Random 2011 Draft Chatter....

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Jernigan's prospects

One of the top slot receiver prospects in this year's draft class, Jerrel Jernigan is slated to visit with the Cleveland Browns on Monday, according to Aaron Wilson of National Football Post, and the Troy product has previously visited with the Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers. In addition, Jernigan has been linked to the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts.

The consensus seems to be that Jernigan is a prime target as a second-round pick, and one team that has the luxury of two second-rounders this season is the Chargers. Our AFC West blogger Bill Williamson recently considered whether Jernigan was a fit in San Diego:

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Bill Williamson

Versatile WR can fill a number of roles

"The Chargers have several big receivers. At 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, Jernigan would be an excellent speed target for quarterback Philip Rivers in the slot. If the Chargers don't bring back high-priced, free-agent return man Darren Sproles, Jernigan could fill that role. The Chargers have dabbled some with the Wildcat formation. Jernigan was also effective as a Wildcat quarterback in college."

 

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Bills' first-round buzz

A number of recent mock drafts have shipped Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller to the Buffalo Bills with the No. 3 overall pick, and there's also a feeling that the team could go with a defensive end -- UNC's Robert Quinn made a visit to Western New York last week, and Marcell Dareus appears to be a popular choice as well.

But the team needs a long-term answer at quarterback, and with that pick, Buffalo will be in position to draft a player that could fulfill that destiny. In the opinion of ESPN's John Clayton, the choice between a franchise QB and a defensive player is an easy one:

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John Clayton

They can't pass up a QB here

"If they take Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert, I think they will be fine. They have needed to address the quarterback position correctly since Jim Kelly retired. Newton would be better than Gabbert, but both would work for them. Taking a defensive player won't turn them around. A quarterback can."

 

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More chatter on Browns' pick

UPDATE: ESPN's John Clayton has an idea on how the Cleveland Browns might use the No. 6 overall pick (see below for his take).

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If the night of Apr. 28 plays out a certain way, Von Miller may be the Browns' pick at No. 6 overall. On the eve of his two days of visits with the team, we assessed those chances on Sunday.

But as Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports, he's not alone in being squarely in the crosshairs of the Browns' player evaluators.

Cabot notes that nearly every top draft prospect will be in Cleveland at some point this week, including receivers A.J. Green and Julio Jones, cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, quarterback Cam Newton, defensive tackles Marcell Dareus and Nick Fairley and defensive end Da'Quan Bowers.

So, if the Browns had the No. 1 overall pick, who would they choose? That question will likely remain cloaked in secrecy forever, as this player will probably be taken in the five picks ahead of the Browns. But given their needs on both sides of the ball, there will definitely be an elite player available to suit their fancy.

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John Clayton

It's gotta be Green

"Knowing Mike Holmgren, I think he'd draft offense. If Green is there, he'll take him."

 

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Vikes considering Mallett

Ryan Mallett is in the midst of a busy visitation schedule as the pre-draft season nears its bitter end later this month. Part of Mallett's on-field game -- his ability to make throws -- is on par or better than any other QB in this draft class, according to the reports that have been disseminated through the usual channels. However, there are some questions both to his play (a lack of mobility) and his character.

The Arkansas product recently completed a visit with the Minnesota Vikings, and confirmed to Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that it went "really well."

"I was really impressed by the organization, and the talks we had were positive," Mallett indicated, per Fowler. "I enjoyed talking football with them and showing them what I know and what I can do as a quarterback. I feel that's a place where I could thrive."

It's unclear whether the Vikes will take a QB at No. 12 or wait until the second round. One thing's for certain, they're performing their due diligence on them all, so it would appear that by the end of the second night, they'll have a new prospect at the position (or they really, really want us to believe that they will).

 

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Finding a Westbrook replacement

San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke appears interested in having a three-headed backfield monster, as Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee wrote recently. With Brian Westbrook likely on the outs, that means that Baalke and his associates will have to search elsewhere for a versatile back that can fill that role. Pending unrestricted free agent Darren Sproles is an option, but the draft might be the preferred choice, given the kind of salary the diminutive former San Diego Chargers RB is likely to expect.

