Johnny Manziel might be the most interesting prospect in the 2014 NFL Draft, if he plays his final college game on Tuesday, as Gil Brandt reported he will. Where do you see him being drafted and what team would be the best fit?
With the news that Johnny Manziel is coming out, I believe the Texas A&M star is the second-best quarterback in the 2014 class. He is an extraordinary talent with the "it factor" to take a franchise to extraordinary heights. Of course, the team taking him must be "all in" on his talent and build around his unique game. Given the fact that most of the teams at the top of the board are currently searching for coaches, I believe it will take a creative offensive-minded coach willing to operate primarily from the shotgun and open sets to maximize Manziel's exceptional talents. If he lands in the right spot with a few playmakers on the perimeter, I could see the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner blossoming into a star as a pro.
What team fits? Someone creative on offense, willing to adapt to the QB and his skill set. Someone who has no problem with not just QB-run plays, but rolling, and moving pockets to change the launch points for the QB, and make it difficult for defenses to zero in on him. A coach who can work with a QB that is, shall we say, "free spirited." Hmmm ... the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars' new young GM, Dave Caldwell, was with Atlanta, and watched the Falcons draft Matt Ryan and grow with him. Head coach Gus Bradley, who previously served as the defensive coordinator in Seattle, watched Russell Wilson flourish, and his offensive coordinator, Jedd Fisch, is young, innovative, and relates very well to his QBs. Since Jacksonville has been adamant that they will not bring in native son Tim Tebow to get the populace buzzing (and sell tickets), "Johnny Football" serves as the perfect alternative, albeit, the "Anti-Tebow."
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- Chase Goodbread College Football 24/7
Manziel could be Snake Stabler 2.0
It's hard to imagine Johnny Manziel slipping away from the quarterback-needy trio of Jacksonville, Cleveland and Oakland, who are picking Nos. 3, 4 and 5, respectively, in the first round. The question is, will any of them have the nerve to try and trade down to pick up Manziel later in the first round, particularly behind Minnesota at No. 8, which could also use a quarterback? Cleveland's hand might already have been tipped. As for Manziel's best fit, how could it not be the Raiders? If the Gods of Fit are awake on draft day, college football's break-all-the-rules superstar must end up wearing the silver and black. Manziel would look very much at home as Snake Stabler 2.0, giving defenses headaches on Sundays and painting the streets of Oakland the other six days of the week.
