Quarterback E.J. Manuel's draft stock is one of the more highly debated topics this week, as mock drafts see him being taken from anywhere in the top 10 to lasting until the third round. But the comments of at least one team would lead you to believe Manuel will be going high in this year's draft. Cleveland Browns coach Rob Chudzinski recently compared Manuel to 2011 No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton. Via Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer:
"He already brought up Cam when I was up in Cleveland on Monday," Manuel, a dual-threat quarterback who went 25-6 at Florida State, told The Plain Dealer after the workout. "I think coach Chudzinski sees a lot of Cam Newton in me, so that's kind of in my favor as far as being a guy that's very similar to Cam's playing style."
Chudzinski is certainly in position to make such a lofty comparison, as the new Cleveland head man coached Newton in both 2011 and 2012 while both were with the Carolina Panthers. According to recent reports, Manuel is shooting up some other teams' draft boards as well, and is seen now as the second-best option at the position behind Geno Smith, but ahead of Ryan Nassib, Matt Barkley and Mike Glennon.
Other quarterback-needy teams who may have interest include the Jacksonville Jaguars, selecting No. 2 overall in the upcoming draft, the Philadelphia Eagles (No. 4), the Buffalo Bulls (No. 8) and the New York Jets (No. 9). New Eagles coach Chip Kelly recruited Manuel while Kelly was at Oregon, and worked the QB out privately last month.
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