Random 2011 Draft Chatter....

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More chatter on Browns' picks

UPDATE: Monday morning, ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker offered up his comments on whether the Cleveland Browns should use the No. 6 overall pick or try to trade down (find his take below).

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Though Browns president Mike Holmgren seems open to the idea of trading down from the No. 6 overall draft pick, Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes that the team's draft strategy last season is a better harbinger of what to expect. Specifically, targeting an area of great need on defense.

Last year, the Browns stayed at No. 7 overall and took cornerback Joe Haden, followed by using a second-round pick on safety T.J. Ward. Haden was a productive player from a major collegiate program whose stock allegedly took a hit during the pre-draft process. Pluto writes that Browns general manager Tom Heckert stuck to his appraisals of Haden based on what the CB did in actual games, and that belief was rewarded with Haden's play in his rookie campaign.

In Pluto's estimation, the player that fits that archetype this draft season is Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers. Like Haden before him, Bowers fits a position of need for the Browns (their cupboard of pass-rushers is relatively bare), was productive at a major college program and has seen his stock drop this pre-draft season. Bowers will go through a workout on Apr. 1, and teams will be able to directly confirm or deny the various reports that have emerged on his recovery from a knee injury.

So while Bowers -- or another pass-rusher -- is a strong possibility with the first pick, the ensuing question is whether the Browns will load up with another front seven defender in Round 2, or fill their other major need at wide receiver. This draft class is loaded with prospects at WR that carry a second-round grade, so it wouldn't be a shock to see the Browns target one at No. 37 overall.

- Tim Kavanagh

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James Walker
It's better to stick with the pick

"This is a good year to be in the top 10. The Browns need impact players to help narrow the gap with Pittsburgh and Baltimore, and they should add one at No. 6."

 

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LB target for the Giants

There are a number of ways the New York Giants could invest their first-round pick in this season's draft, and we've seen them use it on an offensive lineman, cornerback and defensive lineman in various mock drafts thus far.

But in an interview with Giants blog Big Blue View, UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers contends that he's the man the team should take with that pick.

"They have a good defense right now, especially known for their good defensive line over the years," Ayers told the site. "I definitely think I would fit in."

At the outset of the offseason, Gary Horton of ESPN's Scouts, Inc. provided a breakdown of needs for every NFL team, and for the Giants, that included both inside and outside linebacker, noting that "youth and athleticism" were needed from an OLB addition. In Todd McShay's most recent mock, Ayers wound up going to the Philadelphia Eagles a few picks after the Giants' selection, but his thoughts on Ayers would seem to indicate that he'd make a good pick at No. 19:

- Tim Kavanagh

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Todd McShay
The film doesn't lie

"Ayers didn't have a great combine and a lot of people are down on him, but when you study the tape he's always around the ball, shows great versatility and has the ability to get after the quarterback."

 

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Houston's top two needs

The Houston Texans wasted no time in beginning to re-shape their defense this offseason, firing defensive coordinator Frank Bush and replacing him with Wade Phillips. But as the Phillips plan takes over, with the incumbent players learning the intricacies of the 3-4 base defense after playing a 4-3 in the past, some additions to the roster will be necessary.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle writes that the two biggest needs are at cornerback and one outside linebacker spot (Connor Barwin is expected to be one of the starting OLBs). McClain adds that a free safety might also be on the wish list, but that if the Texans can add a dynamic starting CB, they can move Glover Quin back to FS.

Based on the amount of hyperbole being spewed regarding OLB prospect Von Miller, he'd be a great pick for the Texans. Trouble is, he's unlikely to be available for them at No. 11 overall. The same can be said for CB prospect Patrick Peterson, and possibly fellow CB Prince Amukamara, both of whom could be gone in the Top 10.

