DRAFT BUZZ 

APRIL 22, 2008
A QB FOR THE PACK?

He wasn't tipping his hand, but on Monday Packers' GM Ted Thompson admitted that Green Bay wouldn't hesitate to take another QB with their first-round pick (No. 30 overall). Thompson told a Monday press conference that the team is still committed to new starter Aaron Rodgers as their No. 1 passer following the recent retirement of Brett Favre, and explained, "If we take another guy at 30, we're not saying this other guy's going to be our quarterback." At No. 30, the quarterbacks the Packers might be looking at include Louisville's Brian BrohmJoe Flacco, or perhaps USC's John David Booty or Michigan's Chad Henne.

FALCONS TO TRADE THIRD PICK?
Are the Falcons getting set to trade the draft's No. 3 overall pick? Nothing is certain, but on Monday new team GM Thomas Dimitroff told the Associated Press that "there's definitely been some interest" from other teams in acquiring the pick. But he also said "right now there's nothing concrete at all" in terms of trade possibilities. The Falcons, who finished last year 4-12, have several areas to improve in so there is no obvious player for them to key on at this point.

OFFENSIVE HELP NEEDED IN TENNESSEE
It's not clear who the player will be, but the Tennessee Titans seem clearly committed to going for offense in this year's draft. The Associated Press reports that at No. 24 overall in the first round, Titans' GM Mike Reinfeldt is looking for playmakers, saying "If one were looking for a playmaker, you could argue we're in a good spot to get a pretty good guy at 24." A look at the Titans' roster suggests that such a playmaker would either be a wide receiver or a running back, and Reinfeldt suggested those are the types of players the team is looking at. At No. 24, talents such as running backs Jonathan Stewart of Oregon or Felix Jones of Arkansas might be around, whereas wideouts such as Limas Sweed of Texas, DeSean Jackson of California, or Devin Thomas of Michigan State may be available.

                                                                                          

April 21, 2008
O-LINE HELP IN ST. LOO?

A recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that one of the first things new Rams' offensive coordinator Al Saunders made notice of on the job was that the team's offensive line "probably will need some attention." The article goes on to say that perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace should be ready to return from shoulder surgery by training camp. That said, the acknowledgement by Saunders of a need for help on the O-line suggests it's reasonable to think the Rams might be looking at stud left tackle prospect Jake Long of Michigan at No. 2 overall (presuming the Dolphins don't snap him up at No. 1).

DOLPHINS' SLIP A HUGE TIP? 
Most NFL execs don't usually give much away to the media before the draft, but Dolphins' GM Jeff Ireland may have spilled a few beans recently. Ireland was speaking to assembled reporters and was asked what kind of player his team is looking for with the top pick in the Draft. He responded, "You hope he's a pillar of your defense for a long time." Ireland quickly realized what he had said, and called his mistake "a Freudian slip." And while some are suggesting he and the Dolphins might be trying to throw competitors off by making the mistake, it would make sense that Miami may be targeting one of the top defenders available: defensive end Chris Long of Virginia, or perhaps LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey or Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston.

CINCY & CHAD: MARKET MOVERS? 
A team to keep a close eye on heading up to the Draft is Cincinnati. The Bengals had another disappointing season in 2007 and with star wideout Chad Johnson telling ESPN he wants to be traded, Cincy might be a prime candidate to make a big draft deal. At No. 9 overall the Bengals have some very solid leverage to move either up or down. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Express-News reports Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones recently affirmed to reporters in Dallas that he is willing to make a draft-day trade for Johnson, Cardinals' wideout Anquan Boldin, or Lions' receiver Roy E. Williams. Dallas is sitting at Nos. 22 and 28 in the first round.