One option, Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter, is visiting the team this week, and the Niners are expected to have someone at the workout of Eastern Washington's Taiwan Jones this Thursday. In addition, Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers may be under consideration, and the Niners have a coach on staff with the inside scoop on the explosive Beaver: Reggie Davis, the current TE coach in San Francisco, was Oregon State's RB coach for the previous three seasons.

As far as needs go, this one is far from glaring for the 49ers. They've got Frank Gore and Anthony Dixon ready to return, and Gore has shown the capability to be an every-down back when healthy. But with the Miami product's contract up following the 2011 season, finding a player that can contribute in 2012 and beyond is a logical move.

 

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Kaepernick in Raiders' sights?

Sunday, we posted an update concerning the Oakland Raiders' options with their first pick in the draft, No. 48 overall. One option, as has been mentioned by our AFC West blogger Bill Williamson and others, is snatching a quarterback with that pick. Depending on what happens with Jason Campbell, they may need a long-term option at the position, and there might be a nice prospect there for the taking when the Raiders are on the clock.

One possibility is Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick. Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group is on board with the idea, seeing as there is uncertainty with Campbell. Unfortunately, as McDonald allows, the franchise does not have the best track record at developing QBs; in the scribe's view, the last QB to be drafted and developed by the Raiders was Ken Stabler in 1968.

When it comes to Kaepernick, the Raiders' interest may be moot, anyways. Russ Lande of Sporting News mentions in a post on Monday that he's heard the Nevada QB is now a second-rounder at worst, and might go in the final 10 slots of Round 1. When Round 2 begins, all of the teams ahead of the Raiders that need a QB but didn't draft one in the first round could be a potential landing spot for Kaepernick.

 

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Blaine to the Bengals?

In a way, it'll be appropriate if the Cincinnati Bengals draft either Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert with the No. 4 overall pick on the night of Apr. 28. Newton led the Auburn Tigers to the national title this past season, and Gabbert developed his game while playing for the Missouri Tigers.

Mascot connections aside, we've been led to believe that the Bengals are investigating all of the QBs in this draft class -- with the knowledge that Carson Palmer doesn't wish to play for the franchise any longer -- so it's not all that surprising to see them taking a gunslinger with their first-, second- or even third-round pick in mock drafts. But a particular mock released on Monday did catch our attention.

Within the draft assembled by Patriots Football Weekly, a variety of beat writers from around the league participated, including Geoff Hobson, who writes for the Bengals' team website.

With Newton, Von Miller and Marcell Dareus off the board with the first three picks, Hobson chose Gabbert, adding that regardless of how the Palmer scenario plays out, grabbing Gabbert fills a major need.

If Gabbert heads to Cincy, the next step for the team will be acquiring a veteran who can steer the ship while the rookie develops. It's a plan that worked for the franchise in Palmer's case (with Jon Kitna as the gap-bridger), and given the intricacies of the scheme that Jay Gruden will bring to Cincinnati, it would be logical to find a veteran to start this fall.

 

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Baldwin generating interest

UPDATE: Kevin Weidl of Scouts, Inc. profiled some of the second-tier wide receiver's in this draft class in a post this week. Noting that Jonathan Baldwin would be a fit for the St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers or New York Giants, Weidl did have some concerns on the prospect (see below for an excerpt).

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In an effort to find a young wideout to supplement the returning corps of Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason, the Baltimore Ravens hosted Baldwin recently, according to Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times.

Previously, Baldwin visited with the Dallas Cowboys, and he had an extensive meeting with two key men in the Pittsburgh Steelers organization at his pro day: head coach Mike Tomlin and director of football operations (i.e. general manager) Kevin Colbert.

ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper, Jr. has Baldwin slipping to the third round in his latest mock draft, while Todd McShay of Scouts, Inc. takes him off the board at No. 61 overall. As for the interest on the part of the Ravens, our AFC North blogger James Walker thinks it could be a good match:

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James Walker

He fits the description

"We recently talked with Baldwin and he believes he can help a team at the next level. The Ravens need more playmakers at receiver, and Baldwin has the size and physical tools."

