The 5 Best and Worst Performing Teams in the 2014 NFL Draft

Now that the 2014 NFL Draft is finally over, all the questions and speculation surrounding this draft can finally begin to fade. We know where Johnny Manziel will play quarterback next year, with or without Josh Gordon. The Houston Texans used their No. 1 overall pick on the player who has been championed as the best talent in the draft for over a year now: Jadeveon Clowney. And, thankfully, Michael Sam found a home in the league, provided he can make the regular season roster for the St. Louis Rams.

However, now that all of these questions have been answered, new ones begin to appear. And the biggest ones on the mind of anyone who watched the draft have to do with who made the best picks and who made the worst. Were there any head-scratching selections you noticed throughout the league's three-day event? Should Taylor Lewan have been taken by the Tennessee Titans? How do you think Indianapolis Colts fans are feeling about the Trent Richardson trade given that it cost them their first round pick this year?

In our evaluation of The 5 Best and Worst Performing Teams in the 2014 NFL Draft, we consider all these questions and more when looking at who struck out and who hit it big this year.

Players selected (in draft order): Dom Easley (DT, Florida), Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, Eastern Illinois), Bryan Stork (C, Florida State), James White (RB, Wisconsin), Cameron Fleming (OT, Stanford), Jon Halapio (G, Florida), Zach Moore (DE, Concordia), Jemea Thomas (CB, Georgia Tech), Jeremy Gallon (WR, Michigan)

Given that Tom Brady is in the final stages of his career, the Patriots could've shown more urgency with their first and second round selections, especially considering the fact that their receiving corps was largely expendable and/or injury-prone last season. As the AFC Championship Game revealed, Tom Brady needs legitimate weapons if he's expected to carry his team back to the Super Bowl.

Granted, the Patriots defense has been uncharacteristically weak as of late, sitting near the bottom of the pack in total yards allowed last season, so the Dom Easley selection makes sense.

But Jimmy Garappolo seems like an odd pick for New England given that they passed on the Ryan Mallett trade the Texans were reportedly trying to make happen over the week. Garappolo offers added depth to a team that is need of greater help elsewhere. James White and Jeremy Gallon fit the mold of the short-statured playmakers that have littered New England's depth chart for the past few seasons, but New England could've done more for their offensive skill positions than spending fourth round and seventh round picks on them.

Players selected (in draft order): Sammy Watkins (WR, Clemson), Cyrus Kouandjio (OT, Alabama), Preston Brown (MLB, Louisville), Ross Cockrell (CB, Duke), Cyril Richardson (G, Baylor), Randell Johnson (OLB, Florida Atlantic), Seantrel Henderson (OT, Miami)

While Sammy Watkins was one of the most-coveted offensive talents of the NFL Draft, he's likely not going to be worth the 2015 first round pick the Buffalo traded away for him. Since 2004, Buffalo has picked no lower than No. 16 in the draft, so unless Watkins has a strong rookie campaign, and E.J. Manuel is able to break out from his injury-plagued first year, then it looks like Cleveland netted themselves a high selection for next year that Buffalo could use.

The probability of a Buffalo turnaround also seems unlikely when you factor in Buffalo's loss of defensive coordinator Mike Pettine who, yes, went to go coach the Browns.

With their next pick, the Bills selected tackle Cyrus Kouandjio, who protected A.J. McCarron during their time together at Alabama. However, Kouandjio has been dogged by knee injuries in the past, so his value largely depends on whether his ligaments will hold out. Similarly, the Bills selected Seantrel Henderson with their final pick, a player who was rated as the No. 1 overall prospect of the 2008 recruiting class. However, he was mostly inconsistent throughout his college career.

Perhaps he'll make good on the scout who once called him "a cross between Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Pace" back when Henderson was a high school senior. But until then, like every one of Buffalo's other picks, questions linger over the Henderson selection that won't be answered until months or even years down the line.

Players selected (in draft order): Jack Mewhort (G/OT, Ohio State), Donte Moncrief (WR, Ole Miss), Jonathan Newsome (DE, Ball State), Andrew Jackson (MLB, Western Kentucky), Ulrick John (OT, Georgia State)

The Trent Richardson trade is what really sunk this draft for the Indianapolis Colts, costing them their first round pick and yielding next to nothing in return. Because of the flubbed first-rounder, the Colts' draft feels more incomplete than anything. Certainly, Donte Moncrief offers them good value at wide receiver for a third round pick, and Andrew Luck is sure to appreciate the addition of a 6'2", 221-pound target.

However, while their second round selection Jack Mewhort is talented, he's a questionable pick given that other guards like Trai Turner were still on the board. And aside from Moncrief and Mewhort, Indianapolis was largely invisible for the 2014 NFL Draft.

Hopefully, they'll be able to avoid a season in which they simply tread water.

