the thing about these "smokescreens", they are for the media to drive, which they ALWAYS do. These "experts" are so anxious to bite on every crumb of (mis)information, they don't even try to crosscheck facts, or actually take the time to put two and two together. They just want to be the guy who reports its first. Then its like a runaway freight train.
The thing is, to honestly believe that these other GMs and organizations are as gullible as the media and the fanatical "fans" that buy into all of this is rather naĂŻve. While admitting no one really knows what Houston will do with the first pick, I guarantee the Rams and the rest of the league has a pretty good idea what the 2 or 3 options are, and are prepared for each. There aren't really that many "surprises".
This whole Manziel thing was nothing more than opportunity. They were in College Station to scout J. Matthews and M. Evans, and oh btw, there is another pretty good player here, so lets "scout" him too while we are here. .....and the feeding frenzy ensues. But where was any report that could directly attribute any comments coming out of Rams Park? the closest thing to a commentary from them was NOT dispelling the rumors until Tues and Wed at the formal press conference and Pre-draft event for season ticket holders.