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The Way We Hear It — draft edition
Saints, Eagles most likely to move up as trade talks heat up
By Nolan Nawrocki
April 24, 2008
This is the final posting of "The Way We Hear It — draft edition" prior to the NFL draft. Be sure to make this Web site a regular destination during the upcoming draft weekend, as we'll provide wire-to-wire coverage of the action, including analysis of the picks and commentary.
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Boston College QB Matt Ryan
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Teams have their boards set for the most part, having finished massaging them for the last month following the Combine, pro days and private workouts, and have now opened up the phone lines, looking for potential trade partners.
The way we hear it, the two most likely candidates to move up remain New Orleans and Philadelphia, both set on drafting linemen. The Saints have their eyes focused on filling their need at defensive tackle, with LSU’s Glenn Dorsey high on their radar. The Saints also remain very interested in Leodis McKelvin, and with the Patriots in need of a cornerback following the free-agent departure of Asante Samuel, they could be forced to move up for McKelvin, as well. The Eagles have their sights set on an offensive lineman, with several big hogs very high on Andy Reid’s radar.
The Chiefs remain very open to trading and are entertaining many offers, potentially moving down from their No. 5 spot and up from No. 17 to address both their offensive line and open-side DE position vacated by Jared Allen.
The way we hear it, the Jets, Patriots and Ravens all remain open to moving down. The Broncos and Bills have shown the most interest in moving back. The Panthers and Bears have shown interest in sliding down. The Lions have expressed an interest in moving up and are believed to be seriously targeting a running back.
At this point, however, as usual, more teams are interested in moving down than up, and it’s possible very few trades will be executed once players start coming off the board.
If Matt Ryan should happen to fall past the Falcons, interest could be driven up the most in what is viewed by many teams as basically a one-quarterback draft. However, if Ryan is removed from draft boards early, as he very well could, there may be less of a chance of trades taking place.
What is certain is that the most prized commodities in this draft remain athletic big men who can either pressure or protect the passer. With three pass-rushing prospects who fit the mold and a handful of offensive linemen expected to be gone in the top 15 picks, it’s very feasible that at least one trade takes place.
Many teams have shown interest in moving down, out of the first round, at the back end, including Pittsburgh, Seattle, San Diego and Green Bay, all in the hope of acquiring additional picks. The Chiefs and Falcons, both of whom have an abundance of selections, could be primed to move back into the first round for a second selection in the top 31, with an eye on offensive tackles and cornerbacks.
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2008 Draft Preview
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If you would like to read more about the players who are about to enter the April 26-27 NFL draft, Pro Football Weekly has two publications that will fit the bill — the 2008 Draft Preview book and the 2008 Draft Guide.
The 200-page 2008 Draft Preview book, which sells for $19.95, contains detailed scouting reports on nearly 500 prospects with each player's height, weight, 40-time, positives and negatives. You'll also get our rankings of more than 900 draft prospects and a breakdown of each NFL team's needs, by position. Written by PFW personnel analyst Nolan Nawrocki and the editors of PFW, the Draft Preview book is widely recognized as the "bible of the draft." Books are now ready to be shipped.
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2008 Draft Guide
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Meanwhile, hot off the presses, the 2008 Draft Guide is a 152-page magazine that sells for $6.99, showcasing feature stories on Arkansas RB Darren McFadden and the secret to drafting success, a sleeper watch, a fantasy forecast and more. In addition, you'll find scouting reports on more than 350 players, draft previews for all 32 teams (including each club's top five areas of need and a "hot list" of prospects who fit the team's schemes) and rankings of the prospects by position.
The 2008 Draft Guide is available now at newsstands and bookstores throughout the country. Both of the above publications can be ordered now from the PFW store. You will receive a discount if you purchase both the 2008 Draft Preview book and the 2008 Draft Guide magazine from the PFW store with our Combo-Pack offer.
Related Articles:
Links to our online draft coverage
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