Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was selected by the
Cleveland Browns with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft,
ending months of speculation about where the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner would
land. While Johnny Football was the biggest single story of last night’s draft,
there were a substantial number of stories and subplots to discuss.
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NO CLOWNEY-ING AROUND
The Houston Texans wasted no time making South Carolina
defensive end Jadeveon Clowney the first overall pick in the 2014 draft, a
result that had been anticipated since the 2012 college football season. The
6’5” 270 pound pass rusher was a man among boys and a giant among…well…already
pretty big boys! He runs a 4.5 40-yard dash time and can cut as quickly as any
pass rusher I have ever seen coming out of college.
Clowney joins a furious Texans front seven, known for
outstanding pass rushers. Putting Clowney in the mix with J.J. Watt, Whitney
Mercilus, and Brian Cushing in the Houston defense could make their pass rush
more than many teams are capable of handling. The Texans need a quarterback and
I expect them to acquire one either later tonight or tomorrow, but the
available QB’s had some risk factors while Clowney is a can’t-miss, once every
10 years kind of pass rusher. The only person who can stand between Colwney and a
bust in Canton, Ohio one day is Clowney himself.
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| How could Houston pass on this guy? 2 |
JOHNNY CLEVELAND
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Central Florida
quarterback Blake Bortles with the third pick in the draft. With that, the
Manziel-watch spiral began. None of the
teams drafting after the Jaguars, other than the Browns, had no pressing need
for a quarterback with a number of low risk, high potential players available
at other positions of need. When the Browns picked cornerback Justin Gilbert
from Oklahoma State, a silent hush came across the room. The wait, and the
night, would be long for Manziel (to the delight of ESPN and its advertisers).
Cleveland was able to trade up the 22nd pick and
select Manziel. The Browns fans in attendance erupted. The city of Cleveland,
four years removed for LeBron James “Decision”, had a new sports savior.
Reportedly, the Browns had 1,200 season ticket requests within the hour of
Manziel being drafted. I expect Manziel to bring energy, hope, and excitement
to Cleveland, barring injury, during his rookie year.
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| Browns fans are hoping that Johnny Football is money! 3 |
WHO DAT COOKS IN THE KITCHEN?
Being Louisiana based, I have to discuss the New Orleans
Saints trading up to the #20 pick to acquire Brandin Cooks, the 2013
Biletnikoff Award winner, stands 5’10” at less than 190 pounds with nimble 4.4
speed. Cooks is expected to fill the void in the short passing game left by the
departure of Darren Sproles via trade to the Philadelphia Eagles. Expect Drew
Brees to quickly get the ball out of his hands and to Cooks in space early and
often in the 2014 NFL season.
Cooks lit the stat sheet ablaze every week during the 2013
college football season with 128 receptions, over 1,700 receiving yards and 16
touchdowns. With his ability to change direction quickly, expect Cooks to
receive a lot of attention from opposing defenses after he busts his first
gamebreaker or two as a pro. This will free up receivers Marques Colston and
Kenny Stills to operate with less resistance.
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| Who Dats hope that "eat my dust" quality translates to the NFL. 4 |
HOLD THAT TIGER
Also of interest to local readers is the selection of LSU
wide receiver and kick returner O’Dell Beckham, Jr. with the 12th
overall pick by the New York Giants. Giants quarterback Eli Manning has to be
thrilled to have a speedy deep threat to compliment Victor Cruz. Giants WR
Hakeem was not that deep threat. But with Beckham on board to stretch the field
more, much like Cooks, other Giants ball catchers should be able to operate
with greater freedom.
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| That's part of the reason he went 12th. 5 |
STAY TUNED
The second and third rounds of the draft commence tonight.
There is still an abundance of quarterback talent on the board and several
teams that either need a QB immediately or have a need for long-term depth at
the position. With the talent available and the way the NFL and ESPN have
packaged and promoted the draft, it is sure to be must-see Friday night
television.
To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.
1) Image from www.broncoplanet.com
2) Image from www.businessinsider.com
3) Image from www.facebook.com via ABC News
4) Image from www.rantsports.com
5) Image from www.theadvocate.com
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