PSUSkinsFan21
04-14-2005, 10:46 AM
Just saw this on ESPN Insider. Thought some of you may be interested in seeing how things may shake out. Only notes on the Skins are with regard to Rolle, Rogers, Williams and Williamson, and it's pretty much what we've already been speculating. Skins would like Williams, but it probably won't happen because he'll be gone. They'd love Rolle or Pac-Man, but there is a chance they will be gone too. That has led them to taking a closer look at Rogers and Williamson. I've attached the whole article if you live for the draft like me and actually care about what the other teams are thinking too.
PLAYER
Braylon Edwards
WR, Michigan--49ers Apr. 13 - The first negotiating session with the 49ers only helped Edwards' chances of being the No. 1 pick, says ESPN.com's John Clayton. Edwards is one of three players the 49ers will speak to about a contract in the next couple of days. The other two are quarterbacks -- Alex Smith of Utah and Aaron Rodgers of Cal. Eli Manning got a seven-year, $54.29 million deal last year from the Giants as the first pick. Teams generally build in a quarterback premium because of the value of the position, but that doesn't mean Edwards would sign at a discount. It means the 49ers know Edwards costs less because he's not a quarterback. The 49ers do not want to pay significantly more than the Giants paid Manning, which helps Edwards.
PLAYER
Antrel Rolle
CB, Miami--Titans? Apr. 13 - Rolle has confidence. Even though he hasn't had a visit or spent a lot of extra time with the Titans, who have the No. 6 pick, he decided to accept an invitation and attend the draft in New York City. The NFL usually invites only four to six players based on where they are projected to go. The league realizes how tough it is on a player who slips too far in the first round to sit in a side room and watch other players go ahead of him. Rolle doesn't care. He's confident he's going to go in the top 10 and could go as high as No. 6.
PLAYER
DeMarcus Ware
DE/LB, Troy--Cowboys Apr. 13 - Talk about a player shooting up the charts. Word out of Dallas is he might go as high as No. 11, reports John Clayton. The Cowboys may like him more than Shawne Merriman, but it's a close debate. Ware and Merriman would fit in at linebacker in the Cowboys' new 3-4. Ware also has the ability to play defensive end in a 4-3. Playmaking defensive players like him are rare and the Cowboys really like him.
WHOWHATTHE SKINNY
TEAM
Texans
No. 13 pick Apr. 13 - A lot of people think the Texans will draft an offensive lineman because of their attempt to sign Rams left tackle Orlando Pace. They are misreading things, according to John Clayton. The Texans aren't desperate for offensive line help. They like right tackle Todd Wade and still believe Seth Wand will develop into a good left tackle. The Texans would love to have a running back such as Cadillac Williams or Cedric Benson fall to them at No. 13. They would also like to get a wide receiver, particularly Troy Williamson. The only way they take a tackle in the first round is if he rates out better than other players and is the best player on the board. Tackle isn't a need pick for them.
TEAM
Browns
No. 3 pickApr. 13 - Browns general manager Phil Savage may have to consider a possible trade down with the Bucs (to No. 5) if Aaron Rodgers falls to them. The Browns are believed to like Alex Smith more than Rodgers. If Smith is there at No. 3, they'd take him. If only Rodgers is there, they might have to take wide receiver Braylon Edwards. However, if Edwards is gone, the Browns aren't taking a running back, and might trade down with the Bucs and take a defensive player.
PLAYER
Thomas Davis
S, Georgia--Bengals,Rams Apr. 13 - Davis is clearly the best safety in the draft and should go in the first round between pick No. 17 (Cincinnati) and No. 19 (St. Louis). A few teams, though, could rate him a little higher because they think he can make the transition to linebacker. Davis won't beat out Derrick Johnson of Texas or the versatile linebacker-defensive ends such as Shawne Merriman or Demarcus Ware, but the linebacking possibilities only increase his value.
PLAYER
Odell Thurman
LB, Georgia--Patriots, Bengals Apr. 13 - With concerns about veteran Tedy Bruschi's future, the Patriots are hoping to draft Thurman at the bottom of the first round, according to John Clayton. Thurman is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who makes plays. The Bengals also like him, but would have to trade down from No. 17 to get him. Thurman has the skills to do a lot of the specific things needed in Bill Belichick's system. Due to the release of Roman Phifer, the Patriots need a linebacker who can handle pass coverage.
