How much of a scramble will Glenn Dorsey cause in this year's Draft?
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Trades. What would any professional sport be
without them? Of this we can be certain, they make every draft day that much
more interesting. Here is a quick look at what has happened, and what might
happen.
Miami (#1) – This is not a trade, but a signing. It is significant on
several levels. First it is widely believed that the Dolphins tried hard to
trade down, but got no offers, at least not reasonable offers. Second, signing Jake Long was probably the lowest cost of
any of the serious possibilities. This point becomes very relevant with regard
to Kansas City.
Kansas City (#5) /
Minnesota (#17)– The
Vikings have acquired Jared Allen
for picks #17, #73, #82 and some minor additional considerations. Allen led the
NFL in sacks, and fills a gaping hole in the otherwise solid Viking defense.
Kansas City, already interested in DEs Vernon
Gholston and Chris Long,
are solidified in those picks. The possibilities of Kansas City trading their
first pick are reduced.
New England (#7) – The Patriots deserve special consideration. It has been
several years since they drafted within 10 picks of this high. Losing the #31
pick a is also a factor. The Pats have made no secret of their desire to trade
down. Possibilities include any team wanting to draft Matt Ryan, since Baltimore is near certain
to take him should he last to their pick. New Orleans would consider trading up
to draft Sedrick Ellis ahead of Cincinnati.
In the event that Darren McFadden
slides, several teams would be trade candidates.
New York Jets (#6) – This ties in with the possibility that the Patriots trade
their pick to a team wanting Matt Ryan. Baltimore might try to preempt the
situation by trading up two picks. Had Kansas City not already traded a
starting DE, they would be the likely target, since the Chiefs have shown
interest in Ryan. If Darren McFadden
lasts this long, as he does in many mock drafts, it is assumed that the Jets
will grab him. However teams like Chicago and Arizona might pony up an offer.
Cincinnati (#9) and New Orleans (#10) – Both teams are in the market for defense, and have similar personnel needs. Either team may trade up to draft Sedrick Ellis. Once Ellis is off the board, both teams would consider trading down. The first eight picks will include (obviously) Jake Long, Darren McFadden, Matt Ryan and four DL. At this point in the board is wide open. Any team with specific CB or LT in mind might offer.
Buffalo (#11),
Denver (#12) and Carolina (#13) – This is
where the competition for the second RB heats up. Chicago, Detroit and Arizona
all have interest in Rashard Mendenhall.
Arizona, with the last pick of the three is the most likely to offer. Buffalo
needs a WR and Carolina needs a S desperately, but there are no reasonable
players at either position.
Late in Round 1. Contrary to popular thought, Bill Parcells does not appear to be in the market for a QB at the top of Round 2. However Atlanta may well be (assuming they do not draft Ryan), while Kansas City, Baltimore, Chicago, Minnesota may be. Tampa Bay (#29)
will seriously consider Brian Brohm
if he is on the board, so the Cowboys (#28) would be a natural target.
In the mean time, any premium position, i.e. QB, RB, DE, CB, will carry the possibility of a trade up, depending on the slot. Some names to watch: Derrick
Harvey, Phillip Merling, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Mike Jenkins, Antoine
Cason, Aqib Talib, Chris Williams, Jeff Otah. The CBs, in
particular, are volatile. Cason, for example, could go anywhere from #11 to the second round.
All of this just scratches the surface. It is normal to have a trade in the top 10 picks. This year, there could easily be two, even three. Get out the popcorn, and watch the trades kill your draft bracket.
