The Calvin rumors continue to surround what Johnson. He is without doubt the X-factor in this years draft.

 DRAFT BUZZ 

APRIL 24, 2007
CALVIN RUMORS...

Nothing is ever certain until the draft actually happens, but every day Calvin Johnson (picture) seems more likely to be a top-two pick. Rumors are coming out of almost every city whose team has a top-ten pick that they are angling to move up for the Georgia Tech wideout. Big, fast, and accomplished, Johnson is considered by many to be the best receiver prospect in years, and there is growing speculation the Raiders will take him with the No. 1 overall pick. There are several other great players available in the draft, but don't be surprised if much of what happens in the first round revolves around Johnson.

THOMAS TO CARDS AT No. 5? While many teams would love to trade up in this draft, there are a few who are candidates to trade down. One of them might be the Cardinals at No. 5 overall, according to the Arizona Republic. The paper reports that team V-P of football operations Rod Graves has said his team considers trading down a '50-50' possibility. The Cards are one of the few teams that might not need one of the draft's top prospects, since they are already set with youngsters at most key positions. That said, there is an outside chance Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas might land in their laps at No. 5, and he would fill their most pressing need (talent on the O-line). Then again, many observers expect Thomas to be a top-3 pick, so don't be shocked if Arizona trades the rights to No. 5 for some veteran help.

STEELERS TO TRADE DOWN? Speaking of veteran players the Cardinals might be interested in acquiring as part of a draft-day package, Alan Faneca might head the list. The disgruntled Steeler guard, a Pro Bowler, has been at the center of much swap speculation. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Arizona (mentioned above) might have interest in Faneca, a six-time Pro Bowler who would address the Cardinals' most pressing need. That said, Steeler director of football operations Kevin Colbert told the paper it's more likely Pittsburgh will trade down (from their current No. 15) than trade up, because it's "very expensive" to move up and because he believes there will be lots of good players available in the middle rounds of the draft (which could be nabbed by adding more lower picks in a move down).

                                                                                          

April 23, 2007
'PHINS: TEAM TO WATCH?

At No. 9 in the first round, the Dolphins are a team to watch for several reasons. One is, they may be shopping Daunte Culpepper (according to several rumors). Another is the fact that they reportedly have significant interest in Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn, which may require them to move up. Now, however, one of the potential bargaining chips they have might not be in play for the draft. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports Miami may have to wait until after the draft to find out if Ricky Williams will be allowed to be reinstated. The former rushing yardage champ missed last year to a drug suspension, and the 'Phins might have been able to use him as trade bait to move up in the draft.

GREEN RUMORS FADING... Speaking of the Dolphins, their widely-rumored trade for Trent Green is not going as quickly as many thought it would. The Kansas City Star reports Chiefs' GM Carl Peterson is holding firm on his trade demands, asking for a second-round draft pick and a seventh-rounder for the veteran QB. That's the same price the Dolphins recently asked (and got) for wideout Wes Welker. It seems the deal, which last week appeared imminent, is now somewhat in limbo. That obviously has implications for the draft, since what happens with Green will determine what Miami will do with Daunte Culpepper, and whether they try to draft a quarterback at No.9 overall.

STEELERS WATCH: It's anyone's guess what the Steelers will do at No. 15 overall in the first round, for several reasons. First, because they remain a very well-balanced team without many pressing needs; second, because many of this draft's true elites will be gone by then; and third, because it's still somewhat unclear the identity new head coach Mike Tomlin will forge with his squad. One need may be opening up soon, however: the offensive line. Several reports out of Pittsburgh say Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca is unhappy with his current contract situation, and as a result, he has stayed away from Pittsburgh's first two minicamps so far. There aren't many elite O-line prospects after Wisconsin's Joe Thomas, but Central Michigan's Joe Staley has reportedly seen his stock surge lately (assuming Pittsburgh would want a lineman).

April 21, 2007
LIONS MOVING DOWN?

Most of what happens at the April 28-29 draft will obviously hinge on what Oakland does with the No. 1 overall pick. That said, much of the focus lately has been on the team behind them: Detroit, at No. 2. Michigan Live reports the Lions are rumored to be shopping the rights to the second overall selection to several teams, in hopes of moving down a little and getting additional picks. Several teams are interested in moving up to nab Georgia Tech wideout Calvin Johnson, widely seen as the most talented receiver to come along in years. Of course, No. 2 doesn't guarantee Johnson will still be available, so there should be plenty of jostling around Motown in the coming days.

BEHAVIOR A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR? With the NFL's new crackdown on player misbehavior, the perceived character of draft prospects is a significant factor for teams at the draft. With that in mind, the perception of three top prospects may have just changed. A report in Pro Football Weekly claims Georgia Tech receiver Johnson, top-ranked defensive end Gaines Adams of Clemson, and top defensive tackle prospect Amobi Okoye of Louisville have all admitted to previously using marijuana. While the admissions aren't likely to seriously affect the draft status of the three, it's impossible to say it won't come into play in teams' decisions come draft time. This could be a new variable in how the draft's early first round shakes out.

STAYING A CHARGER? More news that suggests Michael Turner will remain in San Diego: Buffalo GM Marv Levy told reporters recently he would be surprised if Turner ended up a Bill. Buffalo is one of a few teams still hot on the trail of the promising Charger backup tailback, who is currently a restricted free agent. This most recent news comes on the heels of comments by Turner's agent, who recently made similar comments that he doubts Turner will be leaving San Diego anytime soon. The Chargers currently sit at No. 30 in the first round, and while dealing Turner might help them move up, they are a cost-conscious team known for picking diamonds-in-the-rough later in the draft and paying less for them than they would for higher selections. Meanwhile the Bills, still trying to fill the hole left by Willis McGahee, pick at No. 12, and can only hope Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson might still be available.