There will be an all-out battle for Jadeveon Clowney in the next few weeks before the NFL Draft. With the Houston Texans all-but confirming they will take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick, the defensive end is primed for the picked at No. 2. After a success scouting combine and Pro Day, the battle could come down to the Atlanta Falcons or St. Louis Rams.
Clowney's Pro Day brought out the masses as every NFL team was present besides the Cleveland Browns. After a standout career with the University of South Carolina and an excellent workout at the combine, Clowney is sitting at the top of most expert's draft boards.
"I think I showed them I'm a fighter," Clowney said, via the NFL Network's Mike Mayock.."That I can push through anything. They were trying to get after me today. I expected to get pushed hard."
So where does Clowney land? Right now, the St. Louis Rams hold the No. 2 pick. They could certainly use a defensive upgrade and Clowney fits that need. However, the NFL Network has been reporting the team is considering shopping their top draft pick to the highest buyer in order to gain more picks down the stretch of the draft. Getting the No. 2 pick will not come cheap, but the team showing the most interest is the Atlanta Falcons.
Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Falcons have scheduled a private workout with the defensive end, but questions just how serious the team is about moving up in order to get him. The Falcons have a lot of needs to address and have penciled in the draft as their best option. The team is in desperate need of more bodies on the offensive line. It was a need they only briefly addressed in free agency. Greg Robinson or Jake Matthews would meet that hole with the No. 6 pick, but both players will not be available in the second round. It will all depend on the asking price for the No. 2 pick and just how much the Falcons are willing to give up for a pass rusher.
The Rams have not ruled out drafting Clowney with the No. 2 pick and keeping him for themselves. St. Louis has also scheduled a private workout and after signing Kenny Britt to help at wide receiver, Clowney is needed. They could pair the rookie with Robert Quinn and Chris Long. Expect these two teams to be in negotiations for some time.