Amukamara was still on the board when the Texans were on the clock in Todd McShay's latest mock draft, but he sent an OLB to Houston:

- Tim Kavanagh

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Todd McShay
Quinn the right man for ROLB

"Amukamara is a possibility here, but my gut tells me the Texans will opt against using a first-round pick on a cornerback for the second year in a row. Upgrading the pass rush is another way to improve the secondary, and Robert Quinn would be a solid fit at ROLB in Phillips' 3-4 scheme. Quinn could provide serious heat opposite B Connor Barwin to go along with an exceptional inside tandem of DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing."

 

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Pick strategy for Washington

UPDATE: While the Washington Redskins might push ahead with the strategy of nabbing the draft's top running back at No. 10 overall -- as suggested below -- ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter doesn't think they should be targeting any specific position (find his thoughts at the bottom of the post).

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Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan seems to enjoy collecting running backs. Considered by some to be the godfather of the running back-by-committee approach, Shanahan's latest foray into RB curating was last offseason's signings of Larry Johnson, Willie Parker and Ryan Torain, with Clinton Portis already on the roster. With three of those four gone, some expect that Shanahan and his henchmen will target some additional athletes for his RB stable this offseason, and one prominent reporter believes that they'll use a high draft pick to do so.

Within his Sunday morning column of quick-hit thoughts around the league, ESPNBoston.com scribe Mike Reiss indicated that the 'Skins might use the No. 10 overall pick on a particular RB who will likely be on the board when they are on the clock (see below for his complete take).

We should note that Reiss primarily covers the New England Patriots, but with many years of experience covering the entire NFL, he's got a good read on how certain teams and people operate.

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Mike Reiss
Ingram could be their top pick

"While Mike Shanahan has a reputation for finding unheralded running backs, I have a hunch that he'll have a hard time passing on Alabama's Mark Ingram with the No. 10 pick if Ingram is available. The Redskins don't have third- and fourth-round picks, and I could envision a first-round scenario in which that leads them to Ingram."

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Adam Schefter
They need to take the best available

"Their main focus should be trading back and getting more picks -- and the Redskins are open to doing that. The question is: Will there be a player available at No. 10 that inspires another team to trade up to Washington's spot? Remember, the Redskins traded their third-round pick to New Orleans for offensive tackle Jammal Brown and their fourth-round pick to Philadelphia for quarterback Donovan McNabb. So Washington needs all the picks it can get. Short of a trade, the Redskins have needs everywhere except safety. Everywhere. They simply have to go with the best player available when they pick. It sounds simple and cliched, but it's the truth."

 

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More interest in Wilkerson

Our prior update on Wilkerson included the note from Draftinsider.net that the "smart money" had him being selected by the New Orleans Saints at No. 24 overall. But the Saints are among a handful of teams that have taken strong interest in the versatile DT, as Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network reported Monday morning.

According to La Canfora, Wilkerson is under high levels of scrutiny by the Baltimore Ravens (with pick No. 26 overall), Kansas City Chiefs (No. 21) and New England Patriots (picks No. 17 and 28). Moreover, Wilkerson will visit the Seattle Seahawks (No. 25) later this week, and the Tennessee Titans (No. 8 in the first and the seventh pick of Round 2) next week. In addition to the teams listed, Wilkerson has also drawn interest from the Minnesota Vikings (No. 12 overall).

The team that winds up drafting Wilkerson might not even be on this list, that's the fun part of this whole process (or the frustrating part, depending on one's point of view). Given his versatility -- previous scouting reports have indicated that he'll be effective as an interior lineman in a 4-3 or as a DE in a 3-4 -- there aren't many teams that we can rule out as interested at this point.

UPDATE: Add the New York Giants to the list of teams wishing to give the public impression that they're interested in Temple defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson. Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports that the team will meet with the prospect on Apr. 13.

 

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Kaepernick making the rounds

Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick is part of a big group of second-tier quarterbacks that, depending on whose opinion one reads, will go somewhere between the end of the first and second rounds of the NFL draft. There appear to be plenty of teams interested in Kaepernick, and we have an update on some teams that will get a closer look this week.

