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Clavin number-one to the Raiders, or is the talk a draft day smokescreen?
LATEST RUMORS
APRIL 26, 2007 WILL IT HAPPEN? Will
Calvin really go No. 1? Is Brady Quinn (picture) still in the top 10? Will
Millen and the Lions trade down? Might the Cards and Bears trade up? Are the
Redskins still coveting Chicago's Lance Briggs? As is always the case, rumors
abound from everywhere on the eve of the NFL Draft. Of course, nothing is
certain but which ones actually make the most sense? And which ones don't? A
look at the latest (and hottest) NFL Draft
Rumors...
1 Raiders
will draft LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell at No.
1 overall. The Scuttlebutt: The reasoning is, Oakland's biggest
need is at quarterback (especially after posting the NFL's worst scoring numbers
in 2006, just 10.5 points per game). Is it
likely? Definitely. Oakland seems to be a team that's rebuilding.
They have the league's youngest head coach in Lane Kiffin, and much of their
current core is youthful. That means they may have more patience with a rookie
QB than other teams might, and Russell has been linked to the Raiders from the
moment he declared for this draft. There is some talk that he will be too
expensive for the cost-conscious Raiders, and that they actually want to win
now. We'll see. What's clear is they need to do better behind center than
current starter Andrew
Walter.
2 Raiders will draft Georgia Tech wideout Calvin Johnson at No. 1 overall, and keep
him. The
Scuttlebutt: Several outlets suggest the Raiders will take Johnson
because he is the draft's best player, and because he may be more affordable for
the Raiders than a top QB. Is it likely?
Definitely. Oakland management isn't tipping their hand, but drafting Johnson
might make a lot of sense for Oakland. It would give them the NFL's most
exciting wideout tandem (pairing Johnson with Randy
Moss), and they could then pick up a not-so-expensive veteran QB to
throw to the two. The San Francisco Examiner reports money concerns are a major
factor for the Raiders, who might not want to splurge on a quarterback (which is
always expensive if drafted No. 1). The only problem with the theory is that the
Raiders haven't gone out and picked up a veteran QB yet, there aren't many out
there, and the position is a major sore spot for a team in need of a new
leader.
3 Raiders will draft Johnson No. 1 overall, then trade the rights to
him. The
Scuttlebutt: Whispers are circulating that Oakland will draft
Johnson, then capitalize on his huge popularity with other teams. Is it likely? Definitely. This third scenario makes a
lot of sense for the Raiders. There is reportedly a massive amount of interest
in Johnson from other teams, and Oakland could use that to not only get the
quarterback they need, but they might also pick up other players and / or cash
to help pay for a QB. Having the top pick is a big strategic advantage for the
Raiders, and if they just take a QB with No. 1, they aren't as likely to be able
to deal him. Johnson, on the other hand, is the top commodity in the draft.
Taking him makes a lot of sense, and gives the Raiders more
options.
4 Lions (at No. 2) will draft Johnson No. 2 overall, then trade his
rights down. The Scuttlebutt: Several rumors have been ongoing that
Detroit will snap up Johnson, then use his popularity to get the best deal they
can to fill several other more pressing needs. Is it
likely? Yes. While embattled Detroit GM Matt Millen could take some
heat for drafting another offensive player (a move that has resulted in several
high-profile busts in recent years), getting Johnson would give Detroit a lot of
leverage. They probably need Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas more, but there's a good chance they
can still get him from a lower-drafting team in return for Johnson, while also
adding more pieces in the bargain. Of course, this also depends on the Raiders
not taking Johnson at No. 1.
5 Lions (at No. 2) will draft Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams, and keep him. The Scuttlebutt:
Rather than taking one of the draft's "Fab Four" offensive players (Johnson,
Russell, Thomas, or Brady Quinn), Detroit
will nab the top defender available. Is it likely? Yes. While Adams wouldn't be as big a bargaining chip as Johnson, a bird
in the hand is worth two in the bush. Last year the Lions went with another
defender, Ernie Sims, and head coach Rod
Marinelli is a defense-first guy. Drafting Adams would be a very safe move, and
while that's not exciting, it might be very appealing to Millen, who could be
taking a risk by selecting Johnson then dangling him. Detroit already has a
handful of very good offensive players, and there is also every chance they'll
grab Thomas.
