In recent weeks, a presumption has emerged that defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will be the first player drafted on Thursday night, with the only question being whether the Texans trade the pick before making it, they pick Clowney then trade him, or they pick Clowney then keep him.
The venerable Gil Brandt has another thought when it comes to Clowney. Brandt, a long-time Cowboys executive who now works for the NFL, believes Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack will be picked before Clowney.
Brandt hinted at the theory last week, when he said he’ll have Mack higher than Clowney in Brandt’s final rankings, to be released on Monday. Brandt thereafter reinforced the point, telling Peter King of TheMMQB.com that Brandt believes Mack will be taken before Clowney.
It could be that the Texans ultimately decide to go with Johnny Manziel at No. 1, and that the Falcons trade up with the Rams for Mack at No. 2, leaving Clowney on the board for the Jaguars at No. 3.Then, the Jaguars would have to decide whether to draft Clowney or someone else, like receiver Sammy Watkins.The Jags also could then trade Clowney to a team lower in the top 10 that regards Clowney as the best player in the draft.Either way, we’re only three days away from the start of the draft. And there’s no clear sense as to how any of it will unfold.