The NFL Draft is just about a month away, and the top prospects are beginning to make serious visits to teams.Those squads picking at the top of the draft have been especially busy this week, beginning with the Houston Texans.
Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles have scheduled visits with the Texans, with the UCF standout coming to town this weekend and the former Heisman Trophy winner the next, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Bortles coming to Houston April 15-16 and Manziel April 21-22.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) April 7, 2014
McClain, the longtime NFL and Texans beat reporter, is still under the impression Houston will select a quarterback with the first overall pick. In his two previous mock drafts, he had the Texans nabbing Bortles but has since switched to Manziel.
Once the Texans make their pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars will soon be on the clock. And the team is staying just as busy as the Texans.
Manziel, along with Derek Carr, Zach Mettenberger, Greg Robinson and Khalil Mack, are all visiting with the Jacksonville brass this week. Sitting with the No. 3 overall pick, the Jags have been connected to quarterbacks and pass-rushers, both of which remain positions of need in this draft.
Fun 2 days in Jacksonville: Top prospects Buffalo LB Khalil Mack, Auburn OT Greg Robinson & Johnny Manziel are flying in visit with #Jaguars
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 8, 2014
More QB visits coming in Jacksonville: #FresnoSt QB Derek Carr, who visited with #Titans last week, flies in to visit #Jaguars tomorrow
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 8, 2014
After his Pro Day, on Thursday, LSU’s Zach Mettenberger will fly to Jacksonville to meet with the Jaguars brass.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 7, 2014
Playing the “what if” game, if Houston selects Jadeveon Clowney first overall then the Jags have their picking of any of the top quarterbacks, whether it’s Manziel or Bortles. If the Texans opt to select a quarterback, the Jags may have a chance at the second-rated quarterback or perhaps Mack — even Robinson should the St. Louis Rams trade out of the No. 2 slot.
If the pick isn’t a quarterback, then Carr and Mettenberger become more realistic options for the team in Round 2. To some, Carr is the best quarterback in the draft. Mettenberger is considered a first-round caliber quarterback, if healthy.
The third most mentioned quarterback that has seemingly seen his stock drop in recent weeks is Teddy Bridgewater, who is visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs hold the seventh pick in the draft, and have previously been linked to either a linebacker or wide receiver in that spot. The team signed Josh McCown in the offseason and selected Mike Glennon last year.
