Browns' Draft Choice: Manziel vs Bridgewater

0:00On April 21st, back in 2014, the Cleveland Browns faced a big choice in the NFL draft. Owner Jimmy Haslam, the marketing team and fans, all pushed hard for Texas A&M quarterback, Johnny Manziel. But CEO Joe Banner relied on analytics and scouting, pointing to Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater as the smater pick. Banner had his team spend extra time watching Bridgewater up close, more than anyone else. He lined up evaluations early. Then Haslam fired Banner just months before draft day and brought in Ray Farmer as general manager. Farmer ordered a $100,000 study over 20 years of quarterback data and is still ranked Bridgewater highest. Even with that info and an analytics crew backing in, Farmer went another way. The Browns traded up and grabbed Manziel at number 22, passing on Bridgewater who fell to the Vikings at 32. Fans got their guy, but the analytics took a back seat. Manziel bombed out quick, starting strong in week 15 with just 10 of 18 passes for 80 yards.

1:04Two picks and three sacks in a shutout. Lost. He went two in six over two seasons before flaming out of the league. Bridgewater though earned rookie of the year, won six of 12 starts and made the pro bowl next year with over 3,000 yards. Meanwhile, Bridgewater told his agent he did not want Cleveland anyway, eyeing Minnesota from the jump. The Browns keep chasing that franchise quarterback from recent draft misses to whispers about Shader or Sanders now. Still hunting stability after all. These years, I'm Cory with the story. That's your NFL news today update AI powered and always on.