PLAYER
Cedric Benson
RB, Texas--Bears, Cardinals, Texans Apr. 12 - Benson is hearing favorable reports about him in Chicago, which has the No. 4 pick. He does have some concerns, however. If he slips to No. 8 and the Cardinals trade for Travis Henry, Benson could drop all the way to No. 13. The Texans would be wild about that possibility. Though the team is content to have Domanick Davis as its feature back, Benson would be the ideal runner who can pound the ball 20 to 25 plays a game. The Texans plan to go to a more ball-control offense with shorter passes and more runs to protect quarterback David Carr.
PLAYER
Cadillac Williams
RB, Auburn--Bears, Vikings Apr. 12 - Cadillac has been ahead of Ronnie Brown his entire college career, but he's having to hit the road to jump Brown in the draft. Most people expect Brown to be the first running back taken, but Cadillac will stay on the move to convince teams. The Bears have a delegation to give him a slight workout on Thursday. He's also going to visit with the Vikings this week, according to John Clayton.
PLAYER
David Pollack
DE, Georgia--Chiefs Apr. 12 - The Chiefs hope that Pollack will fall to them at No. 15, reports John Clayton. The abundance of defensive ends who might also play linebacker make that a possibility. The opinion on Pollack varies up and down the first-round draft board. He's one of the great play-making defensive players in this draft. Some teams, though, prefer others at that spot who have some better size.
PLAYER
Heath Miller
TE, Virginia--Bengals, Jets, Steelers Apr. 12 - Had he not had a sports hernia operation in January, Miller probably would be a top-15 and possibly a top-10 choice. He expects to run a 4.8 once he's healthy in May, and everyone knows he's the best tight end in this draft. Here's a worry for him, though, and it has nothing to do with his injury. If the Bengals (who draft 17th) and Jets (26th) pass on him for defensive positions, Miller could fall all the way to Pittsburgh at No. 30. Seven of the eight teams between 22 and 29 have top-level tight ends or re-signed tight ends and aren't going to draft one unless it's a matter of taking the best player available.
PLAYER
Alex Smith
QB, Utah--49ers?, Lions? Apr. 11 - Smith has gained a lot of momentum over the past week, and ESPN.com's John Clayton is hearing he could end up being the No. 1 pick. However, there are two uncertainties holding that possibility back. First, coach Mike Nolan has the final say on the first pick and he may be leaning toward Aaron Rodgers. Second, a contract needs to be reached before the draft. Some in the 49ers' organization love his upside and think he could end up being better than Rodgers, who is more polished. The Lions went to great lengths last Wednesday to surreptitiously bring in Smith for a visit. Team officials told local reporters that it was Stanford tight end Alex Smith who was in for a visit, but have since been forced to admit it was the Utah quarterback. Were the Lions simply exercising due diligence, in the event Smith slips to them? Or, as rumored, is coach Steve Mariucci smitten with the young quarterback? No matter the answer, incumbent Joey Harrington can't be thrilled with the Smith flirtation.
TEAM
Bucs
TradeApr. 11 - Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen recently visited Utah quarterback Alex Smith and Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and it appears the 49ers, Dolphins and Browns have a possible trading partner if they are willing to make a sweetheart deal to move out of their top-three spots. The Bucs consider Smith and Rodgers top-level quarterbacks. Although no trade talks have begun, the Bucs' late push to visit the QBs creates some options for the top three teams. Going off the trade charts used by most teams, the normal cost of moving from No. 5 to No. 1 would be top-10, first-round pick. To move from No. 5 to No. 2 would be a top-12 pick. To move from No. 5 to No. 3 would be a second-round pick, something the Bucs could easily do.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Carlos Rogers
CB, Auburn--Redskins Apr. 11 - Washington, which needs a cornerback to replace the departed Fred Smoot, has focused on Antrel Rolle of Miami and West Virginia's Adam "Pac Man" Jones. But the Redskins are now concerned that both those corners could be gone by the time their choice arrives and are closely examining Rogers.
