Jadeveon Clowney to enter NFL Draft

Jan 1, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) knocks down Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) in the first quarter as the South Carolina Gamecocks face the Wisconsin Badgers in the Capital One Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

New Year’s Day saw not only Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater declare for the 2014 NFL Draft, but following South Carolina’s 34-24 Capital Bowl win over Wisconsin, South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney also declared for the draft.

CBS Sports reported the following:

"“‘It’s been great. We’ve put everything into this,’ Clowney said. ‘I’ll miss everything about Carolina. I love it here.’ Asked directly if he was declaring for the NFL Draft, Clowney said ‘yes sir’ before smiling and walking off.”"

Now the Texans have to make one of the most important decisions of the offseason … Bridgewater or Clowney?

In his final game, Clowney had four tackles. In a game recap on ESPN, it said of his performance in the Capital One Bowl:

"“Clowney had four tackles in the first half, including one for a loss. But he was mostly a non-factor early as the Badgers alternated [James] White and [Melvin] Gordon in the backfield.”"

Clowney could make the defense a lot better, but Bridgewater could do the same thing with the Texans’ offense.

Plus, we can’t forget about Johnny Manziel as another potential QB on the Texans draft list.

I like both Clowney and Bridgewater with this pick, and I’m still not sure about Manziel, as he’s not the prototypical QB for O’Brien’s offensive system.

Now, it depends on what the Texans want … defense or offense. Maybe O’Brien wants a rookie QB,  or maybe he feels he can make current QB Case Keenum into a productive starter in the league.

Keenum didn’t win a single game this past season as a starting QB, and remember, he was an undrafted free agent in 2012.

If the Texans select Clowney, think of the possibilities of the Texans’ pass rush in 2014. That could be a sight to see with Clowney and J.J. Watt rushing an offensive line.

Now we just wait and see what occurs … whatever the decision, it will be the next important decision made by the Texans this offseason.