Draft Rumors, for those who dont have INSIDER

SKINSnCANES · 04-15-2004, 05:12 PM

PICK INTERESTED THE SKINNY

No.1 Pick
San Deigo Chargers
Giants Apr. 14 - The Chargers will be busy on the phones the next few days, says ESPN.com's John Cayton, soliciting trade offers from teams wishing to move to the top of the draft. Despite those talks, it's all but certain the Chargers are planning to make a selection at No. 1 instead of trade.

Nevertheless, they will hear from the Giants on Wednesday. There are rumors the Chargers have interest in Giants wide receiver Ike Hilliard if there is going to be a trade. The Chargers are light on receivers.

The Chargers will also make calls to four agents of top players -- quarterback Eli Manning, tackle Robert Gallery, safety Sean Taylor and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. They may even check in with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The idea is to try to strike a deal before the draft.

PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY

No.1 Pick
Oakland Raiders
R. Williams
Trade down? Apr. 15 - It's looking more and more likely that Texas wide receiver Roy Williams will end up being a Raider whether the Raiders take him at No. 2 or trade down and take him. With teams like the Browns and Giants clamoring for a shot at Iowa OT Robert Gallery, Oakland can afford to make a deal and still get Williams.

If the Raiders take Williams, where does that leave Jerry Rice? The Raiders have already assured Rice that if they take a receiver at the top of the draft, his starting status won't be affected, reports ESPN.com's John Clayton. Rice could have retired, but wants to continue to play. The Raiders want to continue to have him as a starter.

PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Ben Roethlisberger
Miami (Ohio)
Browns
Giants Apr. 15 - Could Ben Roethlisberger end up being a Brown? Could be, says John Clayton. The Browns told Roethlisberger he would be a consideration if he falls out of the top five. The Browns already signed Jeff Garcia, who will start next season.

Should the Browns take Roethlisberger, he would be the quarterback of the future. However, that doesn't make a lot of sense for a team that has so many needs. Nevertheless, good quarterback prospects are hard to find, and the Browns have to look at the situation.

Scouts Inc. believes the Giants are also interested in Roethlisberger. If the Giants are unable to trade up to select either Eli Manning or Robert Gallery, Roethlisberger could be their pick at No. 4.

PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY

No.16 Pick
San Francisco 49ers
Reggie Williams
Trade down Apr. 15 - In a perfect world, the 49ers would love to take Washington wide receiver Reggie Williams with the 16th pick in the first round. It would be a steal, a big receiver with good quicks who would be a top-10 pick in any other year.

But 49ers general manager Terry Donahue has a worry. Williams is represented by Carl Poston, and the 49ers expect a long holdout from one of his clients, linebacker Julian Peterson. That will influence their draft selection. It's likely the 49ers will trade down and take Rashaun Woods, Lee Evans or Michael Jenkins, all wide receivers, and get some value for the pick rather than take Reggie Williams.

PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY

No.21 Pick
New England Patriots
Kevin Jones
Def. tackle Apr. 15 - The Patriots may not be a lock to draft a running back with the 21st pick, although it would be hard for them to pass up Kevin Jones of Virginia Tech. There is some thought of taking a defensive tackle there to fill the void created by Ted Washington's departure to Oakland. The void was partially filled by the signing of Keith Traylor.

With four choices in the first two rounds, the Patriots can do a lot of maneuvering. Running backs Greg Jones and Mewelde Moore are possible second-round options for New England.

PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY

No.5 Pick
Washington Redskins
K. Winslow Jr. Apr. 14 - The release of tight end Byron Chamberlain may sway the voting internally for what the Redskins will do with the first pick in the draft, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton. Chamberlain was overweight and had to be released, leaving the team with only two possible H-back candidates -- Michael Sellers and Kevin Ware.

That swings tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. over safety Sean Taylor because an H-Back-tight end is an important part of a Joe Gibbs' offense. The Redskins may have a problem with Winslow because he is represented by the Poston brothers. Signability is already a factor. The Redskins are already in a grievance involving another Poston client, LaVar Arrington. To help the situation, Gibbs coached Jr.s' father, Kellen.

PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY

No.11 Pick
Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger Apr. 14 - The Steelers appear to be getting quarterback fever after the visit Tuesday of Ben Roethlisberger, reports John Clayton. Should Roethlisberger fall out of the top 10 because teams between the fifth pick and the 10th already have starting quarterbacks, the Steelers could have the choice of Roethlisberger or Philip Rivers even though their main need is at cornerback.

