Anti-mock draft: Rumors that won't pan out
Jay Glazer / FOXSports.com
That's largely because mine are usually a farce, like everyone else's. Just think about this: We insiders all have sources inside the NFL who trust us. However, why would any of them ever tell us their choice in confidence only to have us print them?
Come on folks, this is the week when friends snow friends, sources snow confidantes, GMs snow counterparts. It's one big draft blizzard and the barometric pressure (whatever that thing really is) is rising steadily throughout the night.
In the spirit of providing a different sort of insight that is normally provided draft week, I've decided to put forth a Non-Mock Draft ? the players rumored to go different spots but either will not or should not. I'm going to grab my snow shoes, shovel and hat and tour through the NFL Draft blizzard of misinformation for the teams with top-10 picks and other assorted rumors.
While I will provide a Mock Draft of my own on Friday, the following is a Top 10 look at players and rumors linked to certain teams that I believe is either a farce or, in my opinion, would not be a wise selection.
Raiders ? Calvin Johnson, Brady Quinn. I believe it's JaMarcus Russell all the way and while some inside the NFL are questioning the veracity of such a choice, I'm not one of them. Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler all proved last year that a youngster can step in without much seasoning and at times excel. This kid can throw routes that only .0001 percent of the existing and past NFL population could throw ? if that. Teams negotiating with the Raiders are not going through their former acting GM Mike Lombardi, who now seems like he's out after the draft. However, like a mold that won't go away, he's survived past rumors of his demise over and over. Actually, they've been using a conglomerate of people to deal with their top 3 prospects.
Detroit ? Gaines Adams. Not saying they won't take him, just don't think they should. Rod Marinelli is the best defensive line coach in the NFL and he doesn't need a No. 2 pick to get a guy to excel. He should go with more of a sure thing rather than a project, and both Joe Thomas and Calvin Johnson are much more automatic than Adams. Plus, Marinelli thinks he can get double-digit sacks out of Kalimba Edwards and they picked up Tampa's Dewayne White in the off-season. After having lunch with Thomas at the Senior Bowl, I came away from our meeting feeling like I just picked up the check from a 12-year veteran tackle. In Johnson, while the team may get torched for going wide out, they have him so highly rated it's hard not to go with the missing link to their offensive woes. Johnson and LB Patrick Willis of Mississippi are talked about in such glowing terms by scouts and coaches like "incredible kid" or "one of the greatest characters we've ever met" or even "the type of kid you'd want your daughter to bring home" from the guys who take their affinity a little too far.
Cleveland ? Adrian Peterson. Don't think they go this route, even though they are telling the world they are. I think they're being too emphatic about taking him to too many people. This is where I call B.S. They should take Quinn. Seriously, how many people say they actually want to join the Browns these days? You get a kid like Quinn saying it, not only should you draft him, you should buy him a house the day he shows up and make sure it's next door to LeBron for all the cool parties.
Tampa ? Brady Quinn. I love Quinn as a player but this team needs a wideout desperately to go with star-in-the-making TE Alex Smith, Cadillac Williams and Chris Simms. As much as Jon Gruden has a QB-guru rep, he loves to abuse the living daylights out of the young ones. Gruden likes mobile QBs and Quinn isn't that, so all he'd end up doing is piling on the youngster instead of bringing him along.
As for Calvin Johnson, the man everyone thinks they are taking, the world believes this is a slam dunk if he is sitting there at No. 4. However, when was the last time their GM Bruce Allen "let slip" to the world they don't feel they need to trade up for their guy and that Johnson will be there? When was the last time everyone knew what a Bruce Allen-led team was doing? Former-agents-turned-GMs don't just suddenly change their spots and become truthful and open, do they? We'll see on Saturday.
Arizona ? Adrian Peterson. Team is putting out smoke signals that they'd draft the Oklahoma stud. Look, I know Edge took a beating last year but it doesn't matter if Gayle Sayers is in his prime on this team, this offensive line would get him beat up too. They need to go O-line as fast as they can. If Joe Thomas was somehow, someway on the board, they should all go to church, temple, mosque and any other house of worship they could find and to give immediate thanks and blessings.
Redskins ? Amobi Okoye. Team loves him but doesn't love him enough to warrant them taking him over a safety like LaRon Landry or even Jamaal Anderson. The team will still try, try, try to get out of this slot. I still believe they could get a deal done for Lance Briggs before Roger Goodell takes the podium.
Vikings ? LaRon Landry or anyone else on defense for that matter. Minnesota has an offensive-minded head coach and a young QB so expect this team to go offense first and foremost. Landry could be an answer if neither of their top two offensive players are on the board.
Atlanta ? A running back. There have been links with Marshawn Lynch and even Adrian Peterson here, but that won't happen. Could I see them trying to trade up to keep Calvin Johnson local? Absolutely! That could be the biggest coup of the Rich McKay-era if he could somehow pull it off. Could see them taking Landry or even an OT here too. But a running back? Not this high.