According to Tony Pauline of Sports Illustrated, Kaepernick has visits lined up with the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans. A busy schedule over the next seven days, no doubt about it.

As we always say, the visits and private workouts scheduled during the pre-draft season don't always equate to actual interest, so any updates like these shouldn't be taken at face value. However, there is an argument for any of these teams to add the Nevada product when the weekend of Apr. 28 comes around.

 

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Another take on Gabbert

Throughout the buildup to the 2011 NFL draft, Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert have emerged as the front-runners amongst this class of quarterbacks, at least from a draft value standpoint (which of this group will make the best pro is a much more furious subject of debate). Within his "Monday Morning Quarterback" column this week, Peter King of Sports Illustrated provided an update on what he's heard on the race to be the first QB taken with a month to go before the first round kicks off on Apr. 28.

Though King believes that the Carolina Panthers will take a pass on Newton -- he doesn't see owner Jerry Richardson giving the selection his approval, nor general manager Marty Hurney giving up on Jimmy Clausen just yet -- it's possible that the Buffalo Bills (at No. 3) or Cincinnati Bengals (at No. 4) will be Cam's next stop.

When it comes to Gabbert, we've heard some opinions that he's in the mix for the No. 1 pick, and speculation that he, too, would be a fit for any of the Top 4 (though we're still firmly in the camp that doesn't believe the Denver Broncos are really considering a QB with the No. 2 pick). But, the final sentence of King's section on the Big 2 includes the following: "Gabbert will not get past Arizona."

The Arizona Cardinals have been linked to Gabbert with varying degrees of credibility over the past few weeks, and we've also heard speculation that they prefer him over Newton if both prospects happen to fall to the fifth spot. Though nothing is yet set in stone, it would appear that both men will have a short wait on the first night of the draft.

 

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Favorite emerging for Denver?

Sunday, we advanced the discussion on the Denver Broncos' chances of trading down from the No. 2 overall pick. Finding a trade partner could be difficult, since no one knows for certain that there will be a cap on rookie wages, but it's certainly a possibility.

One of the ways that the Broncos can help market the pick is expressing interest (real or not) in the top quarterback prospects. By doing so, even if Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert is selected by the Carolina Panthers with the first pick, other QB-needy teams will possibly be desperate to make a play for the Broncos' pick.

But if the Broncos stay at No. 2, the player that is considered the "leader in the clubhouse" as of a month before the draft is Marcell Dareus, according to Woody Paige of the Denver Post.

Dareus would make a fine addition for the Broncos as they switch back to a 4-3 formation in 2011. The defensive end spots will likely be manned by Elvis Dumervil and Robert Ayers -- the latter of whom had difficulties adjusting from DE to 3-4 OLB -- but the middle of the line is a known area of need. According to recent reports, Dareus represents one of the safer picks amongst the elite prospects.

 

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Jones vs. Green debate continues

Last week, we spotlighted the current debate likely being held at a number of NFL teams' respective headquarters this pre-draft season: Is Julio Jones going to make a better pro than A.J. Green?

Green appeared to be head-and-shoulders above the field of wide receiver prospects, but questions have arisen as to his dedication to the blocking aspects of playing WR, as well as his work ethic. Are there successful NFL wideouts that have not been stalwarts as blockers? Of course. But the second aspect has apparently caused a shift in some teams' thoughts. This may include the Cincinnati Bengals, who pick fourth overall, according to a recent report from SI's Peter King.

As it turns out, it may come down to which player teams feel is a better fit for their offensive system. During an appearance on the NFL Network, Mike Mayock noted that Jones is a "more natural West Coast receiver." (H/T to Rotoworld for the quote). Since both the Bengals (at No. 4) and the Cleveland Browns (at No. 6) will be running a system based on West Coast principles -- and both are considering drafting a WR -- this consideration is vital.

