Trades, Rumors, Sliders

[mayoclinic]

Nice read from National Football Post:

The National Football Post | Draft ‘09: Trades, Rumors, Sliders

It's a nice summory of recent rumors and activity. A lot of these were issues I addressed in my latest mock yesterday - Washington possibly trading up for Sanchez, Curry sliding, KC interested in Tyson Jackson, the Giants trading for Braylon Edwards, a possible Boldin trade, etc.

I'm not sure what to make of the Beanie Wells foot injury issue. It could be real (especially with his injury history) or it could be a classic smokescreen to get him to fall to someone who wants him (e.g., Philadelphia at 21 where he would be a nice change of pace complement to Westbrook; I think Wells would work best in such a situation, or with New Orleans as a complement to Reggie Bush). The rumors of Eugene Monroe having injury issues may also be a smokescreen. NFL.com had a nice article on smokescreens today as well:

Don't believe the hype ... it could just be a smokescreen

 

[mayoclinic]

Here's another article on possible trades from Alex Marvez at Fox.com:

FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - As draft looms, watch out for these trades

The most interesting name of his list of players who may get traded before the draft: Laurence Maroney:

Patriots running back Laurence Maroney

Bill Belichick though he grabbed the next great RB when drafting Laurence Maroney in 2006. Instead his pet project can't seem to stay healthy. (Harry How / Getty Images)
Summary: Maroney appeared on the verge of being New England's bell-cow running back after a strong end to the 2007 season. Maroney, though, was once again beset by injuries in 2008 and may not be the best fit on the tight ship run by coach Bill Belichick. New England also has an overload at the position with newcomer Fred Taylor, promising youngster BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and veterans Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris.

Likely compensation: A mid-round pick. With 12 selections in this draft, the Patriots may be more interested in stockpiling choices for 2010.

Trade odds: Fair. A team with a running back need like Arizona and New Orleans would be intriguing landing spots for Maroney.

Trading Maroney for a 2010 2nd round pick might possibly be an option if BB thought he could get by for 2009 with Taylor, Morris, Faulk and Green-Ellis. But I don't think it's very likely unless someone is willing to pony up a pretty fair offer.

 

[mayoclinic]

Seems like I'm the only one posting on this thread.

Still more rumors, this time from Todd McShay at ESPN:

Todd McShay: Michael Crabtree, B.J. Raji possibilities for Cleveland Browns - ESPN

Among the more interesting notes:

1. No OT for Bengals? "We've heard a lot in recent weeks about the Cincinnati Bengals and their need for a franchise offensive tackle, but rumblings are staring to surface that coach Marvin Lewis could talk the oraginazation into drafting Orakpo if he is available at No. 6, and assuming both OTs Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe are off the board. The Bengals have been looking for years for an impact edge rusher, and while we believe Orakpo fits best at end in a 4-3 he does have experience dropping into coverage and could give Cincinnati a lot of versatility and flexibility in its hybrid 3-4/4-3 system."

I'm assuming that the top 5 picks will be Stafford-JSmith-Sanchez-Monroe-Crabtree in some order. If the Bengals take Orapko at 6 that would shake things up quite a bit, and increase the odds of Andre Smith or BJ Raji falling to within trade reach. Oakland and Jacksonville at 7 and 8 could easily take either one, or could each take WRs.

2. What about the running backs? "Where the top running backs will land also remains unsettled. Chris 'Beanie' Wells is still in play for the New Orleans Saints but we're hearing the Saints are leaning toward DB Malcolm Jenkins, who would be a safer pick and a good fit at free safety in a pass defense that was terrible last season. The next likely spot for a running back is to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 21 overall, though there is talk of that pick being included in a deal for Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin. Or, the Eagles could take TE Brandon Pettigrew in order to give QB Donovan McNabb a legitimate weapon down the middle. From there on the only team with a big need at running back is the Arizona Cardinals at No. 31. So while Scouts Inc.'s top three backs -- Knowshon Moreno, Wells and Donald Brown -- all get first-round grades the lack of teams with clear running back needs, as well as the short shelf life of NFL running backs, makes you wonder how many will be taken in the first."

