Johnny Manziel is certainly one of the most polarizing players in this year's crop of NFL prospects, with projections and grades for the Heisman-winning Texas A&M quarterback landing across the entire spectrum. Respected analyst Ron Jaworski went on record with Phillymag.com with a very strong, and likely minority opinion.
Upon hearing the Philadelphia Eagles met with Johnny Football at the Combine, Jaworski extolled the promise of current Eagles passer Nick Foles. "I'm a big believer in Nick Foles, but who knows?" Jaworski said. "Manziel may fall. I'm not crazy about him, to be honest with you. I've only looked at five games. I wouldn't take him in the first three rounds. That's my opinion. It's incomplete right now. But he has not done a whole lot to me."
Jaworski also said that the Eagles meeting with him is not a signal of any interest in drafting him. He cited their meeting with West Virginia prospect Geno Smith last season, who tumbled out of the first round with Philadelphia passing on him. He was eventually taken by the Jets in round two.
"There has to be an interest, but it may not necessarily be for the immediate time of this draft," Jaworski said. "But it's a way of stockpiling information on a guy, get to know him. And remember, no matter where he may be, the Eagles may have to play against him, so you can certainly gather information about him. Of course you gather a lot of that from film study, but I like the fact that they've interviewed him."
On the opposite end, draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has predicted Manziel will be taken first overall by the Houston Texans, citing his hometown ties and their need for an upgrade at quarterback. Jaworski said Manziel hasn't done a whole lot, but his stat sheets are awfully full.
Last season, in which he did not win the Heisman Trophy, he threw for 4,114 yards and 37 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. On top of that Manziel rushed 144 times for 759 yards and nine scores.
If Manziel's stock keeps dropping, Jets fans are hoping they'd have a chance to pounce with Smith struggling, and free agent options like Michael Vick and Matt Schaub unlikely to whet their fanbase's appetite.
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