The Browns visited both quarterbacks and keep saying they could select one with the seventh pick. But the Browns could be trading up to get left tackle Robert Gallery, safety Sean Taylor or tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. If that happens and the Giants trade up to No. 2 to get Gallery, Roesthlisberger could be a steal for the Steelers at No. 11.

PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY

No.24 Pick
Cincinnati Bengals
Chris Gamble Apr. 14 - The unfortunate one-car accident of cornerback Dennis Weathersby could put the Bengals is a position to take a cornerback in the first round despite trading for cornerback Deltha O'Neal last week. Weathersby is in serious condition with concerns about a head injury suffered in the crash.

The Bengals moved from No. 17 in the first round to No. 24 with the idea of taking the best player available. They thought the talent after the 15th pick dropped off, which is why they went for veteran help -- O'Neal at cornerback and future June casualty Daryl Gardener at defensive tackle.

The value at No. 24 could be at wide receiver and along the offensive line, but don't be surprised if the Bengals take cornerback Chris Gamble of Ohio State.

PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Larry Fitzgerald
Pittsburgh
Cardinals
Jaguars Apr. 13 - Arizona has had its sights set on drafting Fitzgerald ever since the NFL declared the Pittsburgh sophomore eligible for this year's draft. But ESPN.com's John Clayton is hearing the Jaguars might be planning to pre-empt that pick.

Even though Jacksonville could sit at No. 9 and possibly draft USC DE Kenechi Udeze, the Jags are trying to gather enough assets to try to trade up to No. 2 in order to take Fitzgerald. The Jaguars currently have 10 choices, including five in the first 102. They picked up an extra fifth last week from the Saints for CB Jason Craft and are shopping franchised safety Donovin Darius for some more trade value.

The thought in acquiring Fitzgerald is trying to get a big-time receiver to help out young QB Bryon Leftwich. But going from nine al the way up to two could be very difficult.

PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY
J.P. Losman
Tulane
Packers?
Rams? Apr. 14 - Quarterback J.P. Losman is in an interesting position at the bottom of the first round. He could be taken by the Packers, who have an interest in finding the long-term replacement for Brett Favre. The Rams could also look at him. What teams with defensive needs at the bottom of the round hope is that a team would be willing to trade up to get Losman. Those interested should call from the 27th pick (Tennessee) through the 30th pick (Indianapolis).

PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Stephen Jackson
Oregon State
Lions
Broncos
Patriots Apr. 12 - Jackson is becoming the player most likely to shake up the middle of the first round. Last week, it appeared the Broncos traded up from 24 to 17 with the idea of taking the top halfback, Jackson being the most likely. It caused a lot of thinking around the league. Do the Patriots jump above the Broncos to get Jackson? Is it worth trying, if Detroit, drafting sixth, also is interested? How far can the Lions trade back to get him without seeing New England leapfrog in front and snag him?

The Cowboys appear to be content to sit back at 22 and take the best halfback remaining, perhaps Chris Perry of Michigan. But Denver's move caused some thinking at the top of the draft. The Raiders also are rumored to be interested in Jackson, but they would have to trade several times to get into the teens of the first round to get him.

PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY

No. 10 Pick
Houston Texans
CB Hall
DT Harris
DT Wilfork
DT Tubbs Apr. 12 - Even though the Texans are sitting a good spot to take the third- or fourth-best defensive player in the draft at the tenth spot in the first round, they still could trade down into the middle of the round. Houston needs a cornerback more than it does a nose tackle, and DeAngelo Hall would be the perfect fit, allowing Marcus Coleman to move to safety.

But Hall could go to Atlanta at No. 8. At No. 10, the Texans could choose between DTs Tommie Harris and Vince Wilfork, but it would also fit for them to trade back seven or eight spots and take DT Marcus Tubbs to play nose tackle. Harris would be more of an end, and the Texans have spent roughly $20 million in signing bonuses on ends Gary Walker and Robaire Smith. Wilfork has the size to be a nose tackle, but he might be better as a three-technique tackle in a 4-3. That makes Tubbs a perfect fit in a trade back.

PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Robert Gallery
OT, Iowa
Browns
Giants Apr. 8 - Cleveland is said to covet Gallery and is looking to move up from its No. 7 spot in the draft's first round to nab the Iowa offensive tackle. If the Giants are unable to move up to No. 1 to get Eli Manning, they could take Gallery at No. 4, assuming he slips past Oakland and Arizona.

