The 2014 NFL draft is coming and Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have put out their latest mock drafts and predictions for the first round and his projections for players on the Big Board for the Top 10 has some big names, as Johnny Manziel, Jadeveon Clowney, Blake Bortles, Sammy Watkins, Greg Robinson, Khalil Mack and Mike Evans all could be picked over the first group of selections.
Check here for more on Mel Kiper's picks and mock draft and NFL draft coverage and selections for the top 10 picks coming up in May.
The scuttlebutt heading into the draft according to the MMQB.com is that teams are not totally sold on the quarterbacks and are unsure about what to do with the top selections. Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles are all solid names, but some GMs are not totally sold and that means there is a chance that some of those names could drop. If that happens, expect some teams to trade up that are a bit unexpected, as there are a number of clubs with double digit draft picks and on draft day that is as good as money and some could trade up into the top 10 of 15 picks to take one of those players.
The Houston Texans will start things off with the number one overall pick and while they may trade that selection on draft day or leading up to the event, it is more likely they sit tight and take who they feel is best. The team may want to get some value out of the pick and one option, proposed by Gil Brandt, is to take Jadeveon Clowney at number one no matter what and then trade that pick with a team for their selection, the same way that Eli Manning and Philip Rivers were traded for each other after the Chargers took Manning number one overall and the Giants took Rivers.
That deal obviously has worked well for both sides and now the Texans could pull a similar move with the Falcons or another team in the top 10 or top 15, as a player they want like Khalil Mack or Sammy Watkins could be available a few picks back. The Texans then could add selections while getting value in the top 10 and if it doesn't work out, they still get a fantastic prospect in Clowney, who would have been the number one overall pick last season had he been allowed to come out.
According to ESPN.com, the Buccaneers are looking at Johnny Manziel as an option at number seven and another Aggies player could be in the mix as well, as Lovie Smith loves what he has seen from Mike Evans. The report says that Manziel is on the "short list" and that if he is available at number seven he could be a pick for the team. While they have Josh McCown and Mike Glennon, Smith did not draft Glennon and has no ties to him, while McCown is set to be the starter and that could be the perfect situation for Manziel.
The Browns will also be in the mix for Manziel and while the Houston Texans may also pick him, right now he is looking like a top pick within picks three to 10 and that is where he could go. Mel Kiper has him at number four in his latest mock draft.
