The Cleveland Browns dominated the headlines from last night's first round of the NFL draft.The team traded it's 26th pick to Philadelphia and selected Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel with the 22nd overall pick. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner was projected by many to go in the top ten, but Manziel says he's pleased to have a chance to play in front of the Dawg Pound.
Manziel will help sell more tickets in Cleveland, but the Browns need him to win and there are questions about the 5-foot-11 QB's durability and character. Rookie General Manager Ray Farmer says the team became enamored with Manziel during the college football season and in pre-draft interviews.
Manziel is expected to compete for the starting job with Cleveland native Brian Hoyer, who is ahead of schedule in his rehab from knee surgery. The Browns made two earlier trades with Buffalo and Minnesota to select Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert with the 8th overall pick. The trio of trades landed the Browns a first and fourth round pick in next year's draft. The Cincinnati Bengals selected Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard with the 24th overall pick. Coach Marvin Lewis says the Jim Thorpe Award winner is projected to fit into a defensive backs group that's starting to show some age. Veteran Leon Hall is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Terence Newman and Adam Jones turn 36 and 31 this year, respectively.
Two Ohio State players were selected last night. Pittsburgh took Linebacker Ryan Shazier with the 15th overall pick. And Denver selected cornerback Bradley Roby with the next to last pick.