 

[jays52]

I could definately see a team like NO taking Jenkins. In that quick persuit based defense, the corners are responsible for applying a firm jam, attempting to stop the flow to and need good quickness working around the hashes inside of 15 yards. He would be a spectacular fit at corner in that defense.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

No point in trading Maroney unless we get something good back. It would cost us about $900K to cut him in cap space and he still has excellent upside. Unless we get a #2 in 2010 no way am I trading him.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Just reading on realgm, their "insider" saying that if Sanchez gets to #5 that the Browns will take him and trade Quinn to The Jest. Didn't say what for.

RealGM • View topic - Official "Ask Jeff Risdon a question" thread

"In other "surprise" statements, I've talked to two different people who would know that tell me the Browns will draft Mark Sanchez at #5 and then deal Quinn to the Jets. They won't deal beforehand in case they can't get Sanchez. But I really don't see Sanchez falling below #4, be it SEA or another team trading in."

 

[Patriot Missile]

Just reading on realgm, their "insider" saying that if Sanchez gets to #5 that the Browns will take him and trade Quinn to The Jest. Didn't say what for.

RealGM • View topic - Official "Ask Jeff Risdon a question" thread

"In other "surprise" statements, I've talked to two different people who would know that tell me the Browns will draft Mark Sanchez at #5 and then deal Quinn to the Jets. They won't deal beforehand in case they can't get Sanchez. But I really don't see Sanchez falling below #4, be it SEA or another team trading in."

Makes sense for the Jets. But they must be giving up multiple picks in this scenario to get Quinn.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Mangina at the helm of Cleveland would likely squash any trade scenarios with the jets...even a 3 way deal. JMHO

 

[mayoclinic]

Here's Tony Pauline's latest risers & sliders from CNNSI.com:

Stephen McGee, Andre Brown among NFL draft's rising prospects - NFL - SI.com

According to Pauline, Eben Britton could slide out of the top 45 picks. I'd be quite happy with him at 58.

 

[mayoclinic]

For a different list of risers and sliders, here's Bucky Brook's list from nfl.com:

Risers and fallers: Florida's Harvin, Penn State's Maybin sliding

This is the first I've heard of Aaron Maybin possibly falling a bit.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Makes sense for the Jets. But they must be giving up multiple picks in this scenario to get Quinn.

From all accounts I've read, Tannenbaum and Mangina are still friends.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Here's Tony Pauline's latest risers & sliders from CNNSI.com:

Stephen McGee, Andre Brown among NFL draft's rising prospects - NFL - SI.com

According to Pauline, Eben Britton could slide out of the top 45 picks. I'd be quite happy with him at 58.

Kind of a short list of sliders

McGee, Massaquoi, Lang, Ayers and Butler are still on my radar for where Pauline said they could now go. However Brown and Jackson are too rich for my blood at the prices named although I do like them.

 

[mayoclinic]

Here's an interesting take on possible draft day trades from Chad Reuter and NFLdraftscout.com:

Trading scenarios: Setting stage for draft swap meet - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

#10 on his list is NE trading 23 and 58 to NO for #14. I think that such a trade could happen, but given how desperate teams reportedly are to get out of the top 10 #58 could get us as high as 8-10. With 4 picks on the first day, I'm sure we will be trading around a lot.

 

[Seneschal2]

This is the first I've heard of Aaron Maybin possibly falling a bit.

He's not among the pre-draft contacts. Perhaps because he was thought to be an out-of-reach player -- or he just doesn't fit.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Here's an interesting take on possible draft day trades from Chad Reuter and NFLdraftscout.com:

Trading scenarios: Setting stage for draft swap meet - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

#10 on his list is NE trading 23 and 58 to NO for #14. I think that such a trade could happen, but given how desperate teams reportedly are to get out of the top 10 #58 could get us as high as 8-10. With 4 picks on the first day, I'm sure we will be trading around a lot.