 

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Latest on Pouncey

Last week, Florida offensive line prospect Mike Pouncey caused a bit of a stir when he tweeted that he was going to be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. By the end of the evening on Apr. 28, he might, but not at No. 9 overall, based on the prevailing opinion. If the Cowboys are willing and able to find another team with whom they can trade first-round positions, it is possible.

But barring such a deal, the most likely destinations are teams that already have picks in the teens and twenties, including the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs. If he gets past that group -- and another team hasn't traded up to grab him -- then would the Baltimore Ravens (at No. 26 overall) be interested?

Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun considered the possibility for a post this week. While Pouncey is considered an elite interior line prospect, he fits more as a guard than a center, and the Ravens' needs are the opposite: an heir to Matt Birk's job is more vital than adding a guard.

Our AFC North blogger James Walker believes that Pouncey doesn't exactly fill a void for Baltimore, but adds that it would bring some additional heat to a certain rivalry:

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James Walker

Games against Pittsburgh would have yet another storyline

"The Ravens need a right tackle more, but Pouncey may be the best available player at No. 26. Having the Pouncey twins split between the Steelers and Ravens would add another wrinkle to this great rivalry."

 

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Time to find Kreutz's heir?

Earlier this offseason, we heard that Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith considers center Olin Kreutz the anchor of his offensive line, and is pushing for a return by the veteran. Kreutz is currently a free agent, but the expectation is that once contact with players is allowed, the team will work to bring him back.

However, as ESPNChicago.com scribe Michael C. Wright noted on Monday, Kreutz will be 34-years-old when the 2011 season kicks off, so finding an heir apparent may be on the offseason to-do list.

The top interior lineman prospect is Mike Pouncey, though some believe he is better suited to playing guard, and it might be a moot point regardless, since it's likely he'll be off the board by No. 29 overall. Wright provided a list of other prospects at the position, a group that includes FSU's Rodney Hudson, Penn State's Stefen Wisniewski, Oregon State's Alex Linnenkohl and TCU's Jake Kirkpatrick.

Wright added in closing that there may be some internal disagreement as to how badly the team needs to add new blood at the position:

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Michael C. Wright

Replacements already on the roster?

"Although Smith expressed a strong desire to re-sign Kreutz, general manager Jerry Angelo seemed lukewarm about the notion, and mentioned young players such as Edwin Williams, and Lance Louis as potential options at the position. As it stands, the Bears don?t have a bona fide center under contract. So there?s a strong possibility the team will explore bolstering the spot. Even if the Bears are able to re-sign Kreutz, who will be 34 next season, the club needs to be looking for his heir apparent."

 

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Bowers buzz continues

UPDATE: We've got our first report on how the medical re-check on Da'Quan Bowers' knee went in Indianapolis this past weekend.

According to what a league source has told Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the re-check went well, with good stability in the joint and no swelling. As a result, no MRI was taken.

The Browns are allowed to perform their own medical tests on Bowers, according to Cabot, and given the stakes, this figures to be a logical move.

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Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk passed along word that after Bowers' meeting with the Cleveland Browns this week, he'll head to D.C. to visit with the Washington Redskins on Thursday.

Bowers might not end up being taken in the Top 10, but many of the teams in that cohort are certainly taking a good look at the Clemson prospect.

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Bowers has become one of the more intriguing players this pre-draft season due to a knee injury that either is or isn't going to require microfracture surgery, depending on which media member's sources you believe. Last week, we learned that at least in the opinion of one prominent beat writer, Bowers will not get past the Detroit Lions at No. 13 if the joint checks out.

This past weekend, Bowers was back in Indianapolis at the NFL combine medical re-check, and afterwards, he's carrying on with his schedule of official visits, as Aaron Wilson of National Football Post details. Monday, it was the Minnesota Vikings. Tuesday and Wednesday, it'll be the Browns. In total, he'll visit eight of the teams in the draft's Top 10.