--Len Pasquarelli
PLAYER
Shawne Merriman
LB-DE Maryland--Lions, Cowboys, Vikings? Apr. 11 - He should have an interesting week with visits scheduled to Dallas and Detroit. The Lions could be looking for him at No. 10 as a defensive end with great speed and pass-rushing ability. The Cowboys have the next pick and are looking for a big linebacker. Merriman is 274 pounds and faster than ever. He's also hoping that the many Maryland alums at the Minnesota Vikings, including coach Mike Tice and defensive line coach Brian Baker, have the pull to get him as high as No. 7.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Troy Williamson
WR, South Carolina--Redskins?, Vikings? Apr. 8 - His name continues to get hotter and his chances of slipping into the top 10 are good. Though he was told last fall he would be a second-round choice, Williamson improved his speed into the 4.3 range and has sent his name flying up the draft board. The upside for him may be the Vikings at No. 7, but it's not out of the question for the Redskins to give him serious consideration at No. 9.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Mike Williams
WR, USC--Bears?, Bucs? Apr. 8 - After a Thursday visit with the Redskins, Williams is still hoping for a top-five selection and it's not out of the question for the Bears to consider him strong at No. 4. Williams would love the thoughts of going to the Bucs at No. 5 because he's from the Tampa area and knows that the Bucs' offensive coaches like him. More teams at the top of the draft rate Michigan's Braylon Edwards as the top receiver and maybe the top player in the draft, but Williams is looking for that one team that wants him more than Edwards.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Ronnie Brown
RB, Auburn--Dolphins Apr. 8 - Since the NFL combine, Brown has been projected to go to the Dolphins with the No. 2 overall pick. However, things are getting interesting. There is a push from the coaching staff to look at one of the top quarterbacks, Alex Smith or Aaron Rodgers. This is another push from people in the organization to look at Michigan WR Braylon Edwards, perhaps the best player in the draft.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Khalif Barnes
OT, Washington--Texans, Panthers, Jaguars Apr. 8 - With only three offensive tackles expected to go in the first round, Barnes knows he's a valued commodity. Most of the interest in Barnes is coming from teams in the middle of the first round, such as the Texans, Panthers and Jaguars. Expect Barnes, Barron and right tackle Jammal Brown of Oklahoma to go between 10 and 20.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Charlie Frye
QB, Akron--Packers Apr. 8 - Because he's worked out and interviewed so well, Frye still has a chance to slip into the lower part of the first round. Frye knows he's competing against Jason Campbell of Auburn for the Packers' attention in the lower part of the first round. Frye has been hearing favorable things from the Packers, but they still have to determine whether they have the ability to take a backup quarterback with their first pick.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Braylon Edwards
WR, Michigan--49ers Apr. 13 - The first negotiating session with the 49ers only helped Edwards' chances of being the No. 1 pick, says ESPN.com's John Clayton. Edwards is one of three players the 49ers will speak to about a contract in the next couple of days. The other two are quarterbacks -- Alex Smith of Utah and Aaron Rodgers of Cal. Eli Manning got a seven-year, $54.29 million deal last year from the Giants as the first pick. Teams generally build in a quarterback premium because of the value of the position, but that doesn't mean Edwards would sign at a discount. It means the 49ers know Edwards costs less because he's not a quarterback. The 49ers do not want to pay significantly more than the Giants paid Manning, which helps Edwards.
PLAYER
Antrel Rolle
CB, Miami--Titans? Apr. 13 - Rolle has confidence. Even though he hasn't had a visit or spent a lot of extra time with the Titans, who have the No. 6 pick, he decided to accept an invitation and attend the draft in New York City. The NFL usually invites only four to six players based on where they are projected to go. The league realizes how tough it is on a player who slips too far in the first round to sit in a side room and watch other players go ahead of him. Rolle doesn't care. He's confident he's going to go in the top 10 and could go as high as No. 6.
PLAYER
DeMarcus Ware
DE/LB, Troy--Cowboys Apr. 13 - Talk about a player shooting up the charts. Word out of Dallas is he might go as high as No. 11, reports John Clayton. The Cowboys may like him more than Shawne Merriman, but it's a close debate. Ware and Merriman would fit in at linebacker in the Cowboys' new 3-4. Ware also has the ability to play defensive end in a 4-3. Playmaking defensive players like him are rare and the Cowboys really like him.
