UPDATE: 2014 NFL Mock Draft

1. Houston Texans- Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
2. St. Louis Rams (via Washington)- Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
4. Cleveland Browns- Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
5. Oakland Raiders- Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
6. Atlanta Falcons- Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
8. Minnesota Vikings- Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
9. Buffalo Bills- Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
10. Detroit Lions- Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma St.
11. Tennessee Titans- C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
12. New York Giants- Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
13. St. Louis Rams- Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
14. Chicago Bears- Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville
15. Pittsburgh Steelers- Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St.
16. Dallas Cowboys- Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St.
17. Baltimore Ravens- Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
18. New York Jets- Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
19. Miami Dolphins- Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
20. Arizona Cardinals- Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio St.
21. Green Bay Packers- Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama
22. Philadelphia Eagles- Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
23. Kansas City Chiefs- Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA
24. Cincinnati Bengals- Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
25. San Diego Chargers- Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio St.
26. Cleveland Browns (via Colts)- Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.
27. New Orleans Saints- Dee Ford, DE, Auburn
28. Carolina Panthers- Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, LSU
29. New England Patriots- Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
30. San Francisco 49ers- Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
31. Denver Broncos- David Yankey, OG, Stanford
32. Seattle Seahawks- Allen Robinson, WR, Penn St.

UPDATE: NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: 51-100

51. Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas (6'5", 312lbs.)
52. Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas (6'3", 247lbs.)
53. Davante Adams, WR, Fresno St. (6'2", 212lbs.)
54. Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee (6'6", 336lbs.)
55. Cyril Richardson, OG, Baylor (6'5", 329lbs.)
56. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio St. (6'0", 230lbs.)
57. Jimmie Ward, FS, Northern Illinois (5'11", 193lbs.)
58. Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU (5'11", 205lbs.)
59. Will Sutton, DT, Arizona St. (6'0", 303lbs.)
60. Telvin Smith, OLB, Florida St. (6'3", 218lbs.)
61. Jack Mewhort, OT, Ohio St. (6'6", 309lbs.)
62. Dominque Easley, DL, Florida (6'2", 288lbs.)
63. Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington (5'9", 209lbs.)
64. Jimmy Garropolo, QB, Eastern Illinois (6'2", 226lbs.)
65. Victor Hampton, CB, South Carolina (5'9", 197lbs.)
66. Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame (6'6", 270lbs.)
67. Marcus Martin, C, USC (6'3", 320lbs.)
68. Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin (5'11", 248lbs.)
69. Tre Mason, RB, Auburn (5'8", 207lbs.)
70. Marcus Smith, DE, Louisville (6'3", 251lbs.)
71. Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU (6'1", 233lbs.)
72. Carl Bradford, OLB, Arizona St. (6'1", 250lbs.)
73. Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado St. (6'0", 170lbs.)
74. Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU (6'2", 308lbs.)
75. Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech (6'3", 252lbs.)
76. Weston Richburg, C, Colorado St. (6'3", 298lbs.)
77. DaQuan Jones, DT, Penn St. (6'4", 322lbs.)
78. Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson (6'4", 211lbs.)
79. Billy Turner, OT, North Dakota St. (6'5", 315lbs.)
80. Michael Sam, DE, Missouri (6'2", 261lbs.)
81. Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina (6'4", 297lbs.)
82. Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss (6'2", 221lbs.)
83. Kareem Martin, DE, North Carolina (6'6", 272lbs.)
84. Terrence Brooks, FS, Florida St. (5'11", 198lbs.)
85. Ka'Deem Carey, RB, Arizona (5'9", 207lbs.)
86. Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska (6'3", 218lbs.)
87. Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas (6'1", 266lbs.)
88. Keith McGill, DB, Utah (6'3", 211lbs.)
89. Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin (6'1", 195lbs.)
90. Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada (6'4", 302lbs.)
91. Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida St. (5'8", 206lbs.)
92. Christian Jones, OLB, Florida St. (6'3", 240lbs.)
93. Ed Reynolds, FS, Stanford (6'1", 207lbs.)
94. E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri (5'10", 190lbs.)
95. Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida (5'11", 190lbs.)
96. C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa (6'5", 265lbs.)
97. Tre Boston, FS, North Carolina (6'0", 204lbs.)
98. Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood (6'1", 198lbs.)
99. Ego Ferguson, DT, LSU (6'3", 315lbs.)
100. Bashaud Breeland, CB, Clemson (5'11", 197lbs.)