With nearly a month left, this one is still too close to call, but neither wideout appears likely to have to wait too long on the night of Apr. 28.

 

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Who's hankering for Hankerson?

Univ. of Miami wide receiver Leonard Hankerson has been drawing late first- to early second-round grades thus far in the pre-draft season thanks to a productive season for the Hurricanes in 2010 and some stellar measurables at the combine. With a number of teams in need of some help in the receiving corps, reports on his visitation schedule offer another clue as to where he might end up being taken in the draft.

According to Aaron Wilson of National Football Post, Hankerson will visit with the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per a league source.

Seeing as Miami is a major program capable of producing NFL-caliber talent, most of the teams in the league were represented at the school's pro day. So reports of teams attending the festivities should be tempered by the knowledge that they may've been there to see Brandon Harris, Orlando Franklin, Allen Bailey or Colin McCarthy instead of or in addition to Hankerson.

 

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Time to draft Ray Lewis' heir?

Back on Feb. 11, ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr. discussed a number of teams around the league that could be looking to draft an heir apparent to an aging star player this offseason. Included on his list were the Baltimore Ravens, as they consider what life will be like after linebacker Ray Lewis eventually decides to retire.

Matt Vensel of the Baltimore Sun profiled a short list of potential ILB targets organized by the round in which they'd likely be taken, including Illinois' Martez Wilson, Oregon's Casey Matthews, Miami's Colin McCarthy and Maryland's Alex Wujciak. Vensel notes that inclusion on the list doesn't mean the Ravens are interested in the player, but rather that these are some potential targets.

We'll also toss UNC's Quan Sturdivant into the mix. Though the Ravens are not amongst the teams with whom he's visiting -- according to this report from Aaron Wilson of National Football Post -- he has the type of sideline-to-sideline speed that is vital for the ILBs in Baltimore's scheme. In addition, given that he played quarterback and safety in high school, his high football IQ is also an asset as the central part of the D.

ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker offered up his opinion on which of the players listed seems like the best match for the Ravens:

- Tim Kavanagh

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James Walker
Matthews seems to be a match

"Keep an eye on Oregon's Casey Matthews. The Ravens are showing a lot of interest in him during this pre-draft process and want to see if he has what it takes to be a pupil to future Hall of Famer Lewis."

 

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Bucs' draft plan changing?

As a rule, we here at Rumor Central stay out of athletes' off-field lives unless it's going to affect their playing status or their standing with the team that employs them. But there have been some allegations within the past 48 hours regarding Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib that, if they lead to criminal charges, could affect how the team behaves this offseason, as ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas wrote Monday. Talib is being called a "person of interest" related to an incident in Texas on March 21.

With the CB's status in the air (the NFL has said it will review violations of the personal conduct policy following the end of the labor dispute) the Bucs could be working on two sets of contingency plans this offseason: one with Talib and one without Talib. E.J. Biggers, Elbert Mack and Myron Lewis are on the roster, but in the no-Talib contingency plan, the team may have bumped CB up the list of priorities for player acquisitions.

This could involve draft picks -- though the Bucs don't pick until No. 20 overall, a quality CB could fall to them -- free agency, or trades. In the tail end of his column discussing the Talib situation (and what the Bucs will do as a result), Justin Pawlowski of 620 WDAE (Tampa) writes that the Bucs may target the cream of this year's free agent crop.

"Do not discount the possibility of the Bucs going after Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency. Once a new CBA is in place, a new salary cap will include a salary floor. Since the Bucs have one of the lowest payrolls of any team in the NFL, they will have to spend enough money on some players just to reach that floor. Asomugha would be a good player to start with."

Well, that, and he's one of the premier players at one of the league's premier positions. It's an interesting thought, and Asomugha -- a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2010 for his off-field charitable work -- might well be described as the anti-Talib from an off-field standpoint.

 

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Seattle thinking OL at No. 25?

