Preview

by: Mat McGowan

Taxes and death, two things that are simply destined to happen in life.

The same could be said for Johnny Manziel when it comes to his destiny of playing football on Sundays in an NFL uniform.

"For me, the NFL is the thing that's always been, kind of somewhat like the Heisman, it's been a dream as a kid to be able to have an opportunity to even be talked about being able to play in the NFL." Manziel told the NFL Network last week.

Manziel was a well decorated high school football player even as a freshman and sophomore.

As a freshman at Texas A&M, Manziel won what no other freshmen had every won which is the prestigious Heisman Trophy for best college football player in 2012.

In current mock drafts, draft experts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. have Manziel going in the top ten. One has him going to the Minnesota Vikings at the number seven slot, pairing him with perennial pro bowler Adrian Peterson.

Whichever team ends up acquired Manziel will have to embrace his play style and the media baggage that comes with him. Manziel is by far the most polarizing figuring in college sports given the fact that he's involved with a scandal in which he sold his autograph for money which violates NCAA rules.

Manziel has been seen with the likes of LeBron James and Drake, also he has been sighted in the first row of many NBA games, which has led to his image being one of a spoiled rich kid. It also doesn't help his image to be driving around an expensive Mercedes or in a country music video.

In just under two months, Manziel will discover which team he will be playing for, something that can be somewhat of a roller coaster, especially for someone who is only 22 years-old.

The NFL draft is a day full on emotion. Happiness, sadness, excitement, disappointment, nervousness and relief are all emotions that run through every player hoping to get drafted. May 8, 2014 certainly will not be any different.

"It is a day of craziness, a day that could be the exact opposite of what you had anticipated coming in." A NFL executive told Bill Polian of ESPN.

Just ask former California Golden Bear, Aaron Rodgers who was expected to be drafted in the top 10 in the 2005 draft. Rodgers was one of a handful of players that was invited to Radio City Music Hall to not watch the Rockettes but to watch his future unfold on national television.

Rodgers was selected number 24 to the Green Bay Packers and was visibly relieved when his name was finally announced.

Rodgers is just a microcosm that represents what the NFL draft is all about. Johnny Manziel is going through the same exact process Rodgers did, however the experience each will have/had is one that is unique.

"I had to wait longer than I thought but I am blessed to be a Green Bay Packer and I am ready to get to work." A humbled Rodgers told ESPN after getting selected late in the first round.

That is the same Rodgers that eventually won a Super Bowl for the Packers while earning Super Bowl MVP honors along the way.

There are countless examples of players falling into the later rounds only to prove NFL teams wrong upon getting their chance to show off their talents on the field. The fact that three-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady was drafted in the sixth round serves as proof that there is no exact science here.

No matter what spot Manziel ends up being selected in there will be no telling for high his ceiling is, it's simply a crapshoot.