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2014 NFL Mock Draft: Cardinals Get Some DL Depth In Hageman

With the 2014 NFL Draft now only a month away, prospects will be partaking in Pro Days and the like to give their draft stock one last boost ahead of the big day on May 8th, just as General Managers and their teams league-wide will be adding the finishing touches to their 'Big Boards'. Here is my latest full first round projections:

Golden Gophers DL Ra'Shede Hageman joins the Cardinals
Golden Gophers DL Ra'Shede Hageman joins the Cardinals
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

1: Houston Texans: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida

With there being no consensus top quarterback in this years draft, it's really anyone's guess as to who is first off the board, but the player getting the most buzz is Blake Bortles. Possessing the ideal frame and arm strength you're looking for in a franchise quarterback, he has the tools present too be moulded into a quality starter.

2: St. Louis Rams: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

A luxury pick for the Rams as the RG3 trade just keeps on giving. Clowney doesn't fill any immediate needs for the Rams as they have Robert Quinn and Chris Long on the roster, but with Clowney being such a unique talent and frankly a physical freak, it's hard to see the Rams turning him down.

3: Jacksonville Jaguars: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

All the stick Bridgewater is receiving from the media and anonymous scouts and NFL personnel is great news to Jacksonville and teams below them looking for a franchise quarterback. Probably the most pro ready quarterback in this years draft, Bridgewater is a great all around prospect and should give the Jags a bit more bite on offense.

4: Cleveland Browns: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

The Browns chose to pass on a quarterback with the hope that one slides to their next first round pick at 26. Watkins is arguably the top offensive prospect in this draft and the clear No.1 receiver available. Whoever is under centre for the Browns in 2014 can't complain at his options, with Josh Gordon, Sammy Watkins and Jordan Cameron to throw to, three great targets there.

5: Oakland Raiders: Khalil Mack, Edge, Buffalo

The acquisition of Matt Schaub from the Texans has likely ruled the Raiders out of contention for a first round quarterback, enabling the to start drafting some essential core players. Losing Lamarr Houston to free agency was a big loss, but replacing him with a player like Khalil Mack will soften the blow.

6: Atlanta Falcons: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

With one of the leagues most explosive offenses, the Falcons need to seriously upgrade their offensive line. Robinson is a little raw, but is a freakish athlete whose potential is not yet known. He would assume the starters role on the left side of the line and could develop into an All-Pro player.

7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

The ideal pick for the Bucs is if Watkins falls to this spot having just traded away Mike Williams, but I don't see him escaping the top 5 selections. Cutting Donald Penn leaves a big hole at tackle, and Matthews would make a smart selection for Lovie Smith.

8: Minnesota Vikings: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

Mike Zimmer would love to add another piece to his defense here, but it'll be hard to pass up on Manziel should he fall this far. The draft community are split on Manziel's pro potential, but the only way of finding out is seeing him on the field. If he can develop himself as a pocket passer he should have a lot of success.

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

Having parted ways with a sixth round pick for Mike Williams, the Bills now have a genuine outside threat, and have a talented trio of receivers with Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods, but are still lacking a reliable tight end. Ebron combines a great physical skill set with a natural ability to play the position at the high level, giving EJ Manuel another target.

10: Detroit Lions: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

The Lions have serious issues in their secondary, and the argument can be made for them selecting one of the top safeties at this spot, but securing a talent like Gilbert gives them a potential shutdown corner. With elite speed and a great success rate in man coverage, Gilbert really helps the Lions compete defensively in a pass-first division.

11: Tennessee Titans: Anthony Barr, Edge, UCLA

With the top quarterbacks off the board, the Titans go for an elite edge player in Anthony Barr. By no means the finished product, but Barr has the ceiling of an ALL-Pro player in the league, giving Ray Horton another piece for his defense.

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

With a big need at both OLB spots in their 4-3 scheme, the Giants select the best talent available on the board in Mosley. Probably a top 8 player in this draft class, Mosley will be one of the more reliable performers early on from this class, giving the Giants a significant upgrade.

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

The Rams' biggest need is the safety position having re-signed Rodger Saffold - they can address their offensive line on Day 2 with yet another deep draft for linemen. HHCD is the consensus top safety in this draft class and will bring an edge in a very physical division.

14: Chicago Bears: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

The inevitable departure of the crocked Henry Melton leaves a major hole in the Bears' defensive front. Donald is my top defensive tackle in this draft class and is a near perfect fit for the Bears' defensive scheme and will give them an interior pass-rushing presence.

15: Pittsburgh Steelers: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

The Steelers have needs all over their defense, so they are really a wildcard on May 8th, but Dennard represents decent value in the middle of the first round giving them a player who could become one of the top corners in the draft.

