The 2014 NFL Draft has several polarizing figures getting a lot of attention. Players like Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack, Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles have dominated the headlines.
Only one name clearly owns this draft from a headline perspective. The 2014 NFL Draft is about Johnny Manziel and where he’ll be selected. The Texas native has reportedly caught the eye of the Dallas Cowboys, causing the sub plot of the NFL Draft to turn into a ratings bonanza.
Do the Cowboys want Manziel has been the underlying topic of conversation over the last 24 hours, with varying degrees of back and forth opinion.
ESPN draft guru Todd McShay, has Manziel going to the Cowboys at 16 in his mock draft.
FINAL Mock Draft… Have at it: http://t.co/SbBgh4xQaZ. Top5: 1. DE Clowney, 2. OT Robinson, 3. OLB Mack, 4. WR Watkins, 5. WR Evans
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) May 8, 2014
I said on TV this week that if the Cowboys draft Manziel it will break Twitter, and that’s what happens in this scenario. We’ve had more than one person in the league tell us that Manziel is believed to be the No. 1 player on the Cowboys’ board, and it wouldn’t surprise us if they took him here is he’s still available. If Manziel is gone by this point, or the Cowboys choose not to take him, linebackers Anthony Barr,C.J. Mosley and Ryan Shazier are all possibilities with the No. 16 pick.
Despite glaring needs in the secondary and on the defensive line, McShay seems convinced the Cowboys are hunting Manziel. Could this be a conspiracy by the NFL and the Cowboys to amp the attention on the draft up another notch?
McShay says he sources tell him Manziel, is the No. 1 player on the Cowboys board.
“We’ve had more than one person in the league tell us that Manziel is believed to be the No. 1 player on the Cowboys’ board,” McShay wrote, “and it wouldn’t surprise us if they took him here if he’s still available.”
Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report indicated that his sources gave him the same information about the Cowboys and Manziel.
I was also told what Todd McShay reported: that Manziel is tops on Cowboys' board.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) May 8, 2014
Mike Mayock of NFL Network has the Cowboys selecting Manziel as well.
“I don’t think Jerry [Jones] can help himself. That simple.”
NFL Network analyst and former GM, Charley Casserly, called “Manziel the most overrated player in the draft.” Opinions on Manziel are all over the board, and the question has to be asked, will Manziel even be around when Dallas picks at 16? If Manziel were to somehow slip, would Jerry Jones actually pull the trigger.
Tony Romo just turned 34 on Monday, and he’s also coming off surgery on a herniated disk that cut short his 2013 season before Week 17, less than a year removed from having a previous back procedure.