I could see this happening if Jackson was available. I think BB would really have to love the player to make a trade like this.

 

[SamBamsFan]

I could see this happening if Jackson was available. I think BB would really have to love the player to make a trade like this.

I concur. The only way this happens is if Jackson, or one of the top OT's falls. It doesn't really make fiscal sense otherwise. I don't see that happening. It is nice to know that it might be available...

 

[mayoclinic]

I concur. The only way this happens is if Jackson, or one of the top OT's falls. It doesn't really make fiscal sense otherwise. I don't see that happening. It is nice to know that it might be available...

I see it making fiscal sense for Raji or Curry as well. Curry in the 8-10 range would be right where we took Mayo last year.

 

[SamBamsFan]

I thought about Raji just after I hit "post". Curry, I honestly never looked at closely enough (as I never thought that he would be available). Would you pay that much 2 years in a row for ILBs? It would certainly make for an interesting D lineup if you tried to keep both of these ILB's on the field for 3 downs. If you can't, than I don't think it would be worth it.

 

[mayoclinic]

I thought about Raji just after I hit "post". Curry, I honestly never looked at closely enough (as I never thought that he would be available). Would you pay that much 2 years in a row for ILBs? It would certainly make for an interesting D lineup if you tried to keep both of these ILB's on the field for 3 downs. If you can't, than I don't think it would be worth it.

Why wouldn't you? Curry and Mayo are both clearly 3 down backers. They can both cover TEs, handle the run, take on blockers, tackle sideline to sideline and rush the passer. Curry is a bit more physical than Mayo and a bit more adept at taking on blockers, which makes him a better fit at the MIKE, which fits since Mayo is a natural WILL. Guyton could back up both, giving us terrific depth.

There are a lot of people on this board who advocated trading up to #3 for Curry, or who hoped that BB had a "secret deal" with Pioli in place as part of the Cassel trade. That never made sense to me, because paying #3 pick money for an SILB made no sense, and because the cost of trading up to #3 was too high. But in the 8-10 range, factoring Mayock's view that teams will take a steep discount to trade out of the top 10, it makes a lot more sense. Mayo's contract was quite reasonable, and getting Curry for that kind of money would be a great deal. BB talked in his presser yesterday about how unusual it was to get someone like Mayo who excelled in so many facets and could come in from day 1 and be a significant factor. Curry is that player. He's got the smarts, the drive and the talent. And he Mayo would push each other - they're already incredibly driven individually, imagine how they would be together.

There are a lot of people that advocated trading 23 and 58 to move up for Rey Maualuga at SILB. Does anyone think that Maualuga would be better than Aaron Curry? Curry is a much more complete backer, better in coverage, better taking on blockers, a better tackler, smarter and faster and more disciplined than Maualuga. I never really considered Curry either because I thought he would go top 5, but IF he slips to 8 or later then I think we've got to be interested. He may still go top 5, but there's a decent chance he slips a bit.

My latest fantasy: trade 23 and 58 to move up to 8-10 to get Curry. Take Connor Barwin (or the pass rushing OLB of your choice) at 34. William Beatty, Eben Britton, Jamon Meredith or one of the 3 OG/C prospects slips to 47. And we trade up in the 3rd round to get a safety (William Moore, Patrick Chung or Sean Smith if they slip, or Chip Vaughn). Or we go safety at 47 and go after Troy Kropog or TJ Lang in the 3rd.

 

[mayoclinic]

Path to the Draft had a segment yesterday discussing possible sliders: Brian Orapko, Everette Brown, Percy Harvin, Beanie Wells, Vontae Davis, James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga.

NFL Video Galleries

Mike Lombardi thinks that teams are scared about Everette Brown's ability to play OLB, and about his size as a DE. "I think Everette Brown's going to have to prove he's a defensive lineman".