2014 NFL Draft - Pro Football Rumors

Browns Acquire No. 22, Draft Johnny Manziel

May 8th, 2014 at 9:41pm CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles have traded their No. 22 pick to the Browns, according to Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter). The Browns will take Johnny Manziel with the pick, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). In exchange for the No. 22 pick, the Eagles will get the Browns’ No. 26 as well as the No. 83 overall pick, tweets Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com.

While Manziel is an exciting addition for the Browns, Cleveland fans should remember that both Brady Quinn and Brandon Weeden were also taken with the 22nd overall pick. The Browns were far from alone in their affinity for Johnny Football and Jay Glazer of FOX Sports tweets that the Vikings were also trying to trade up for him.

The Browns were known to be high on Manziel, but both coach Mike Pettine and GM Ray Farmer told reporters that the big question was value. While they liked the Texas A&M product, they didn’t feel that he would be their best use of the No. 4 pick. It turns out they were right – Manziel took a serious slide and the Browns were able to get him in the back third of the first round.

Draft Rumors: Manziel, Cowboys, Rams

May 8th, 2014 at 9:33pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest from NYC..

The Cowboys talked about Johnny Manziel in their draft room but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter) hears that owner Jerry Jones did not campaign much for him. The Cowboys had “thoughtful discussion” about the polarizing QB with Jones but ultimately, he listened to his scouts (link).
Rams GM Les Snead said he had interest from the Bills for the No. 2 pick but things didn’t get serious enough for him to consider moving back that far, tweets Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
Meanwhile, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said after the Aaron Donald pick at No. 13 that they tried to trade back up with the Ravens for offensive tackle Zack Martin, tweets Tony Softli of ESPN Radio.

Saints Acquire Cards’ No. 20 Pick

May 8th, 2014 at 9:21pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have moved up to acquire the Cardinals’ No. 20 pick, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). With the No. 20, the Saints will select wide receiver Brandin Cooks, La Canfora adds (on Twitter). The 49ers and other clubs had their eye on the Oregon State star, so it was a prudent move by New Orleans to get their desired target.

The Cardinals will move down to No. 27 and also add the Saints’ third round pick (No. 91 overall), tweets Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Many saw the Cards going after a quarterback with their first round pick but with several quality signal callers left on the board, Arizona could be banking on their target sliding down seven picks. Alternatively, the Cards could go with a different position at No. 27 and get their QB later on.

Giants Could Trade Back Into First Round

May 8th, 2014 at 8:47pm CST by Zachary Links

Giants fans, stay tuned. GM Jerry Reese says there’s a possibility that he’ll trade back into the first round, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (on Twitter).

The Giants already added a serious weapon earlier tonight when they selected LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. at No. 12. Beckham, who boasts a sub-4.4 second 40-yard-dash time, was viewed by many as the best speed receiver in the draft outside of Sammy Watkins. If things pan out with Beckham, it may come back to haunt the Meadowlands’ other tenants. The Jets have not-so-secretly coveted Beckham for the last month or so.

Browns Looking To Trade Up For Manziel?

May 8th, 2014 at 8:32pm CST by Zachary Links

8:32pm: A league source believes Cleveland was trying to trade up for Johnny Manziel, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.

8:22pm: The Browns made a strong effort to trade up again to No. 11, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter). However, the Browns bailed before the Titans submitted their pick. The Titans will keep the pick and select tackle Taylor Lewan, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.

The Browns have been incredibly active so far tonight, having already traded from No. 4 to No. 9 to No. 8. The Browns picked up the Bills’ 2015 first round pick and more along the way, so they certainly have the assets to move up from No. 26 or acquire another first-round pick in tonight’s draft.

Cleveland bailing on talks with the Titans could indicate that they have a deal struck elsewhere, but we’ll have to wait and see if that’s the case.

Draft Rumors: Panthers, Moses, Jets, Cowboys

May 8th, 2014 at 8:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Don’t look for the Buccaneers to go after a quarterback early in this draft. Coach Lovie Smith tells Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (on Twitter) that Mike Glennon is the team’s QB of the future. The latest out of Radio City Music Hall..

Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter) heard from a league source today that the Panthers are not interested in Morgan Moses.
The Jets are sending out signals that they have interest in a quarterback in the first couple rounds, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Mehta adds that he would be surprised if that happens and we’re inclined to agree, seeing as how they have Michael Vick and Geno Smith under contract.
David Moore of The Dallas Morning News (on Twitter) hears the Cowboys have targeted three defensive players at No. 16. If they’re all gone, Moore says to look for them to go offense.
Peter King of Sports Illustrated (on Twitter) doesn’t believe any team was ever close to dealing for the Texans‘ No. 1 overall pick.