WHOWHATTHE SKINNY
TEAM
Texans
No. 13 pick Apr. 13 - A lot of people think the Texans will draft an offensive lineman because of their attempt to sign Rams left tackle Orlando Pace. They are misreading things, according to John Clayton. The Texans aren't desperate for offensive line help. They like right tackle Todd Wade and still believe Seth Wand will develop into a good left tackle. The Texans would love to have a running back such as Cadillac Williams or Cedric Benson fall to them at No. 13. They would also like to get a wide receiver, particularly Troy Williamson. The only way they take a tackle in the first round is if he rates out better than other players and is the best player on the board. Tackle isn't a need pick for them.
TEAM
Browns
No. 3 pickApr. 13 - Browns general manager Phil Savage may have to consider a possible trade down with the Bucs (to No. 5) if Aaron Rodgers falls to them. The Browns are believed to like Alex Smith more than Rodgers. If Smith is there at No. 3, they'd take him. If only Rodgers is there, they might have to take wide receiver Braylon Edwards. However, if Edwards is gone, the Browns aren't taking a running back, and might trade down with the Bucs and take a defensive player.
PLAYER
Thomas Davis
S, Georgia--Bengals,Rams Apr. 13 - Davis is clearly the best safety in the draft and should go in the first round between pick No. 17 (Cincinnati) and No. 19 (St. Louis). A few teams, though, could rate him a little higher because they think he can make the transition to linebacker. Davis won't beat out Derrick Johnson of Texas or the versatile linebacker-defensive ends such as Shawne Merriman or Demarcus Ware, but the linebacking possibilities only increase his value.
PLAYER
Odell Thurman
LB, Georgia--Patriots, Bengals Apr. 13 - With concerns about veteran Tedy Bruschi's future, the Patriots are hoping to draft Thurman at the bottom of the first round, according to John Clayton. Thurman is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who makes plays. The Bengals also like him, but would have to trade down from No. 17 to get him. Thurman has the skills to do a lot of the specific things needed in Bill Belichick's system. Due to the release of Roman Phifer, the Patriots need a linebacker who can handle pass coverage.
PLAYER
Cedric Benson
RB, Texas--Bears, Cardinals, Texans Apr. 12 - Benson is hearing favorable reports about him in Chicago, which has the No. 4 pick. He does have some concerns, however. If he slips to No. 8 and the Cardinals trade for Travis Henry, Benson could drop all the way to No. 13. The Texans would be wild about that possibility. Though the team is content to have Domanick Davis as its feature back, Benson would be the ideal runner who can pound the ball 20 to 25 plays a game. The Texans plan to go to a more ball-control offense with shorter passes and more runs to protect quarterback David Carr.
PLAYER
Cadillac Williams
RB, Auburn--Bears, Vikings Apr. 12 - Cadillac has been ahead of Ronnie Brown his entire college career, but he's having to hit the road to jump Brown in the draft. Most people expect Brown to be the first running back taken, but Cadillac will stay on the move to convince teams. The Bears have a delegation to give him a slight workout on Thursday. He's also going to visit with the Vikings this week, according to John Clayton.
PLAYER
David Pollack
DE, Georgia--Chiefs Apr. 12 - The Chiefs hope that Pollack will fall to them at No. 15, reports John Clayton. The abundance of defensive ends who might also play linebacker make that a possibility. The opinion on Pollack varies up and down the first-round draft board. He's one of the great play-making defensive players in this draft. Some teams, though, prefer others at that spot who have some better size.
PLAYER
Heath Miller
TE, Virginia--Bengals, Jets, Steelers Apr. 12 - Had he not had a sports hernia operation in January, Miller probably would be a top-15 and possibly a top-10 choice. He expects to run a 4.8 once he's healthy in May, and everyone knows he's the best tight end in this draft. Here's a worry for him, though, and it has nothing to do with his injury. If the Bengals (who draft 17th) and Jets (26th) pass on him for defensive positions, Miller could fall all the way to Pittsburgh at No. 30. Seven of the eight teams between 22 and 29 have top-level tight ends or re-signed tight ends and aren't going to draft one unless it's a matter of taking the best player available.