Unless the Seattle Seahawks trade up from the No. 25 overall pick, the players that they value the most might be off the board by the time they're on the clock on the night of Apr. 28. So, it's clearly a fluid situation and they've likely considered a variety of scenarios. But according to the latest mock from draft analyst Rob Rang, their pick will be Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi, as noted by Brady Henderson of 710 AM ESPN Radio (Seattle).

"Pete Carroll preached a ball-control, run-heavy offense when he was hired in Seattle. Unfortunately for the Seahawks, age, injury and inexperience up front grounded their running game," Rang noted. "They averaged only 89 rushing yards a game last season, which was 31st in the NFL. Carimi, a four-year starter at left tackle, lacks the elite athleticism to remain there in the NFL, which could push him into the second portion of the round. The 2010 Outland Trophy winner has the bulk, strength and physicality in the running game to star on the right side."

If the chips do fall in this fashion that fateful night at Radio City Music Hall, ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando believes that it could have a major impact on a current Seahawk:

- Tim Kavanagh

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Mike Sando
So long, Stacy?

"Coach Pete Carroll recently said Stacy Andrews would compete for the starting job on the right side. Drafting Carimi would make Andrews' salary pretty much prohibitive."

 

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Niners investigating Peterson

According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, the San Francisco 49ers have set up a visit with LSU cornerback prospect Patrick Peterson. Holders of the No. 7 overall pick, the Niners will visit with Peterson on Apr. 19 and 20.

The subsequent question is where Peterson ranks on the Niners' draft board. If the teams above the Niners take a pass on Peterson, will the they definitely snag him, even if other players they value -- linebacker Von Miller or quarterback Blaine Gabbert being amongst those in whom San Francisco has interest -- are still on the board? Since teams don't generally reveal their draft boards (except in one instance last year), we won't really find out unless that particular scenario plays out.

But in the opinion of ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper, Jr., there is no better draft prospect this season, according to where Peterson landed on Kiper's latest Big Board:

- Tim Kavanagh

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Mel Kiper, Jr.
Peterson is a unique talent

"An extraordinary athlete, Peterson has 4.34 speed in the 40 and carries safety size. Tape is superb; helps in return game. Solid after recent pro day."

 

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DE option for Tennessee

We know the Tennessee Titans will be making an addition or two to their quarterback ranks this offseason, and this past week, we noted a list of six QBs on their radar. But there are some who've argued that the Titans will invest their top pick on a defensive lineman, especially given the wealth of talent at that position in this draft class.

John Glennon of the Tennessean speculates that if any of a certain quartet -- quarterback Blaine Gabbert, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle Nick Fairley or linebacker Von Miller -- were still on the board for the Titans at No. 8 overall, this individual would be their pick. But what if all of those players are taken? Glennon notes that this could mean that DEs Da'Quan Bowers and Robert Quinn would still be on the board, though both have had concerns raised about them.

Another viable DE option, in Glennon's view, is Wisconsin product J.J. Watt. Per Glennon, Watt achieved the second-best performance amongst DEs at the NFL draft combine in the vertical jump, three-cone drill and bench press. Additionally, at 6-foot-6, 290 pounds, Watt offers the size to play at the three-technique DT position on passing downs, and would be a stalwart as a run-stuffer when positioned on the end of the team's four-man front.

ESPN's Scouts, Inc. ranks Watt as the tenth-best overall prospect in this year's class, with high marks for his instincts and motor:

- Tim Kavanagh

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Scouts, Inc. Profile: J.J. Watt
Exceptional skills in this area

"[Watt's] overall awareness is exceptional. Finds the ball and keeps his head on a swivel. Shows outstanding anticipation. No defensive lineman in this class does a better job of getting his hands up and affecting the quarterbacks' throwing lane. Is absolutely relentless. Tremendous motor."

 

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Secondary QB targets for Cincy

There's a possibility that the Cincinnati Bengals will get their hands paws on either Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert with the No. 4 overall pick if things break a certain way with the three teams ahead of them. But if not, all hope is not lost for finding a QB in this year's draft.

