The NFL draft is less than a month away and that means mock drafts for 2014 will still keep coming for another few weeks and while many have Jadeveon Clowney as the pick for the Houston Texans, it could change as it gets closer with names like Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Sammy Watkins in the mix, while players like Eric Ebron, Jace Amaro and Jimmy Garoppolo are getting extra attention.
The Texans have a major decision to make, as they are in need of a quarterback after trading away Matt Schaub to the Oakland Raiders and that means they could be in the mix for one of the top names in Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater. Bill O'Brien has to decide what he wants to do, as there are a number of names that could be available later in the draft, including AJ McCarron, Aaron Murray, Zach Mettenberger, Tom Savage and Garoppolo. What the Texans do will dictate how the top five plays out, as the Jaguars, Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders could be in the mix for QBs as well.
The St. Louis Rams have been watching the Texans very carefully, because whatever Houston does it sure to set off a domino chain of events that could create a flurry of moves. If the Texans trade the pick, teams could scramble to ensure they are in position to get the player they want, but if they sit tight and take Clowney, some other teams may look to move up to that number two spot to take one of the quarterbacks. Bortles and Manziel are likely to be going in the top five and if they slip past the Browns and Raiders, expect teams to trade up for those players.
Manziel was picked as the number one selection in the first mock draft by Mel Kiper, but as time has gone on, he has changed that pick a number of times. The latest mock had Clowney going number one and he has also put Khalil Mack in that position and he is considered to be a lock for a top five pick. Bortles is considered to be the QB with the highest upside, as he has the NFL size and arm to play in the league and he has been compared to Ben Roethlisberger. Bridgewater is considered the most pro ready, but the lowest when it comes to NFL potential.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Ravens could be looking at Garoppolo as an option to backup Joe Flacco, while a number of other teams also have interest. The Miami Dolphins have an interest in tight ends Eric Ebron and Jace Amaro, as they are the highest rated players at their position. Amaro comes in after a record setting season and he is a big man at 6-5, 265-pounds and he has the versatility to lineup outside as well as slot receiver. Last season he had 1,352 yards and seven touchdowns and he could be the pick for the Dolphins if someone like the Giants take Ebron before they pick.
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