NFL Draft 2011: Da'Quan Bowers to Tampa Bay? Addressing Latest Draft Speculation
As we come closer to the draft, rumors begin to pick up, and it is hard to filter out what's valid and what's nonsense.
This year is odd because there will be no player trades until the CBA is signed. This means no "Jay Cutler to the Bears" type of trade will go down. This trade shook up the landscape of the draft, so this year's may be more predictable than in the past.
Counteracting the loss of player trades are the numerous quarterbacks who are possible first-round selections. Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder and Andy Dalton have all been considered as potential first-rounders. These are players that teams may trade up to select, mortgaging their franchise's future on these young talents.
"Smoke screens" are aplenty this year as well. This is likely because teams feel vulnerable given the unpredictability of the current labor negotiations, and they simply want to watch out for themselves by keeping internal matters out of the public eye.
Either way, there is always room for some speculation on the latest speculation. So without further ado...
The Panthers Are Bluffing: Reality
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Verdict: REALITY
Many believe first-year coach Ron Rivera and the Panthers are sold on the Heisman winner from Auburn, Cam Newton.
Not so fast though.
It wasn't too long ago when quarterbacks were completely out of the mix for the first pick. Patrick Peterson, Marcell Dareus, Nick Fairley and A.J. Green were all considered possibilities for the pick, but have fallen into the background recently.
This is the work of the Panthers' front office.
If that had remained the case, and teams such as Buffalo and Cincinnati knew their quarterbacks would still be around when they went on the clock, the Panthers would have no bargaining point to get out of the No. 1 pick and acquire the second-round pick they desire—as well as a future first-round selection.
Newton has confessed he needs coaching to smooth out the adjustment to the NFL. With the current state of the CBA, teams may not get a chance to sign and talk with their players until August or possibly even later.
This would set Carolina's franchise back even further, so it would make sense that they would try to avoid this situation.
The Redskins Will Move Up to Draft Blaine Gabbert: Rumor
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Verdict: RUMOR
There is some speculation that the Redskins want Blaine Gabbert enough to make a huge enough offer to move up all the way from the 10th pick to the top two.
While this would add credibility to the rumor regarding the Panthers, this sounds a little fishy to me.
Mike Shanahan has a history of falling in love with mobile quarterbacks, but he will have to make an overwhelming offer to Carolina, Denver or Buffalo to achieve a position where Gabbert will be available. I don't believe Shanahan is ready to make such an offer as long as he is confident in another mobile quarterback, Jake Locker. The Redskins would be much better off trading down and selecting the Washington product in the second half of the first round.
If he is not sold on Locker though, there are many options at his disposal that don't involve the risk trading up for a quarterback entails.
Drafting Julio Jones at No. 10 would make sense, as would Robert Quinn. The benefit of that situation is that the 'Skins would still have a second-round pick to spend on Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton or another quarterback, if the opportunity presents itself.
Da'Quan Bowers Will Be a Buccaneer: Reality
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Verdict: REALITY
Bowers has been falling, falling, falling ever since news of his knee injury began to circulate. Bowers is incredibly talented and could end up being the steal of the first round, but many teams in the top half of the first round will consider him too much of a risk for their franchise, which is already in a fragile state.
This will result in him slipping, and possibly landing in the lap of the Buccaneers, who are sitting and waiting at pick 20 for a defensive lineman.
There is always the possibility that Tampa Bay trades up to draft Bowers though. There is a need for defensive linemen in the picks between Miami—No. 15—and Tampa Bay—No. 20. Miami has expressed an interest in Ryan Mallett and Mark Ingram, who will both likely last to the 20th pick. This could cause the Bucs and 'Phins to swap picks—obviously with some mid-round compensation for Miami—and allow Tampa Bay to select Bowers with the 15th pick.
These are two situations that make this rumor seem all the more possible. As long as Minnesota—who may trade up—passes up on the physically-dominant defensive end, Tampa Bay should be licking its chops.
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Ryan Kerrigan Is Destined for San Diego: Rumor
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Verdict: RUMOR
Some Chargers fan are anticipating the possibility that Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan will be drafted by San Diego.
This is a stretch though, because there is some major interest in Kerrigan ahead of San Diego, who sits at No. 18 in the upcoming draft. It is much more likely Aldon Smith or Cameron Jordan will be the pick here.
Kerrigan is a good athlete and "NFL-ready"—if there is such a thing—but he does not merit a top-15 pick, which is where San Diego would have to trade up to in order to draft him. The Dolphins should present a possible trade partner, but it seems like too much fuss over a late first-round talent.
The Rams and Cowboys Will Swap Picks: Reality
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Verdict: Reality
I predicted this earlier this morning, and it seemed to have picked up steam as the day progressed.
The Rams are desperately searching for assistance for their franchise quarterback, Sam Bradford.
Bradford had relatively no help as he attempted to lift his team into the playoffs during the 2010 season. In the Rams' game versus Seattle, the playoffs were on the line, and it became apparent that Bradford did not have the surrounding weapons to get it done. Receivers were constantly dropping perfectly-placed balls, and Bradford was clearly frustrated.
The fact that St. Louis is interested in a receiver is clearly justified after that performance.
Julio Jones was often considered as a possibility at No.14 where the Rams would select the star from Alabama, but after his stellar combine performance, his stock skyrocketed into top 10, even top six consideration.
If he is still available at No. 9 and Prince Amukamara is off the board—both are very likely at this point—St. Louis could conceivably trade up to ninth and select the receiver. Dallas would definitely consider this because Tyron Smith and Anthony Castonzo—both offensive tackles Dallas is targeting at No. 9—would likely last until Dallas gets back on the clock at 14.
This is one of the more likely scenarios to be fulfilled.
Atlanta Will Shock Their Fans with the 27th Pick: Rumor
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Verdict: RUMOR
D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has predicted the Falcons will take Kyle Rudolph with the 27th pick, stirring up some controversy over whether it would make sense to pass up on a defensive end—their biggest need.
While this rumor does seem to have some legs, I believe this is not the time for Atlanta to make a questionable move to build for the future of their franchise. It is time to draft a pass-rusher and compete for an NFC Championship next fall.
Tony Gonzalez has been considering retirement and a continued lockout of the 2011 season would almost ensure the sad ending of a great career, but that is a situation that will be assessed as the labor negotiations continue.
Rudolph could potentially be the heir apparent to Gonzalez, but is that really what the Falcons need to boost them into the Super Bowl?
The simple answer, is no.
A defensive end would make much more sense, but if there is a run on pass-rushers before Atlanta goes on the clock, addressing a weakness at receiver would make more sense. After Roddy White, they do not have a legitimate threat. Torrey Smith, Randall Cobb and Titus Young present options at No. 27.
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