PICK INTERESTED THE SKINNY

No. 6 Pick
Detroit Lions
Patriots Apr. 1 - The Boston Globe is reporting the Patriots have agreed to send both their first-round picks and two other picks to the Lions for the No. 6 overall pick and Detroit's fourth-round selection (No. 105 overall), provided Miami safety Sean Taylor is still on the board when the sixth pick is on the clock.

Previously, Lions coach Steve Mariucci told the Detroit Free-Press the team had held discussions with the Patriots, among other teams, about trading out of the No. 6 spot to secure more picks later in the draft. "We've had some conversations with Bill (Belichick)," Mariucci told the paper. "They're the only team that has two in the first round. When you look to trade back, you always look at who's got two first-round picks. That's who you look at first."

New England holds picks 21 and 32 in the first round among seven picks in the draft's first four rounds. Detroit would get the two first-rounders, as well as one of the Patriots' second-round choices (either No. 56 or 63) and a fourth-round pick (No. 113).

MTK · 04-15-2004, 05:51 PM

Much thanks for the info!

Just wondering, how much is espn insider and do you think it's worth signing up for?

Seems like more and more of their info is on insider. Most of the draft stuff is now which kinda sucks.

JoeRedskin · 04-15-2004, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Much thanks for the info!

Just wondering, how much is espn insider and do you think it's worth signing up for?

Seems like more and more of their info is on insider. Most of the draft stuff is now which kinda sucks.

I signed up for it about 2 years ago. I think they charged me ~30 bucks for the year. Since then, I haven't paid any renewal fees but they keep renewing me year to year.

I love it. One cool feature is that you can get all the newspaper articles coast to coast - sorted by team. For some papers, you have to register and teh NYTimes makes you pay (so I don't read em), but generally there is so much info that I think it is well worth the cost of admission. Every day I can read at least one article on an NFL team from somewhere in the country. Plus, if you're interested you also get insider for the NBA, MLB, College Hoops, etc. all for the same low low price. lol.

SKINSnCANES · 04-15-2004, 06:52 PM

Yea I like it to. They give you espn the magazine free with it. Its rumors page is a lot better than some (PFW...)

MTK · 04-15-2004, 06:53 PM

I think I'm gonna have to check it out, thanks guys.

SKINSnCANES · 04-15-2004, 08:03 PM

You should get one from one of the other sites, like CNNSI.com or somethign and then we could just paste articles here. They are probably similar, both offer the local links sections. Just a different set writers giving their thoughts.

Of course youve got a bunch of writers giving their opinion here as well!!!

