The 2014 Mock Top 5 NFL Draft Picks

Mock drafts are an interesting endeavor.  Not only must one consider who are amongst the top football players available in the selection process, but we also have to think about which specific NFL teams are making those picks, and their particular needs and wants.  One must also consider the potential for big trades for draft picks and players that can totally throw any mock draft for a loop.  But with the NFL draft now just 1 month away, let’s have a go at deciding which players will go in the top 5, and to which teams they will go that are in such desperate need at the top of this 2014 NFL draft.

1. Houston Texans - Johnny Manziel – QB – Texas A&M – The Texans are in dire need of a new franchise quarterback.  One year ago they were considered potential Super Bowl contenders with Matt Schaub under center.  Now he is off the team, and the Texans just signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, who if anything, resembles a perfect carryover quarterback for Houston to nurture their next franchise star.  While the jury is certainly out on Manziel, especially with his rambunctious character, the player is a local Texas boy and he has a heck of a playmaking ability.  Perhaps he is a reach for being selected #1, but I think the Texans would greatly benefit from picking up this potential superstar.  A move back several spaces may be in their best interest if they can still nab him, but the Texans need a new face, and “Johnny Football” would be perfect for them!
2. St. Louis Rams – Greg Robinson – OT – Auburn – The Rams need to figure out if Sam Bradford is their franchise guy, and after 4 NFL seasons it’s looking less and less likely of ever panning out.  Injured halfway through the year, St. Louis needs to keep their man on his feet and having a potential Pro Bowl offensive lineman will do just that.  Robinson is a rock and will help Bradford have the time to hunt down Chris Givens and Tavon Austin.  This is a smart pick and one that could preserve their franchise quarterback and bring out the best of his abilities.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jadeveon Clowney – DE – South Carolina – He’s the best player in this draft and has all the tools to become a Hall of Fame NFL player, but the previous teams have larger needs to fulfill and already have strong pass rushers like Robert Quinn and J.J. Watt, meaning Clowney will slide to #3.  Jason Babin of the Jaguars was the team’s best defender with 7.5 sacks.  They need Clowney more than their burning desire for a star quarterback!  If someone intrigues them as a potential franchise star they may look elsewhere, but Clowney is someone with Julius Peppers-like potential and they won’t pass him up!
4. Cleveland Browns – Blake Bortles – QB – UCF – Bortles is a special talent and has all the tools needed to succeed in the NFL.  The only thing holding him back is his small-school collegiate playing experience, but he did manufacture big wins against Louisville and Baylor (both nationally ranked 6^th when they played) last year.  He proved that he can be a winner and a leader, and those characteristics are incredible valuable in the NFL.  The Browns have been a joke of a franchise for their entire existence this millennium and a superstar quarterback like Bortles might just make them relevant again…
5. Oakland Raiders – Sammy Watkins – WR – Clemson – With Matt Schaub as their quarterback and a crop of receivers including James Jones, Denarius Moore, and Rod Streater, the Raiders could use a playmaker.  Each of those aforementioned players are decent pass-catchers who can make a play or two every given Sunday, but Sammy Watkins can take over games.  He is by far the most intriguing wide receiver prospect available and could help spark a resurgence in Oakland’s offensive fortunes.  Don’t expect Watkins to slip out of the top 5 as he is an explosive player and the best offensive prospect available in 2014!

AAA Sports Memorabilia has been serving football fans with their collecting needs since 2006.  We have a great selection of authentic autographed NFL memorabilia along with officially licensed NFL sports collectibles.  We also have a wide selection of handcrafted display cases made right here in the USA.  Our products are officially licensed with the NFL and the NFLPA.  Our autographed memorabilia is obtained through paid private athlete signings and are backed by the most trusted companies in the industry.  Visit us today for your next sports collectible.

Latest Johnny Manziel Scandal Could Rattle NCAA Core Principles

The story was too good to be true. Johnny Manziel erupted onto the college football scene as a freshman starting quarterback, shattering records along the way to a Heisman trophy award, the first ever for a freshman player. He passed or ran for 47 touchdowns on the year, completed a marvelous upset over #1 ranked Alabama, and led Texas A&M to a Cotton Bowl Victory, losing just 2 games to Florida and LSU in the entire season.

 

But his time off the field has shown a different story. He was arrested last summer for getting into a fight. This offseason, he was apparently too hung over to help coach at the Manning Passing Academy. He then got himself kicked out of a party. He has expressed a lack of happiness of playing college football. But most recently, he has come under NCAA investigation for profiting from selling his autograph.

 

The last problem is his biggest. The NCAA has been suspending athletes for years for profiting from their fame, and Johnny Manziel is now running the risk of a major suspension.

 

The trouble for the NCAA is that Manziel has quickly become college football’s star player, by a large margin. He was the story of the season last year, inflicting the lone defeat upon the National Champions, Alabama. The freshman quarterback has brought excitement to the league, and was poised for several more years of great play and high ratings. Now it’s all up in the air.

The NCAA finds itself in a predicament. They must punish the player merely because they’ve become so ruthless in their suspensions in years past. But Manziel is a premier quarterback, a star player. If Manziel is suspended for the season, college football will take a step back and ratings will decline.

 

We all saw how a similar situation played out with Cam Newton, who led the Auburn Tigers to a National Title after allegations surfaced that he had demanded pay from his college team. The NCAA was able to weasel their way out of that scandal by pinning all the blame on Newton’s father.

But with Manziel we have photographic proof of him signing autographs. Multiple sources say that he accepted a reported $7,500 for those signatures. Manziel’s father has already distanced himself from the player, stating his general concern over his son’s behavior. There’s nobody at fault but Johnny Manziel and he must be punished, or else the NCAA will have to entirely change their position in regards to players making money.

 

And what does this all mean for Johnny Manziel and his potential NFL future? Surely, a lengthy suspension would be an alarming result for such a talented player. He may sit the year and enter the NFL draft, but how many teams will take a chance on a player with so much baggage who clearly sees himself above the rules? He may have all the natural talent in the world, but becoming a successful NFL quarterback requires a larger sense of maturity.

 

Regardless, his talent is such that some team will take a chance on him. Will he develop into a successful professional quarterback? Only time will tell. For now, let us all sit back and enjoy the media blasting of both Manziel and the NCAA, who will both be scrambling to portray themselves in the best manner.

 

Let us know what you think about Manziel's issues off the field and if it should matter. Then come visit us at www.AAASportsMemorabilia.com to find your next collectible. Our autographed memorabilia is guaranteed for life to be authentic and we are able to provide this guarantee as all of our autographed memorabilia comes from such companies as Mounted Memories, Upper Deck, Real Deal, and many other reputable companies.