UPDATE: NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: 1-50

With the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine officially completed, it's about time that I update my Top 100 Prospects.

1. Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn (6'5", 332lbs.)
2. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina (6'5", 266lbs.)
3. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville (6'2", 214lbs.)
4. Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M (6'5", 308lbs.)
5. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson (6'1", 211lbs.)
6. Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo (6'3", 251lbs.)
7. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M (6'0", 207lbs.)
8. Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan (6'7", 309lbs.)
9. Blake Bortles, QB, UCF (6'5", 232lbs.)
10. Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA (6'4", 248lbs.)
11. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M (6'5", 231lbs.)
12. Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma St. (6'0", 202lbs.)
13. Zack Martin, OL, Notre Dame (6'4", 308lbs.)
14. C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama (6'2", 234lbs.)
15. Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina (6'4", 250lbs.)
16. Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St. (5'11", 199lbs.)
17. Marqise Lee, WR, USC (6'0", 192lbs.)
18. Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri (6'4", 273lbs.)
19. Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St. (6'2", 299lbs.)
20. Dee Ford, DE, Auburn (6'2", 252lbs.)
21. Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh (6'1", 285lbs.)
22. Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame (6'2", 331lbs.)
23. Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama (6'1", 208lbs.)
24. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU (5'11", 198lbs.)
25. Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota (6'6", 310lbs.)
26. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St. (6'5", 240lbs.)
27. David Yankey, OG, Stanford (6'6", 315lbs.)
28. Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville (5'11", 207lbs.)
29. Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech (6'5", 265lbs.)
30. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama (6'7", 322lbs.)
31. Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio St. (6'1", 237lbs.)
32. Stephon Tuitt, DL, Notre Dame (6'5", 304lbs.)
33. Jason Verrett, CB, TCU (5'9", 189lbs.)
34. Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA (6'4", 307lbs.)
35. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno St. (6'2", 214lbs.)
36. Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia (6'6", 314lbs.)
37. Allen Robinson, WR, Penn St. (6'2", 220lbs.)
38. Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon St. (6'3", 273lbs.)
39. Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida (6'0", 191lbs.)
40. Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU (6'3", 243lbs.)
41. Trent Murphy, DE, Stanford (6'5", 250lbs.)
42. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St. (5'10", 189lbs.)
43. Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi St. (6'3", 336lbs.)
44. Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech (6'0", 190lbs.)
45. Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt (6'3", 212lbs.)
46. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington (6'5", 262lbs.)
47. Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio St. (5'11", 194lbs.)
48. Lamarcus Joyner, DB, Florida St. (5'8", 184lbs.)
49. Deone Bucannon, SS, Washington St. (6'1", 211lbs.)
50. A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama (6'3", 220lbs.)

The Patriots should recruit Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez is retired, probably sitting on a beach somewhere living the good life. But I have a hunch that if he got an offer from a serious playoff contending team, he would at least consider playing one more season. The 14-time Pro Bowler and future first-ballot Hall of Famer turns 38 years old at the end of the month, but he proved last season that he's still got it (83 receptions, 859 yards, 8 TDs). If there's one organization in the NFL that could lure the best tight end of all time out of retirement, it's the New England Patriots. It's no secret that the Patriots need to add talent to the tight end position. Rob Gronkowski can't be depended on due to his inability to stay healthy, and as we saw last season they lack another talented pass-catching tight end. Adding Gonzalez to the Patriots offense would provide a smart, savvy, durable and extremely reliable player, that this offense lacks in its receivers. Gonzalez was recently quoted saying his former Falcons teammate Matt Ryan is not an 'elite' quarterback, so one can't help but wonder what he'd say if offered to play with one of most elite to ever play the game -- Tom Brady.

NFL Draft Prospect Michael Sam comes out

Michael Sam -- a talented pass-rusher out of Missouri who I believe has the talent to be selected early in the second round of the NFL Draft -- told ESPN and The New York Times that he is gay, according to this article on NFL.com. For information on his decision and the responses it received, I suggest you click on the link I provided.

