If the Browns pass on Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma), then he would drop to the eight to ten range (i.e. Atlanta and Houston). Atlanta could take a running back, despite having drafted Jerious Norwood just last year. Atlanta runs the ball a lot, they have always used two backs, and Warrick Dunn is in the twilight of his career. That said, Atlanta might feel confident in Norwood, and thus, pass on Peterson. Similarly, Houston just signed Ahman Green. While he is a solid starter, his best days are behind him. Thus, they too might or might not pass on Peterson.
In short, if the stars align and Adrian Peterson somehow drops down to Buffalo, the Bills would be ecstatic…and, in turn, chances are that Patrick Willis would drop to the Steelers.
15
This is Pittsburgh's current selection…but, there is a good chance
that they will not be staying there. If Patrick Willis is gone, there
is not another linebacker worthy of the fifteenth selection. (Note:
if you had not noticed the trend, I am "slightly" pro-linebacker in
this draft.) I know that Lawrence Timmons (LB, Florida State) is
supposed to be high on Pittsburgh's draft board…but, I personally
think that a linebacker who played only one year as a starter is a
little risky for the top half of the first round. Instead, I could
see the Steelers trading down a few spots (see "16" below) and taking
Timmons.
Speaking of trading down, this year's draft reminds me of the 2001 draft, when the Steelers had the sixteenth overall selection. The Steelers had their eyes on two players: Dan Morgan and Casey Hampton. When Morgan was drafted a few picks before Pittsburgh's selection, the Steelers traded down (because sixteen was two high to take Hampton) and got an extra pick out of the deal. Likewise, this year, if Patrick Willis is gone, the Steelers will probably trade down.
16
The Green Bay Packers are slated to draft Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal)
with this pick. But, but, but, there are a number of teams that want
to trade up, right before Green Bay, to acquire Lynch. In other
words, the fifteenth pick (Pittsburgh's pick) is coveted. Tennessee
is the team most likely to trade up…but, there are several other teams
in the fold. Again, if Willis is gone, I can almost assure that the
Steelers will not be picking at fifteen.
23
Up until now, my theories and predictions have had a huge amount of
rational thought and/or valid facts supporting them. But, this
current idea is purely unfounded conjecture through and through.
The Chiefs own the twenty-third pick. They need a wide receiver. And, they need a return man (since they just traded Dante Hall). Ted Ginn would be the ideal fit for them…and, luckily, I foresee Ted Ginn slipping down to the mid-to-late teens. I doubt that the Chiefs would trade all the way up to number fifteen to acquire Ginn. But, I could easily see them trading up to nineteen…right in front of the Giants and Cowboys.
In other words, the Steelers would trade down from fifteen to nineteen (with Tennessee), and then trade down again, from nineteen to twenty-three (with Kansas City)…and finally select Timmons. Again, this idea is highly implausible…but, not impossible.
42
Dwayne Jarrett (WR, USC) is slipping down mock drafts, because, fair
or not, he is similar in stature to Mike Williams (also from
USC)…which got me thinking about what a steal Jarrett could be for a
team like the Steelers.
If the Steelers do in fact trade down in round one, they would have an extra pick to use in order to trade back up in the second round. Again, the 2001 draft comes to mind. When the Steelers traded down (and drafted Hampton), they then used that extra pick to trade back up in the second round, to acquire Kendrell Bell. Similarly, I could see the Steelers trading up into the early part of round two…for Jarrett...right in front of San Francisco...who owns the forty-second pick and could use a wide receiver.
While the Steelers do not really need a wide receiver, getting a player the caliber of Dwayne Jarrett at the top of round two would, again, be a steal.
SUMMATION
As I stated earlier, the NFL draft rarely has trades…and then I
predicted four possible trade scenarios for the Steelers. Mock drafts
never come out the way people expect them to…which is why it would be
great if Joe Thomas went before the fifth pick (and, in turn, Arizona
trades with Pittsburgh). Quality players drop due to slow 40 times
(Jarrett), while work-out warriors rise (hopefully, no one that
Pittsburgh drafts is one of these weight-room heroes). In the end,
all that us fans can hope for this weekend is that something exciting
happens...at least once every 108 minutes.