6 Browns (at No. 3) are certain to draft a quarterback, either Russell
or Notre Dame's Brady Quinn. The Scuttlebutt:
With Charlie Frye somewhat of a bust
running the Cleveland attack in 2006, the Browns will bring in a new offensive
leader. Is it likely? Very. Nothing is
certain in this draft, but the Browns have tipped their hand more than most.
General manager Phil Savage has openly coveted Russell for a while, and if he's
still available at No. 3, it would be a shocker if the Browns passed on him. If
Russell is not around, Quinn is more likely to land in Cleveland than on almost
any other team in the top eight. He is an Ohio native and wants to play for the
Browns, making him that much more appealing. Of course, the only thing that
might throw a wrench in these plans is if Russell and Quinn go top-2. (Then the
Browns would likely take Thomas).
7 Quinn will slip out of the draft's top
10. The
Scuttlebutt: Every year a top QB prospect has a free-fall, like Matt Leinart landing at No. 10 last year and
Aaron Rodgers dropping to No. 24 in 2005.
This year most rumors say it might be Quinn. Is it
likely? Not very. The only real knock on Quinn is he is seen by some
as a bit of shrinking violet in big games, but that's very debatable. Quinn is
an elite quarterback prospect and is a very well-rounded passer, seen by most
NFL scouts and GMs as a top talent. The fact that Russell seems to be more
coveted doesn't help Quinn's cause, but several teams in the first ten of this
draft need a QB. It is conceivable seeing him drop to No. 9 (at Miami, a team
that reportedly loves his game), but it would be surprising to see him drop much
further.
8 Buccaneers (at No. 4) will make a deal to move up and nab Johnson to
fill their needs at receiver. The Scuttlebutt: Several teams
near the top of the draft reportedly are enthralled with Johnson, and are
serious about getting him. The Bucs are one of the few with a fairly clear need
at wideout. Is it likely? Somewhat. A lot
of the early speculation suggested Johnson might still be around at No. 4 for
the Bucs, but that now seems improbable because of his surge in stock. Tampa Bay
certainly has an appealing pick to dangle, and Johnson would certainly do
wonders for their anemic offense. That said, there may actually be as much
chance that the Bucs pilfer Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson at No. 4. Head
coach Jon Gruden has told reporters he thinks Peterson might be the best back he
has ever seen coming out of college. The idea of taking him (and then possibly
dealing the ineffective Cadillac Williams)
might make more sense for the Bucs than trading up for
Johnson.
9 Cardinals (at No. 5) will move up in the draft to get the offensive
lineman they covet, Wisconsin's Joe
Thomas. The Scuttlebutt: Arizona's biggest need is a talented
offensive lineman, and Thomas has the talent to be the No. 1 overall
pick. Is it likely? No. Cardinal GM Rod
Graves recently told the Arizona Republic that, if anything, Arizona will move
down in the draft. That makes a lot of sense, since the Cards are actually a
very balanced and talented team, with the exception of some big sore spots. They
don't need another top receiver (like Johnson), a QB (like Russell or Quinn) and
their defense is very underrated. That does leave Thomas, but there is actually
a solid chance he'll still be around when the Cards pick at No. 5, if only
because of the team needs and jostling of the four squads in front of
them.
10 Redskins (at No. 6) will trade down in the draft, to
acquire Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs from the
Bears. The
Scuttlebutt: An early and regular rumor said Washington would deal
their high draft spot to Chicago for the disgruntled Briggs and the No. 31
overall selection. Is it likely? Not any
more. By all accounts, the deal between the Redskins and Bears is dead. They
just couldn't meet eye-to-eye on the deal, which would have helped Briggs move
to a team that is more likely to meet his contract demands. One thing is fairly
certain, however: the Redskins are looking to add more help on defense. They had
a terrible time on that side of the ball in 2006, and their off-season moves so
far suggest defense has become their top priority. Don't be surprised if they
take 19-year-old defensive tackle Amobi
Okoye at No. 6.
