quarterback, Central Florida
The Raiders already added quarterback Matt Schaub for the present, and they should draft Bortles in the first round for the future. They already improved at wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line and running back through free agency.
6. Atlanta Falcons (4-12):Â Jake Matthews, offensive tackle, Texas A&M
The Falcons should just draft the best available tackle here, whether it’s Robinson, Matthews or Taylor Lewan. Matt Ryan needs a new blind-side protector.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12):Â Teddy Bridgewater, quarterback, Louisville
It’s obvious that the new regime in Tampa Bay doesn’t think highly of Mike Glennon as the future starting quarterback. Josh McCown will be 35 years old this season, and the Bucs could use a player like Bridgewater for the future.
8. Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1):Â Johnny Manziel, quarterback, Texas A&M
Manziel could be the first quarterback drafted, or he could be the fourth quarterback drafted — it’s that type of year. He makes a lot of sense for the Vikings, who’ve needed a new signal-caller for quite some time.
9. Buffalo Bills (6-10):Â Mike Evans, wide receiver, Texas A&M
The Bills need to keep adding pieces on offense, and a 6-foot-5, 231-pound receiver would look good on any team. Evans could wind up being drafted higher than ninth overall, but it would be highly surprising to see him drop out of the top 10.
10. Detroit Lions (7-9):Â Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, safety, Alabama
The Lions will be angry that Evans didn’t fall to No. 10, but Clinton-Dix is a perfectly acceptable consolation prize. He’s a complete safety who can play the strong or free positions.
11. Tennessee Titans (7-9):Â Kyle Fuller, cornerback, Virginia Tech
The Titans need a high-impact player to replace Alterraun Verner, who left for Tampa Bay in free agency. Fuller might be the top zone cornerback in the draft.
12. New York Giants (7-9):Â Ryan Shazier, linebacker, Ohio State
The Giants could use some youth and speed in their linebacker corps. Shazier can play any position, and he can rush the passer.
13. St. Louis Rams (7-9):Â Darqueze Dennard, cornerback, Michigan State
The Rams lacked a quality No. 2 cornerback to play on the other side of the field from Janoris Jenkins. Dennard will get physical with opposing wide receivers in the NFL.
14. Chicago Bears (8-8):Â Aaron Donald, defensive tackle, Pittsburgh
Donald can replace what the Bears lost in Henry Melton, and he might be even better and more athletic.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8):Â Taylor Lewan, offensive tackle, Michigan
The Steelers always can use more offensive line help, and Lewan would be the best player available. He has off-the-field issues, but he’s too good to pass up.
16. Dallas Cowboys (8-8):Â Anthony Barr, pass rusher, UCLA
Barr can be a situational pass rusher until he gets comfortable in the NFL. He could be a future starter at defensive end in the Cowboys’ 4-3, which won’t have DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer next season.
17. Baltimore Ravens (8-8):Â Zack Martin, offensive line, Notre Dame
The Ravens need a starting right tackle, and Martin could fill that need immediately.
18. New York Jets (8-8):Â C.J. Mosley, linebacker, Alabama
Mosley could fall in the draft because of some medical red flags. The Jets would be just fine with him dropping to No. 18.
19. Miami Dolphins (8-8):Â Morgan Moses, offensive tackle, Virginia
The Dolphins’ offensive line could struggle in 2014 after losing Richie Incognito, Jonathan Martin and John Jerry. Brandon Albert can start at left tackle, and Moses could fill in on the right side.
20. Arizona Cardinals (10-6):Â Jimmie Ward, safety, Northern Illinois
This could be Calvin Pryor, but his lack of coverage skills might force him to fall out of the first round. Ward has been rising on draft boards.
21. Green Bay Packers (8-7-1):Â Eric Ebron, tight end, North Carolina
The Packers love tight ends such as Ebron, and he could be an improvement over Andrew Quarless. The two players could complement each other as well.
22. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6):Â Brandin Cooks, wide receiver, Oregon State
Cooks says he can be better than DeSean Jackson. There’s only one way to find out.
23. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5):Â Odell Beckham, wide receiver, LSU
The Chiefs would leap for joy if Beckham falls to No. 23. He probably will and should be drafted higher, but in this situation, he drops.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5):Â Dee Ford, defensive end, Auburn
The Bengals lost Michael Johnson and didn’t sign anyone to replace him. Ford could be the Bengals’ new edge defender.
25. San Diego Chargers (9-7):Â Louis Nix, defensive tackle, Notre Dame
The Chargers could use Nix’s beef and play-making skills at nose tackle. He has been compared to Vince Wilfork since his days with the Fighting Irish.
26. Cleveland Browns from Indianapolis Colts (4-12):Â Derek Carr, quarterback, Fresno State
The Browns reportedly are enamored with Carr. It wouldn’t be surprising to see four or more quarterbacks selected in the first round.
27. New Orleans Saints (11-5):Â Bradley Roby, cornerback, Ohio State
Roby has a high ceiling as a prospect but an equally low floor. His performance against Wisconsin last season was embarrassing, but the Saints really need a cornerback, and he’d be the best one available.
28. Carolina Panthers (12-4):Â Kelvin Benjamin, wide receiver, Florida State
Benjamin could fall to the second round, but the Panthers definitely will be interested in the 6-foot-5, 240-pound receiver. Panthers wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl recently took a trip to Florida State to work out Benjamin.
29. New England Patriots (12-4):Â Marqise Lee, wide receiver, USC
The Patriots reportedly are looking to trade up in the draft for a wide receiver, but they might be better off staying put and seeing if Lee falls to No. 29. He had a fantastic 2012 season before dropping off because of injuries and poor quarterback play. He was in play to go No. 1 overall after his sophomore season.
30. San Francisco 49ers (12-4):Â Ra’Shede Hageman, defensive lineman, Minnesota
Hageman would be perfect to rotate with the aging Justin Smith and Ray McDonald at five-technique defensive end. He has effort questions, but his raw skill and athleticism is undeniable.
31. Denver Broncos (13-3): Justin Gilbert, cornerback, Oklahoma State
The Broncos signed Aqib Talib and already have Chris Harris, but they could use another outside cornerback in their nickel defense.
32. Seattle Seahawks (13-3):Â DeMarcus Lawrence, defensive end, Boise State
Lawrence is the Seahawks’ type of pick. What they do in the first round always is unexpected.