Players selected (in draft order): Kelvin Benjamin (WR, Florida State), Kony Ealy (DE, Missouri), Trai Turner (G, LSU), Tre Boston (S, North Carolina), Bene Benwikere (CB, San Jose State), Tyler Gaffney (RB, Stanford)

Kelvin Benjamin gives Carolina a tall, physical wide receiver who should serve as a towering target in the end zone for Cam Newton. However, the Panthers were in serious need of an offensive tackle this year, and protection would likely be more useful to Newton than another wide receiver. Carolina failed to select a tackle at all in this draft, instead picking up a guard at No. 92 in Trai Turner. While Turner is a solid prospect, it's more difficult for a guard to play tackle than it is for a tackle to play guard.

With their second round selection, the Panthers selected Kony Ealy out of Missouri, who joins a pass-rush unit which led the league in sacks last year. There's no problem with strengthening an already-strong unit, but it seems odd to take a luxury pick when offensive line prospects like Justin Britt and Moses Morgan were still on the board.

At the bottom of the draft, Carolina filled out their roster with a gang of solid but likely unspectacular players. While they'll all provide added depth for the team, the sixth round selection of Tyler Gaffney for Carolina's loaded depth chart at running back capped a largely inexplicable draft for the team.

Players selected (in draft order): Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan), Bishop Sankey (RB, Washington), DaQuan Jones (DT, Penn State), Marqueston Huff (CB, Wyoming), Avery Williamson (MLB, Kentucky), Zach Mettenberger (QB, LSU)

It's been well-stated at this point, but the Tennessee Titans first round selection of former Michigan captain Taylor Lewan remains head-scratching. Why? Consider the fact that the Titans locked up Michael Oher to a four-year, $20M contract this off-season, while their All-Pro offensive tackle Michael Roos is stationed on the other side of the line. So where exactly does Lewan fit into this equation? It's hard to say.

But what is known is that the Titans had other positions of deeper need that they completely ignored by opting for Lewan. While selecting Lewan makes sense if they're trying to provide further protection for the injury-prone Jake Locker, it seems like they'd already made the necessary moves via free-agency in order to give him more security in the pocket. There's no question that Lewan is talented, but why not instead bolster a defense that was ranked just No. 19 in the league last season?

Despite the wasted first-rounder, running back Bishop Sankey is a bright spot for the Tennessee draft, and DaQuan Jones offers a tough, gritty tackle in the interior D-line. Hopefully, they'll be effective enough to offset Tennessee's strange opening pick.

Players selected (in draft order): Anthony Barr (LB, UCLA), Teddy Bridgewater (QB, Louisville), Scott Crichton (DE, Oregon State), Jerick McKinnon (RB, Georgia Southern), David Yankey (G, Stanford), Antone Exum (DB, Virginia Tech), Kendall James (CB, Maine), Shamar Stephen (DT, Connecticut), Brandon Watts (LB, Georgia Tech), Jabari Price (CB, North Carolina)

With the Houston Texans lurking at the top of the second round, the Minnesota Vikings made the smart decision to trade up for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Not too long ago, the former Louisville signal-caller was regarded as the No. 1 pick in the draft, so Minnesota swooping in to grab him at the bottom of the first round figures as a steal for Vikings fans, especially given the team's current quagmire at the quarterback position. Bridgewater will immediately compete for the starting position with lackluster candidates Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder.

Meanwhile, the Vikings' first selection is the tantalizing Anthony Barr, a raw yet prolific prospect who has only been playing the linebacker position for two seasons now. He'll both complement and challenge fellow outside linebacker Chad Greenway with his remarkable athleticism and considerable speed off the edge. Taking a defensive talent first makes sense for new head coach Mike Zimmer, and under Zimmer's tutelage, Barr appears to be in a situation where he can grow up fast.

Alongside Barr, defensive end Scott Crichton will be a welcome addition to the pass rush, and represents a great value as a third round selection. Jerick McKinnon boasts remarkable speed as a versatile back-up to Adrian Peterson, while former Stanford lineman David Yankey figures to make the roster after an All-American college career.

Players selected (in draft order): Greg Robinson (OT, Auburn), Aaron Donald (DT, Pittsburgh), Lamarcus Joyner (S/CB, Florida State), Tre Mason (RB, Auburn), Maurice Alexander (S, Utah State), E.J. Gaines (CB, Missouri), Garrett Gilbert (QB, SMU), Mitchell Van Dyk (OT, Portland State), Christian Bryant (S, Ohio State), Michael Sam (DE, Missouri), Demetrius Rhaney (C, Tennessee State)

Normally, the draft isn't the place to take an ethical stand, especially for an organization as spurious as the NFL, but the St. Louis Rams did the right thing by selecting former Missouri standout Michael Sam. In most cases, a seventh round pick won't make the roster, and with the crowded defensive line in St. Louis, Sam will be hard-pressed to beat those odds. However, history was staring the Rams in the face when they had the opportunity to take the hometown kid with the No. 249 pick, and good on them for answering.

The 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year deserves a shot to make a roster in this league, and it would've been suspicious for Sam to go undrafted considering the pedigree of that award.

Aside from the obvious storyline, the Rams also did well because of their stellar first round in which they selected Greg Robinson at nN. 2 and Aaron Donald at No. 13, each arguably the best player at their respective position. LaMarcus Joyner may have been the only reach for St. Louis, but the addition of Tre Mason in the third round makes up for this possible gamble. The former Auburn running back figures to challenge incumbent Zac Stacy immediately, and could pay big dividends for St. Louis in his rookie season.

