Let's face it. For an NFL fan, there are two types of pleasure come draft day, especially on the first day.
The first is the more sedate, warm fuzzy sort of feeling that the guy your team drafted is someone you heard of before, and you're likely to be saying his name time and time again in coming year. Even if you don't understand the teams logic or were SURE there was someone better out there, you start to see hints of potential in your team's selection, and you either boo the choice of a foe, jeer at a selection you felt was a reach, or nod with respect if you think they made a good pick.
The second pleasure is a little more electric though, when your team suddenly jumps up in the draft to snag someone in particular, or they slide down and amass later picks, or somehow, they trade away a player or two for a pick, or end up on the receiving end of some veteran talent.
This is where the real draft day drama comes in, and it creates moments that you can actually remember.
For me, the most recent include the agony of watching Brady Quinn continue to fall, his disbelief (and that of anyone who watched the draft) becoming more and more acute with each pick that passed... but then there was the relief when the Browns suddenly moved back up and snagged him. I can also remember Randy Moss' happiness when he stood, pumping his fist upon finding out he'd be a Patriot (and all for a fourth rounder?).
As we move closer to draft day, it's become clear this draft has the potential for much chaos and drama. After unexpected off-season cuts, coaching changes, scheme shifts and the recent trades of Jay Cutler and Jason Peters, it is easy to think that come Saturday, even more drama is likely to abound.
But when looking at the first round, who is likely to be in the mix?
I really believe the Lions, Rams, Chiefs and Seahawks will not provide any entertainment early. While 3 of the 4 have openly expressed a willingness to trade down, the want on the parts of other teams to move up seems lacking.
Which makes the Cleveland Browns the first team to be the first team who might invite some chaos. If area reports are to be believed, the Browns have settled into one of two draft picks, namely QB Mark Sanchez or WR Michael Crabtree. This isn't a complete shock since there have been heavy rumors circulating about trading QB Brady Quinn and WR Braylon Edwards. The chaos doesn't really come from shifting the pick as much as it does raise questions about what they pick made will mean later in the draft. One could easily assume that if one position is taken, it means their is a trade worked out somewhere else in the draft, and we can all wait with baited breath as the team logo shifts to the Browns again.
The Cincinnati Bengals don't have drama in their first pick as much as the do in the locker room. Though there is more silence and things are being said publicly that would indicate otherwise, the popular consensus is that Chad Ochocinco is still not happy on the team, and is desperate to get out. The silence could indicate many things, namely that either it is a resolved as it is going to be and no ones position has changed, or that Brown's stance on a no-trade is shifting slightly, and for the right price, Chad may have a new home. If the NFL networks recent interview with T.J. Houshmanzadeh is to be believed, the later circumstance could be happening now. This would cause a shake-up in the draft order and in who the Bengals pull in. There is no doubt that Chad can still play, just doubt that he can still play for the Bengals.
The next team I see as having a high drama liklihood is the Jacksonville Jaguars at pick 8. The Jags have also expressed a want to move down, and with several top players still on the board at that pick, it wouldn't surprise me to see some team justifying moving in. While this draft has a more gradual talent slope than most, teams might move in for a chance to draft some bell cows, including Mark Sanchez, B.J. Raji, Brian Orakpo, Michael Oher, or Andre Smith (assuming they've not already been drafted).
After trading Jason Peters away, the Bills are next on the list. I imagine some fans will hold their breath during the selection, since some rumors have suggested the team might try and package their new dirth of picks to move up and select a replacement for Peters. If I were a fan, I'd be praying that this doesn't happen because then the trade makes less sense. In essence, you've traded Peters for a gamble on a rookie player and a third rounder. But still, it could be exciting.
Directly after the Bills are my Broncos, who also sport two picks in the first. I have as much hesitation about the team moving up to score a QB to replace Cutler as I do the Bills replacing Peters, but I could also see where it is possible that it could happen. I also think it is possible that the Broncos could be a trade partner with the Jags if they were intent on drafting B.J. Raji, too. There is a large chance the DT who can play NT won't make it past the Pack, so Denver would have to scoop them.
The Washington Redskins and the Houston Texans are two teams which have mild drama factor. Both teams seem big fans of guys that could likely be scored with later picks, and if someone is interested of moving ahead for specific players (such a Chris Wells before the Saints pick or Josh Freeman before the Jets pick), then a trade down might occur. Keep in mind, I'm not saying that the Saints would draft Wells or that Freeman is the Jets guy, but there is a large enough possibility of it happening that teams might feel motivated.
Tampa Bay is in an interesting place where I think fans might WANT drama, but it's unclear if the Bucs will bite. After two botched attempts at Cutler, and cutting of hometown hero Joey Galloway, fans might want some excitment. Raheem, however, may be just fine where he is.
I have a gut feeling that the Eagles may try to move down, and that they may find a taker. But I have no proof there.
The New England Patriots already have a bit of drama swirling in light of the fact that they set their sites on Carolina's Julius Peppers. The Panthers have tried to squelch there rumors, but I'm not sure it's done yet. Add to that the Patriots history of moving up and down, and it is clear your dealing with one of the most mercurial teams in the NFL. Drama is hooked to that.
At 24, the Atlanta Falcons have been rumored to have an extreme interest in KC's Tony Gonzales, and who can blame them? While it is not likely that any trade would involve their first round selection, if the Falcons draft Brandon Pettigrew, it sort of lets the air out of the bubble, and thus there is some drama.
Both the Ravens and the Giants have been rumored to have more interest in certain vetern wide receivers than they do rookie talent. With the Cards setting a high price for Anquan Boldin's services and the Browns only barely avoiding talking about Edwards, both teams could make some chaos occur.
As for the rest of the first round, I'm not really sure there is any player out their teams are dying to get their hands on with the 30th pick or later, making them somewhat drama free, but then again it is the NFL, and surprises can abound.
So, what drama are you hoping for?
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