04-15-2004, 05:12 PM	#1
SKINSnCANES Pro Bowl Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Jersey Age: 42 Posts: 5,454	Draft Rumors, for those who dont have INSIDER PICK INTERESTED THE SKINNY No.1 Pick San Deigo Chargers Giants Apr. 14 - The Chargers will be busy on the phones the next few days, says ESPN.com's John Cayton, soliciting trade offers from teams wishing to move to the top of the draft. Despite those talks, it's all but certain the Chargers are planning to make a selection at No. 1 instead of trade. Nevertheless, they will hear from the Giants on Wednesday. There are rumors the Chargers have interest in Giants wide receiver Ike Hilliard if there is going to be a trade. The Chargers are light on receivers. The Chargers will also make calls to four agents of top players -- quarterback Eli Manning, tackle Robert Gallery, safety Sean Taylor and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. They may even check in with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The idea is to try to strike a deal before the draft. PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY No.1 Pick Oakland Raiders R. Williams Trade down? Apr. 15 - It's looking more and more likely that Texas wide receiver Roy Williams will end up being a Raider whether the Raiders take him at No. 2 or trade down and take him. With teams like the Browns and Giants clamoring for a shot at Iowa OT Robert Gallery, Oakland can afford to make a deal and still get Williams. If the Raiders take Williams, where does that leave Jerry Rice? The Raiders have already assured Rice that if they take a receiver at the top of the draft, his starting status won't be affected, reports ESPN.com's John Clayton. Rice could have retired, but wants to continue to play. The Raiders want to continue to have him as a starter. PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Ben Roethlisberger Miami (Ohio) Browns Giants Apr. 15 - Could Ben Roethlisberger end up being a Brown? Could be, says John Clayton. The Browns told Roethlisberger he would be a consideration if he falls out of the top five. The Browns already signed Jeff Garcia, who will start next season. Should the Browns take Roethlisberger, he would be the quarterback of the future. However, that doesn't make a lot of sense for a team that has so many needs. Nevertheless, good quarterback prospects are hard to find, and the Browns have to look at the situation. Scouts Inc. believes the Giants are also interested in Roethlisberger. If the Giants are unable to trade up to select either Eli Manning or Robert Gallery, Roethlisberger could be their pick at No. 4. PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY No.16 Pick San Francisco 49ers Reggie Williams Trade down Apr. 15 - In a perfect world, the 49ers would love to take Washington wide receiver Reggie Williams with the 16th pick in the first round. It would be a steal, a big receiver with good quicks who would be a top-10 pick in any other year. But 49ers general manager Terry Donahue has a worry. Williams is represented by Carl Poston, and the 49ers expect a long holdout from one of his clients, linebacker Julian Peterson. That will influence their draft selection. It's likely the 49ers will trade down and take Rashaun Woods, Lee Evans or Michael Jenkins, all wide receivers, and get some value for the pick rather than take Reggie Williams. PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY No.21 Pick New England Patriots Kevin Jones Def. tackle Apr. 15 - The Patriots may not be a lock to draft a running back with the 21st pick, although it would be hard for them to pass up Kevin Jones of Virginia Tech. There is some thought of taking a defensive tackle there to fill the void created by Ted Washington's departure to Oakland. The void was partially filled by the signing of Keith Traylor. With four choices in the first two rounds, the Patriots can do a lot of maneuvering. Running backs Greg Jones and Mewelde Moore are possible second-round options for New England. PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY No.5 Pick Washington Redskins K. Winslow Jr. Apr. 14 - The release of tight end Byron Chamberlain may sway the voting internally for what the Redskins will do with the first pick in the draft, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton. Chamberlain was overweight and had to be released, leaving the team with only two possible H-back candidates -- Michael Sellers and Kevin Ware. That swings tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. over safety Sean Taylor because an H-Back-tight end is an important part of a Joe Gibbs' offense. The Redskins may have a problem with Winslow because he is represented by the Poston brothers. Signability is already a factor. The Redskins are already in a grievance involving another Poston client, LaVar Arrington. To help the situation, Gibbs coached Jr.s' father, Kellen. PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY No.11 Pick Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger Apr. 14 - The Steelers appear to be getting quarterback fever after the visit Tuesday of Ben Roethlisberger, reports John Clayton. Should Roethlisberger fall out of the top 10 because teams between the fifth pick and the 10th already have starting quarterbacks, the Steelers could have the choice of Roethlisberger or Philip Rivers even though their main need is at cornerback. The Browns visited both quarterbacks and keep saying they could select one with the seventh pick. But the Browns could be trading up to get left tackle Robert Gallery, safety Sean Taylor or tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. If that happens and the Giants trade up to No. 2 to get Gallery, Roesthlisberger could be a steal for the Steelers at No. 11. PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY No.24 Pick Cincinnati Bengals Chris Gamble Apr. 14 - The unfortunate one-car accident of cornerback Dennis Weathersby could put the Bengals is a position to take a cornerback in the first round despite trading for cornerback Deltha O'Neal last week. Weathersby is in serious condition with concerns about a head injury suffered in the crash. The Bengals moved from No. 17 in the first round to No. 24 with the idea of taking the best player available. They thought the talent after the 15th pick dropped off, which is why they went for veteran help -- O'Neal at cornerback and future June casualty Daryl Gardener at defensive tackle. The value at