Collectibility at the Core of Panini America's 2014 NFL Mock Draft (Must-See Reveals)

Hey, we've got nothing at all against America's football experts who've spent the last several months cranking out one updated NFL mock draft after another. In fact, we absolutely love reading what noted draftniks such as Mike Mayock, Charley Casserly, Mel Kiper Jr. and Peter King have to say about tonight's highly anticipated first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. But when it comes to the business of football cards, nobody does that better than Panini America. As a result, nobody does NFL mock drafts quite like Panini America either.

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Hey, we’ve got nothing at all against America’s football experts who’ve spent the last several months cranking out one updated NFL mock draft after another. In fact, we absolutely love reading what noted draftniks such as Mike Mayock, Charley Casserly, Mel Kiper Jr. and Peter King have to say about tonight’s highly anticipated first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. But when it comes to the business of football cards, nobody does that better than Panini America. As a result, nobody does NFL mock drafts quite like Panini America either.
Most secular mock drafts this time of year mandate that focus be placed on individual team needs, best-player-available discussions or directional trading to stockpile later-round value picks. But that’s not how it works with Panini America. For us, there is only one criteria that matters in this second annual Panini America mock draft: Collectibility.

Who are the 32 most collectible rookies coming into the NFL this year? The answers to that question not only drove the seven Panini America officials who participated in this draft, they also will drive the Rookie Card content of every last one of Panini America’s 2014 NFL trading card products.
Those were the marching orders used by Panini America’s Karvin CheungBen Ecklar, Tracy Hackler, D.J. Kazmierczak, Joseph Mackey, Scott Prusha and Tim Trout. One by one below, our mock drafters lay out their picks for the 32 most collectible rookies of 2014, each offering a few words of rationale at the top of their list. In addition, we gave each man an additional “wish pick” — that is, which top rookie they’d select for their favorite NFL team. For that pick, we’ve also mocked up a 2014 Score Football Rookie Card just to bring things home.
So, without further ado, we proudly present the Panini America 2014 NFL Mock Draft.
Be sure to follow Panini America on Twitter tonight using the hash tag #ScoreRookie as company officials will be live tweeting images of each Draft Pick’s 2014 Score Rookie Card as soon as they are drafted. You can see all of them in real-time tonight.
Karvin Cheung, Panini America Director of Product Development
Favorite NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys
Wish Pick: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