I for one applaud Sam's decision to come out. We live in a society that's becoming more accepting every single day. But still, the world of professional sports seems to have hit the "snooze" button. Last October, NBA veteran Jason Collins came out and he hasn't been on an NBA team since. It's quite the same considering that Collins is a veteran journeyman and Sam is a young, highly talented prospect. But the question looms, "Will this hurt his draft stock?" I don't think it will. Despite all the media attention that will follow Sam to whichever team drafts him, that team is going to draft him based on his ability. And he has plenty of it. He's not the next Lawrence Taylor, but he's a good player who can get to the quarterback -- an invaluable trait in today's NFL. The league is ready for an openly gay player and hopefully Sam can be the model by which other gay athletes live by.

Top 50 Free Agents

With the 2013 NFL season officially over, it's time we take a glimpse into the players who may be moving on to greener pastures this offseason. There are a number of starting caliber players, many in their prime, set to test the free agent waters. Here are the top fifty.

1. Jimmy Graham, TE
2. Greg Hardy, DE
3. Jairus Byrd, FS
4. T.J. Ward, SS
5. Alterraun Verner, CB
6. Eric Decker, WR
7. Jared Allen, DE
8. Brent Grimes, CB
9. Eugene Monroe, OT
10. Donald Butler, ILB
11. Brian Orakpo, OLB
12. Michael Bennett, DE
13. Alex Mack, C
14. Henry Melton, DT
15. Hakeem Nicks, WR
16. Aqib Talib, CB
17. Zach Strief, OT
18. Michael Johnson, DE
19. Jason Hatcher, DT
20. Jared Veldheer, OT
21. Chris Harris, CB (R)
22. Captain Munnerlyn, CB
23. Jon Beason, ILB
24. Dennis Pitta, TE
25. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB
26. Geoff Schwartz, OG
27. Lamarr Houston, DE
28. Randy Starks, DT
29. Arthur Jones, DT
30. Vontae Davis, CB
31. Branden Albert, OT
32. Wesley Woodyard, OLB
33. Jordan Gross, OT
34. Jason Worilds, OLB
35. Knowshon Moreno, RB
36. Sam Shields, CB
37. Julian Edelman, WR
38. Travelle Wharton, OG
39. Zane Beadles, OG
40. Charles Tillman, CB
41. Anthony Spencer, OLB/DE
42. Brandon Spikes, MLB
43. Daryl Smith, ILB
44. Anthony Collins, OT
45. Joique Bell, RB (R)
46. Antoine Bethea, SS
47. Jeremy Maclin, WR
48. Linval Joseph, DT
49. Justin Tuck, DE
50. Donte Whitner, SS

Other Notable Free Agents: Anquan Boldin, Maurice Jones-Drew, Shaun Phillips, Bernard Pollard, Clinton McDonald, Karlos Dansby, Emmanuel Sanders, B.J. Raji, Robert Ayers, Michael Vick, Asante Samuel, Darren McFadden, Brandon Pettigrew, Jon Asamoah, Eric Winston, Jonathan Vilma, and Rodger Saffold.

*Free agent info courtesy of http://nfltraderumors.co
**(R)= Restricted Free Agent

My Take: Super Bowl Edition

The Seattle Seahawks performance in Super Bowl XLVIII can be summed up with one word -- dominant. Its defense held the league's most potent offense to only eight points, forced four turnovers, and matched Denver's point total. Defensive end Cliff Avril was relentless in his pursuit of Peyton Manning and was responsible for both of the Bronco's quarterback's interceptions. Per usual, The Legion of Boom lit up the Denver receivers whenever they caught the ball. On the other side of the ball, Russell Wilson managed the game well and took care of the ball.

As a fan of the sport, I was very disappointed with how the game unfolded. In my opinion, it's best for the Super Bowl to be a competitive game and last night's matchup was anything but that. The Seahawks looked better than the Broncos in every way imaginable and it was the most lopsided Super Bowl I've ever witnessed. I did take away something positive from this game, though; that even in a league where the rules are made to let offenses shine, it's defense that wins championships.

My next post will be on how this loss affects Peyton Manning's legacy.