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5 do-overs of the Johnny Manziel selection in 2014

By Steven Kubitza

Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes the ball against the San Diego Chargers during overtime at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes the ball against the San Diego Chargers during overtime at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) catches a touchdown over New Orleans Saints cornerback Brandon Browner (39) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Jaguars 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) catches a touchdown over New Orleans Saints cornerback Brandon Browner (39) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Jaguars 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Kelvin Benjamin was not the only tall receiver available to the Browns with the 22nd pick. Allen Robinson, 6-foot-3, was still on the board and will be heading to his first Pro Bowl this weekend.

After a tough rookie season, Robinson was tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns this year with 14. He also finished the season with 1,400 receiving yards.

Besides Gary Barnidge and his 1,043 receiving yards, as he is a tight end, the Browns’ leading receiver was Travis Benjamin with 966 yards. That is not an unimpressive total, but Robinson’s dominant production, in an arguably worse offense in Jacksonville, shows that players with natural ability will find a way to succeed in the NFL.

Robinson would have been able to be the team’s top option in 2014 while Josh Gordon was out, and would have once again been the go-to receiver in 2015. Defenses would fear the thought of having to cover both receivers in 2016, if Gordon is indeed granted reinstatement.

But Robinson teamed up with Blake Bortles, another 2014 draft pick, in Jacksonville to begin the turnaround there. Even the lowly Jaguars understood the key to drafting a young quarterback, which is to pair him up with a top receiving talent, allowing both to work together and mature together from the start. A much different philosophy than saying, “Hey Johnny, just go out there and try not to get hurt.”

All the above players look like great picks in hindsight, but could have still been realistic picks, and should have been, at the time of the 2014 NFL Draft. Let’s hope a post like this does not need to be written in two years about the 2016 draft.

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