Quick, name a team that heads into the 2014 NFL Draft with a need at quarterback. Bet it didn't take too long before the Jacksonville Jaguars came up.
The team is primed to add an elite player this year by picking third overall in the draft, and while some are thinking the Jaguars will go with somebody like linebacker Khalil Mack or even receiver Sammy Watkins, there could be a wild card the club goes with in order to find a quarterback of the future.
"I'm going to go with Johnny Manziel at that spot," NFL Media analyst Charles Davis said on Tuesday's "Path to the Draft." "Go ahead and take a guy they think can play, which we all believe is the case with Johnny Manziel. Couple that with boosting this city's excitement level -- ticket sales, jerseys, people coming out to watch this team play."
Opinions might be split on Manziel's NFL future, but he received a ton of praise after an impressive pro day last month. Manziel is analyst Mike Mayock's top quarterback in the draft and it appears that teams are very much coming around on the Heisman Trophy winner's potential.
Jacksonville was active in the offseason filling gaps along both the offensive and defensive lines but still hope to add some quality players in such a deep draft. The team did bring back Chad Henne but it is doubtful anybody views him as a long-term option under center. If Watkins is off the board by the time the Jaguars are on the clock in May, it certainly makes some sense to go after somebody like Manziel.
"He fits with an ideal staff," added Davis. "Gus Bradley is the head coach, Jedd Fisch is the offensive coordinator, who can work with Johnny Manziel. I think it fits perfectly, getting this franchise kick started."
Bradley was among Jaguars personnel in College Station for Manziel's pro day and the team brought in the quarterback for a visit on Tuesday. They're at least doing their homework on the former Aggies star if Houston opts to pass on him with the first overall pick.
But can they pass up somebody like Manziel right now?
He's clearly much more NFL ready than Tebow and would certainly be able to energize the franchise. We'll find out if Bradley and company agree in less than a month.
Follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter @BryanDFischer.