Our resident draft experts both have Bowers falling out of the Top 10 in their recent mocks. In Mel Kiper, Jr.'s version, Bowers joins the Vikes at No. 12, while in Todd McShay's, he's bound for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 20.

 

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Kerrigan's schedule

Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan is amongst a number of players under consideration by the San Diego Chargers at No. 18, and has also been strongly linked to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 16. But those aren't the only two teams slated to meet with the prospect prior to the draft.

According to Aaron Wilson of National Football post, Kerrigan will visit with the Washington Redskins and New York Jets this week, after meeting with the Chargers on Sunday. In addition, Kerrigan has met with the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills.

In Mel Kiper, Jr.'s most recent mock, the Jags and Bolts both pass on Kerrigan, and he slides to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 20 overall. In Todd McShay's vision of the future, he's headed to Jacksonville for a conservative reason:

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Todd McShay

He's a safer pick than some of the others

"I would be tempted to take a shot on Da'Quan Bowers or the upside offered by Missouri's Aldon Smith here, but Jags GM Gene Smith has proved he will take the player with the higher floor rather than the higher ceiling. Kerrigan has some limitations but Jacksonville knows exactly what it would be getting, which is a player with the overall skill set to immediately push for a starting job opposite Jaguars DE Aaron Kampman."

 

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Saints narrowing the field

UPDATE: Gary Horton of Scouts, Inc. stopped by for a SportsNation chat on Monday, and the topic of the New Orleans Saints' top needs heading into the draft came up.

Horton's response (found below) serves to bolster the idea that a player like Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward will be their top pick.

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One of the teams that may be a target for those quarterback-bankrupt teams trying to trade back into the bottom of the first round is the Saints. The team isn't without its weaknesses, but they've been aggressive in re-signing incumbent players as well as targeting free agents already this offseason. As a result, they have the luxury of gaining some addition picks either this season or next.

If the Saints do use their first-rounder (No. 24 overall), then one target sticks out in the mind of Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune: Cameron Heyward.

Heyward is the offspring of the late Craig Heyward -- a former Saints running back -- and lived in New Orleans for the first four years of his life, per Triplett. But he's also a fit for the Saints because of his versatility. The Saints run a hybrid defense, using four-man fronts on some occasions and three-man fronts on others. Because of Heyward's size -- 6-foot-5, 294 pounds -- he can hold up as a five-technique DE when the team has just three men up front as well as functioning as an edge rusher when four D-linemen are on the field.

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Gary Horton

They'll wait on an RB

"[To assess the Saints' needs], we obviously have to look at the Reggie Bush situation. I don't think it's a No. 1 priority, RB, but I think the Saints would love to have a guy that they could depend on and give them 20-25 carries a game. That would help Drew Brees in the passing game. My guess is that they look defense early on, DE, DT, S. I would think they would address RB later in the draft."

 

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Update on Jets' OLB targets

Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com continued his tour around the New York Jets' roster with a post on the linebacking corps on Tuesday. It's a pretty impressive group, though there's a slight problem: age is beginning to catch up with them, as Bart Scott, Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas have all been alive for over 30 years.

It's a generally agreed upon concept that the Jets will need to acquire a player capable of manning an OLB slot in 2011, and they may turn to the draft to fulfill that prescription. The Jets swung-and-missed on their last edge rusher prospect -- Vernon Gholston -- but there are some promising ones in this year's class. Cimini has the rundown:

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Rich Cimini

No one is a sure thing

"It's always dicey when drafting a 3-4 OLB. Often times, you're converting a 4-3 DE from college. Two players in that category are Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan (6-4, 267) and Arizona's Brooks Reed (6-2 1/2, 263). Kerrigan is the better prospect, and the Jets believe he can make the transition. Problem is, they probably would have to trade up to get him. Reed raised his stock with impressive workouts, but you have to be leery of those types. Georgia's Justin Houston (6-3, 270) played last season as a 3-4 OLB, but he's one dimensional and boom or bust. The most versatile OLB is UCLA's Akeem Ayers (6-2 1/2, 254). He can drop, rush and line up in different spots. Some question his speed, but he plays faster than the stopwatch."