2014 NFL Mock Cheung
Overview
Defense may win championships, but offense wins the hearts of football card collectors. In my analysis of our collectible mock draft, I valued the player’s position and alma mater. The schools with a strong fan base elevated players into higher draft spots. This 2014 draft is dominated by the QBs, which is great for football card collectors. If I could gaze into a crystal ball and know where each player is going, that would make a huge difference. With that in mind, there are two attributes that coaches can’t teach. Those two attributes are speed and size. What’s more exciting than an 80-yard run or a 60-yard bomb? That’s why speedsters like Odell Beckham Jr and Dri Archer are high on my list. If worlds collide and Johnny Football lands in Dallas, it would send shockwaves into the hobby. That would be dream scenario for the industry.
1. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
2. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
3. Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
4. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
5. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
6. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
7. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
8. Marqise Lee, WR, USC
9. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
10. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
11. A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama
12. Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
13. Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
14. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
15. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
16. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
17. Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
18. Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh
19. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
20. Dri Archer, RB, Kent State
21. Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
22. Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
23. Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
24. Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
25. Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson
26. Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia
27. Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
28. Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida State
29. Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech
30. Donte Moncrief, WR, Mississippi
31. Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
32. Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
Ben Ecklar, Panini America Director of Product Development
Favorite NFL Team: San Diego Chargers
Wish Pick: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
2014 NFL Mock Ecklar
Overview:
The instant-impact offensive skill position rookies continue to drive this hobby – especially starting rookie quarterbacks. We all witnessed this with Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson. Last season, despite having some strong performances from a number of rookies (highlighted by Eddie Lacy and Keenan Allen), no rookie quarterback performed as well as those from the previous two seasons. In 2014, expectations are high as a number of impact rookie quarterbacks enter the league. We’re seeing more and more rookies get their shots early; here’s to seeing a strong 2014 rookie class highlighted by rookie quarterbacks with a chance to meet – and in some cases exceed – expectations. That’s why you’ll see nine quarterbacks listed below.
1. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
2. Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
3. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
4. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
5. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
6. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno St.
7. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
8. Marqise Lee, WR, USC
9. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
10. A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama
11. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.
12. Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
13. Brandin Cooks, WR,        Oregon St.
14. Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
15. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio St.
16. Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
17. Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
18. Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
19. Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
20. Allen Robinson, WR,        Penn St.
21. Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado
22. Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia
23. Andre Williams. RB, Boston College
24. Davante Adams, WR, Fresno St.
25. Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
26. Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
27. Bruce Ellington, WR,       South Carolina
28. Donte Moncrief, WR, Mississippi
29. Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh
30. Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech
31. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
32. Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
Tracy Hackler, Panini America Hobby Marketing Manager
Favorite NFL Team: Denver Broncos
Wish Pick: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
2014 NFL Mock Hackler
Overview:
Let’s get right to the point: The deep, talented and skill-position-rich 2014 NFL rookie class is a dream crop for football card collectors – and at least one football card manufacturer. Truth be told, all of us here inside Panini America HQ have been eagerly anticipating producing Rookie Cards of this class for the better part of a year. We’re finally going to get our chance. Heck, this class is so stacked that even the few defensive players in my selection of the 32 most collectible rookies in this draft have the potential to be breakout stars in the collectibles arena. As for my wish pick? That one’s easy. I’d love for Johnny Manziel to land in Denver, where he could ride shotgun with the legendary Peyton Manning for a year or two before taking the reins himself. Hey, it’s called a “wish” for a reason.
1. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
2. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
3. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
4. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
5. Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
6. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
7. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno St.
8. Marqise Lee, WR, USC
9. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
10. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
11. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
12. A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama
13. Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
14. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.
15. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
16. Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
17. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio St.
18. Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
19. Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
20. Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
21. Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
22. Allen Robinson, WR, Penn St.
23. Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado
24. Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia
25. Andre Williams. RB, Boston College
26. Davante Adams, WR, Fresno St.
27. Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
28. Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
29. Brelan Chancellor, WR, North Texas
30. Donte Moncrief, WR, Mississippi
31. Bernard Reedy, WR, Toledo
32. Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
D.J. Kazmierczak, Panini America Vice President of Sales
Favorite NFL Team: Denver Broncos
Wish Pick: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
2014 NFL Mock Kaz
Overview:
This draft is loaded with skill players. There is no question that the quarterbacks are commanding a lot of the attention, but there are also some stud WRs in this draft. Sammy Watkins could be the best pro out of this entire draft. In reality, he will most likely end up in either Jacksonville or Cleveland, but the Rams would certainly be glad to have him in my mock “collectability” draft. It is going to be a stellar season to collect NFL trading cards.
1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
2. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
3. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
4. Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
5. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
6. Marqise Lee, WR, USC
7. Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
8. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
9. Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
10. Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
11. Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
12. C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
13. Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
14. Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
15. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
16. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
17. Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
18. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
19. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
20. Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
21. Donte Moncrief, WR, Mississippi
22. Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame
23. Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
24. Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
25. Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
26. Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado
27. Tyler Gaffney, RB, Stanford
28. Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina
29. Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Arizona
30. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
31. A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama
32. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
Joseph Mackey, Panini America Product Development Assistant
Favorite NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys
Wish Pick: Jadeveon Clowney. DE, South Carolina
2014 NFL Mock Mackey
Overview:
The 2014 NFL Draft is stacked throughout with collectible players going early and often. There are a number of QBs that aren’t being talked about, such as A.J. McCarron and Zach Mettenberger, that would be top picks in the previous draft. With Jadeveon Clowney being regarded as one of the best prospects of all time and a No. 1 overall pick, I believe he could bring some real value to the defensive side of the ball. For my wish pick, the Cowboys’ 32nd ranked defense needs all the help they can get and Clowney – from the best conference in the country – would certainly help.
1. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
2. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
3. Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
4. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
5. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno St.
6. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
7. AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama
8. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
9. Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
10. Marqise Lee, WR, USC
11. Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
12. Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh
13. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
14. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
15. Allen Robinson, WR, Penn St.
16. Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
17. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, E. Illinois
18. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
19. Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
20. Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
21. Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
22. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St
23. Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
24. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
25. Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Arizona
26. Eric Ebron, TE, UNC
27. Andre Williams, RB, Boston College
28. Davante Adams, WR, Fresno St.
29. De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
30. Logan Thomas, QB Virginia Tech
31. Khalil Mack, DE, Buffalo
32. Dri Archer, WR, Kent St.
Scott Prusha, Panini America Marketing Manager
Favorite NFL Team: Dallas Cowboys
Wish Pick: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