PLAYER
Alex Smith
QB, Utah--49ers?, Lions? Apr. 11 - Smith has gained a lot of momentum over the past week, and ESPN.com's John Clayton is hearing he could end up being the No. 1 pick. However, there are two uncertainties holding that possibility back. First, coach Mike Nolan has the final say on the first pick and he may be leaning toward Aaron Rodgers. Second, a contract needs to be reached before the draft. Some in the 49ers' organization love his upside and think he could end up being better than Rodgers, who is more polished. The Lions went to great lengths last Wednesday to surreptitiously bring in Smith for a visit. Team officials told local reporters that it was Stanford tight end Alex Smith who was in for a visit, but have since been forced to admit it was the Utah quarterback. Were the Lions simply exercising due diligence, in the event Smith slips to them? Or, as rumored, is coach Steve Mariucci smitten with the young quarterback? No matter the answer, incumbent Joey Harrington can't be thrilled with the Smith flirtation.
TEAM
Bucs
TradeApr. 11 - Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen recently visited Utah quarterback Alex Smith and Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and it appears the 49ers, Dolphins and Browns have a possible trading partner if they are willing to make a sweetheart deal to move out of their top-three spots. The Bucs consider Smith and Rodgers top-level quarterbacks. Although no trade talks have begun, the Bucs' late push to visit the QBs creates some options for the top three teams. Going off the trade charts used by most teams, the normal cost of moving from No. 5 to No. 1 would be top-10, first-round pick. To move from No. 5 to No. 2 would be a top-12 pick. To move from No. 5 to No. 3 would be a second-round pick, something the Bucs could easily do.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Carlos Rogers
CB, Auburn--Redskins Apr. 11 - Washington, which needs a cornerback to replace the departed Fred Smoot, has focused on Antrel Rolle of Miami and West Virginia's Adam "Pac Man" Jones. But the Redskins are now concerned that both those corners could be gone by the time their choice arrives and are closely examining Rogers.
--Len Pasquarelli
PLAYER
Shawne Merriman
LB-DE Maryland--Lions, Cowboys, Vikings? Apr. 11 - He should have an interesting week with visits scheduled to Dallas and Detroit. The Lions could be looking for him at No. 10 as a defensive end with great speed and pass-rushing ability. The Cowboys have the next pick and are looking for a big linebacker. Merriman is 274 pounds and faster than ever. He's also hoping that the many Maryland alums at the Minnesota Vikings, including coach Mike Tice and defensive line coach Brian Baker, have the pull to get him as high as No. 7.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Troy Williamson
WR, South Carolina--Redskins?, Vikings? Apr. 8 - His name continues to get hotter and his chances of slipping into the top 10 are good. Though he was told last fall he would be a second-round choice, Williamson improved his speed into the 4.3 range and has sent his name flying up the draft board. The upside for him may be the Vikings at No. 7, but it's not out of the question for the Redskins to give him serious consideration at No. 9.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Mike Williams
WR, USC--Bears?, Bucs? Apr. 8 - After a Thursday visit with the Redskins, Williams is still hoping for a top-five selection and it's not out of the question for the Bears to consider him strong at No. 4. Williams would love the thoughts of going to the Bucs at No. 5 because he's from the Tampa area and knows that the Bucs' offensive coaches like him. More teams at the top of the draft rate Michigan's Braylon Edwards as the top receiver and maybe the top player in the draft, but Williams is looking for that one team that wants him more than Edwards.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Ronnie Brown
RB, Auburn--Dolphins Apr. 8 - Since the NFL combine, Brown has been projected to go to the Dolphins with the No. 2 overall pick. However, things are getting interesting. There is a push from the coaching staff to look at one of the top quarterbacks, Alex Smith or Aaron Rodgers. This is another push from people in the organization to look at Michigan WR Braylon Edwards, perhaps the best player in the draft.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Khalif Barnes
OT, Washington--Texans, Panthers, Jaguars Apr. 8 - With only three offensive tackles expected to go in the first round, Barnes knows he's a valued commodity. Most of the interest in Barnes is coming from teams in the middle of the first round, such as the Texans, Panthers and Jaguars. Expect Barnes, Barron and right tackle Jammal Brown of Oklahoma to go between 10 and 20.
--John Clayton
PLAYER
Charlie Frye
QB, Akron--Packers Apr. 8 - Because he's worked out and interviewed so well, Frye still has a chance to slip into the lower part of the first round. Frye knows he's competing against Jason Campbell of Auburn for the Packers' attention in the lower part of the first round. Frye has been hearing favorable things from the Packers, but they still have to determine whether they have the ability to take a backup quarterback with their first pick.
--John Clayton