2014 NFL Draft: Johnny Manziel Scouting Report

Johnny Manziel

Texas A&M, QB
Height: 6.1
Weight: 200
40yd: —
Age: 21

Johnny Manziel Scouting Report

Arm: C

Has enough of an arm to play in the NFL, but still requires some strength training. Does not have great velocity on his sideline passes, but does have excellent touch and anticipation on those throws. Has to put everything into 25+ yard passes, which tend to be rainbows that DBs can take to the house (see Alabama 2013). Has to wind up on most throws. Does not have a quick release which might be the biggest knock on him given his style of play. Had 3 passed tipped at the line of scrimmage against Alabama.

Accuracy: C+

Passes tended to be above the receivers’ heads, but did work with tall athletic personnel, putting the ball where only they could get it. Shows surprisingly good accuracy for his renegade style of play. Has below average deep accuracy and rarely tested the deep ball, generally not successful when doing so. Is as accurate, if not more so outside of than inside of the pocket.

Athleticism: A

Not afraid to put his body in harm’s way running with the football. Dances a bit too much in the backfield and could get him into a lot of trouble at the next level. Does not have elite speed, but instead is extremely quick and elusive with great vision as a ballcarrier. A lot of his yardage came on designed runs. Lack of straight-line speed could limit him as a scrambler in the NFL. Is excellent outside the pocket, without much drop off in arm strength and accuracy while on the move. Is the Willie Mays of the pocket, putting himself in the best position to make a normal play look brilliant. Terrific balance, to get almost parallel with the field and still stay on his feet. Does not protect the ball well while on the move, often holding it away from his body with his arm extended. Drifts backwards in the pocket rather than stepping up, which leads him into a lot of spectacular, yet unnecessary plays.

Intangibles: C+

Has a bombastic, fiery on-field demeanor. Will throw into huge crowds, which is never a good decision despite its chance success. Showed that he could scan the field and sit in the pocket, but too often keep it and run. Does a lot of hopping while in the pocket, suggesting he has difficulty seeing over the line of scrimmage. Played only two years of college football. Played in Kevin Sumlin’s shotgun spread, and could require a significant learning curve at the next level. Well-documented concerns about his maturity and accountability. Had some minor injuries to his left knee throughout his career. Had two projected first round picks protecting him at tackle in both seasons.

Red Flags: Character Concerns, System Player, Size

Bottom Line: Johnny Football is one of the most exciting and irritating players to watch on film, given what he can do and how he does it. The conundrum with Manziel is that if you rein him into a pocket passer, you lose what makes him exceptional, and if you leave him as is he will always be a risk/reward player who can lose a game as quickly as he can win it. The bottom line is that he is as big of a wild-card player as I’ve ever evaluated. It’s near impossible to predict how his game will translate to the next level, but gun to my head, I’m doubtful he will succeed. Some will believe they can mold him into a West Coast passer. Embodies the swashbuckling, renegade attitude of the Oakland Raiders.

Comparison: Fran Tarkenton/Tim Tebow

Grade: 8.4 (3^rd Round)

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