NFL DRAFT
Dr. Young's NFL Draft Day PredictionsBY WILLIAM YOUNG ON APRIL 17, 2014
After an exhilarating season of college football, it is now time for some of the elite athletes to move up to the next level. Draft day is coming full of the hype and uncertainty that sports junkies crave. The worst NFL teams from the previous season will get higher picks and theoretically get better players. This is done to promote balance in the league and give boosts to teams that are struggling to win even a couple of games. The better NFL teams will have to decide what positions they need to fill in order to have another successful season.
A few of the most sought out players are Jadeveon Clowney, Terry Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel. Jadeveon Clowney catapulted into the spotlight last year with a hit that knocked the opposing guy’s helmet right off his head. The hit was a highlight for weeks, and grabbed the nation’s attention for this rising star from South Carolina. Clowney, a defensive end, has all the right genetics to be a game changing player. At 6’ 6”, 274 pounds and a blitzing 4.53 forty yard dash, Clowney is a beast that any coach would love to have on his defensive line. However, this past season Clowney did not have as big of a year as people would have hoped. He seemed to take plays off, and Clowney’s heart for the game has been questioned. Teddy Bridgewater was the starting quarterback for the Louisville Cardinals this year and led the team to a 12-1 season. Bridgewater threw an impressive 31 touchdown passes with only four interceptions. Teams in desperate need of a quarterback have a safe bet with Mr. Bridgewater. Johnny Manziel is a different story. The charismatic Texas A&M quarterback won the Heisman his freshman year, and had another outstanding season this year. However, he has a more free-spirited style of offense that does not fit with the typical NFL offense. He also has a track record of partying and being a troublemaker. Although he comes with his risks, Manziel is one of the most dynamic prospects for this year’s draft. A few other notable prospects are former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron and Blake Bortles from the University of Central Florida. McCarron led his Crimson Tide to two back-to-back NCAA championships. Alabama was absolutely dominant under McCarron, however he is used to superb protection and analysts wonder if he will thrive without an outstanding offensive line that can give him extra time to read the field. Bortles is the largest out of the quarterback prospects. The height advantage allows Bortles to see down the field easier and his long, strong arm gives him the ability to throw bombs down the field. The Houston Texans, which has the first pick, could really use a player like Bortles to turn around the team that had an absolutely horrible season last year with only two wins. The draft will take place May 10, 2014, where the future of NFL teams can change forever. Coaches and owners of teams are combing through every possible aspect of every player and situation in order to make the best decisions. This year has a stacked group of up-and-coming NFL players that should be able to make a huge difference in the upcoming season. HTML Comment Box is loading comments...
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