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It began this morning when Todd McShay stated that he heard from multiple people within Valley Ranch that Johnny Manziel was the #1 overall player on the Cowboys board, and thus slotted him as the #16 pick to the Cowboys in his final Mock Draft.
Of course, anytime you link the biggest name, and most polarizing player in the draft, with the NFL's most popular team, with a polarizing owner who is known to have a flair for the dramatic, you are sure to generate significant buzz.
However, around 10 o'clock central time this morning, I received information from someone whom I trust (it's not who you think it might be) that not only is Manziel not the #1 player on the Cowboys board, he's not even the number #1 QB on their board. That distinction belongs to Blake Bortles.
This insight was then confirmed, both partially by Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, and wholly by Jeff Sullivan of Dallas Cowboys Star Magazine.
Could Jerry surprise and trade up for Manziel? Sure. But he's not even the top QB on the #Cowboys draft board FYI
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) May 8, 2014
Have heard over the last 18 hours or so that the No. 1 QB on the Cowboys draft board is actually Blake Bortles. They really like him.
— Jeff Sullivan (@SullyBaldHead) May 8, 2014
Manziel is a first-round player on the Cowboys board, and thus will likely be in consideration if he is available at #16 overall, but he is not the #1 player, or QB.