The 2014 NFL draft stock of Johnny Manziel appears to be falling. Below is the latest roundup of what scouts and analysts are saying about where the former Texas A&M quarterback and 2012 Heisman winner will fall.
Although at least one prominent analyst earlier predicted Manziel to be the No. 1 pick, the growing consensus of reports has the ex-Aggie as a mid-to-late top 10 pick and the third-best quarterback in the draft.
ESPN Insider Todd McShay on Wednesday released his third mock draft, in which he predicts Manziel to go No. 4 to the Cleveland Browns -- only because UCF's Blake Bortles and Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater will already be off the board.
"I don't know if he's an ideal fit or if he'd be the Browns' first choice," wrote McShay, "but I'm not worried about his size or arm strength as it relates to playing in cold weather."
ESPN Insider Mel Kiper updated his "Big Board" on Wednesday and listed Manziel as No. 12, behind Bridgewater and Bortles.
"I have my questions, but I'll contend that the modern NFL is a good fit for a player with Manziel's skill set. His ability to move, improvise and make throws off platform are all special traits, but he's also an effective pocket passer when he wants to be ... though he doesn't have great arm strength," Kiper wrote. "... The concern is durability and a desire to 'escape' even a clean pocket. He must show patience with his legs."
Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times reported the Oakland Raiders would choose Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr over of Manziel.
"The Raiders are known for their unconventional picks, so Manziel might seem like a natural fit for them. Word is, though, that they liked Carr more coming out of the Combine," Farmer wrote on Sunday.
Cleveland also appears to prefer choosing another quarterback ahead of Manziel. Browns coach Mike Pettine told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer on Monday he didn't interview Manziel at the combine.
Houston may not be an option, either. Former NFL scout Russ Lande reported in February that coach Bill O'Brien preferred Bortles, and Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman reported sources as saying Houston wanted to use its No. 1 pick on South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
It's worth nothing teams do disseminate misinformation to blur their actual plans for the draft.
The draft begins on Thursday, May 8.
