I normally wouldn't create a thread for just one player, but with so many underclassman deciding to stay in school, I feel this deserves a mention. Manziel generated quite a bit of controversy during his two seasons at Texas A & M, including an NCAA investigation that he took money for autographs. He was eventually suspended for the first half of his team's opener this season, a laugher over Rice. Overall, his sophomore season was not as good as his freshman year, but it was also a hard act to follow. Manziel, in 2012, had become the first player in NCAA history to win the Heisman trophy.
Currently, the only QB's ranked ahead of Manziel in almost every Mock Draft I've seen are Teddy Bridgewater from Louisville, and Blake Bortles of Central FLorida. The character issues will likely follow Manziel until he shows, for an extended period of time, that he's matured. I would not be surprised if a team or two passed on Manziel due to character issues alone. Maturity issues aside, however, and where does Manziel land? Houston, at #1, is in need of a QB. Could Manziel go there, or would Houston be better off with the more "NFL ready" players in Bridgewater or Bortles?
If you were drafting for Houston, and dead-set on taking a QB, who do you take here?
The other thing about Manziel is this: His arm strength isn't tremendous, which could prove problematic for a QB standing at only 6'0 tall. He's also benefitted from having two sure-fire first round picks on his offensive line in Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Matthews, and a premiere WR in Mike Evans. Most of the reads I've found that discount Manziel because of these things are also people who want to see him flop, however. Throwing for 63 TDs and running for 30 more in two seasons are impressive statistics at any level. Having said that, I ask:
Will Manziel become an elite QB(Manning, Brady, Rodgers), a very good one(Rothlisberger, Rivers) an average one(Alex Smith, Joe Flacco), or a complete bust(Ryan Leaf, Blaine Gabbert)?
Discuss all things Manziel here.
Currently, the only QB's ranked ahead of Manziel in almost every Mock Draft I've seen are Teddy Bridgewater from Louisville, and Blake Bortles of Central FLorida. The character issues will likely follow Manziel until he shows, for an extended period of time, that he's matured. I would not be surprised if a team or two passed on Manziel due to character issues alone. Maturity issues aside, however, and where does Manziel land? Houston, at #1, is in need of a QB. Could Manziel go there, or would Houston be better off with the more "NFL ready" players in Bridgewater or Bortles?
If you were drafting for Houston, and dead-set on taking a QB, who do you take here?
The other thing about Manziel is this: His arm strength isn't tremendous, which could prove problematic for a QB standing at only 6'0 tall. He's also benefitted from having two sure-fire first round picks on his offensive line in Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Matthews, and a premiere WR in Mike Evans. Most of the reads I've found that discount Manziel because of these things are also people who want to see him flop, however. Throwing for 63 TDs and running for 30 more in two seasons are impressive statistics at any level. Having said that, I ask:
Will Manziel become an elite QB(Manning, Brady, Rodgers), a very good one(Rothlisberger, Rivers) an average one(Alex Smith, Joe Flacco), or a complete bust(Ryan Leaf, Blaine Gabbert)?
Discuss all things Manziel here.