Picking twice in the first round, the St. Louis Rams are in a prime position to address multiple needs with some of the top prospects in the 2014 draft class.
One of those needs could be at quarterback.
According to multiple insiders, there are some indications the Rams are considering taking former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. Though that may be a long shot, it cannot be ruled out.
Think Cosell & Mort have alluded to this but #Rams drafting Manziel would give them similar formula to SF/SEA. If you cant beat em, join em.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) May 2, 2014
@evansilva Would not suprise me in the least. There are whispers …
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) May 2, 2014
Team built on strong D & foundation run game with QB in playmaker role. Figure they would limit Manziel’s pass attempts just like SF & SEA. — Evan Silva (@evansilva) May 2, 2014
It seems unlikely #Rams pull that bold of a move, but there’d def be some interesting strategy behind it. Get JFF balling indoors on turf. — Evan Silva (@evansilva) May 2, 2014
Last month, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported there are signs indicating that the Rams “are strongly considering taking a quarterback” in May’s draft.
Pittsburgh’s Tom Savage, South Carolina’s Connor Shaw, SMU’s Garrett Gilbert, Fresno State’s Derek Carr, Georgia’s Aaron Murray, and Clemson’s Tajh Boyd have all met or worked out with St. Louis is recent weeks, though none of those quarterbacks are expected to be first-round selections.
Enter Manziel.
Earlier this week, Rams personnel men traveled to College Station to work out former Texas A&M players Mike Evans, Greg Robinson and Manziel, according to ESPN.
Rams will work out a trio Texas A&M players, including Johnny Manziel, Jake Matthews & Mike Evans. Rams have 2 & 13 picks in 1st rd.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) April 30, 2014
The Rams have long been linked to Robinson with the No. 2 overall pick, and such is the case in the XN Sports Mock 3.0. However, with such a deep offensive tackle class, the Rams could afford to nab Manziel second and take a different tackle — a Zack Martin or Matthews — at No. 13.
If the Rams were to take Manziel or any other quarterback for that matter, ESPN insider Chris Mortensen expects Bradford would immediately be placed on the trade market. Bradford is due about $14 million this season and almost $13 million next year.
Replacing Bradford with Manziel would offer on-field upside & also do wonders for #Rams cap, moving on from Sam’s albatross of a contract.
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) May 2, 2014
A lot may depend on whether the team wants to use its top pick on Manziel or if the former Heisman Trophy winner is still on the board at No. 13. The team may still try and move Bradford if it selects a quarterback in the second round.
