2014 NFL Draft: Why Johnny Manziel Should Be the First Quarterback Selected

Johnny Manziel will be a great NFL quarterback. The sensational sophomore has all the accolades, but it's his vast improvement from last year's Heisman Trophy campaign to this season that has morphed him into a can't-miss NFL prospect.

Manziel hasn't just returned to last year's form, but has nearly eliminated any previously identifiable flaw in his repertoire.

What more do you want?

ln most NFL mock drafts, Manziel is being selected anywhere from the eighth pick to the back end of the first round. Almost every draft analyst projects Oregon's Marcus Mariota and Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater to precede the Aggie's superstar quarterback in the draft.

In contrast to these two quarterbacks, Manziel is forced to compensate for a weak defense, yet he has still managed to fuel his team to a Top 10 national ranking. The Texas A&M defense is allowing 30.6 points per game, which ranks 86th in the FBS. Conversely, Louisville's defense ranks second and Oregon's is eighth.

This season, Manziel has passed more efficiently, made smarter decisions, remained more patient and managed games much better than he did as a freshman.

And let's not forget which conference he plays in. The SEC and its staunch defensive units are the closest representations to NFL defenses in college football, in terms of both personnel and style of play.

But it hasn't mattered.

Manziel leads the country in yards per game and ranks seventh in passing yards. Since Week 1, he hasn't thrown for under 244 yards in a single contest. Not bad for a dual-threat quarterback.

Yet NFL scouts and draft analysts continue to place other quarterbacks ahead of him, targeting his lack of size as a forewarning of future failure.

Nonsense. Manziel's unique skill set compensates for the possible issues that a smaller frame could present. His natural ability, intangibles and instincts will equate to professional success.

Let's take a closer look into why Manziel will flourish in the NFL.

Improved Pocket Presence and Mechanics

Manziel's most conspicuous area of improvement is his ability to stand tall in the pocket and make pinpoint throws.

As you can see in the accompanying video, Manziel pushes off his back foot, stepping into his throw, which leads to the zip on the ball. He remains patient, looks off the middle linebacker and delivers a strike. This isn't his most spectacular play, but it displays sound mechanics and an NFL-caliber throw. 

Just a season ago, despite his brilliance, he developed a tendency to throw off his back foot, which caused balls to sail over his targets' heads.

Manziel frequently swung his back foot forward, minimizing his potential velocity. It didn't show in his production, but this was a glaring flaw from 2012 that he vowed to fix in the offseason.

And he did. This year, the sophomore sensation has mostly rectified that issue.

Manziel has displayed patience and a willingness to remain in the pocket, while delivering timely throws. He can now make all the throws, including back-shoulder throws, intermediate throws and, most notably, long fade routes to big-play threat Mike Evans.

While the Aggies superstar quarterback can still improve, it is worth noting his vast progress. This difference in his approach suggests that the former Heisman winner is capable of fixing his shortcomings in just one offseason.

Arm Strength

Contrary to his acquired pocket presence and improved mechanics, Manziel boasts the strong arm that is a necessity in the NFL. The highlighted play from the Alabama game proves it.

This play showcases Manziel's ability to scan the field as he connects with Evans deep against the Crimson Tide. Devoid of much room to step up in the pocket, Manziel quickly flips the ball down the seam to a streaking Evans.

The Aggies' quarterback looks off the safety, steps up in the pocket and delivers a perfect ball. The trajectory and velocity were pinpoint. And this big-time connection changed the game's outlook, as the Aggies staged a fierce comeback.

Just how strong and accurate is Manziel? The former Heisman winner has thrown 13 touchdowns of 20 yards or more this season. He and Evans have formed one of the nation's most lethal aerial combinations, and it shows in their production.

Manziel's arm is more than adequate. Combined with his shiftiness and ability to escape the pocket, he poses a threat every time he drops back.

Playmaking Ability

Johnny Football's on-field reputation stems from his enigmatic playmaking ability. It isn't just his speed that kills opposing defenses; it is his overall awareness of what's around him that allows him to exploit the open field and utilize that speed. 

Take this play from last season's Cotton Bowl, for example. It is a designed run for Manziel in a five-receiver formation to spread out the defense. As you can see, Manziel bursts through the hole, hits the second level and utilizes his uncanny shiftiness to dodge a multitude of defenders, gaining 44 yards.

For a quarterback, he possesses that rare ability to change the complexion of a game any time he touches the ball.

As his passing skills have vastly improved, his rushing skills have always been deadly to opposing defenses. For his career, he is averaging 6.6 yards per carry and has scored 29 rushing touchdowns.

With that being said, don't expect Manziel to produce the monstrous numbers he has in college at the next level. However, his breakaway speed and ability to escape high-duress situations will benefit him greatly.

Compensation for Lack of Size

Obviously, Manziel is not the bulkiest of quarterbacks.

However, his versatility makes up for it. His ability to escape the pocket, exploit empty areas on designed runs and throw on the move all help compensate for his underwhelming size.

He is listed as 6'1" and 210 pounds. By comparison, second-year NFL star Russell Wilson lists at 5'11" and 206 pounds. And surprisingly, Robert Griffin III is a mere one inch taller and seven pounds heavier than Manziel.

Considering that Griffin III was the NFL offensive Rookie of the Year and Wilson set an NFL record for touchdowns as a rookie, Manziel's size may not be so alarming. With that being said, the three players aren't all similar.

Of the two current NFL players mentioned, Manziel's game most closely coincides with Wilson's. The Seahawks quarterback is steadier and more conservative, while Manziel takes more risks, but both are explosive dual-threat quarterbacks.

Wilson and Manziel are also adept at throwing on the run. Check out the highlighted throw from Manziel.

He showcases his speed to roll out of the pocket, the vision to survey his options downfield and the arm strength to deliver a strike. That play epitomizes Manziel's multifaceted skills.

In contrast to Marcus Mariota, Manziel doesn't have the prototypical size for an NFL quarterback. The Aggies superstar still needs to continue improving on his patience and footwork in the pocket. He also has a tendency to force the issue at times.

However, his ceiling is greater than Mariota's and Bridgewater's. Manziel improvises better than any college player in recent memory and can impact a game in a variety of ways. Importantly, his most notable collegiate success has come against premier SEC defenses.

Perhaps his most significant trait is saving his greatest performances for the largest stages. And no stage is larger than the National Football League.