NFL Offseason Thread

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'd love to see Kevin Jones' face if they picked AP. That'd be hilarious.

[SlowwHand]

Detroit is the pivot pick, I think. How they handle this is going to ripple through several picks, and maybe the whole first round.

[-Jrabbit]

No one's going to trade for the 2nd or 3rd picks until draft day. There's still a lot of doubt as to whether Oakland will take JaMarcus or Calvin Johnson. Oakland obviously needs a QB -- badly -- but reportedly has a significantly higher grade on Johnson. Al Davis, of course, will make the call.

If Johnson is available at #2, that pick becomes VERY valuable and worth trading into for several teams. Tampa (#4) would be the leading candidate. Gruden is just drooling over this guy.

[reismark]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit
Tampa (#4) would be the leading candidate. Gruden is just drooling over this guy.

It ain't just Gruden, let me tell you.

[DanS]

Picking a RB or WR in the top 5 doesn't make sense to me, save exceptional circumstances. If Detroit doesn't want Quinn, then they should trade down for more picks.

To be honest, I don't understand what the Raiders are doing. If for no other reason than to knock down Russell's pay day some, they should talk big about taking Quinn.

[Imran Siddiqui]

In this draft or in any draft .

Because I think San Diego's drafting of Tomlinson at #5 a few years back was a pretty good move .

[DanS]

Any draft. Always exceptions, of course. But mostly, I would guard against thinking that a particular WR/RB is the exception, because they probably aren't.

[SlowwHand]

I'd draft a RB in the 1st round. I hate to say it, but the Cowboys did well in free agency. Resigning their own and picking upa couple. Now they can play the draft the way it should be played, best available player.

Tampa gets THE WR. I'd about bet.

[-Jrabbit]

Oakland is in contract negotiations with JaMarcus Russell and Calvin Johnson. They are both Al Davis-type talents. They will draft whichever one is most signable.

I guess it beats making a decision...

Per Mortenson and Clayton on ESPN, Detroit is in serious discussions with 5 to 8 teams to trade down. And yes, Reismark, Tampa heads the list.

[Lord Avalon]

I've said it before - if Detroit can trade down, they'll save some money on their next draft bust.

[OzzyKP]

Detroit had a chance to trade down last year but ended up picking up Simms who they definitely could have taken lower in the first round (and picked up some other picks at the same time) if they weren't run by retards.

[Lord Avalon]

Yeah, you can't be too attached to the pick worth chart. Variables are need and quality of players in the draft. A trade may be worthwhile even if the points don't add up.

But it's probably too much to expect Millen to understand that.

[Lord Avalon]

OL Thomas visits Lions
He wouldn't mind moving to right tackle

April 20, 2007

BY NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Huge news! Lions president Matt Millen has a trade in the works! The Lions are going to move up from No. 2 in the NFL draft, not down!

"I think Mr. Millen said they were going to trade with Oakland to take me at No. 1," Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Thomas said today.

OK, just kidding. Thomas was smiling as he said that.

"I have no idea where I'm going," Thomas said.

But whether the Lions move up, move down or stay put, Thomas might be their guy.

That's why he visited Lions headquarters Thursday. Several other top prospects already have visited as the Lions do their homework in advance of the April 28-29 draft, including wide receiver Calvin Johnson, defensive end Gaines Adams and quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn.

Thomas said a lot of complimentary things about the Lions -- from their coaches to their facility.

But most important, he said he wouldn't mind if the Lions drafted him and played him at right tackle instead of left tackle. The Lions already have made a major commitment to a left tackle, Jeff Backus, who signed a six-year contract last year that included $15.5 million guaranteed.

"We haven't really talked about it," Thomas said. "Obviously, if I get drafted, I think then we'll talk about it. But they've asked me about playing right tackle. I have no problem with that. For me, my goal as a first-year player is not to start at any certain position, but just to be a starter on the team and help the team win."

MORE DRAFT NEWS: Top NFL prospects Calvin Johnson, Gaines Adams and Amobi Okoye reportedly admitted to marijuana use during interviews with teams in February. Pro Football Weekly, citing anonymous sources, reported the three players, all expected to go early in the April 28 draft, made the admissions at the NFL combine during routine interviews.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070420/SPORTS01/704200371/1049/SPORTS

[SlowwHand]

A Dallas writer's latest. Seems like I'm seeing more and more predicting Oakland moving away from QB.

1. Oakland Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech
COMMENT: Say goodbye to Randy Moss
2. Detroit Gaines Adams DE Clemson
COMMENT: Best pass-rusher in the draft
3. Cleveland JaMarcus Russell QB LSU
COMMENT: Browns like his 85-yard arm
4. Tampa Bay Adrian Peterson HB Oklahoma
COMMENT: Bucs need more big plays on offense

[-Jrabbit]

Always interesting to see the pre-draft panic. Usually a finely drawn combination of misinformation, wishful thinking, and Mel Kiper.

My take:
1. Oakland - JaMarcus Russell You know Big Al is sick and tired of having no QB.
2. Calvin Johnson - Logic dictates Detroit trade down with Tampa. Either way, CJ goes here
3. Cleveland - Owners want Brady Quinn; coaches want Adrian Peterson. This should be interesting.
4. Tampa Bay (or Detroit) - Gaines Adams
5. Arizona - Joe Thomas

That means either Peterson or Quinn drops to #6. Washinton should have several options at that point.