Browns, Vikings Swap Picks

May 8th, 2014 at 8:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns have swapped picks with the Vikings, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter). Now, it’ll be the Browns at No. 8 and the Vikings selecting at No. 9. The Vikings got the Browns’ fifth-round pick, the 145th pick overall, for agreeing to move down, Birkett tweets. The Browns will select cornerback Justin Gilbert at No. 8, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.

With the selection, Gilbert becomes the first defensive back to come off the board. The Oklahoma State star ran a 4.37 40-yard-dash at the combine and has been praised for his kick return ability. Most draft analysts have dubbed Gilbert as the best cornerback in the draft. Earlier tonight, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that the Browns were looking to trade down for a cornerback. By moving from No. 4 to No. 9 to No. 8, Cleveland has accomplished their goal. Gilbert is something of a surprise for Cleveland, but they now have a dangerous pair of corners with him and Joe Haden in tow.

The Browns acquired the No. 9 pick just minutes ago when they traded the No. 4 to the Bills.

Bills Get Browns’ No. 4, Take Sammy Watkins

May 8th, 2014 at 7:36pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bills have acquired the Browns No. 4 pick, according to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora (on Twitter). They’ll be selecting Clemson’s Sammy Watkins (link). Buffalo gave up their No. 9 overall pick in this year’s draft, their first round pick in the 2015 draft, and their fourth round pick in ’15, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter).

The Bills’ interest in Watkins, a lifelong Bills fan, has been an open secret for the past few weeks. The Bills had little-to-no chance of landing the Clemson star at No. 9 and when he was still available after the top three picks, they pulled the trigger on a deal with the Browns. Watkins is widely viewed as the best wide receiver in the 2014 class, though there are reportedly some teams who prefer Texas A&M’s Mike Evans. Evans has the size at 6’5″, but few cornerbacks can keep up with the blazing speed of Watkins.

Watkins’ makeup implies that he could have an instant impact in the NFL ala A.J. Green or Julio Jones and that’s where the expectations will be after the Bills gave up so much to get him. For more on Watkins, check out my Prospect Profile on the dynamic athlete.

Browns Want To Trade Down For CB

May 8th, 2014 at 7:28pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns are trying to trade down for a cornerback, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk (on Twitter) hears. The Browns are ostensibly shopping the No. 4 overall pick but also own the No. 26 selection.

There aren’t a lot of high-quality cornerbacks in this draft and there’s no one worthy of the No. 4 pick. However, trading down could allow Cleveland to take someone like Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilbert, Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard, or Virginia Tech’s Kyle Fuller. Moving down even further could put guys like Ohio State’s Bradley Roby and TCU’s Jason Verrett in range for the Browns, though those seem like options that could be available at the No. 26 pick.

Texans Select Jadeveon Clowney No. 1

May 8th, 2014 at 7:14pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re bound to see a lot of surprises tonight, but the first overall pick was fairly straight forward. The Texans have selected South Carolina star Jadeveon Clowney to kick off the 2014 NFL Draft. Of course, a trade is still possible, but based on what we’ve heard about Houston’s asking price, it seems likely he’ll be staying in red and blue.

NCAA Football: Mississippi State at South Carolina

Coming out of high school, Clowney was the number one recruit in his senior class, and three years later, he’s still widely regarded as the best amongst his peers. To say Clowney was dominant during his sophomore season would be an understatement. Teams tried everything to neutralize the defensive end but he managed to find his way into the backfield time and time again. Clowney’s junior campaign didn’t go as smoothly as he missed two games due to injury and some observers questioned his work ethic, but his talent still buoyed him to the No. 1 overall pick. As a sophomore, Clowney helped lead South Carolina to a 11–2 record, setting the school record for sacks (13.0) and tackles for loss (23.5) while also registering 54 tackles and three forced fumbles. In 2013, Clowney finished his junior season with 35 tackles, 10.5 for a loss of yardage, and three sacks.

Clowney stomped out a lot of the criticism directed his way at the combine in Indianapolis earlier this offseason. He measured in at a large 6’6″, and weighed in a lean 266 pounds with 34.5 inch arms and ten inch hands. Then he took that giant frame for a run, posting a blazing 4.53 40-yard dash, with extremely impressive numbers across the board in the other drills as well.

Tonight, Clowney became the first defensive lineman taken with the first overall pick since the Texans tapped Mario Williams in 2006. Williams had his ups and downs in Houston is now plying his craft with the Bills. With Clowney, the Texans are hoping for a better outcome and a stabilizing force for their D-Line for years to come.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) reported the pick just prior to Commissioner Roger Goodell taking the podium.

2014 NFL Draft News & Rumors