The Falcons move into the #8 spot in the draft, the Texans are out of the market for QB. Does it matter to the Browns? A little.
There had been rumors of the Texans trying to trade up to get a shot at Adrian Peterson. I didn't think the Browns made a likely trade partner because it's too big a jump, and the Texans lacked ammunition. The Texans still will need a running back, but they won't find one at #10.
The Falcons at #8 don't threaten to take any of the top tier prospects, but they might be able to move up a few more spots to grab one of the top guys. Calvin Johnson is likely the guy they covet, but they have a ton of needs and I wouldn't rule out a RB or even a QB. But most drafts have them going for a defensive lineman. If I were Bobby Petrino I'd be praying Brady Quinn resumed the slide he was supposedly experiencing a couple weeks ago because drafting a top QB who was "too good a value to pass up" would be the perfect cover for ridding himself of Mike Vick. It won't happen though.
The other factor here is whether David Carr gets released or traded for a bag of jockstraps. He can essentially be had for free now. He will get dropped, most likely, and we'll see if he really draws interest from Savage. It's a fool's errand IMO, but he might find himself in Cleveland if the Browns don't go for a QB in the draft. If that happens, my guess is gets beaten out by Derek Anderson.
Overall, the Texans paid a lot for Schaub. It would be a much better deal if that team wasn't so far away from being competitive because the future draft picks are a big price to pay. For Atlanta, it's a good move. Like it or not they are stuck with Vick for the short-term, and this ensures they'll have plenty of opportunity to keep the team strong/replace Vick in the next two years.
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PFT, which I "trust" more than most Watercooler-ites, posted a new mock today. I think it's quite representative of where things currently stand. Obviously this draft presumes a Randy Moss/Aaron Rodgers trade....
1. Oakland Raiders: Calvin Johnson, wide receiver, Georgia Tech.
2. Detroit Lions: Joe Thomas, offensive tackle, Wisconsin.
3. Cleveland Browns: JaMarcus Russell, quarterback, LSU.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gaines Adams, defensive end, Clemson.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Jamaal Anderson, defensive end, Arkansas.
6. Washington Redskins: Alan Branch, defensive tackle, Michigan.
7. Minnesota Vikings: Brady Quinn, quarterback, Notre Dame.
8. Houston Texans: Adrian Peterson, running back, Oklahoma.
9. Miami Dolphins: LaRon Landry, defensive back, LSU.
10. Atlanta Falcons: Amobi Okoye, defensive tackle, Louisville.
I agree that the Raiders choice will come down to Johnson or Russell. I think the Lions have legit interest in Quinn and Russell, so Thomas there would be a suprising bit of competence by their front office. And I'd be dissappointed since I think Thomas and Johnson are the best choices for the Browns.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the draft is shaping up to be the possible slide of Adrian Peterson. The teams #4-9 all have hiigh-profile starting running backs, except maybe the Falcons with Warrick Dunn. If Peterson is the Browns choice, a trade-down would seem to be the way to go.
And Russell to the Browns? Color me skeptical. I don't mind the idea of a real strong armed QB in Cleveland. But I don't think Russell had enough college success to gamble the #3 pick on. But if Thomas and Johnson are gone, then a choice between Russell, Quinn, and Peterson is a tough one.