http://news.rapgenius.com/Mrxercules-no-worthy-first-overall-nfl-draft-pick-in-2014-annotated

In an effort to encourage more original content by SG users (and after seeing how much interest there was in the Tommy John post), I wrote an opinion piece on the NFL Draft since it’s coming up soon.

Opening this thread up for discussion on the subject! I hope the point I was trying to make came across clearly. They’re all worthy of consideration for the number one pick (except Bridgewater now although I could see why BOB wants him – the football IQ), but none of them are slam dunk choices.

And for the record… I hope the Texans take Clowney. But I wouldn’t complain so much about Manziel.

This is an extremely well written piece, but I must disagree with the premise – Clowney is more than worthy of the #1 overall pick IMO.

I don’t need to read his #s to you, you’ve got em in your article. But to be 6'5 and still be able to run a 4.5 40 – MADNESS. This guy is an absolute physical specimen. When he gets drafted, he’ll immediately join the tier of GOD-level athletes in the NFL, along with Peterson, Megatron, and Vernon Davis.

I understand the motor issue, I really do. But to be fair the motor issue comes from two things – 1. being bored in college and 2. risk of injury. Clowney would’ve easily been the #1 overall pick in 2013 had he been allowed to enter the draft. But since he had to wait that extra year, he was scared of getting injured and shattering his draft stock – hard to blame him, being Lattimore’s teammate and seeing Lattimore shred his knee TWICE must’ve scared the shit out of him. There was talk that he’d sit out this past year and enter the draft just to make sure he wouldn’t get injured and because he really didn’t need to prove himself anymore/couldn’t raise his draft stock any higher. Also, I think like I said he was bored in college. There came a point where the competition wasn’t sufficient and he was just bored and stopped trying.

As far as the scheme goes – when you’re an elite talent like Clowney, scheme is nothing. I think Clowney can play in and thrive in any scheme. I think he’s more than capable of being a 3-4 linebacker.

Coming out of high school, Clowney was the #1 recruit. Whether or not their right, some scouts said that he could transition directly from high school to the pros. The only other prospect (that I’ve heard) that scouts have said could’ve possibly transitioned from high school to pros was Peterson.

Honestly I think Clowney will end up having a career like Julius Peppers. Peppers in his prime back when he was a Panther – MONSTER. Even though never really put up gaudy stats like 20+ sacks a year or anything, but his presence/forced double teams also opened the doors for others on that D-line (Kris Jenkins, Mike Rucker) to shine. Even if he takes plays/games off, I think he’ll still be an amazing player and possibly even of a HoF one day. Randy Moss took many plays/games off and he was still the most explosive weapon of all time. Obviously, had Moss not taken plays off he would’ve surpassed Rice as the GOAT but he still had a HoF career. I think Clowney can be the Randy Moss of defensive ends.

If I’m the Texans – I take Clowney for two reasons: 1- he’s too good of a talent to pass up. Imagine a defense of Watt and Clowney. MY GOD, RIP to Andrew Luck and the other AFC south QBs. and 2 – the Texans core is in their primes NOW. I dont think they can’t afford to take Manziel/Bridgewater/Bortles and wait for them to develop, because their core will be washed up by the time their rookie QB hits his prime. They need a QB who can come in and win now. And I think it is very possible for a Clowney/Watt-lead defense to carry that team in a weak AFC into the SB, the way the Legion of Boom carried the Seahawks to the SB.

I’m a huge Clowney fan. I love physical specimens. With the right coaching, LOOK OUT. I keep saying the 3 teams I’ll use in Madden is the Vikes, whoever gets Clowney, and whoever gets Manziel.

Two final thoughts about the article though:

1. I’m surprised you didn’t include Bortles as a possible choice. Even though I think he’ll be Blaine Gabbert 2.0, he’s sky-rocketed to the almost-consensus #1 QB in this class.

2. Wade Phillips ran the 3-4, not 4-3. He even ran the 3-4 when he was the Cowboys coach, and they switched to a 4-3 after he departed.

@Baous EXCELLENT post, and thanks for the catch about 3-4. I even knew that, and still screwed it up when I was writing.

I didn’t include Bortles because I ultimately don’t think he’ll be selected. On a Houston sports forum I frequent, the Bortles discussion has cooled off significantly over the last few weeks. I’m also especially wary of players who rocket up draft boards after one season (Bortles/Savage come to mind for this year).

I absolutely think the Texans should select Clowney, and you’re right that the defense will be monstrous. I just hope Watt will get on Clowney’s ass and make sure he has a high work ethic, because I wouldn’t want all of Clowney’s talent and potential to go to waste because he’s “been paid”.

If Houston takes Clowney, then they’ll be running a hybrid defense, which he’d be a perfect fit in imo (IE; Chandler Jones NE, Robert Mathis IND)

I didn’t read the article (no time right now, sry) but Clowney is being called a once-every-20-years type player and being compared to Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers. History tells us that those guys, like Tony Mandarich, Bo Jackson, etc., are always high picks. Whether he’ll turn out is yet to be seen obviously, but based on projection alone he is more than worthy of the #1 pick by any team, regardless of need.

Hehehe
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24536860/merril-hoge-jadeveon-clowney-is-an-atrocious-football-player