In fact, according to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, if the Bengals don't land Gabbert or Newton in the first round, "they would go for one in the second." Sounds a little definitive for our tastes, but it's certainly a logical conclusion.

QBs that could be available for the Bengals when their second-round pick comes up (No. 35 overall) include Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick. Per Reedy, Mallett will visit with the Bengals on Thursday and Friday of this week.

ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker believes that Mallett could be available for the Bengals at No. 35, and that he possesses a piece of the package necessary to be a success at the NFL level:

- Tim Kavanagh

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James Walker
Arkansas QB a viable option

"Mallett is arguably the best pure passer in this year's draft. He could be a target for Cincinnati as a potential replacement for starter Carson Palmer, who demanded a trade and threatened to retire. Mallett reportedly enters the draft with some character concerns, which could keep him out of the first round."

 

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The Bills and Cam

UPDATE: Tuesday, ESPN AFC East blogger Tim Graham commented on the Buffalo Bills as a potential destination for Cam Newton (see below for an excerpt).

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The big question for the teams at the top of the draft this year is if a certain player is still available when they are on the clock, will they definitely take him? Such is the consideration for the Bills regarding quarterback Newton as the Auburn product completes a visit with the team.

"Let me just say this to you, and try not to read anything into this and try not to connect the dots, now, but if you wait until you do not have a quarterback to draft one, you're too late," Bills general manager Buddy Nix said at a "State of the Bills" meeting for season-ticket holders Monday, per the Buffalo News. "Now our greatest need is not quarterback. It's definitely not quarterback. Invariably, if there's going to be a franchise guy there and one we deem as a guy that can go eight or 10 years, be the face of the organization and take us to the playoffs and win every year, you can't pass him up."

Clearly the Bills don't plan on picking in the Top 5 of the draft every season, a plan that was likely met with approval by the devoted fans in attendance. However, Nix also cautioned about reading too much into Newton's visit or any of the prospects making the rounds over the course of the pre-draft season.

"There's an unwritten rule that it's not a sin to tell a lie during pre-draft stuff," Nix joked, according to Sal Maiorana of the Democrat and Chronicle. "Everybody does it, it's accepted, so everything you read or hear or see, you need to keep in mind that about 10 percent of it is the truth."

Even with that being the case, the potential pairing between progressive offensive mind Chan Gailey and the versatile Newton is certainly spinning the wheels. The remaining issue will be whether Newton is willing to accept an apprenticeship behind Ryan Fitzpatrick before taking the reins of the offense at some point in the future.

- Tim Kavanagh

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Tim Graham
Fitz's presence a positive

"Many Bills fans see Fitzpatrick's presence as a reason not to draft Newton. I look at it conversely. Any team would want a veteran like Fitzpatrick around to mentor a big-time prospect. Fitzpatrick is a classic overachiever journeyman. He has fought to stay in the NFL. His work ethic is admirable. He's smart. His teammates respect him and respond to him. And when it would be time for Fitzpatrick to step aside, he's not the type to cause a fuss. That, plus Gailey's track record with quarterbacks, looks like a fine environment for a young quarterback to grow."

 

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Another take on Ponder-to-Jags

John Oehser of Jaguars.com offered up his take on Ponder's viability as a first-round pick for the Jaguars like so:

"Like many, I thought he was a solid, interesting player at Florida State with a lot of potential. Because -- unlike many of my media brethren -- I don't pretend to be able to accurately analyze college players at a quick glance, I can't say whether I think he's worthy of a Top-10 selection. But it is apparent that more and more around the NFL Draft believe the arm issues he had late in his career at FSU are resolved enough that he has a chance to be a big-time player. He's certainly the hot quarterback right now. The Jaguars would like to draft a developmental quarterback. Whether that means Ponder in the first round is anybody's guess, but I still see defensive end as a real possibility there."

