NFL Draft Rumors: Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ owners ‘pushing’ for Johnny Manziel

On Tuesday night, a report surfaced that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were looking to trade up in the draft, targeting the second overall pick to draft either former Clemson Tigers’ wide receiver Sammy Watkins of Texas A&M Aggies’ quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Later, the report was updated, saying that Manziel is the Buccaneers’ target.

According to Tony Pauline of Draft Insider, that may because the Buccaneers’ owners are “pushing” the team to draft Manziel.

"Speak to NFL executives and almost to a man they will tell you if Johnny Manziel is selected in the first eight picks tomorrow it will be by decree of the owner rather than the scouting department or general manager, something I’ve mentioned for a while. One insider told me the feeling amongst the 32 general managers is the hope Manziel is gone before they are called to the clock so there’s no discussion or distraction of selecting the signal caller. I’m told nowhere is this more apparent than Tampa Bay where owners are pushing for Manziel but wish of head coach Lovie Smith is defensive tackle Aaron Donald."

Manziel would, at the very least, add some excitement to a franchise that badly needs it.