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Jockeying for position Pats' pursuit of No. 2 pick makes things more interestingPosted: Friday April 25, 2003 8:48 PMUpdated: Friday April 25, 2003 8:56 PM
On a day that is traditionally more ripe with rumors than any other on the NFL calendar, here's the juiciest development that could dramatically alter how the top of the draft's first round unfolds Saturday afternoon: Having seemingly lost out on the opportunity to trade up and draft Kentucky defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson in the No. 4 slot, the New England Patriots, according to league sources, have explored sending a package of picks to Detroit for the Lions' No. 2 overall pick. The Patriots are said to have made Detroit an offer that includes both of their first-round picks -- Nos. 14 and 19 -- plus two other undisclosed 2003 selections. The Patriots, however, own 12 overall picks in this year's draft, and Detroit is asking for even more than one-third of New England's draft choices in exchange for the rights to the No. 2 spot. The Patriots are seeking to get ahead of the No. 4 Jets, who are thought to be interested in drafting Robertson with the pick they just obtained Friday from Chicago. The Jets sent their two No. 1 selections -- No. 13 and 22 -- plus an undisclosed conditional pick to Chicago for the No. 4 overall choice. Things could get complicated, though. The Jets may have their eye on University of Miami receiver Andre Johnson rather than Robertson. But Johnson is thought to be headed to No. 3 Houston, unless Detroit bypasses the opportunity to select Michigan State receiver Charles Rogers and changes the Texans' plans. Houston likely would draft Rogers, leaving Johnson for New York. Regardless of whether they execute a trade with New England, the Lions are giving indications that they may be willing to consider options other than Rogers, the home-state standout who has been their likely No. 1 pick for months. If the Lions stay at No. 2 and don't take Rogers, Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman could emerge as their pick. Newman's agent, David Ware, said Friday that his client remains in the mix in Detroit and that the Lions may have Newman and Rogers rated almost equally. Detroit's hesitancy regarding Rogers is said to revolve around concerns about the player's agents, Kevin and Carl Poston, who are known for their lengthy contract negotiations that produce training camp holdouts. The Lions also are said to be intrigued by the notion of acquiring a bevy of picks for the No. 2 slot, which would allow them to address several needs rather than just one. Said one league personnel man of Friday's mood around the NFL: "Everybody's trying to trade down in the first round. Nobody wants to pay the prices. It's like NASDAQ. It's falling. People will take less than normal to get out of their current spot in the first round. It's sell your stocks. Everybody wants to pick in the second round, because no one in the first round has the value that their slot holds." On the eve of a draft that features the most unpredictable first round in recent memory, here are other scenarios that were burning up the league's grapevine on Friday:
Dallas is still in trade talks with the Saints, who have two first-round picks, at Nos. 17 and 18. The Cowboys are trying to entice New Orleans to come up to No. 5 for Newman, the draft's highest rated cornerback. The Saints aren't likely to make the jump unless both Newman and Trufant -- their top two choices -- are still available. In that scenario, Dallas would trade down one or two notches to No. 6 Arizona or No. 7 Minnesota and take Trufant. New Orleans still has standing offers from both the Cardinals and Vikings to move up to their slots for either corner. If Dallas stands pat, some league insiders say head coach Bill Parcells intends to draft Penn State defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy. The Vikings are another team thought to be wary of taking Newman with his shoulder problem.
If Suggs gets past Arizona at No. 6, where he has been rumored to be the front-runner for weeks, it's possible he could get passed up by Minnesota, Jacksonville and Carolina. Baltimore at No. 10 likely would ensure the talented pass rusher didn't fall out of the top 10.
The Rams could be in the market to trade up to No. 10 if Trufant, their top choice, lingers. But otherwise, look for the Ravens to sit tight and take their pick. Baltimore has Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich, Kennedy and Utah offensive tackle Jordan Gross all rated above Boller, but if the choice is between Boller and Trufant, the fast-rising quarterback can be expected to get the nod after all.
And Oregon State standout Dennis Weathersby, who was shot through the arm last week in a drive-by shooting in California, could be a 49er pick in either the second or third round. New San Francisco head coach Dennis Erickson coached Weathersby at OSU. Don Banks covers pro football for SI.com. |
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