Miami ? Trade down with Chicago, who moves up to six with a Lance Briggs deal, and take Brady Quinn. This is a very hot rumor running around the league and, in fact, league sources even say the two teams have had some minor exploratory talks about such a move. I think even if they trade for Trent Green, it's a solid move for the new Cam Cameron Era. Side note: the Chiefs equipment guy has already sent Green's shoulder pads and other equipment he uses down to Miami thinking that deal will get done. Do I think that Chicago moves up and then trades with Miami? Not really. Not sure they think they'll have to move for him if Quinn gets out of the top four. Miami is also shopping Marty Booker to pick up additional picks in this draft.
Houston ? Denver would trade up with them and then the Broncos would again try to move into top three. There have also been rampant rumors that the Broncos are willing to put together a Ricky Williams-type trade to move all the way to No. 2. Detroit couldn't be that dumb to move all the way down into the 20s. Could they? When all is said and done, Houston should only consider such a move if tackle Levi Brown is off the board. Otherwise, they should stay put and grab an immediate upgrade to protect Matt Schaub better than they ever did for David Carr.
Other non-mock rumors outside the top 10:
Carolina will trade Kris Jenkins sometime during draft day. The reality is they'll do it if there is a first-rounder involved. Don't see it happening for anything less.
Buffalo will take Lynch. Don't think so, kids. If he's on the board, there will be a discussion, but they've soured on him in the last week. I think they either go corner or LB instead.
Green Bay will trade for Randy Moss for anything of real value. Even if it was for the last pick in the draft, they aren't 100-percent set on bringing him in there. However, at one point if they could get him for a minimal fee they may decide to give Brett Favre his going-away gift.
The Jaguars will select a University of Florida defender in Round One. I know north Florida is hopeful of such a move, but it's not going to happen. They'll either look to move up if one or two of their hopefuls gets past 10 or 11 or sit tight and take a non-Gator. Sorry folks.
Defensive end Jamaal Anderson is falling. It had been true a week ago but is no longer true today. Seriously, one week ago nearly every team who chimed in had something negative to say about this young man. Today he's linked to at least one team in the top six and a couple others inside the top 15.
Patrick Willis' and Greg Olsen's blazing 40 times propelled Willis into the top 10 and Olsen into the top 15. Willis should go early, but not top 10 and Olsen's workout time won't get him to break the top 15 and probably not the top 20.
Teams will be staying away from players more because of the personal conduct code issued forth recently by Goodell. Not more than any other years. The honest fact people is that some teams have always put a premium on character and others have not. Should it make a dent in places like Tennessee and Cincy? I believe so but there are too many coaches out there who believe, "I know he's had some issues but I think if I can get him here, I'll keep him on the straight path." I have not heard many teams come off a guy due to character concerns they wouldn't come off of in the past.
Jay Glazer / FOXSports.com
That's largely because mine are usually a farce, like everyone else's. Just think about this: We insiders all have sources inside the NFL who trust us. However, why would any of them ever tell us their choice in confidence only to have us print them?
Come on folks, this is the week when friends snow friends, sources snow confidantes, GMs snow counterparts. It's one big draft blizzard and the barometric pressure (whatever that thing really is) is rising steadily throughout the night.
In the spirit of providing a different sort of insight that is normally provided draft week, I've decided to put forth a Non-Mock Draft ? the players rumored to go different spots but either will not or should not. I'm going to grab my snow shoes, shovel and hat and tour through the NFL Draft blizzard of misinformation for the teams with top-10 picks and other assorted rumors.
While I will provide a Mock Draft of my own on Friday, the following is a Top 10 look at players and rumors linked to certain teams that I believe is either a farce or, in my opinion, would not be a wise selection.
Raiders ? Calvin Johnson, Brady Quinn. I believe it's JaMarcus Russell all the way and while some inside the NFL are questioning the veracity of such a choice, I'm not one of them. Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler all proved last year that a youngster can step in without much seasoning and at times excel. This kid can throw routes that only .0001 percent of the existing and past NFL population could throw ? if that. Teams negotiating with the Raiders are not going through their former acting GM Mike Lombardi, who now seems like he's out after the draft. However, like a mold that won't go away, he's survived past rumors of his demise over and over. Actually, they've been using a conglomerate of people to deal with their top 3 prospects.
Detroit ? Gaines Adams. Not saying they won't take him, just don't think they should. Rod Marinelli is the best defensive line coach in the NFL and he doesn't need a No. 2 pick to get a guy to excel. He should go with more of a sure thing rather than a project, and both Joe Thomas and Calvin Johnson are much more automatic than Adams. Plus, Marinelli thinks he can get double-digit sacks out of Kalimba Edwards and they picked up Tampa's Dewayne White in the off-season. After having lunch with Thomas at the Senior Bowl, I came away from our meeting feeling like I just picked up the check from a 12-year veteran tackle. In Johnson, while the team may get torched for going wide out, they have him so highly rated it's hard not to go with the missing link to their offensive woes. Johnson and LB Patrick Willis of Mississippi are talked about in such glowing terms by scouts and coaches like "incredible kid" or "one of the greatest characters we've ever met" or even "the type of kid you'd want your daughter to bring home" from the guys who take their affinity a little too far.
