from Frank Coyle today via email:
the entire report is below:The Dolphins are interested in adding a veteran linebacker and have Ray Lewis and Donnie Edwards in their crosshairs. Lewis would command two high selections, though Dolphins will not surrender a #1 pick and do not have a #2 pick this spring. The Dolphins have made an offer of a #3 this year and conditional #2 or #2 next spring. Edwards is a veteran with a high salary and is coming up on his final season and will command only a late pick. Dolphins have him as an insurance policy if the Lewis deal can not be completed.
“Lead Pipe Lock Report”
4/29 11am
This report hopes to clarify the endless rumors and misinformation around the NFL Draft ’06. First of all, it’s “Super Mario” not Reggie as the first overall pick as the Houston Texans sign the talented junior. With the NFL Draft ’06 only an hour away, you can take these things to the bank. That is why it is call the “Lead Pipe Lock Report”
The Saints are now On the Clock after Houston signed Williams to a 6-year deal worth a reported $54 million dollars. They actually had DE Mario Williams earmarked for the #2 overall pick, not OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson. They are entertaining several offers for that pick and have spoken to the Jets, 49ers and Broncos. The Saints want to stay in the top 5 picks and select Ferguson. The Jets are attempting to put a package together for the pick so they can select Reggie Bush. They have two #1 picks, the 4th and 29th selections plus an early #2 pick at the 35th overall selection. Jets are hoping to land the pick with two #1 picks and other selections next spring. Saints are holding out for additional selections. Remember the Jets are the club that has passed on Hall of Fame players like Dan Marino, Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith over their infamous history. They have a special place in the Bust Hall of Shame. Pull the trigger and bring “REGGIE REGGIE” back to the Big Apple. He won’t torture Red Sox fans, but Patriot supporters could be the next best thing for long suffering Jet fans.
The Lions GM Matt Millen will not select a wide receiver with their top 10 pick for the first time in four years. Lions have safety Michael Huff and QB Jay Cutler on their short list at the #9 overall pick but both players could be possibly gone here. Millen loves LB Chad Greenway and he could be the pick here if the other two are off the board. The player that could dictate the early selection process is ‘tweener Manny Lawson with several clubs like the Browns, Patriots, Cowboys and Chargers all very interested in landing in the first round. The Packers have received offers for veteran wideout Javon Walker from the Broncos and Saints. The Broncos have offered a #2 pick (37th overall) this year and a conditional selection next spring either a #2 or #3 according to his ’06 production. Broncos like a number of prospects at the 15th spot including runner DeAngelo Williams, DE Mathias Kiwanuka and wideouts Santonio Holmes and Chad Jackson. Packers need some salary cap relief after signing veteran corner Charles Woodson this week and Walker is the likely player to exit. The Saints have entered the sweepstakes for Walker and can offer an earlier #2 pick (34th overall) plus conditional picks next season. No club has stepped to the table with a #1 pick and these two clubs could be the finalists in a deal that most likely gets done prior to the NFL Draft ’06. The Dolphins are interested in adding a veteran linebacker and have Ray Lewis and Donnie Edwards in their crosshairs. Lewis would command two high selections, though Dolphins will not surrender a #1 pick and do not have a #2 pick this spring. The Dolphins have made an offer of a #3 this year and conditional #2 or #2 next spring. Edwards is a veteran with a high salary and is coming up on his final season and will command only a late pick. Dolphins have him as an insurance policy if the Lewis deal can not be completed. The Dolphins would then select corner Antonio Cromartie with the 16th overall selection with the LBing unit settled. Cromartie will probably start another run on cornerbacks this year with as many as 12-15 going over the first day. Last year, there were a record number of corners selected on the top 100 selections with 19 cover men chosen. With no trade for Lewis or Edwards, they have backers Greenway and Ernie Sims on their short list. Ravens are looking to add offensive linemen and could select two prospects and both possibly early in the process. They love OT Winston Justice but may lose out to the Browns under the direction of former Director of Scouting in Baltimore Phil Savage the new Cleveland general manager. The Browns have many needs to return to respectability and have players like DT Brodrick Bunkley, OT Winston Justice and LB Chad Greenway on their short list. They have added veterans like Willie McGinest and Ted Washington to improve their front seven and both players have experience in Romeo Crennel’s defense. They hope to add young players around them to learn and produce around the savvy veterans. Ravens face a critical draft with a strong nucleus still in line to make a playoff run. They have several needs on defense, in addition to offensive line and will consider a linebacker in the first round if Justice is gone. They also hope to move back in the top round and recover the #3 pick they traded last spring. The Bengals have clear needs entering the weekend and have the secondary their highest priority with both a cornerback and safety expected to be selected. They love safety Donte’ Whitner and he could be their top choice at the 24th overall pick. They also will draft into a deep tight end class on the first day with players like Marcedes Lewis, Anthony Fasano and Leonard Pope earmarked for the #2 pick.
The Cowboys hope to return to the playoffs with another strong draft class. They made a splash signing veteran wideout Terrell Owens but they must find a way to protect QB Drew Bledsoe for this offense to click. They love OT Winston Justice but they will have to move up from the 18th spot to have a chance for him. They probably have to move into the top 12 selections with clubs like Cards, Browns and Ravens also in love with Justice. The Bills are looking to move out of the top ten and have spoken to the Broncos and Patriots but anything completed will occur on the clock. Look for the Texans to focus on offensive line and running back with three other first day picks. They like OT Eric Winston and runners Joseph Addai at the 33rd overall pick.
