Open for business: Five teams wield great power in draft
Article By ddillon.tsn on 20th April, 2010
The NFL draft is supposed to be a talent equalizer with the weaker teams getting the picks of the litter and the stronger teams getting the later picks.
In theory, the draft should help create a more competitive landscape. In reality, it doesn't always work out that way. Various factors give some teams more impact than other teams.
In the 75th NFL draft, which begins Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, these five teams could wind up being power brokers:
Seattle Seahawks Trent Baalke will run his first draft for the 49ers and will have plenty of picks to make. Their leverage: They have two of the first 14 picks (Nos. 6 and 14). They could trade one of those for multiple picks and get more players.
Their options: Seattle must replace perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones, whose career is probably over, but it might not have to do it with the sixth pick. The tackle position is one of the strongest in this year's draft—many scouts say there are four or five tackles worthy of being selected in Round 1—so the Seahawks still could get a good one at No. 14.
Their view: "I'm always open to trading down, I really am," first-year G.M. John Schneider, who will work in conjunction with first-year coach Pete Carroll, told reporters recently. "We took pride in that in Green Bay. We will continue to do that."
San Francisco 49ers Their leverage: They have two of the first 17 picks (Nos. 13 and 17). Like the Seahawks, they could deal one of those picks and stock up with more players.
Their options: The 49ers already have suitors. There are teams interested in trading up to get one of San Francisco's two first-round picks. Their acquisition of Miami wide receiver/returner Ted Ginn last Friday for a fifth-round pick indicates director of player personnel Trent Baalke, who will be directing a draft for the first time, isn't shy about making a deal.
The view:...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for NFL
In theory, the draft should help create a more competitive landscape. In reality, it doesn't always work out that way. Various factors give some teams more impact than other teams.
In the 75th NFL draft, which begins Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, these five teams could wind up being power brokers:
Seattle Seahawks Trent Baalke will run his first draft for the 49ers and will have plenty of picks to make. Their leverage: They have two of the first 14 picks (Nos. 6 and 14). They could trade one of those for multiple picks and get more players.
Their options: Seattle must replace perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones, whose career is probably over, but it might not have to do it with the sixth pick. The tackle position is one of the strongest in this year's draft—many scouts say there are four or five tackles worthy of being selected in Round 1—so the Seahawks still could get a good one at No. 14.
Their view: "I'm always open to trading down, I really am," first-year G.M. John Schneider, who will work in conjunction with first-year coach Pete Carroll, told reporters recently. "We took pride in that in Green Bay. We will continue to do that."
San Francisco 49ers Their leverage: They have two of the first 17 picks (Nos. 13 and 17). Like the Seahawks, they could deal one of those picks and stock up with more players.
Their options: The 49ers already have suitors. There are teams interested in trading up to get one of San Francisco's two first-round picks. Their acquisition of Miami wide receiver/returner Ted Ginn last Friday for a fifth-round pick indicates director of player personnel Trent Baalke, who will be directing a draft for the first time, isn't shy about making a deal.
The view:...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for NFL
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