16: Dallas Cowboys: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

Having to release DeMarcus Ware because of cap problems, and then being unable to bring back Anthony Spencer means the Cowboys are totally devoid of a pass-rush as we stand. Ealy is a perfect fit to be a 4-3 defensive end in Dallas and will help bridge the transition period.

17: Baltimore Ravens: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

Somehow Evans slips into the second half of the first round giving the Ravens an absolute steal. Evans gives Joe Flacco a big boundary target and someone who can high-point the ball like the best of them. Retooling that offensive should be the top priority.

18: New York Jets: Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU

The signing of Eric Decker does help this offense, but it's not enough at this stage. ODB is an excellent route runner and has very good speed and is great after the catch with his lateral agility. He's also a potent threat in the return game.

19: Miami Dolphins: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

Bringing in Branden Albert from the Chiefs fills a major hole at left tackle, but their line is nowhere near complete. Lewan gives the Dolphins bookends at tackle which should help Ryan Tannehill develop further in this pivotal third year - he's taken a beating so far.

20: Arizona Cardinals: Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

Getting deeper and younger on the defensive line is a priority for the Cardinals. Hageman is a prospect with a lot of upside who should do well as a situational starter in 2013 who will develop into a full-time starter in a few years time.

- Shameless plug: Full 6-Round Cardinals Mock Draft

21: Green Bay Packers: Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville

Strengthening their secondary is a must for the Packers who are in that pass-first NFC North with Jay Cutler's Bears and Matt Stafford's Lions. Without a legitimate safety on the roster, Pryor brings a physical downhill presence from deep, but he still needs work in coverage.

22: Philadelphia Eagles: Dee Ford, Edge, Auburn

With no truly dominant edge rusher in Philly's 3-4 front, they could do with adding an impressive prospect early inthe draft. He needs to improve as a coverage linebacker if he is to become a great 3-4 outside linebacker, but he has the skills to be a dominant pass rusher.

23: Kansas City Chiefs: Marqise Lee, WR, USC

Since Alex Smith doesn't like passing to Dwayne Bowe, it would be smart for the Chiefs to get him a receiver who he would enjoy passing to. The Chiefs had a lot of success last season on crossing patterns and getting their receivers in space, Lee would be a great fit as he is excellent with the ball in his hands after the catch.

24: Cincinnati Bengals: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

Ignoring Dre Kirkpatrick, the Bengals' top corners are all 30 or above and have questionable injury histories, meaning they need to get younger at the position. After Dennard & Gilbert, it's anyone choice for whose that third corner in the draft, but I like Fuller's fit with the Bengals.

25: San Diego Chargers: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

There are a lot of very good corners to be found at the bottom of the first round, so the Chargers should have no problem upgrading their secondary. Verrett makes up for his lack of size with incredible determination and toughness.

26: Cleveland Browns: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State

If you believe what you read, then the Browns are smitten with Derek Carr, but I feel it would be wiser to pass on him first time around in favour of an elite prospect - which Carr isn't in many peoples' eyes. Carr will compete with Brian Hoyer for the starters role with the hope he develops into a top-10 quarterback in a few years.

27: New Orleans Saints: Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU

The Saints are in need of an edge rusher, and Van Noy fills that need in the bottom first. Van Noy is a prospect that no one is really talking about, but is a solid player in all categories and could be a steal for a team on draft day.

28: Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

They would love to get a left tackle at this spot, but with the big three off the board, the Panthers opt to fill a great need at wide receiver. Jason Avant and Jerricho Cotchery aren't a great starting WR duo, but Kelvin Benjamin gives them great size and physical traits, but it's whether he can put it all together on game-day.

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

New England could go in a lot of different directions, but they pounce on the top remaining tight end as the value won't be matched at the bottom of the second. Amaro is a great receiving threat and partner to Rob Gronkowski - when he returns.

30: San Francisco 49ers: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

The Niners need a speedy receiver who can take the top off the defense. With a decent receiving core already in place with Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin and Quinton Patton, Cooks is a guy who can flat-out run past you. He runs excellent routes and is a constant threat.

31: Denver Broncos: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

They gave mega-money to Aqib Talib this offseason, but the Broncos pass defense is still vulnerable. Roby had a down year in 2013, but is still one of the most physically gifted cornerbacks in the draft and could bloom into a great corner for Denver.

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

Losing Breno Giacomini to free agency leaves a major hole at right tackle for the Seahawks who already have a poor offensive line. Martin can play both tackle and guard and should cope at right tackle, but if he's overwhelmed by the physicality of the NFC West there's no doubt he can kick inside to guard and be a success.