As if the Dallas Cowboys needed more drama, the team is now being discussed as a potential landing spot for quarterback Johnny Manziel.
Tony Romo is entrenched as the starter, especially since he signed a seven-year, $119.5 million contract last spring, but if and when Manziel slips out of the top spots, the Cowboys might be waiting and willing to grab the Texas native, according to ESPN.
It’s possible that Cowboys would draft Johnny Manziel if he fell to No. 16. (via @Edwerderespn) » pic.twitter.com/XTLFuhWKG5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 23, 2014
Even if Dallas views Manziel as a future NFL starting quarterback, Romo has plenty of quality playing years left in him, and the team must feel the same to give him a contract through 2020.
Perhaps the Cowboys plan to use Manziel as a trading piece to those quarterback-needy teams that thought they could trade back for him late in the first round. If that’s the case, it might be a bit of a risk, especially if they weren’t willing to use their top pick on the quarterback when they had the chance.
The Cowboys have much bigger holes to fill with the 16th overall pick, noticeably on the defensive side of the ball. Because of that, NFL Media draft guru Gil Brandt believes the Cowboys’ interest in Manziel purely hearsay.
Was asked yesterday if #Cowboys would take @JManziel2 at 16. I don’t think so. Jerry wants to win now. Manziel or any other QB doesn’t help.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 23, 2014
Plus, I don’t think @JManziel2 will be around at 16 for #Cowboys. Jerry is always in win-now mode. Thinks QB thing will take care of itself.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 23, 2014
Manziel is “on the short list” players the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are considering with the seventh overall pick, according to ESPN.
The Bucs signed free-agent veteran quarterback Josh McCown this offseason to backup 2013 third-round pick Mike Glennon, who started 13 games last season. Manziel was one of the team’s pre-draft visits and may only be able to nab him if he falls out of the top four picks. Manziel is slated to come off the board fourth to the Cleveland Browns in the latest XN Sports Mock Draft.
The Atlanta Falcons were one of the suitors for Chris Johnson as he neared his divorce with the Tennessee Titans, but it seems as it running back will be a position the team targets in the draft instead. The Falcons hosted former Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde, former LSU back Jeremy Hill and former Towson back Terrance West in recent days.
League source tells me LSU RB Jeremy Hill visited the Falcons today. Joined Carlos Hyde from Ohio State and Terrance West from Towson as RBs
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) April 23, 2014
Atlanta ranked last in the league in rushing last season with Steven Jackson sidelined for an extended period of time due to injury. Jackson will be 31 at the start of next season, and backup Jacquizz Rodgers is set to be a free agent after the season.
