Mike Shanahan has always been out of the box on draft day and that hasn't changed this year. Recently Shanahan let slip that Denver has had talks with Detroit about moving up from No. 21 in the first round to No. 2 to get Georgia Tech wideout Calvin Johnson

DRAFT BUZZ 

APRIL 28, 2007
LEVI ON THE RISE?

On the eve of the draft, might Levi Brown (picture) be on the rise again? The Penn State offensive tackle was seen as a likely top-10 pick when the college season ended, but then he ran a lead-footed 5.4 in the 40-yard dash at the Indy Combine. That had seen his stock free-falling for the past month or so, but lately several sources have him sneaking back into the top half of the first round. Part of the reason for that is that after Wisconsin's Joe Thomas, this draft just isn't very deep with sure-thing offensive linemen. Some feel Brown could go as early as No. 9 to the very needy Dolphins.

BRONCOS MOVING UP? The idea that the Broncos will move up (possibly way up) in the draft is gaining steam. The Associated Press reports that head coach Mike Shanahan, who is known for being cryptic with the media, has been somewhat forced to give some clues about what the Broncos will do in the draft. New NFL commish Roger Goodell has reportedly made it a new policy that teams talk about the draft, and recently Shanahan let slip that Denver has had talks with Detroit about moving up from No. 21 in the first round to No. 2 to get Georgia Tech wideout Calvin Johnson. The two teams have been trading partners recently, with Tatum Bell being moved for Dre Bly. The Broncos are one of the NFL's deeper and more active teams, so keep an eye on them.

JULIUS JONES ON THE MARKET? With the Broncos seemingly considering moving up from No. 21, the team right behind them at No. 22 is also one to watch. The Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, meaning they have a new team philosophy. They also have one of the most competitive owners in pro sports in Jerry Jones, and in recent weeks rumors have increased that the team may be dangling Julius Jones to improve their draft position. The emergence of backup Marion Barber (who scored an NFC-leading 14 touchdowns last season) makes Jones expendable, and the Cowboys may be coveting one of the top defensive backs available.

MICHAEL TURNER WATCH: A recent development that might have draft-day implications: the Chargers this week signed back-up running back Michael Turner to a one-year qualifying offer. Turner was a restricted free agent and has been making sounds about wanting to be a featured back, but that isn't going to happen in San Diego as long as LaDainian Tomlinson is around. He is probably the most talented running back not starting in the NFL right now, and with Turner's rights secured for another year, the Chargers may be thinkinig of trading him to move up from No. 30 overall in the first round.

                                                                                          

April 27, 2007
PETERSON HEALTHY?

Sometimes the smallest bits of positive or negative information can sway teams heading into the draft. With that in mind, Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson on Thursday told the Associated Press his collarbone is healthy. Peterson hurt his left collarbone during this past season and missed half the season with the injury, and reportedly re-injured it in the Fiesta Bowl. Thursday, he claimed the injury is "95 percent healed," although there is concern he will need further surgery on it. It should be interesting to see if concerns about this problem will affect Peterson's draft position. He is widely expected to go in the first 10 picks, possibly in the first three.

'SKINS-BEARS' TRADE NOT DEAD YET... Is the Lance Briggs-to-the-Redskins trade dead? Not yet, according to the Washington Post. That publication is reporting negotiations are still on to have the Redskins possibly give the Bears the No. 6 overall pick in return for Briggs and the No. 31 selection. Briggs continues to be disgruntled about his contract situation and has asked to be moved. If Chicago pulls off the swap, their movement to No. 6 overall may have big ripple effects in the upcoming draft, although it's conceivable that Chicago may take the same player at No. 6 that the Redskins may be targeting: Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye.

BRONCOS ON THE MOVE? Several rumors suggest several different teams are keen on moving up in the draft, but one to keep an eye on is Denver. The Broncos have been one of the NFL's more active off-season movers so far (as they often are), and the Rocky Mountain News reports the team is looking to move up from No. 21, possibly to snag Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis. With Al Wilson now gone, the Broncos has a big hole to fill at inside linebacker Willis has seen his stock soar in recent weeks. The News suggests Willis may go as early as No. 12 to the Bills (who also might be eyeing him now that Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher-Baker are gone).

