The Houston Texans made Jadeveon Clowney the top-overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. After weeks and months of speculation and questions about Clowney’s work ethic, the Texans ultimately chose the defensive end out of South Carolina. Clowney collected several honors during his collegiate career, including being named the 2012 SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Clowney was also named a First Team All-American in 2013.

2014 NFL Draft Top Ten

Clowney headlines a star-studded list of players who were selected in the top ten of the 2014 NFL Draft. With the second pick, the St. Louis Rams took Auburn offensive lineman Greg Robinson. The Rams acquired the second-overall pick in the deal that helped the Redskins get Robert Griffin III in 2012.

At number three, the Jacksonville Jaguars surprised many by selecting UCF quarterback Blake Bortles. The surprises continued as the Buffalo Bills made a deal with the Cleveland Browns in order to select Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins fourth overall. The Oakland Raiders rounded out the top five by selecting Buffalo linebacker Kahlil Mack.

Picks 6-10 included:

  1. Atlanta Falcons – Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M)
  2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mike Evans (WR, Texas A&M)
  3. Cleveland Browns – Justin Gilbert (CB, Oklahoma State)
  4. Minnesota Vikings – Anthony Barr (LB, UCLA)
  5. Detroit Lions – Eric Ebron (TE, North Carolina)

2014 NFL Draft: Johnny Manziel

Unquestionably the most intriguing storyline of the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft was the freefall of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. Projected by many to be the first quarterback selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, Manziel was still on the board 15 picks into the first round. The intrigue reached a fever pitch when the draft order got to Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys at the 16th overall pick. Dallas ultimately passed on Manziel in favor of offensive lineman Zack Martin.

Manziel was still on the board when the Browns made a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles that allowed them to take the signal-caller with the 22nd overall pick.

Manziel wouldn’t be the last quarterback taken in the first round. The Minnesota Vikings made a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in order to select Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater with the final overall pick in the first round. Bortles, Manziel and Bridgewater were the only quarterbacks selected in the first round.

Download: 2014 NFL Draft