NFL mock draft 2014: Pre-Combine projections have Teddy Bridgewater No. 1

1: Houston Texans: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Despite the rumblings that either Blake Bortles or Johnny Manziel will gazump Bridgewater for the top overall selection, Teddy is still the most NFL 'ready' of all the quarterbacks who should step in and play at a high level straight away.

2: St. Louis Rams: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

The Rams bypass selecting the top prospect in Jadeveon Clowney and strengthen their offensive line in a division loaded with pass rushers. Robinson and Jake Matthews are 1A and 1B but athleticism prevails here. With Rodger Saffold a free agent and Jake Long coming off a torn ACL and MCL, offensive tackle is a major need.

3: Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

Manziel has a distinct aura about him. His playmaking ability coupled with his personality will rejuvenate the Jacksonville franchise and help get bums on seats and bring back optimism.

4: Cleveland Browns: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida

A lot of talk that Bortles could be the number one overall pick come May 8th, but I don't see him usurping Bridgewater. The Browns can't afford to wait until their second first round pick to get their guy, so they get their signal caller here.

5: Oakland Raiders: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State

You can argue and say Carr's value does not warrant a top five pick, but the Raiders are desperate and their need at the position forces their hand, with the dearth of free agent quarterbacks available. With the most cap space available, in the region of $65 million, they can go big there and surround him with playmakers to make the Raiders relevant again.

6: Atlanta Falcons: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

The Falcons get the steal of the draft here, no question. Clowney didn't go higher up because for those teams need prevailed over value. They fix their non-existent pass rush with Clowney, who is primed to have a dominant career.

7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

The Buccs need to give Mike Glennon the best weapons available to make him a success in the high-scoring NFC South. Watkins happens to be the best player available at this point, and his dynamic skill-set is a problem for any defense.

8: Minnesota Vikings: Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

Burdened with a pick just outside the range where the top-tier quarterback prospects will go, the Vikes will have to make due add pieces elsewhere. Mack is a versatile edge rusher to replace pending free agent Jared Allen.

9: Buffalo Bills: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

With a lot of young weapons on offense there in Buffalo, they don't really have a reliable target. This is where Ebron comes in. The top tight end in the draft class has great hands and catch radius, and despite having an ok tight end in Scott Chandler, Ebron is on another level who should become a safety blanket for E.J. Manuel.

10: Detroit Lions: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

Having cut Nate Burleson, their only credible wideout not named Calvin Johnson, they need to add targets for Matthew Stafford to justify that contract. Evans is another big-bodied receiver who should win the majority of contested balls thrown his way.

11: Tennessee Titans: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

The Titans have a solid group of defensive players on their roster, but are lacking a real game-changing pass rusher on the edge. Barr represents an excellent blend of athleticism and explosiveness from the edge which will make Ray Horton's group that much better.

12: New York Giants: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama

The mid-season addition of Jon Beason has worked out very well for the Giants, but the rest of that linebacking core is terrible. Mosley is the undisputed top inside linebacker in this class and will instantly upgrade the middle of that defense.

13: St. Louis Rams: Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama

This draft class is so deep that at either two or thirteen, the Rams will manufacture a trade down, but at this point, they need to address the secondary. Clinton-Dix is the consensus top safety in this class, and makes their unit a whole lot better. I just don't see the Rams going back-to-back first round wide receivers come May.

14: Chicago Bears: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State

The Bears need to sort out their rapidly declining defense this offseason, and it begins in the middle. With Henry Melton looking like he won't return, so Jernigan will come in and plug that hole and will make an instant impact in stopping the run.

15: Pittsburgh Steelers: Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville

A lot of old pieces need replacing on the Steelers roster. With an outrageous $10 million cap hit for the forthcoming season, Troy Polamalu is one of those pieces. I suspect he will be cut to pave the way for a draft pick such as Calvin Pryor.

16: Baltimore Ravens: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama

Both starting tackles for the Ravens are free agents this season, although having coughed up multiple picks for Eugene Monroe, it would be crazy for him not to be brought back. The team needs to replace Michael Oher, and Kouandjio is a nice fit on the right side of the line.

