With the 2014 NFL draft hours away, below are the latest updates, including: Johnny Manziel and the St. Louis Rams, Blake Bortles and the Arizona Cardinals, and the growing buzz around the Houston Texans and the New York Jets.
Peter King of MMQB reported on Monday the Rams like Manziel with their No. 13 pick. Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, though, reported the Rams encouraged the Manziel rumors as part of a smokescreen.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher also confirmed quarterback Sam Bradford would remain the team's starter, contrary to reports about trade talks with the Minnesota Vikings.
"Johnny was probably one of a dozen quarterbacks that we worked out over this process. And with respect to Sam, he is our starter," Fisher told season ticket holders at an event Tuesday night, according to ESPN. "As you guys know, that's the reason I took this job ... because of Sam [as] our quarterback, and we have all the confidence in the world that he'll be back."
Bortles, another top quarterback prospect, is reportedly being targeted by the Cardinals as the heir-in-waiting to veteran signal caller Carson Palmer. Arizona will select Bortles if he's still available when they pick 20th on Thursday, according to Bleacher Report.
Texans, owner of the No. 1 pick, reportedly won't trade down in the draft and already know who they will select on Thursday.
"Houston is now locked in on its player and is not expecting a trade, per sources," ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted on Thursday. "Texans happy to sit at 1 and take player it wants."
Most reports indicate the Texans will select either defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
Another team reportedly eying quarterbacks is, surprisingly, the Jets.
"(Jets) are doing a lot of groundwork for QBs that may land in the first round or early in the 2nd round," NFL.com's Ian Rapoport tweeted on Thursday. "Watch for Carr, watch for Garoppolo."
The draft begins on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
