NFL Draft Rumors: Rams Darkhorse to Take Johnny Manziel, Could Trade Sam Bradford

Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford
Tim Heitman USA TODAY Sports

Picking twice in the first round, the St. Louis Rams are in a prime position to address multiple needs with some of the top prospects in the 2014 draft class.

One of those needs could be at quarterback.

According to multiple insiders, there are some indications the Rams are considering taking former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. Though that may be a long shot, it cannot be ruled out.

Last month, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported there are signs indicating that the Rams “are strongly considering taking a quarterback” in May’s draft.

Pittsburgh’s Tom Savage, South Carolina’s Connor Shaw, SMU’s Garrett Gilbert, Fresno State’s Derek Carr, Georgia’s Aaron Murray, and Clemson’s Tajh Boyd have all met or worked out with St. Louis is recent weeks, though none of those quarterbacks are expected to be first-round selections.

Enter Manziel.

Earlier this week, Rams personnel men traveled to College Station to work out former Texas A&M players Mike Evans, Greg Robinson and Manziel, according to ESPN.

The Rams have long been linked to Robinson with the No. 2 overall pick, and such is the case in the XN Sports Mock 3.0. However, with such a deep offensive tackle class, the Rams could afford to nab Manziel second and take a different tackle — a Zack Martin or Matthews — at No. 13.

If the Rams were to take Manziel or any other quarterback for that matter, ESPN insider Chris Mortensen expects Bradford would immediately be placed on the trade market. Bradford is due about $14 million this season and almost $13 million next year.

A lot may depend on whether the team wants to use its top pick on Manziel or if the former Heisman Trophy winner is still on the board at No. 13. The team may still try and move Bradford if it selects a quarterback in the second round.

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Sam Spiegelman
Sam Spiegelman is a native New Yorker covering sports in New Orleans. He likes Game of Thrones way too much. Tweet him @samspiegs.