Players selected (in draft order): Blake Bortles (QB, UCF), Marqise Lee (WR, USC), Allen Robinson (WR, Penn State), Brandon Linder (G, Miami), Aaron Colvin (CB, Oklahoma), Telvin Smith (LB, Florida State), Chris Smith (DE, Arkansas), Luke Bowanko (C, Virginia), Storm Johnson (RB, UCF)

Many have already expressed their distaste for Jacksonville's selection of Blake Bortles, but until we see the former UCF star on a pro field, only one thing is certain: he's a physical force whose mechanics need work. Will Bortles get the time to cultivate his talents and work out the kinks or is the Jacksonville coaching staff going to aim to have him ready for opening day?

It remains to be seen, but with Chad Henne currently sitting as the team's No. 1 QB, the latter appears more likely than the former. However, public opinion of the Bortles selection could drop even lower if he doesn't deliver in his first appearance, so Gus Bradley and his staff better be ready to walk a fine line with Bortles. It will take the proper mix of patience, urgency, and solid coaching to make sure that he isn't the next Blaine Gabbert.

On the personnel side of things, the Jags' front office did a nice job of making sure that Bortles will have talent around him whenever he ends up seeing the field. The selection of former Biletnikoff winner Marqise Lee gives Bortles an immediate deep threat. In the best case scenario, the pair could tear up the AFC South in their first year much like Andy Dalton and A.J. Green did for Cincinnati when they entered the league. The addition of Allen Robinson is further proof that management wants to give Bortles every chance to succeed from the get-go.

The team also did well to bolster their O-line with Brandon Linder and Luke Bowanko, while giving their defense the benefit of three mid-to-late round picks in the last couple days of the draft. Finally, former UCF running back Storm Johnson is an intriguing seventh-round grab for the team, especially with the absence of Maurice Jones-Drew.

Players selected (in draft order): Jadeveon Clowney (DE, South Carolina), Xavier Su'a-Filo (G, UCLA), C.J. Fiedorowicz (TE, Iowa), Louis Nix (DT, Notre Dame), Tom Savage (QB, Pittsburgh), Jeoffrey Pagan (DE, Alabama), Alfred Blue (RB, LSU), Jay Prosch (FB, Auburn), Andre Hal (CB, Vanderbilt), Lonnie Ballentine (S, Memphis)

The Houston Texans get a high grade based on the presumption that they'll be trading for a quarterback in the next few weeks. As it stands, the Houston depth chart starts with Ryan Fitzpatrick, and if you're looking for an early end to their playoff hopes in 2014, that's likely where it will begin as well. Will the much-rumored Ryan Mallett trade materialize? Now that the draft is over, the chances appear to have diminished, especially given how much New England likes to trade for draft picks, but it seems impossible that Houston doesn't have something sitting in their back pocket with regards to the quarterback position right now.

Moving away from the quarterback spot, they also drafted Jadeveon Clowney, a freak athlete whose questionable work ethic will likely improve next to a proven veteran like J.J. Watt and with former New England Patriot Mike Vrabel as his position coach. After that, the getting stayed good for Houston. Louis Nix was a player that many didn't expect to be around in the third round, much less as the fourth player drafted by any team. Xavier Su'a-Filo is a nice grab for their offensive line after losing the chance to draft Teddy Bridgewater with the No. 33 pick.

Still, by passing on talents like Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, and Bridgewater, Houston made one thing clear: either a trade is on the way soon, or the front office felt that this year's QB class wasn't strong enough for Houston to bet their future on any one player. If it's the latter case, Houston fans should likely prepare themselves to have another high pick in 2015.

Players selected (in draft order): Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S, Alabama), Davante Adams (WR, Fresno State), Khyri Thornton (DT, Southern Miss), Richard Rodgers (TE, California), Carl Bradford (LB, Arizona State), Corey Linsley (C, Ohio State), Jared Abbrederis (WR, Wisconsin), Demetri Goodson (CB, Baylor), Jeff Janis (WR, Saginaw Valley State)

After an up-and-down season in Green Bay in which they managed to sneak into the playoffs, GM Ted Thompson did his absolute best to make sure that the Packers are a lock for the playoffs next year. The Green Bay secondary received a new teammate in former Alabama star Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, a prospect who many thought would be off the board by the time Green Bay's selection arrived. Clinton-Dix is a hard-hitting, physical safety who will immediately help out starting cornerbacks Sam Shields and Tramon Williams in the Packers' weak defensive backfield.

Elsewhere, wide receiver Davante Adams and tight end Richard Rodgers offer insurance for the losses of James Jones and Jermichael Finley over the offseason, giving Aaron Rodgers a young, but possibly explosive receiving corps. The late selections of receivers Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis serve as further evidence that management wants Rodgers to feel as comfortable as he can in Green Bay.

After a season in which injuries were an issue for Rodgers, the Pro Bowler and former Super Bowl MVP could turn the team's fortunes around in a heartbeat with this haul.