While UCF quarterback prospect Blake Bortles went first at his position, much of the pre-draft debate centered around the respective merits of former Heisman winner Johnny Manziel out of Texas A&M and Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville. Manziel was eventually taken at No. 22 by the Browns, 10 spots ahead of Bridgewater at No. 32 (Vikings). Rumor has it, though, that Cleveland tried to make a move for the Cardinals passer.
Teddy Bridgewater NFL comp: Sam Bradford?
The Browns are now denying those rumors. "That is not true," Browns spokesman Zak Gilbert said. "I was in the draft room. That didn't happen." Team owner Jimmy Haslam chimed in as well, saying "(Manziel) is a guy who accounted for 93 touchdowns the last two years in a very tough conference. He was the highest-rated quarterback on our board."
In this he-said, she-said exercise, Teddy Bridgewater seemed to have shut down all routes leading to Cleveland as Round 1 progressed. "I actually told my agent that's not the place where I wanted to be," the quarterback said to Dan Patrick.
Manziel told to "act like a backup?"
The two prospects were both high-end, but achieved their results in wildly different fashion. Manziel won his Heisman by piling up yardage in the running game as well as the passing game. Last season Manziel rushed for 759 yards and nine touchdowns, while throwing for 4,114 yards and 37 scores. He was intercepted 13 times.
Bridgewater has shown plenty of mobility, but his version is within the pocket. He's able to deliver perfect spirals under pressure even if the pocket is caving in on him, as well as throw on the run. Accuracy is Bridgewater's calling card, as evidenced by his 3,970 yards, 31 touchdowns, and miniscule interception total of four.
Only time will tell now whether Cleveland or Minnesota got the better quarterback, but according to Bridgewater it wasn't really much of a choice.
Did the Browns or Vikings get the better QB? Let us know @SportsWN
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