Johnny Manziel Projected To Go Fourth By Mel Kiper, Jr. And Sports Illustrated, Eighth By McShay, And Now Drawing Interest From Seventh-Positioned Bucs
ByMost of the latest mock drafts have Jadaveon Clowney going number one to the Texans, at least those from Sports Illustrated and what little I'm privy to from Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay, whose full articles are locked by ESPN Insider (are they ever going to do away with that?). Less than a month away from the draft, Johnny Manziel's position remains up in the air.
Though the six-foot former Heisman trophy winner is behind at least two quarterbacks in most experts' rankings, he's projected to be the first one taken (fourth overall to the Browns) by both Kiper, Jr. and Sports Illustrated. McShay, who has projected Manziel lower than rival Kiper, Jr. since day one (which was a long time ago) followed pattern and positioned the A&M slinger at number eight to the Vikings. (He has Blake Bortles in the four spot to the Browns.)
Whomever the Browns take at four, it's likely going to be a quarterback. They're current best candidate is Brian Hoyer, who wasn't bad in his two-game stint last season (both wins; 5 Tds, 3 Ints) but wasn't a hot prospect coming out of college. The Texans share similar troubles after Matt Schaub went to the Oakland Raiders. With few quarterbacks left on the market, they might still grab Clowney and then look for a thrower in the later rounds.
Recent ESPN reports also have the number-seven selecting Buccaneers interested in Manziel. Unlike the Texans and Browns, the Bucs have a decent quarterback situation with recently acquired Josh McNown (formerly of the Bears) as well as the solid Mike Glennon. If Manziel was taken by them, he'd probably be behind at least McNown for year one, leading to the once traditional path of rookie quarterbacks. Yet, if he's also behind Glennon for that first year, it might take some confidence away from the gregarious playmaker. Perhaps then Glennon is traded if Manziel makes it to them at seven.