The 2014 NFL Draft

[Algernon Moncrieff]

Since no one in "Football" will discuss this ....

Expert analysis sought from DU (or wild guesses -- whichever)

1) Who do you think will be the top 5 picks: Houston, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Oakland (in that order)?

2) Do you think Dallas will (as rumored) trade into the top 5 to take Manziel?

3) Regardless of who Houston may take, who do you think is the best player in this draft and why?

4) Who is your pick to be draft bust of 2014?
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My take:

1) Who do you think will be the top 5 picks: Houston, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Oakland (in that order)?

Houston: I think the Texans may trade the pick, but if they do pick here, I think they do the smart thing and take Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney = 15 year upgrade on defense.

St. Louis: If Houston takes Clowney, or anybody but Johnny Football, I think Dallas makes good on their offer to trade up. If the Rams make the pick, I think they go with OT Greg Robinson so as to better protect Sam Bradford and help develop their running game.

Jacksonville: Tim Tebow. OK, not Tim Tebow. I think they'll take Johnny Manziel if Dallas doesn't trade up to 1 or 2.

Cleveland: Cleveland also needs a QB, and if Manziel is gone, they'll have to choose between Bortles or Bridgewater. I think they go QB Blake Bortles. Alternative scenario: If Manziel is still here, Miles Austin and Tony Romo may end up in Cleveland.

Oakland: Honestly, no clue. I'll guess Khalil Mack, but they might take one of the upper tier linemen or WRs.


2) Do you think Dallas will (as rumored) trade into the top 5 to take Manziel?

I think they'll try like heck. The question is whether they can make some sort of package of Romo, draft picks, and (maybe) Miles Austin.


3) Regardless of who Houston may take, who do you think is the best player in this draft and why?

Clowney. He looks to me to be in a similar mold to Ndamukong Suh -- someone who will anchor a defensive line for a decade or more.

4) Who is your pick to be draft bust of 2014?

I think Manziel. I've heard all of the positive scouting reviews, but I'm also aware of his behavior at A & M.

[El Supremo]

1. There is no way in hell that makes sense for Jerral to trade for Manziel.

Which means that he'll do it anyway, insuring Dallas many more years of mediocrity.

[TexasTowelie]

2. If Dallas does select Manziel, would you like to join me in a boycott of watching the Cowboys

as long as he is on the team? I don't think I could handle a decade or more of Johnny Manziel on America's team.

I might even boycott going to AT&T Stadium if he makes that mistake.

[El Supremo]

3. I've been boycotting the Cowpatties since 1989.

This wouldn't change a thing.

[TBF]

4. Dallas will try to get Manziel -

And if past behavior is any indication he should fit in well up there.

[Auggie]

5. Brown's owner Haslam is apparently nuts over Manziel ...

and pundits say he'd be a great tool for new O.C. Kyle Shanahan. I see nothing but disaster.

If Cleveland could work a trade with Dallas I'd take Romo in a heartbeat (along with another pick or two).

[joeybee12]

6. Is it me or is the douchebaggery quotient higher this year in this crop

of prospects?

[erpowers]

7. What Seems to be Unfolding

1) Who do you think will be the top five picks: Houston, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Cleveland, and Oakland?

Houston: It is beginning to look like Houston will either make a major trade and move down in the draft, or take Jadeveon Clowney. A few days ago Clowney told, I believe, ESPN that he was in constant contact with the Houston GM. Today, it was reported that the Houston GM stated that they could still make a major trade for their number one pick.

St. Louis: If Johnny Manziel has not been taken with the first pick maybe they will take him since they seem to be looking for someone to replace their current quarterback. They could however try to go for a taller quarterback since Johnny Manziel is not 6 feet tall. Based on the hype, even though he either had a bad pro day, or did poorly when he visited one of the teams, maybe they will pick Teddy Bridgewater. There was a great deal of buzz about him before the pro days and team visits.

Jacksonville: Even if Johnny Manziel is still on the board by the time they make their pick I think they should not pick him. It seems he (Manziel) has already made it clear that he does not want to play for Jacksonville because it is not a big enough media market. I do not know if Manziel will do what Elli Manning with San Diego did and refuse to play for Jacksonville, but they should just avoid the drama and pick someone else.

Cleveland: I do not know.

Oakland: I do not know.

2) Do you think Dallas (as rumored) trades into the top five to take Manziel?

It may seem and be unlikely, but maybe Houston will make a trade with Dallas. There is some thought that Houston is looking to trade Andre Johnson. Maybe Houston would be willing to make a trade for Tony Romo since they need a quarterback and Romo might be good enough for them to make a playoff run. If Dallas gets the number one spot after trading away Romo I would expect them to pick Johnny Manziel.

3) Regardless of who Houston may take, who do you think is the best player in the draft and why?

I did not watch enough college football last year to know. I have heard a large amount of hype about certain players, but I do not have enough information to make my own decision.

4) Who is your pick to be draft bust of 2014?

Due to all of the hype both Johnny Manziel and Jadeveon Clowny have the potential to be draft busts. It seems that Manziel is more likely in that it was reported his family would prefer that he not be drafted by Houston because that would put him too close to people at Texas A&M who could be a bad influence on him. It seems the question is whether Manziel will be able to play at or near the same level he did in college. The defensive players in the NFL will be better than those in college. Will he be able to be as much of an escape artist in the NFL?

[TBF]

8. Russell Wilson and Drew Brees both won superbowls

so the height may not matter as much as it once did, but I sure wouldn't want Manziel's attitude on my team. Praying that Dallas trades to get him. I only watch the Texans because I live down here, but I would take Romo over Manziel any day.

My home team is the Green Bay Packers but they pick 21st. A replacement for Finley and help on the special teams are the priorities. Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is likely their first pick if available.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

9. Where Algy Was Right & Where Algy Was Wrong

Where Algy Was Right

Clowney to Houston

Where Algy Was Wrong

Not only did Dallas not trade up, they didn't take Manziel when they had their pick.

Where Algy Was Right

Cleveland did, indeed, take a QB

Where Algy Was Wrong

The Browns didn't take their QB at 4; they traded that pick to the Bills. They didn't take their QB at 8; they took Justin GGilbert. They waited until Manziel fell all the way to 22 before taking him.

Where Algy Was Right

Jacksonville took a QB

Where Algy Was Wrong

They took Bortles, not Manziel. That pick should play well with the fans.


The Rams did take Robinson and the Raiders took Mack.