2014 NFL Mock Prusha
Overview:
While Johnny Manziel seems to be the buzz pick for the Dallas Cowboys (and will no doubt be the most collected rookie this year), I’d love to see my Cowboys select Jadeveon Clowney with the 16th pick. The Cowboys need help on the defensive line and Clowney’s got all the skill in the world. While I don’t think he’s going to be there at no. 16, if he were to go to the silver and blue, his cardboard would be on FIRE! It is wishful thinking.
1. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
2. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
3. Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
4. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
5. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
6. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
7. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
8. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
9. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
10. A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama
11. Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
12. Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
13. Marqise Lee, WR, USC
14. Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
15. Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
16. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
17. Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh
18. Allen Robinson, WR. Penn State
19. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
20. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
21. Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor
22. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
23. Aaron Donald, OT, Pittsburgh
24. Kevin Norwood, WR, Alabama
25. Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
26. C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
27. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
28. Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
29. Jake Mathews, OT, Texas A&M
30. Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
31. Bernard Reedy, WR, Toledo
32. Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska
Tim Trout, Football Brand Manager
Favorite NFL Team: Chicago Bears
Wish Pick: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
2014 NFL Mock Trout
Overview:
For collectors, the offensive skill positions drive secondary-market sales. Much of that value will depend on the team that actually drafts these players and their opportunity to have an immediate impact in 2014. My rankings or draft order is based on where I think they’ll end up, and the value that it will present for these players. There are a few players, however, that will get some hobby love due to the colleges they attended. I would love to see Jadeveon Clowney picked by Da Bears to compliment the newly signed Jared Allen, and to help restore the defense back to the Monsters of the Midway. 
1. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
2. Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
3. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
4. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
5. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
6. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno St.
7. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
8. Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh
9. Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
10. Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
11. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.
12. Marqise Lee, WR, USC
13. AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama
14. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
15. Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
16. Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
17. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
18. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio St.
19. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
20. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
21. Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
22. Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
23. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
24. Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
25. Eric Ebron, TE, UNC
26. Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
27. C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
28. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
29. Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia
30. Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Arizona
31. James Wilder Jr., RB, Florida St.
32. C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa

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5 Replies to “Collectibility at the Core of Panini America's 2014 NFL Mock Draft (Must-See Reveals)”

  1. Interesting Results! Fun way to switch up the same ole same ole of usual NFL Mock Draft boards…
    Excited to try a few boxes of 2014 Score Football! Since they release on the same day – can you post updates to the Panini Rewards Program? What will it look like, how will it work, can we get our point balances ahead of time? Thanks!

  2. Ha! This was fun…but don’t think any of you got your wishes lol
    Where is Jason’s selections?

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