hagan714

NFL teams may be ready to deal

By Allen Wilson -- News Sports Reporter
Updated: 04/24/08 10:12 AM



The first predraft trade happened Wednesday and more deals could play a big role in the weekend’s draft.
Kansas City dealt Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen to Minnesota for an additional first-round pick and two third-round selections. Other veterans could be on the move, too.
The Buffalo Bills might figure into the deal-making. Given their two biggest needs are wide receiver and cornerback, the Bills could move back from the 11th overall pick and still fill one of those needs.
It is believed that Michigan State wide receiver Devin Thomas would be the choice if the Bills stay put. But he might be a better value later in the
first round. Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin might be gone when the Bills draft at No. 11. But they could get a good corner (maybe South Florida’s Mike Jenkins) midway through Round One.
Teams that may want to move up include Kansas City at No. 17 (obtained from Minnesota) and Philadelphia at No. 19, both of whom need offensive linemen. It is believed the Bills are interested in moving back a bit if they can get a good price.
There are numerous prominent veterans who could be on the block.
Wide receivers Chad Johnson of Cincinnati, Anquan Boldin of Arizona and Roy Williams of Detroit have received a lot of attention as possible trade bait.
Johnson threatened to sit out the season if he’s not traded, but the Bengals aren’t budging from their position that he belongs to them. Coach Marvin Lewis confirmed reports Tuesday that the Bengals turned down an offer from Washington that would have netted the Redskins’ 2008 first-round pick and a conditional pick in 2009 that could have become a first-rounder.
According to one broadcast report, Boldin is not happy after the Cardinals gave fellow wideout Larry
Fitzgerald a four-year, $40 million extension. But the Cardinals insist they plan to keep Boldin, whose contract runs through 2010.
“A few teams have called to inquire, and my response has been consistent with everyone: We’re not interested in trading him,” Arizona General Manager Rod Graves told The Arizona Republic this week.
Graves didn’t reveal the teams that contacted the Cardinals, but it’s very possible the Bills were one of them. It would make sense because the Bills need a big, physical receiver. Coach Dick Jauron would prefer a veteran over a rookie, and Boldin is a proven commodity and is better than any wideout in the draft. It’s also worth noting that Bills receivers coach Tyke Tolbert held the same job in Arizona during Boldin’s Pro Bowl rookie season.
There were earlier rumors of a possible trade between the Bills and Detroit for Williams, but the Lions have said Williams is not on the market, at least for now. In addition to Buffalo, Washington, Dallas and Philadelphia are looking for a veteran upgrade at receiver.
Speaking of Philadelphia, it has let the world know that cornerback Lito Sheppard is available. The acquisition of former New England Pro Bowler Asante Samuel made Sheppard expendable. The Bills could use Sheppard, who played a lot of man-to-man in Philadelphia but should be able to adapt to the Bills’ Cover-2 scheme.
The New York Giants have a disgruntled tight end in Jeremy Shockey. Although they said Shockey isn’t available, rumors of a trade to New Orleans persist. Shockey would certainly answer the Bills’ prayers for a play-making receiving tight end.
The draft promises to bring some trades by teams looking to move up or down. The Saints have explored the possibility of moving from No. 10 to No. 2, perhaps to get LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.
Baltimore is believed to be interested in jumping from No. 8 into the top five so the Ravens can grab Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. There are reports that Carolina likes Ryan, too, and might try to move ahead of Baltimore to get him.
Both teams will have to keep their fingers crossed that Atlanta doesn’t take Ryan with the third pick.
Few teams have as much flexibility as Kansas City. With 13 total picks, the Chiefs have the option of moving up or down in any round of the draft.
Defensive ends Chris Long of Virginia and Vernon Gholston of Ohio State, Virginia offensive guard Branden Albert and Ryan are likely targets for the Chiefs at No. 5.
The Chiefs might address their offensive line with the 17th pick. That may force Philadelphia to trade up, possibly with the Bills, to ensure they get a top lineman.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

Bobaganoosh

I have a feeling that with all the talk we have been hearing about possible trades that could happen during the draft, this is going to be a let down for most of you. Some of those vets will be traded, but that will have little impact on the Saints. This may be a fun draft to watch, but i think it will be more talk than substance.

BooBirdSaint

That so true. The hype always fails to live up to the reality. I think were set at ten and the deal for Shoc for our second pick on Saturday is fine with me. So far the best thing about this years draft is its gonna be 5 mins shorter per round...

Bobaganoosh

I've been suckered into it too many times. I didnt buy the Saints moving up to get Dorsey, I didnt buy the Saints swapping with Philly for Lito, (only because i dont think the FO thinks we need a CB shorter than 5'10). I kind of buy the Shockey thing, but i dont think Boldin, Ocho, Roy Williams or any of the other big names to be traded. None of those teams are rebuilding, so they arent going to give those guys away. The Chiefs are rebuilding, so they got rid of their best player.

But at least everyone covering the draft will have things to talk about in between picks.

It's all in the reflexes.

MatthewT

Well, if the Bills need a WR and CB so bad, how about Devery Henderson, Lance Moore, and Jason David for their 4th round pick and JP Losman? I know, Buffalo would never go for that... LOL