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Updated: April 26, 2006, 5:47 PM ET
Trade winds picking up
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Archive
Trade winds picking up
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Archive
The biggest developing story in the last 24 hours is the Rams' increased interest in Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler. The Rams are correct in believing the Cardinals are targeting Cutler with the 10th pick. As a result, the Rams have been working the phones trying to bait the Lions (No. 9) or Bills (No. 8) into a trade that would allow them to move ahead of the Cardinals for Cutler. The Lions have not been overly receptive, as they have their sights set on Texas DB Michael Huff. Should Huff be off the board when the Lions go on the clock, they might change their mind. In the meantime, St. Louis will continue to work with the Bills, who have shown far more interest in dealing. Bills coach Dick Jauron is reportedly eager to trade up for the two players he covets most from this year's class -- Virginia OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Ohio State OLB A.J. Hawk. Unfortunately, general manager Marv Levy does not feel it is prudent to mortgage a second-round pick to move up for Ferguson or Hawk. Although Levy isn't necessarily sold on the idea of moving at all, he is far more receptive to trading down. Buffalo isn't as wild about the top two defensive tackle prospects -- Haloti Ngata (Oregon) and Brodrick Bunkley (Florida State) -- as most are led to believe. A source tells me Levy prefers Ngata because of concerns regarding Bunkley's character and ability to adjust to cold winters in Buffalo. The coaching staff, on the other hand, covets Bunkley because he's a far better fit in the new one-gap penetrating scheme.  Joe Robbins/US Presswire The Rams would love to get their hands on Jay Cutler. The Bills also have extremely high grades on Cutler and Huff. Although it might be a long shot for the Bills to draft a quarterback after using a first-round pick on J.P. Losman in 2004, it is something that reportedly has been tossed around during draft meetings. Cutler might carry a higher grade, but the team likely would select one of the defensive tackles or Huff ahead of Cutler simply because of need. The reason trading down has become so much more attractive for the Bills is because they're beginning to realize they can get a similar value in the low teens as with the eighth pick. Should they make a deal to move down a few spots to pick No. 11, Huff likely would be gone but Ngata or Bunkley should still be on the board. The Eagles, who hold the 14th overall selection, also have contacted the Bills for a potential trade. The Bills likely would lose out on both defensive tackle prospects, but they have some other prospects (OLB Ernie Sims, OT Winston Justice and DC Jimmy Williams) -- targeted in that range, as well. What's hard to figure is which prospect Philadelphia would value so highly as to make such a significant trade? There has been no leak from Eagles camp at this point, but my best guess would be Justice. Although Justice generally is considered a mid-first round prospect, there have been reports that teams such as the Cowboys (18) and Buccaneers (No. 23) have contacted the Ravens (No. 13) about moving ahead of the Eagles (No. 14) to select Justice. Finally, if the Rams do get a deal done to move up for Cutler, it could put the Cardinals in a tough spot. Arizona had considered Sims as a strong possibility with the 10th pick, but recent reports regarding multiple concussions in Sims' past have forced the Cardinals to reconsider. At this point, Justice and Williams are back in the equation. Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN Insider. |
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