 

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Ravens' RB targets

During an appearance on the "Norris and Davis Show" on 105.7 FM, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason contended that the team needs to bring in some complementary running backs to take some of the load off of Ray Rice, per the Baltimore Sun.

"They understand that when you have a back like Ray -- a very good back -- but to give him the ball 25, 30 times a game, it's wear and tear on your body. When a running back reaches the age of 27 or 28, they're considered old and they're ready to replace you because you've got a lot of wear and tear."

Le'Ron McClain's future with the team is uncertain, while it's been reported that the Ravens will be releasing Willis McGahee once the league business year begins. That being the case, on which backs do they have their eye?

In a post back on Apr. 4, we noted that the Ravens were visiting with Virginia Tech running back prospect Ryan Williams, one of the Top 5 RBs available in this year's class. It's unlikely that they'd invest their first-round pick on Williams, but if they do elect to trade back with a QB-needy team into the top of the second round, he would be a better value there.

In addition, a number of veteran RBs are set to hit the free agent market, including Cedric Benson, Ronnie Brown, Clinton Portis, Ricky Williams and Darren Sproles. While Benson would probably want to be a lead back somewhere, the others have all been involved in a rotation with previous teams, so a complementary role could be more acceptable to them.

 

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Steelers, Taylor a match?

Playing nose tackle in a 3-4 alignment requires an athlete with a very specific body type and set of skills. Out of all the mountainous defensive tackles eligible for the draft this year, one sticks out as being a strong fit for such duties at the NFL level: Baylor prospect Phil Taylor.

According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Taylor met with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday. While the Steelers already have a starter at NT, ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker believes that Taylor would be a viable pick at No. 31 overall:

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James Walker

He can be Hampton's apprentice

"Taylor, at 340 pounds, could be an option to learn behind nose tackle Casey Hampton. The Steelers need to get younger on the defensive line."

 

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Big Blue draft needs

For some teams, the biggest need heading into the draft is obvious -- everyone knows that the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers need quarterbacks, and the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars need defensive backs.

For other teams, the most glaring need isn't so clear. Take the New York Giants. Clifton Brown and Dennis Dillon of the Sporting News can't agree on the biggest need Big Blue.

"Not too long ago, the Giants' offensive line was one of the best and most durable in the NFL ... Now, injuries and age are starting to set in," Dillon says. " "Last season, [Shaun O'Hara] missed 10 games, [David Diehl] missed four and [Rich Seubert] had to move to center for seven games. Seubert just turned 32, [Kareem McKenzie] will be 32 in May and O'Hara will turn 34 in June. It's time to inject the O-line with a youth infusion.

"In their latest mock drafts, ESPN's Todd McShay (Boston College tackle Anthony Castonzo) and Mel Kiper (Miami's Mike Pouncey) have the Giants taking an offensive lineman. Either pick would be a good one."

Brown, however, points out that the Giants' line was effective last season (they were sixth in rushing yards and tied the Indianapolis Colts for fewest sacks allowed). "What the Giants really need is a playmaking linebacker," he says. "Finding one who's worthy at No. 19 is another matter. They may have to settle for a defensive tackle. Two good ones could be available -- Corey Liuget of Illinois and Muhammad Wilkerson of Temple. The Giants have three defensive ends that can get to the quarterback in Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul. Put an impact defensive tackle with them, and the Giants' defensive front would be even more intimidating."

Both writers add that if Alabama running back Mark Ingram falls to the Giants, he may be too talented to resist.

 

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A surprise pick for Miami

In the first round of every NFL draft, there's at least one surprising pick, and it's what makes watching the draft enjoyable. If every team just made their picks based on the mock drafts we see every pre-draft season, it would take a lot of the fun out of the proceedings, and we'd be denied video anthologies like this one.