April 26 2007
CHIEFS AFTER GINN JR.?

The Wednesday trade of Dante' Hall (analysis here...) has some interesting draft fallout. The game-breaking return man heads from the Chiefs to the Rams, and in return, KC gets a fifth-round pick and the right to exchange third-rounders (No. 84 for No. 82). More significantly, Hall's departure suggests the Chiefs might be looking for a return man/receiver-type with the No. 23 overall selection of the draft. That could be where Ohio State speedster Tedd Ginn Jr. ultimately lands, and he would be a nice pick for them. His stock has been wavering a little because of injury concerns, but most observers expect him to be a mid-first-rounder.

DEAL OR NO DEAL? Last year, the Texans took much of the suspense out of the draft by agreeing to a deal with Mario Williams before pick-off began. That won't likely happen this year, according the ESPN. They are reporting the Raiders are very disinclined to strike a pre-draft deal with any player. That has several implications, the most obvious being that the Raiders seem to be keeping their options open. By using the No.1 overall selection on Georgia Tech wideout Calvin Johnson, for example, they could then have the option of keeping him or trading down (to one of several teams who want him) to get another player plus extra value. We'll see.

LEONARD OVER LYNCH IN GREEN BAY? Most mock drafts and other widespread speculation have had Cal RB Marshawn Lynch going at No. 16 to the Packers. The reasoning is simple: with Ahman Green gone, the Pack have a big hole in the backfield, and Lynch is the consensus No. 2 tailback behind Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson (who is likely to be gone early). Not so fast, says Green Bay GM Ted Thompson. He recently told the Associated Press that his team is not necessarily locked into Lynch or even a running back at No. 16 overall. He could just be keeping his cards close to his vest, but Thompson may also be making a subtle statement on widespread concerns about character concerns dogging Lynch. Thompson also told the AP he believes in the 'best player possible' philosophy (rather than going 'needs first'). Additionally, Rutgers combo back Brian Leonard has been gaining steam lately, so he might also be an option for the Pack as we've came to that conclusion in the final installment of our Mock Draft.

April 25, 2007
JETS WATCH

There is obviously much speculation in the New York media about whom the Jets will select in the first round (at No. 25 overall). One name to keep an eye on is Justin Harrell, according to the New York Daily News. They report that the Jets are looking into getting some help on the defensive line, and that Harrell could be an option for them. The Tennessee tackle's college career was somewhat marred by injuries, but many see him as one of the top D-line talents available. The Daily News reports his selection might lead to trade activity, possibly involving current nose tackle Dewayne Robertson.

COLTS NEED SOME DEPTH... It's hard to see a team like the Super Bowl champion Colts having many big needs, but they do. Foremost is depth on defense, especially after losing key veterans Cato June and Montae Reagor this off-sesaon. Now there is some speculation about the future of cornerstone end Dwight Freeney. The Indianapolis Star reports the team is trying to sign Freeney to a long-term deal, but it hasn't happened yet. Meanwhile, he hasn't signed his one-year tender, which gives him a solid raise. Picking at No. 32 (or last) in the first round, the Colts are very likely to go for a defender, especially one who can make tackles. DeMarcus Tyler (a.k.a. Tank) might still be around, as might several intriguing linebackers.

BEARS STAYING PUT AT No. 31? One of the potential big movers during the draft are the Bears, but their biggest bargaining chip may be waning in value. Disgruntled Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs, whom many believed would be trade bait for this draft, is by several accounts not receiving many bites on the trade market. That seeming wane in interest could mean the Bears may be stuck at the bottom of the draft's first round (No. 31 overall) could make it tough for them to get the players they want. It could also, however, be a spot where they might steal a promising QB to push Rex Grossman such as Michigan State's Drew Stanton or Stanford's Trent Edwards.