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Many believe that the Jacksonville Jaguars will target a defensive end with their first-round pick (No. 16 overall) this year, with one of the possible targets being Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan, as we explored on Sunday.

However, CBSSports.com senior writer Pete Prisco made an appearance on the NFL Network's "Path to the Draft" program recently, and offered up another idea: that the Jags should target a quarterback with that pick instead. Not only that, but Prisco had a particular QB in mind.

"I think a guy they should take a long, hard look at is Christian Ponder," Prisco said. "When you watch him on tape, he's very good at the line of scrimmage. He knows how to read the field, he can go from right to left, left to right. He's more athletic than you think, he would be a good pick at 16."

The Jags have not drafted a QB in the first round since 2003, and with no developmental prospects behind 33-year-old David Garrard, it does make sense on some level to target a young arm to take over after a season or two of learning the ropes.

UPDATE: Christian Ponder at No. 16 to the Jacksonville Jaguars? Not if Jags beat writer Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union was calling the shots.

"I think that's too high for Ponder," she tweeted back to a question as to whether the team would target the FSU QB or a defensive end with their top pick.

 

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Eagles thinking OLB in first?

Gary Horton of ESPN's Scouts, Inc. was the guest of honor for a chat on ESPN.com on Monday, and he tackled a variety of questions on teams around the league. The first question he chose to tackle centered on which position he foresees the Philadelphia Eagles addressing with their first-round pick (No. 23 overall).

"I think the Eagles will concentrate on defense early in the draft," Horton wrote. "As I look at them, I think they need a CB or an OLB. They blitz a lot, but they also play a lot of man-to-man schemes behind it. That puts their corners on an island. They could do some juggling at OLB and move some guys around, which would make it less of a need, but I still think they'll go defense early in the draft."

Barring something truly unexpected, the two elite cornerbacks will be off the board by the 23rd pick. While this doesn't mean that the Eagles will definitely look for an OLB as a result, they may have some fine options from which to choose.

Texas A&M prospect Von Miller will be long gone by No. 23, but UCLA's Akeem Ayers, Georgia's Justin Houston and UNC's Bruce Carter may all still be on the board. In his latest mock, ESPN's Todd McShay sent Ayers to Philly with their pick:

- Tim Kavanagh

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Todd McShay
Look at film, not the combine results

"Ayers didn't have a great combine and a lot of people are down on him, but when you study the tape he's always around the ball, shows great versatility and has the ability to get after the quarterback. The Eagles have a history of drafting hybrid DE/OLB prospects and plugging them in at linebacker, and Ayers would offer an upgrade on the outside over Moise Fokou, who started 11 games as a second-year player in 2010."

 

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Pick trade possible for Lions

UPDATE: During his ESPN.com chat on Tuesday afternoon, our resident NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert brought an inconvenient truth to light regarding the Detroit Lions' possible desire to trade down from their slot in the first round (see below).

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With the No. 13 overall pick, the Lions should be able to find a player that can contribute right away once the season is underway, whether it's a defensive back, linebacker or offensive tackle. As they continue their schedule of visits with draft prospects, another possibility has been raised: that of trading down to grab some additional picks.

Unfortunately, as Tom Kowalski of MLive.com writes, the Lions might have a hard time finding a suitor for their pick. It's partially due to the number of similarly-graded OTs available in this year's class.

"If other teams have their eye on a quarterback, running back, receiver or tight end," Kowalski notes, "they know the Lions aren't drafting that position. If other teams are looking for tackles, they can simply wait and have one fall to them."

As for trading up, it's always a possibility, but as a team that has a number of holes to fill, they'd really have to fall in love with a certain player to sacrifice those additional picks.

- Tim Kavanagh

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Kevin Seifert
Might not be a seller's market

"It always sounds nice to trade down, but if you don't see anyone that you want at that spot, chances are other teams will be in the same boat."