Category: NFL Draft (Page 90 of 102)

FOXSports.com is reporting the Redskins and Bears are discussing a trade that would send disgruntled linebacker Lance Briggs and the No. 31 overall pick to Washington in exchange for the No. 6 selection.

Wow, that is quite a price tag to give up for Briggs. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a solid linebacker, but many in the Bears’ organization feel as though he’s a “system player” who benefits from playing in the Cover 2. From Washington’s standpoint, doesn’t this sound eerily familiar to the mega deals that brought in Adam Archuleta and Warrick Holdman? Every player is different, but they were both “system players” that never panned out as Redskins. Plus, this deal would hinge on signing Briggs to a long term contract.

As for the Bears, they would get value for a player who previously said he was done in Chicago, cap space and a top-10 pick. My only question would be whom would the Bears target at No. 6? It seems likely that they would trade down seeing as how they don’t have any glaring needs. Or what about Brady Quinn?

Let me start off by saying that anything could happen regarding the NFL Draft and absolutely nothing is guaranteed. However, since Atlanta traded Matt Schaub to the Texans, all I’ve heard is how it will now trade up for Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

Okay, lets stop all the Michael Vick to Calvin Johnson thoughts for a second and actually think about this: 1) The Falcons don’t have much cap room, so trading up and spending loads of money on the second overall pick isn’t ideal for the future. 2) Michael Jenkins and Roddy White are former #1 picks themselves, so Atlanta is going to exhaust every option before investing yet another high draft pick on wide receiver. 3) Joe Horn was just given a four-year, $19 million contract and Brian Finneran (Vick’s favorite target behind TE Alge Crumpler) is healthy again. 5) Unless in all of my draft research I missed that Johnson can play safety, defensive end and offensive line, the Falcons have much bigger needs than wide receiver. 6) Many believe that no receiver will make a difference as long as Michael Vick is at quarterback, so why waste extra picks?

Many teams – the Lions come to mind – try to build from the outside in, meaning the skill positions are sought after first. How many examples do we need that defense wins championships? Or at the very least, defenses keep teams competitive? If Johnson was the missing piece for a Falcon Super Bowl, I could foresee them making that move. However, I think Atlanta GM Rich McKay is smart enough to know he’s many pieces away from a championship and therefore will take a pass on Johnson.

While I don’t claim to have the inside sources of Mel Kiper, I follow NFL team’s draft, free agency and personal moves as close as anyone. A friend sent me a link to Kiper’s latest mock draft (INISDER required) and this what he predicts at #2:

2. Detroit – Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame: The Lions have the option of selecting QB Brady Quinn or RB Adrian Peterson, trading down, or adding a pass-rusher supreme such as Gaines Adams to bolster what already has the makings of a standout defensive front. By trading down, they could still get a player like Adams. Quinn, though, might be too hard to pass up for an organization that needs a smart, tough, high-profile signal-caller like him to become the face of the franchise. Remember, the Lions are one of the few teams that have never even been to a Super Bowl, let alone won one. Additionally, they passed on Dan Marino back in 1983 and, as recently as last year, opted away from Leinart and Cutler.

Am I crazy or does he not even mention OT Joe Thomas? He gets kudos for talking about the Lions trading down, because I think that’s ultimately what they’ll do. But he listed Quinn and Peterson as Detroit’s first options? Let’s review why the Lions (a team with MANY holes) would take a pass on Kiper’s “best” draft predictions:

Quinn: 1) The team is reportedly more than satisfied with starter Jon Kitna and loves the potential of third-stringer Dan Orlovsky. 2) Matt Millen reportedly was thoroughly embarrassed by the Joey Harrington gaff. 3) They like their chances of landing MSU prospect Drew Stanton in the second round. Peterson: 1) They just traded for Tatum Bell and signed T.J. Duckett as insurance in case Kevin Jones isn’t healthy for the start of the season. And despite the rumors, they’re not going to trade Bell unless they get a steal. 2) Jones, unless severely limited coming off injury, is their stud back. 3) In Martz’s system, the running back isn’t a huge focus anyway, which is why Jones was screaming for more carries before he got injured. So why take a “future back” in Peterson if it’s not a high priority? And before anyone brings up Martz leaving after this year, they’re grooming assistants to run the same pass-happy system for the future.

I realize anything could happen in draft, not to mention with the Lions. But am I crazy to question that this is all a man – who supposedly studies the draft 365 days a year mind you – could come up with for the second overall pick?

Oakland souring on Russell?
Steve Corkran for Sporting News.com is reporting that the Raiders came away from the NFL Combine less convinced that QB JaMarcus Russell was their man. Corkran believes that WR Calvin Johnson has an equal chance of being Oakland’s No. 1 pick, although this seems like one of the many smokescreens that teams “leak” leading up to the draft. Aaron Brooks was cut, many quality free agent quarterbacks are off the market and Randy Moss and Jerry Porter are still on the roster. I’d still give Russell more than a 50% chance of landing in Oakland.

Houston looking to trade up for Quinn?
ESPN.com reported last week that the Texans were rumored to already have a deal in place with Washington to move up to the No. 6 spot in the draft. However, the Houston Chronicle reported over the weekend that the Texans are unwilling to part with any draft picks. It should be noted, however, that the Chronicle is also reporting that if Quinn does fall to the Texans at No. 8, they are not expected to pass on him.

With Lewis on board, will Cleveland pass on Peterson?
Some of the nationwide thought now that the Browns have inked RB Jamal Lewis is that they’ll pass on Adrian Peterson in the draft. However, read between the lines and you’ll find that Cleveland wants to employ a two-back system next season. With Reuben Droughns now out of the mix and Lewis only signed through next year, Peterson is still very much in the mix for the Browns at No. 3. The only way I see the Browns passing on Peterson is if Joe Thomas falls past the Lions, or another team packages picks and swaps with Cleveland at No. 3 in hopes of landing Brady Quinn or Calvin Johnson.

Smith looks impressive, Ginn doesn’t run at OSU Pro Day
Quarterback Troy Smith reportedly showed a strong, accurate arm at Ohio State’s Pro Day last Saturday. He also ran a 4.7 40, increasing the likelihood that he will be chosen on the first day of the draft. Ted Ginn Jr. failed to run again, opting not to workout on his foot sprain. Some mocks have him failing past the first 15 picks, with the notion that many NFL teams are filling their wide receiver position through free agency.

Quick hits: The Jaguars and Patriots are both interested in S Reggie Nelson, although the Jags would have first crack at him unless the Pats traded up…New England is also rumored to be interested in LB Buster Davis…Michael Bush plans to run at Louisville’s Pro Day on March 26…The Lions are reportedly interested in QB Drew Stanton or LB Patrick Willis if they trade down from their No. 2 spot. If Detroit spends a No. 1 pick – even a late No. 1 pick – on Stanton, that organization is more troubled than I ever thought imaginable.