No. 24 could be at wide receiver and along the offensive line, but don't be surprised if the Bengals take cornerback Chris Gamble of Ohio State. PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Larry Fitzgerald Pittsburgh Cardinals Jaguars Apr. 13 - Arizona has had its sights set on drafting Fitzgerald ever since the NFL declared the Pittsburgh sophomore eligible for this year's draft. But ESPN.com's John Clayton is hearing the Jaguars might be planning to pre-empt that pick. Even though Jacksonville could sit at No. 9 and possibly draft USC DE Kenechi Udeze, the Jags are trying to gather enough assets to try to trade up to No. 2 in order to take Fitzgerald. The Jaguars currently have 10 choices, including five in the first 102. They picked up an extra fifth last week from the Saints for CB Jason Craft and are shopping franchised safety Donovin Darius for some more trade value. The thought in acquiring Fitzgerald is trying to get a big-time receiver to help out young QB Bryon Leftwich. But going from nine al the way up to two could be very difficult. PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY J.P. Losman Tulane Packers? Rams? Apr. 14 - Quarterback J.P. Losman is in an interesting position at the bottom of the first round. He could be taken by the Packers, who have an interest in finding the long-term replacement for Brett Favre. The Rams could also look at him. What teams with defensive needs at the bottom of the round hope is that a team would be willing to trade up to get Losman. Those interested should call from the 27th pick (Tennessee) through the 30th pick (Indianapolis). PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Stephen Jackson Oregon State Lions Broncos Patriots Apr. 12 - Jackson is becoming the player most likely to shake up the middle of the first round. Last week, it appeared the Broncos traded up from 24 to 17 with the idea of taking the top halfback, Jackson being the most likely. It caused a lot of thinking around the league. Do the Patriots jump above the Broncos to get Jackson? Is it worth trying, if Detroit, drafting sixth, also is interested? How far can the Lions trade back to get him without seeing New England leapfrog in front and snag him? The Cowboys appear to be content to sit back at 22 and take the best halfback remaining, perhaps Chris Perry of Michigan. But Denver's move caused some thinking at the top of the draft. The Raiders also are rumored to be interested in Jackson, but they would have to trade several times to get into the teens of the first round to get him. PICK POSSIBILITIES THE SKINNY No. 10 Pick Houston Texans CB Hall DT Harris DT Wilfork DT Tubbs Apr. 12 - Even though the Texans are sitting a good spot to take the third- or fourth-best defensive player in the draft at the tenth spot in the first round, they still could trade down into the middle of the round. Houston needs a cornerback more than it does a nose tackle, and DeAngelo Hall would be the perfect fit, allowing Marcus Coleman to move to safety. But Hall could go to Atlanta at No. 8. At No. 10, the Texans could choose between DTs Tommie Harris and Vince Wilfork, but it would also fit for them to trade back seven or eight spots and take DT Marcus Tubbs to play nose tackle. Harris would be more of an end, and the Texans have spent roughly $20 million in signing bonuses on ends Gary Walker and Robaire Smith. Wilfork has the size to be a nose tackle, but he might be better as a three-technique tackle in a 4-3. That makes Tubbs a perfect fit in a trade back. PLAYER INTERESTED THE SKINNY Robert Gallery OT, Iowa Browns Giants Apr. 8 - Cleveland is said to covet Gallery and is looking to move up from its No. 7 spot in the draft's first round to nab the Iowa offensive tackle. If the Giants are unable to move up to No. 1 to get Eli Manning, they could take Gallery at No. 4, assuming he slips past Oakland and Arizona. PICK INTERESTED THE SKINNY No. 6 Pick Detroit Lions Patriots Apr. 1 - The Boston Globe is reporting the Patriots have agreed to send both their first-round picks and two other picks to the Lions for the No. 6 overall pick and Detroit's fourth-round selection (No. 105 overall), provided Miami safety Sean Taylor is still on the board when the sixth pick is on the clock. Previously, Lions coach Steve Mariucci told the Detroit Free-Press the team had held discussions with the Patriots, among other teams, about trading out of the No. 6 spot to secure more picks later in the draft. "We've had some conversations with Bill (Belichick)," Mariucci told the paper. "They're the only team that has two in the first round. When you look to trade back, you always look at who's got two first-round picks. That's who you look at first." New England holds picks 21 and 32 in the first round among seven picks in the draft's first four rounds. Detroit would get the two first-rounders, as well as one of the Patriots' second-round choices (either No. 56 or 63) and a fourth-round pick (No. 113). __________________ "I'm used to winning, coming from the University of Miami. " Clinton Portis

04-15-2004, 06:52 PM	#4
SKINSnCANES Pro Bowl Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Jersey Age: 42 Posts: 5,454	Yea I like it to. They give you espn the magazine free with it. Its rumors page is a lot better than some (PFW...) __________________ "I'm used to winning, coming from the University of Miami. " Clinton Portis

04-15-2004, 08:03 PM	#6
SKINSnCANES Pro Bowl Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Jersey Age: 42 Posts: 5,454	You should get one from one of the other sites, like CNNSI.com or somethign and then we could just paste articles here. They are probably similar, both offer the local links sections. Just a different set writers giving their thoughts. Of course youve got a bunch of writers giving their opinion here as well!!! __________________ "I'm used to winning, coming from the University of Miami. " Clinton Portis

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04-15-2004, 05:51 PM	#2
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,462	Much thanks for the info! Just wondering, how much is espn insider and do you think it's worth signing up for? Seems like more and more of their info is on insider. Most of the draft stuff is now which kinda sucks.

04-15-2004, 06:53 PM	#5
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,462	I think I'm gonna have to check it out, thanks guys.

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