Johnny Manziel Set Up For Draft Free Fall?
The insanity of the 2014 NFL Draft has already swept up the football nation, and the actual selecting of players hasn’t even happened yet. Naturally, the NFL’s pushing back of the draft to May 8th has created even more smokescreens and insane rumors than usual, none more annoying or interesting at the same time as what might happen with Texas A&M quarterback, Johnny Manziel.
Easily the most polarizing prospect and right up there with Jadeveon Clowney in terms of sheer popularity, Manziel’s stock has fluctuated more often than Oprah’s weight in just the past month.
Recent rumors have gone back and forth on Manziel possibly going to teams like the St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys, while Rams and Cowboys brass have publicly denied such rumors.
Furthermore, FOX Sports reporter Jay Glazer has made it known that Manziel will not be taken with the number four or five overall selections, held currently by the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders, respectively.
Add in former NFL GM Charley Casserly’s note that Manziel is by the far the most overrated prospect heading into the 2014 NFL Draft, and fans of Johnny Football might want to start wondering just how far his stock has plummeted.
The Houston Texans are not believed to be seriously considering Manziel with the draft’s top pick, and with the Rams backing starting quarterback Sam Bradford, the Jacksonville Jaguars look like Manziel’s first logical landing spot at the third overall pick.
Even the Jaguars aren’t set on Manziel, though, especially given the fact that they should have a shot at stud talents like Khalil Mack or Sammy Watkins. If Manziel slips past Jaguars and the aforementioned Browns and Raiders, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings would be his next two potential landing spots. However, Glazer has already said that the Bucs can be crossed off the list, too, while there have been rumors for weeks that Minnesota isn’t high on Manziel due to him not being an ideal fit for Norv Turner’s vertical offense.
With the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions not needing a quarterback, the Tennessee Titans at the 11th overall spot figure to be Manziel’s next best bet for a long while, although they already have a talented question mark at quarterback in Jake Locker.
If Manziel is still off the board after the Titans pick, the ridiculous rumors about the Giants and Cowboys having legit interest could start to heat up. However, if neither pull the trigger and Manziel slides past Dallas at the 16th spot, a complete fall out of the first round could turn into a reality real quick.
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