Cleveland ? Adrian Peterson. Don't think they go this route, even though they are telling the world they are. I think they're being too emphatic about taking him to too many people. This is where I call B.S. They should take Quinn. Seriously, how many people say they actually want to join the Browns these days? You get a kid like Quinn saying it, not only should you draft him, you should buy him a house the day he shows up and make sure it's next door to LeBron for all the cool parties.
Tampa ? Brady Quinn. I love Quinn as a player but this team needs a wideout desperately to go with star-in-the-making TE Alex Smith, Cadillac Williams and Chris Simms. As much as Jon Gruden has a QB-guru rep, he loves to abuse the living daylights out of the young ones. Gruden likes mobile QBs and Quinn isn't that, so all he'd end up doing is piling on the youngster instead of bringing him along.
As for Calvin Johnson, the man everyone thinks they are taking, the world believes this is a slam dunk if he is sitting there at No. 4. However, when was the last time their GM Bruce Allen "let slip" to the world they don't feel they need to trade up for their guy and that Johnson will be there? When was the last time everyone knew what a Bruce Allen-led team was doing? Former-agents-turned-GMs don't just suddenly change their spots and become truthful and open, do they? We'll see on Saturday.
Arizona ? Adrian Peterson. Team is putting out smoke signals that they'd draft the Oklahoma stud. Look, I know Edge took a beating last year but it doesn't matter if Gayle Sayers is in his prime on this team, this offensive line would get him beat up too. They need to go O-line as fast as they can. If Joe Thomas was somehow, someway on the board, they should all go to church, temple, mosque and any other house of worship they could find and to give immediate thanks and blessings.
Redskins ? Amobi Okoye. Team loves him but doesn't love him enough to warrant them taking him over a safety like LaRon Landry or even Jamaal Anderson. The team will still try, try, try to get out of this slot. I still believe they could get a deal done for Lance Briggs before Roger Goodell takes the podium.
Vikings ? LaRon Landry or anyone else on defense for that matter. Minnesota has an offensive-minded head coach and a young QB so expect this team to go offense first and foremost. Landry could be an answer if neither of their top two offensive players are on the board.
Atlanta ? A running back. There have been links with Marshawn Lynch and even Adrian Peterson here, but that won't happen. Could I see them trying to trade up to keep Calvin Johnson local? Absolutely! That could be the biggest coup of the Rich McKay-era if he could somehow pull it off. Could see them taking Landry or even an OT here too. But a running back? Not this high.
Miami ? Trade down with Chicago, who moves up to six with a Lance Briggs deal, and take Brady Quinn. This is a very hot rumor running around the league and, in fact, league sources even say the two teams have had some minor exploratory talks about such a move. I think even if they trade for Trent Green, it's a solid move for the new Cam Cameron Era. Side note: the Chiefs equipment guy has already sent Green's shoulder pads and other equipment he uses down to Miami thinking that deal will get done. Do I think that Chicago moves up and then trades with Miami? Not really. Not sure they think they'll have to move for him if Quinn gets out of the top four. Miami is also shopping Marty Booker to pick up additional picks in this draft.
Houston ? Denver would trade up with them and then the Broncos would again try to move into top three. There have also been rampant rumors that the Broncos are willing to put together a Ricky Williams-type trade to move all the way to No. 2. Detroit couldn't be that dumb to move all the way down into the 20s. Could they? When all is said and done, Houston should only consider such a move if tackle Levi Brown is off the board. Otherwise, they should stay put and grab an immediate upgrade to protect Matt Schaub better than they ever did for David Carr.
Other non-mock rumors outside the top 10:
Carolina will trade Kris Jenkins sometime during draft day. The reality is they'll do it if there is a first-rounder involved. Don't see it happening for anything less.
Buffalo will take Lynch. Don't think so, kids. If he's on the board, there will be a discussion, but they've soured on him in the last week. I think they either go corner or LB instead.
Green Bay will trade for Randy Moss for anything of real value. Even if it was for the last pick in the draft, they aren't 100-percent set on bringing him in there. However, at one point if they could get him for a minimal fee they may decide to give Brett Favre his going-away gift.
The Jaguars will select a University of Florida defender in Round One. I know north Florida is hopeful of such a move, but it's not going to happen. They'll either look to move up if one or two of their hopefuls gets past 10 or 11 or sit tight and take a non-Gator. Sorry folks.
Defensive end Jamaal Anderson is falling. It had been true a week ago but is no longer true today. Seriously, one week ago nearly every team who chimed in had something negative to say about this young man. Today he's linked to at least one team in the top six and a couple others inside the top 15.
Patrick Willis' and Greg Olsen's blazing 40 times propelled Willis into the top 10 and Olsen into the top 15. Willis should go early, but not top 10 and Olsen's workout time won't get him to break the top 15 and probably not the top 20.
Teams will be staying away from players more because of the personal conduct code issued forth recently by Goodell. Not more than any other years. The honest fact people is that some teams have always put a premium on character and others have not. Should it make a dent in places like Tennessee and Cincy? I believe so but there are too many coaches out there who believe, "I know he's had some issues but I think if I can get him here, I'll keep him on the straight path." I have not heard many teams come off a guy due to character concerns they wouldn't come off of in the past.
