2014 NFL Draft: Quarterbacks Plummet in Round 1

In the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney went No. 1 overall to the Houston Texas. Everything after that was, more or less, a complete free-for-all.

The biggest questions coming into Day 1 centered around quarterback prospects. Among the players invited to New York City were Blake Bortles of UCF, Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M, and Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville.

The first off the board was Bortles, who was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars No. 3 overall, which, judging by the reaction on social media, was a massive surprise. Bortles has been considered a first round pick for quite sometime now, but good luck finding any mock drafts where he cracked the Top 5.

Considering what an unmitigated disaster the Jags picks have been in recent years, it’s hard to imagine any player would have felt like a great fit there. That being said, there was something particularly unsettling about the Bortles pick. Maybe it’s just the stink of Blaine Gabbert rubbing off on him already, but this one really doesn’t feel like a winner.

Next up was Johnny Manziel, who was widely regarded as the QB mostly likely to be taken first. When the Cleveland Browns traded down with the Buffalo Bills, who traded up to get Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins, it looked like there was a chance they’d take him at the No. 8 spot. They didn’t, instead choosing Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert.

Any Cleveland fans disappointed the team passed on Johnny Football the first time around didn’t have to wait long for some good news. The Browns, who gained the first round pick of the Indianapolis Colts for running back Trent Richardson, selected Manziel No. 22 overall. 

The fact that Browns owner Jim Haslam was convinced by a homeless man to pick Manziel…well that’s just too Cleveland for words.

When it comes to disappointed fans, the same goes for those of the Minnesota Vikings when they chose to forgo a QB in favor of Pitt defensive tackle Aaron Donald. With Matt Cassel being their best option at the position, it’s a glaring need they couldn’t possibly afford to not address in the draft.

It took quite awhile for Teddy Bridgewater to come off the board, but he finally did when the Vikings traded up to get him No. 32 overall, the final pick in the first round.

Overall, it was one heck of a night. Rounds 2-3 take place on Friday and begin at 7:00 p.m. EST.