The Houston Texans will select UCF quarterback Blake Bortles first overall, and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel will fall to the Cleveland Browns at No. 4, according to ESPN Insider Todd McShay. A report in February also indicated Bortles to be the top choice of Texans coach Bill O'Brien.
McShay released his third 2014 mock draft on Wednesday. In it, the analyst predicts Houston will use its No. 1 pick on Bortles.
"He has the prototypical size and mental makeup that Houston is looking for, and my guess is that his weaknesses -- consistency and ball placement -- are things that Texans coach Bill O'Brien thinks he can fix," McShay wrote. "... I'm sure some Texans fans will be asking about Johnny Manziel, but I don't think he really fits what O'Brien and this new regime are looking for."
McShay added, "The fact that O'Brien coached previously under UCF coach George O'Leary adds a layer of familiarity, provided O'Leary endorses Bortles."
Bortles's draft stock is on the rise. Some scouts are reportedly comparing him to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, and former NFL scout Russ Lande reported in February that Bortles was O'Brien's preferred pick.
Manziel's stock, meanwhile, appears to be falling. After buzz -- including from ESPN's Mel Kiper -- indicated Manziel would likely be the first pick of the draft, McShay became the latest analyst to have other quarterbacks going before the 2012 Heisman winner.
McShay predicts South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will go second to the St. Louis Rams and Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater third to the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving Cleveland to take the next best available signal caller: Manziel.
"I don't know if he's an ideal fit or if he'd be the Browns' first choice, but I'm not worried about his size or arm strength as it relates to playing in cold weather," McShay wrote.
The NFL draft begins on Thursday, May 8.
McShay's Top 5 Picks:
1. Blake Bortles (UCF, QB) - HOU
2. Jadeveon Clowney (SC, DE) - STL
3. Teddy Bridgewater (LOU, QB) - JAC
4. Johnny Manziel (TAMU, QB) - CLE
5. Sammy Watkins (CLEM, WR) - OAK