17: Dallas Cowboys: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

The Cowboys need to add to their defensive line. With Anthony Spencer and Jason Hatcher both free agents this offseason, they could go defensive tackle or defensive end, but Ealy represents great value here. The dynamic edge rusher will be a nice partner to Demarcus Ware.

18: New York Jets: Marqise Lee, WR, USC

Arguably the least talented offense in the NFL needs to pick up some serious playmakers if they want to give Geno Smith any chance of succeeding. Marqise Lee is a a big play waiting to happen on every play with great YAC ability giving them a legit No.1 receiver.

19: Miami Dolphins: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

There's a growing concern that the Dolphins will need an entirely new offensive line for 2014. Lewan is arguably the best OL prospect available at this stage and will play at either tackle spot.

20: Arizona Cardinals: Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn

With the expectation being that the Cardinals will sign a premier free agent offensive tackle this offseason, that gives them license to go in a different direction in the draft. Dee Ford is an explosive edge rusher who will give the Cardinals a legitimate pass rusher opposite Sam Acho.

21: Green Bay Packers: Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

B.J. Raji is a free agent, and will likely be paid more than he is worth elsewhere, and the Packers need to replace his imposing presence on the defensive line. Hageman has a versatile skill set and contributes well in all facets of the game.

22: Philadelphia Eagles: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma

The Eagles get a steal with the top corner sliding this far. Their pass defense is one of the worst going and needs a total revamp. Gilbert makes up for a lack of elite speed with elite-level ball skills.

23: Kansas City Chiefs: Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU

The Chiefs cannot utilise Dwayne Bowe properly on offense because of the way they use Alex Smith. ODB if the kind of receiver you give him space and he'll make plays for you, and that is what the Chiefs like to do, giving them a serious option out wide.

24: Cincinnati Bengals: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

Three of the Bengals' top corners are over 30 years old, and Dre Kirkpatrick is yet to make the leap into a starting role. The Bengals need a young corner to partner with Leon Hall. Dennard is one of the best cover corners in the draft and can blanket receivers.

25: San Diego Chargers: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

Roby's stock has taken a hit this season, but he has all the physical traits you are looking for in a top level cornerback. The Chargers have one of the worse pass defense's in the league and Roby will help improve it.

26: Cleveland Browns: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

With only Josh Gordon as a viable receiving target on the roster, they need some help out wide. Gordon is only one strike away from a years suspension also. Benjamin needs refining, but he has elite potential and will help share the load between him and Gordon and give Bortles some chance of success.

27: New Orleans Saints: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State

Shazier looks like a perfect fit in Rob Ryan's defense on the weakside. He has developing blitz ability but his main strengths come in playing the run and dropping back into coverage which is necessary in the high scoring NFC South.

28: Carolina Panthers: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

It's time the Panthers stop neglecting Cam Newton and the offense and start giving him weapons. Steve Smith hit the wall last season and looks to be on a downward spiral. Cooks is a similar player to Smith and has electric speed.

29: New England Patriots: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech

The tight end plays a quintessential role in the Patriots offensive scheme, they need a complement to Rob Gronkowski who now has major injury concerns. Amaro will give Brady a second outlet and will help mask their receiver problems.

30: San Francisco 49ers: Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU

Mario Manningham won't be brought back, and there are questions as to whether Anquan Boldin will return also, the Niners need a complement to Michael Crabtree. Landry is an underrated receiver in this draft in my opinion, and has similar traits to Chargers rookie star Keenan Allen.

31: Denver Broncos: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

The Broncos need to upgrade the defense if they wish to go one step further in 2014 and secure the Lombardi. Corner is a serious issue right now, and Verrett will fill the void across from DRC, should he be brought back.

32: Seattle Seahawks: Zach Martin, OL, Notre Dame

Th Seahawks' offensive line was dreadful this past year, they need to upgrade their protection for Russell Wilson. Martin is the best prospect available and could have gone a lot earlier. His ability to play guard or tackle will be attractive for NFL teams.