Vikings Finish Third in Race for Pick 22
By Ben Gotz
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) applauds while on the stage with fellow draft prospects before the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The people in Winter Park wanted Johnny Manziel to be a Minnesota Viking.
Just not badly enough to actually make it happen.
The Vikings did have an offer extended to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 22nd overall pick in the NFL Draft to grab Manziel, according to the Peter King of the MMQB, but the team’s offer was considered third best behind the Cleveland Brown’s (who won and selected Manziel) and an unnamed team’s.
King wrote the Vikings needed to give up a future first round pick to entice the Eagles to move down from pick 22 all the way to pick 40, and the Vikings just didn’t believe enough in Manziel to do that.
“I spoke to GM Rick Spielman, whom I have known for a long time, and he was dubious about every quarterback in this draft,” King wrote. “They didn’t have a fervent belief in any of them. They did like Manziel. They didn’t want to sell the farm for him.”
From a business perspective, the logic makes sense, even if it prevented the most exciting player in college football from coming to Winter Park. The Vikings had Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater rated almost equally on their draft board according to multiple reports (including one from NFL Network’s Albert Breer, who was in Winter Park on draft night), and if they believe they got a quarterback of equal value without giving up next year’s first round pick, that’s just smart dealing.
King relayed an anecdote about one of the Vikings private meetings with Manziel. At one point, Mike Zimmer looked Johnny Manziel in the eye and said “I’ve been waiting all my life for this chance. Can I trust you?”
Zimmer was never quite sure if he could trust Manziel, but he loved his confidence according to King. He’ll just now have to observe that confidence away from Winter Park.
“So the Vikings wanted Manziel. That is true,” King wrote. “But did they want him enough to give the 40th pick in this draft and next year’s first-round pick as well? No. Can’t say that I blame them either.”
I can’t blame them either. Especially when the “consolation prize” isn’t a bad quarterback himself.
What do you think Vikings fans? Are you made this deal didn’t get done, or was the asking price too much for you? Are you happy with Teddy instead of Johnny? Sound off in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter @Goatman102!