2011 will be no exception. And one of the teams that could get that ball rolling is the Miami Dolphins, at No. 15. The Dolphins' needs don't necessarily line up with the players that will be available to them, if we're to believe the published scouting grades. Given their backfield situation, drafting a running back would make some sense, but they might be solving that problem with a free agent. Additionally, it would not be surprising to see them take a quarterback to compete with Chad Henne, an interior linemen, or a front seven defender.

However, it would be surprising for them to take a tight end, in responding to a Twitter follower on Friday morning, Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel confirmed that Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph is in the mix at No. 15.

In recent days, we've pondered whether Rudolph would be a first-rounder -- though the emphasis there was on late first-rounder -- and also seen Rudolph taken one pick ahead of the Dolphins by the St. Louis Rams in a mock draft compiled by our Todd McShay and two NFL scouts. Whether all of this is legitimate or a smokescreen, Rudolph's name is certainly generating a lot of talk with the draft two weeks away.

 

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Three possibilities for Pittsburgh

NFL teams have been preparing for this year's draft since last fall, if not earlier. So the idea that their draft boards would be shifting wildly in the final weeks before the actual ceremony is not wholly accurate. But that doesn't mean that there won't be some tweaks here and there, and for teams picking late in the first round, a lot can change based on the behavior of those picking ahead of them.

With all that said, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reveals that there are three players of great interest to the Pittsburgh Steelers: cornerback Aaron Williams and offensive tackles Derek Sherrod and Nate Solder.

Bouchette is not sold on Williams -- "Drafting a cornerback who should be a safety, to me, is not something you should do on the first round," he writes -- though he might be the only one of the three that is still on the board for the Steelers at No. 31. There are a number of teams between picks 20 and 30 that have been rumored to be eyeing the OTs in this class, and a mini-run could ship both Sherrod and Solder elsewhere. So in the end, it might be another player entirely.

 

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Titans' WR draft plans

UPDATE: Friday, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter weighed in on whether the Tennessee Titans' draft plans have changed thanks to the latest troubles for Kenny Britt (see below).

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With the arrest of Britt this week -- making the timing of the visits by WR prospects A.J. Green and Julio Jones ironic -- we considered whether the team would use the No. 8 pick on another pass-catcher, ultimately concluding that it was highly unlikely.

For a column published on Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reached out to some NFL draft analysts for their opinions on whether this changes things for the Titans.

"They were not thinking about a wide receiver with the eighth overall pick, I guarantee you," Solomon Wilcots of CBS and the NFL Network declared. "Now you have to think about receiver, and they have to be thinking, 'Are you kidding me? I can't believe we may have to shuffle the deck because this guy went out and did something stupid.' Kenny Britt is making some people stay in the office overtime the next few nights, I'll tell you that."

"I would think the Titans have needs greater elsewhere, so I still can't see them going receiver in the first round," Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki speculated. "They just have to hope Britt gets things straightened out because when he's been healthy he's been dominant. ... They'll have other options if they want to go receiver. And I think there is more value in this draft in the middle rounds to find a good receiver."

Frankly, if WR was a relative area of need in the Titans' view previously, it will continue to be; if not, we don't see Britt's latest legal run-in changing anything. Damian Williams had a promising rookie campaign, veteran Nate Washington is in the mix and there have been hints that return specialist Marc Mariani may see an increased role as a wideout as well. It's not the league's best unit, but using a first-round pick on the position doesn't seem likely.

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Adam Schefter

This does change things a bit

"My sense is that, first and foremost, they have to let the legal process play itself out before making any final decisions on Britt -- but it has to impact their draft status. With Britt in trouble (again), with Randy Moss a free agent and with Nate Washington scheduled to make a lot of money, Tennessee has to be thinking wide receiver. Now, that doesn't mean the Titans will go out and draft Julio Jones over Nick Fairley; they still have to go with the highest-rated player on their board. But at some point, they have to slant their board to receiver and draft one or two of them, and that wouldn't have been such a strong possibility earlier this week."