The NFL draft is coming and that means many mock drafts are starting to come out more and more and a recent one has Khalil Mack going to the Houston Texans at number 1 overall over Jadeveon Clowney and that could shake up the top 5 picks for names like Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Sammy Watkins and Greg Robinson, who could all be targets for teams like the Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders.
Mack has been mentioned as a player that could rise on a number of draft boards after his workouts for teams, as some scouts have graded him higher than Clowney. The Texans are interested in the quarterbacks, but there is a chance they aren't sold on those top three names and that is why Clowney and Mack have come up in conversation about the number one pick and the team could be leaning towards defense and then could pick a quarterback later in the draft.
The 2014 draft class affords the teams at the top that chance, as there are a number of players that are expected to go later in the draft that are quality, including AJ McCarron, Zach Mettenberger and Aaron Murray among other names. Mack comes into the draft after having a great season at Buffalo and while that would be a small school to have the number one pick come from, last season Eric Fisher was taken by the Chiefs from a Mid-American Conference school as well. Mack had 94 tackles and 10.5 sacks along with an impressive three interceptions and he measured with a 4.65 forty time and that was very good as well in scouts eyes.
Peter King in the MMQB this week writes that the Houston Texans could be looking at Mack over Clowney with that pick, as he writes that sources close to the team say that Rick Smith is not sold on any of the top three quarterbacks and that he would rather take a sure bet than one of those names. The Texans have the chance to take a high-impact player with the number one pick and Clowney would fit the bill as well, but Mack has quickly been moving up as scouts love what he can do at 6-foot-3-, 251-pounds and that could make him the number one pick.
According to ESPN.com, the Atlanta Falcons, who pick at number six, could be in the mix for either Clowney or Mack, as they were ranked 29th in sacks last season. The team had just 32 and they will be looking to upgrade at the defensive line and a trade up could be a possibility and they will take those players if they drop. The team could look at a number of players if those names are picked, Greg Robinson or Anthony Barr could be in the mix, as they are both considered top 10 talents as well.
The Texans could change their minds leading into the draft and there is always a chance they could go after names like Manziel or Blake Bortles with the top pick.
