By TORI ADDISON
Staff Writer
With the first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft the Houston Texans select… well, that is a good question. In case you have not been watching ESPN lately, it seems that the notorious Johnny Football is going as the first pick in the draft. Well, that is according to Mel Kiper at least. For the past two seasons, Manziel has been the face of the Texas A&M football program. With a career total of sixty-three touchdowns and 7,820 passing yards, the only problems the Aggies had with Johnny existed off the field. Besides the wild partying with famous rapper Drake and potentially selling autographs to brokers, Johnny definitely had some serious “YOLO” moments his sophomore season. Yes, he has had some behavioral problems, but in the end I really do believe that he will be a great professional athlete regardless of whatever team decides to draft him.
While many sports fans and Johnny Manziel enthusiasts may be set on him going number one to the Texans, I have second thoughts about his draft stock. There are a handful of teams that could really use Manziel and who knows which ones will not hesitate to try and move up in the draft order to get him. It is no secret that Matt Schaub is just not cutting it for the Texans, especially when he had more interceptions than touchdowns during the regular season. But, before jumping to conclusions and taking Manziel with the first pick, the Texans need to consider Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater. Both players would be a great addition to the Texan’s offense, but the question still remains which one would be the best fit. Newly hired head coach Bill O’Brien will be facing serious deliberation over the whole ordeal, but if I had one guess the end result will not be going in Manziel’s favor. I simply cannot imagine Bridgewater on any other team, but the Texans and he is honestly worth the first round pick. Bridgewater is physically bigger than Manziel and he is also more mature on and off the field. Not to mention, out of all the quarterbacks in the draft, Bridgewater seems to be the most NFL-ready. As we saw him demonstrate all season, as well as in the Russell Athletic Bowl, Bridgewater is really good at making accurate throws and scoring touchdowns. While Manziel may have him beat in the run game, I am still doubtful that the Texans will pass on using the first pick to pick up Bridgewater. Unless they throw a curveball and trade down, I do not see the Texans going down any other road than the one that leads them straight to Teddy Bridgewater.
Don’t get me wrong, Manziel is a great quarterback, but I just do not see him going as the first pick of the draft. Let’s not forget the second pick that the Rams acquired from the Redskins two seasons ago in their monumental trade to obtain RGIII. I doubt that the Rams give up on Sam Bradford and stick around to snag a quarterback with their second pick. Instead, I can see them trading down with a team who is desperately trying to get their hands on whichever quarterback is left over from the Texan’s pick. If anything, I am leaning more towards watching the Jaguars and Raiders battle it out to see who can claim him first. Both teams are in dire need of a quarterback and such a big name collegiate player will really attract attention, while also providing fans with some hope for their failing franchises. If either the Jaguars or Raiders can use the draft to build their offense and provide Manziel with some seriously talented targets, either team could easily look towards a decent record for next season. Other possibilities could include the Browns or Buccaneers trading up to snag Manziel, but I doubt he will last past the fifth pick. The only team that I do not see pursing Johnny is the Vikings. With such an immense run game coming from Adrian Peterson, a mobile quarterback would just not fit into their offensive system. Not to mention, the Jaguars and Raiders are in far worse shape than AP and the Vikings.
The NFL Draft is one of the biggest days marked on any sport fan’s calendar. With the date getting pushed back to May, it is going to be hard to patiently wait to hear the opening boos that ensue as soon as Roger Goodell steps onto the stage at Radio City Music Hall. The Texan’s decision regarding the first pick will be an interesting one, but I will also not be surprised if Manziel has to sweat it out a few more picks before hearing his name called. If anything, there is no doubt that the decision surrounding the first round pick will be constantly analyzed and argued about until draft day is finally upon us.
