The Latest Draft News And Rumors

On the eve of the 2010 NFL Draft we figured we needed to let our readers know of the latest goings on related to football’s annual selection show. We’ve been on and offline for the last three weeks dealing with some “site issues,” those are all completely resolved now and it’s time to get back to doing what we do best - treading through the slimy muck of scurrilous sports gossip!

Dolphins looking to trade down?
Miami sent two second round picks to Denver in exchange for wide receiver Brandon Marshall, leaving the Fins with a huge gap between their first and second picks at No. 12 and No. 73 overall respectively. Many observers think the Dolphins could look to trade out of the No. 12 spot. Right now they are reportedly considering Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams, Texas outside linebacker Sergio Kindle, Texas safety Earl Thomas or Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan at No. 12. Out of nowhere, TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes is also becoming a “major target” for Miami in the hours leading up to Thursday night’s draft.

But the Dolphins could find plenty of suitors for a trade down if they decide to go that route: The Philadelphia Eagles want to grab one of the top safeties on the board and should be willing to deal; the Packers have often been mentioned as a team trying to move up by ESPN’s Adam Schefter; San Diego could be looking to move up if they’re really in love with Clemson running back C.J. Spiller or the aforementioned Dan Williams; the Patriots have a ton of extra picks this year and could be looking to add one of the more elite names in the draft via a package of some of those picks. So what will Miami do?

Trading down might be the best idea because of the depth of defensive talent available this year.

San Francisco to trade up for Clausen?
The 49ers are said to be enamored with Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen and the team possesses two first round picks, No. 13 and No. 17 overall. To defend against the possibility that another swooping in ahead of them and snagging Clausen, San Francisco may move up. It just so happens that the Kansas City Chiefs sit at No. 5 overall and are desperately looking to move down. Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli learned the value of trading down and stockpiling picks during his time in New England, and he’s surely willing to move if the 49ers are willing to pay.

The No. 13 overall pick and San Francisco’s No. 49 overall selection along with a swap of late round picks should get a deal done with Pioli in the 49ers really want Clausen that badly.

Rams still looking at trade possibilities with No. 1 pick?
While it’s almost certain that the St. Louis Rams will take Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford with the No. 1 overall pick tomorrow night, there is a slim possibility that they could move down. Teams like the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills all have the ammo to trade up into the top spot. Problem is, no one really wants to spend that much to grab the top spot. While the Rams would probably love to move down and stockpile picks, they’re going to end up stuck at No. 1 and taking Bradford. In the end, snagging a franchise quarterback for the first time in Rams draft history is probably the right move.

Jaguars want to move down and grab a safety
Another team that would love to move down in the first round is the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags are currently sitting at No. 10 and really love Tennessee safety Eric Berry. Berry should be off the board by the time the Jags pick, and the next highest rated safeties are Earl Thomas and USC’s Taylor Mays. The Jags would love to be able to move down and snag one of those guys to fill a position of need while picking up a few extra picks. Any takers?

Lions still not set at No. 2?
We’ve been over this before but the Detroit Lions are currently stuck in an odd position. They have the No. 2 overall pick and don’t know what to do. No option seems to be that bad, but making the wrong choice could be devastating. The Lions could take Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamakong Suh, Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung, or try to move down and fill a lot of holes. The Lions’ fanbase clearly wants the team to grab Suh, and head coach Jim Schwartz told a throng of 1,500 of them that they wouldn’t be disappointed on draft night. Was that just a diversion or do the Lions really intend to snag Suh, the consensus best player in the draft? The draft hinges on what Detroit does and everything should begin to unfold after they make their pick.